Poems (Frances Elizabeth Browne)/To a friend on her birthday
TO A FRIEND ON HER BIRTHDAY,BEING CHRISTMAS DAY.
Again, dear girl, with love sincere, Your constant bard her carol sings,Whilst another varying year The merry season Christmas brings.
Is there a heart which does not beat, And throb with feelings of delight,When child and parent joyful meet, And friends and families unite?
When sparkling eyes beam with delight, And mirth and happiness prevail,Is there a heart which such a sight To warm and animate can fail?
Pleasures as innocent as pure, Yet bright and lovely though they be,They only a brief space endure,: But Christmas gave a friend to me.
Hail! precious gift, of value rare, What gold could never, never buy.What gem with friendship can compare? What boundless treasures with it vie?
Celestial plant, removed a time, It buds and blossoms for the skies,Transplanted to its native clime, Matured in loveliness to rise.
THE END.