Still serve me in my age, I pray, <br />As in my youth, O faithful one; <br />For years I've brushed thee every day- <br />Could Socrates have better done? <br />What though the fates would wreak on thee <br />The fulness of their evil art? <br />Use thou philosophy, like me- <br />And we, old friend, shall never part! <br /> <br />I think-I <br />often <br />think of it- <br />The day we twain first faced the crowd; <br />My roistering friends impeached your fit, <br />But you and I were very proud! <br />Those jovial friends no more make free <br />With us (no longer new and smart), <br />But rather welcome you and me <br />As loving friends that should not part. <br /> <br />The patch? Oh, yes-one happy night- <br />'Lisette,' says I, 'it's time to go'- <br />She clutched this sleeve to stay my flight, <br />Shrieking: 'What! leave so early? No!' <br />To mend the ghastly rent she'd made, <br />Three days she toiled, dear patient heart! <br />And I-right willingly I staid- <br />Lisette decreed we should not part! <br /> <br />No incense ever yet profaned <br />This honest, shiny warp of thine, <br />Nor hath a courtier's eye disdained <br />Thy faded hue and quaint design; <br />Let servile flattery be the price <br />Of ribbons in the royal mart- <br />A roadside posie shall suffice <br />For us two friends that must not part! <br /> <br />Fear not the recklessness of yore <br />Shall re-occur to vex thee now; <br />Alas, I am a youth no more- <br />I'm old and sere, and so art thou! <br />So bide with me unto the last <br />And with thy warmth caress this heart <br />That pleads, by memories of the Past, <br />That two such friends should never part!<br /><br />Eugene Field<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/beranger-s-2/
