Page:Scenes in my Native Land.pdf/194

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190
HOME OF AN EARLY FRIEND.

Remembered joys renew their tide,
And thou art seated by my side,
Again thy polished brow to raise,
Through clustering curls, with tender gaze,
Again reveal like sparkling dew,
Thine inmost spirit's stainless hue;
Nor can I feel, that hadst thou still
My partner been through earthly ill,
Time could have dimmed thy joyous air,
Or flecked with grey thy flowing hair,
Or scattered from his raven wing,
Such change as he to us doth bring.

Thou art not changed, though with the blest,
Save that thou wearest an angel's vest,
Save that thou breathest a glorious strain,
Which hath nor dissonance, nor pain;
Save that thou dwellest where winter hoar,
And day and night revolve no more
Thou art not changed, thy head is bowed,
To cheer me from yon fleecy cloud.
Wait! Wait! for if I truly tread
The path thy sainted footsteps led,
I ne'er will think a love like ours
Can fade like earth's forgotten flowers;
It had a root in faith sublime,
Its perfect fruit shall mock at time.