Farewell! but whenever you welcome the hour <br />That awakens the night-song of mirth in your bower, <br />Then think of the friend who once welcomed it too, <br />And forgot his own griefs to be happy with you. <br />His griefs may return, not a hope may remain <br />Of the few that have brighten'd his pathway of pain, <br />But he ne'er will forget the short vision, that threw <br />Its enchantment around him, while lingering with you. <br /> <br />And still on that evening, when pleasure fills up <br />To the highest top sparkle each heart and each cup, <br />Where'er my path lies, be it gloomy or bright, <br />My soul, happy friends, shall be with you that night; <br />Shall join in your revels, your sports, and your wiles, <br />And return to me, beaming all o'er with your smiles - <br />Too blest, if it tells me that, 'mid the gay cheer, <br />Some kind voice has murmur'd, 'I wish he were here!' <br /> <br />Let Fate do her worst, there are relics of joy, <br />Bright dreams of the past, which she cannot destroy; <br />Which come in the night-time of sorrow and care, <br />And bring back the features that joy used to wear. <br />Long, long be my heart with such memories fill'd! <br />Like the vase, in which roses have once been distill'd - <br />You may break, you may shatter the vase, if you will, <br />But the scent of the roses will hang round it still.<br /><br />Thomas Moore<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/farewell-but-whenever-you-welcome-the-hour-2/
