Poems (Rice)/To a dear Friend
TO A DEAR FRIEND.
OF thee let me beg such lines not to send; No, I could bear, better bear, a cross word, Than thoughts and emotions so sweet, loving friend, Which have my dull pulses all stirred.
I may not possess the gift and the grace, The exuberance, the skill, and the art Which is thine; but O, what can ever efface Those beautiful lines from my heart?
If these are impromptu, pray never be led To study, or try any other to sing; Not to me, but remember my poor heart and head; And to these shall my memory cling.