Poems (Holmes)/To my Cousin
Dear cousin, though thou our circle leav'st,
In strangers' halls to dwell,
Yet I will love thy memory still,
And ever guard it well.
As we around our frugal board
In thankfulness repair,
And see thy lone vacant seat, I'll sigh,
And wish that thou wert there.
And when deep sadness o'er me steals,
As once thou sawst it did,
I'll call to mind thy kind-toned voice,
That in my heart I've hid.
And when before the heavenly shrine
I kneel to offer prayer,
For my own dear brother fondly loved,
Thy name with his I'll bear.
And now in return I ask of thee,
That thou wilt not forget
The cousin who oft thy playmate was,
When we were little yet.
And since in riper age we've met,
So soon to part again,
Loved, cherished still thy name shall be,
As all my life it's been.
And now with regret I say farewell,
And hope that thou mayst find,
Through all the various scenes of life,
Friends affectionate and kind.