Dear friend of my childhood, what token
Or gift shall I leave for you?
Our paths lie apart, and an ocean of change
Covers shores where Love's flowers once grew;
I will leave in your care this necklace,
Each link is a thought of the past,
Sometime, if your heart should grow weary,
You'll rejoice that my friendship could last.
Or gift shall I leave for you?
Our paths lie apart, and an ocean of change
Covers shores where Love's flowers once grew;
I will leave in your care this necklace,
Each link is a thought of the past,
Sometime, if your heart should grow weary,
You'll rejoice that my friendship could last.
You have counseled to noble actions,
Sweet one, and my gift to you
Shall be the broadening circle
Of whatever is earnest and true.
And, brother of mine, 'mid the blessings
That brighten your pilgrim's lot,
I'll send you this charm, with the motto,—
"Unforgetting, and still unforgot."
Sweet one, and my gift to you
Shall be the broadening circle
Of whatever is earnest and true.
And, brother of mine, 'mid the blessings
That brighten your pilgrim's lot,
I'll send you this charm, with the motto,—
"Unforgetting, and still unforgot."
And last on the list of my treasures,
I will leave you the richest, dear friend:
The every day prayers of a lifetime,
Constant and fond to the end.
They may yield no gleam nor glitter,
But they bear love's golden ring,
And God, who blesses the weakest,
Only knows what comforts they'll bring.
I will leave you the richest, dear friend:
The every day prayers of a lifetime,
Constant and fond to the end.
They may yield no gleam nor glitter,
But they bear love's golden ring,
And God, who blesses the weakest,
Only knows what comforts they'll bring.
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