Poems (E. L. F.)/A dialogue
A DIALOGUE
BETWEEN THE WORLD AND THE HEART.
VOICE OF THE WORLD.
Here cease all sorrow, and all care forego,Long blessed years of hope and gladness know;Riches, power, honour, weave one endless mazeOf rare enjoyment, o'er thy future days.
VOICE OF THE HEART.
Oh! tell me not of riches, honour, power,The transient shadows of man's little hour;On the false glitter of such fragile toys,I cannot, dare not, build my young heart's joys.
VOICE OF THE WORLD.
Then let me tell thy heart of friendship's might,Twining two souls in one communion bright; Of love's soft radiance melting care away,The summer sunshine of our fitful day.
VOICE OF THE HEART.
Yea, friends in name I know that I possess,And friends in power, prosperity, and bliss,And friends to smile when all is bright and gay,But not one friend to share a soul's dismay.
And thus, with all the world can give, I feelA chilly sadness o'er emotions steal;For who could bear to tel the soul's deep thrillTo those who care not if that soul were still.