Poems (Angier)/A Foe and a Friend
A FOE AND A FRIEND.
A foe and a friend On man's pathway attend, One nerves him with life's ills to cope; Tells of courage to bear, And to banish despair, He cheerily whispers of Hope.
Not so with the foe, Wherever we go, He follows with dark, frowning face; No kind words of cheer, From his thin lips we hear, He bodes only ill to our race.
The spectre grim, in memory's hall—That binds the soul in terror's thrall;The raven's croak, the owlet's scream—The nightmare of a troubled dream—But faint types these of that deep gloomWhich dark Distrust flings o'er Hope's tomb.
But calm-browed Trust—meek angel, standsWith upturned gaze, and folded hands;In sorrow's night she soothes the breastWith visions fair of heaven and rest;Pure, loving thoughts, celestial flowers,She brings to cheer Doubt's saddest hours.
Shall foe or friend Thy path attend? To each, to all, the choice is given; Decide with care, Of Doubt beware— The foe, Distrust, ne'er enters heaven.