Absence and time can ne’er destroy
     Pure friendship’s chrystal streams;
   Near us the loved one lingers round,
     And greets us in our dreams.

   No brighter chain this earth can boast,
     Than twines ’round kindred hearts;
   Brilliant and fair the links remain,
     Though fate rends them apart.

   Alas! that we so soon must part. 
     Ere budding friendship’s bloom;
   Remain, sweet germ, within each heart,
     And thrive beyond the tomb.

   Receive, dear friend, these parting lines,
     Though humble they appear;
   Earth, with its joys, are fading fast,
     With all that love us here.

   Then may we be prepared to soar
     Where ransomed spirits blend;
   There may our souls in love unite,
     Where friendship fears no end.

FAREWELL TO A BROTHER.

   Farewell, farewell, my dearest brother,
     Thou must be absent for awhile,
   May no dark clouds around thee gather,
     May health and fortune on thee smile.

   In fancy’s dreams, I’ll oft be with thee,
     On thy fond heart my image bear,
   And while I hope again to meet thee,
     The pleasing thought my heart shall cheer.

TO W.H.D.

An adopted brother.

   The home of thy childhood thou didst not forget,
   The friends which dwelt with thee are dear to thee yet,
   Thy warm friendly greeting betokens it now,
   The smile of pure friendship still beams from thy brow.

   I knew that thy heart was so faithful and true,
   Thou wouldst not forget, though thou bad’st us adieu;
   For thou didst rejoice with us when we were blest,
   And sympathize with us, however distressed.

   Say, wilt thou remember us, while thou dost live,
   And cherish our virtues, our frailties forgive? 
   O think of us always, where’er thou dost roam,
   For thy living image dwells ever at home.

   But there is a home which is better than this,
   The inmates all drink at the fountain of bliss;
   A friend, than a father or mother more dear,
   More close than a brother, this friend will adhere.

   Wouldst find that blest home? go, and follow the road,
   Which Christ and the prophets have marked out, to God;
   The Spirit will teach you, and guide, lest you stray,
   While legions of angels shall throng round your way.

LINES

   To A friend in affliction. 
   An acrostic.

   D ark frowning clouds obscure thy sky,
   E ach future prospect fades;
   B ut there’s a kind protector nigh,
   O n him rely for aid. 
   R ich treasures are locked up in store,
   A ffliction turns the key;
   H ow oft when dreadful thunders roar,
   M ay showers bid famine flee. 
   O sister, never yield to fears
   W hen tempests roar aloud,
   E ’en then, the bow of hope appears,
   R ich hues bedeck yon cloud.