Jump to content

Page:Poems - Richard S Chilton (1885).djvu/66

From Wikisource
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
60
ON THE DEATH OF A FRIEND.

ON THE DEATH OF A FRIEND.

True husband and true father; add to thisA friend as true; yet more than all of theseWert thou my friend, who to the bitter leesDrained thy sad cup of life.—The sphere of blissThat holds thee now a fitter home will beThan this half-hearted world for one like thee,Whose sterling coin of words was minted outFrom the pure metal of thy dauntless soulAnd bore Truth's image; who didst fly the goalThat most men seek, and put to utter routThe swarming host that track the steps of thoseWho follow Duty's path.—Behold the close!—A grave bedewed with manly tears; a nameSpotless and bright,—the sum of all true fame!