To the Afflicted
One
Of thee, of thee, my dearest friend,
My thoughts continually
are,
Oh! that suspense was at an end,
No thought would then my
pleasure mar.
May sickness flee and health return
Thine eye once more its life
regain
Thy absence then I would not mourn,
And perfect friendship we'd
retain.
Thou hast the power to comfort me
In this cold world of
heartless pride -
When cast on life's tempestuous sea,
Thy smile doth all my grief
subside.
Forbid it God! forbid it Heaven!
Stretch forth thy hand and
kindly save,
The ties of love should they be riven -
Oh! spare him from the dark
cold grave.
Extend thy brittle thread of life
Uphold him by the mighty
power:
But shield him from a world of strife
Let not its tempests in him
lower.
Think the distance that thou art,
Thou canst forgotten be;
So long as mem'ry lies within this heart,
I will remember thee . . . .
