Poems (Hazlett-Bevis)/Greeting

by Sophia Courtoulde Hazlett-Bevis

Greeting.

"Hail!" and not "farewell!"
 Oh, friend of mine;
My hand to thee as well
 I offer, clasping thine
In hope, that days to come
 May bring for thee
The kindliest joys of home,
 On land, or sea;
That every day and hour
 May make thy life so bright,
No dark'ning shower
 Shall cloud it, nor e'en night
Be known from day,
 Except that thou mayest rest;
By that, life's better way
 Wherein we're taught 'tis best.
Oh, if thou couldst see
 Within my heart's deep cell,
There's not a strain for thee
 That whispers "fare thee well."