Let those who will of friendship sing, <br />And to its guerdon grateful be, <br />But I a lyric garland bring <br />To crown thee, O, mine enemy! <br /> <br />Thanks, endless thanks, to thee I owe <br />For that my lifelong journey through <br />Thine honest hate has done for me <br />What love perchance had failed to do. <br /> <br />I had not scaled such weary heights <br />But that I held thy scorn in fear, <br />And never keenest lure might match <br />The subtle goading of thy sneer. <br /> <br />Thine anger struck from me a fire <br />That purged all dull content away, <br />Our mortal strife to me has been <br />Unflagging spur from day to day. <br /> <br />And thus, while all the world may laud <br />The gifts of love and loyalty, <br />I lay my meed of gratitude <br />Before thy feet, mine enemy!<br /><br />Lucy Maud Montgomery<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/to-my-enemy/
