Poems (Chilton, 1885)/On the Death of a Friend
ON THE DEATH OF A FRIEND.
True husband and true father; add to this A friend as true; yet more than all of these Wert thou my friend, who to the bitter leesDrained thy sad cup of life.—The sphere of bliss That holds thee now a fitter home will be Than this half-hearted world for one like thee,Whose sterling coin of words was minted out From the pure metal of thy dauntless soul And bore Truth's image; who didst fly the goalThat most men seek, and put to utter rout The swarming host that track the steps of those Who follow Duty's path.—Behold the close!—A grave bedewed with manly tears; a nameSpotless and bright,—the sum of all true fame!