HERE once engaged the stranger's view Young Friendship's record simply traced; Few were her words, -- but yet, though few, Resentment's hand the line defaced. Deeply she cut -- but not erased, The characters were still so plain, That Friendship once return'd and gazed, -- Till Memory hail'd the words again. Repentance placed them as before, Forgiveness join'd her gentle name; So fair the inscription seem'd once more, That Friendship thought it still the same. Thus might the Record now have been; But, ah, in spite of Hope's endeavour Or Friendship's tears, Pride rush'd between, And blotted out the line for ever. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...WOODSMOKE AT 70 by HAYDEN CARRUTH REAR-PORCHES OF AN APARTMENT-BUILDING by MAXWELL BODENHEIM MOTHER NATURE by EMILY DICKINSON OF MONEY by BARNABY (BARNABE) GOOGE IN THE SHADOWS: MY EPITAPH by DAVID GRAY (1838-1861) TO JOHN KEATS; SONNET by AMY LOWELL |