Friendship, thou balm for ev'ry ill, <br />I must aspire to thee; <br />Whose breezes bid the heart be still, <br />And render sweet the patient's pill, <br />And set the pris'ner free. <br /> <br />Friendship, it is the softest soul <br />Which feels another's pain; <br />And must with equal sighs condole, <br />While sympathetic streamlets roll, <br />Which nothing can restrain. <br /> <br />Not to be nominated smart, <br />Of mortals to be seen, <br />She does not thus her gifts impart, <br />Her aid is from a feeling heart, <br />A principle within. <br /> <br />When the lone stranger, forced to roam, <br />Comes shiv'ring to her door, <br />At once he finds a welcome home, <br />The torch of grace dispels his gloom, <br />And bids him grope no more. <br /> <br />Friendship was never known to fail <br />The voice of need to hear, <br />When ruthless ills our peace assail, <br />When from our hearts she draws the veil, <br />And drys the falling tear. <br /> <br />When dogs and devils snarl and fight, <br />She hides and dwells alone; <br />When friends and kindred disunite, <br />With pity she surveys the right, <br />And gives to each his own. <br /> <br />Friendship has not a sister grace <br />Her wonders to exceed; <br />She is the queen of all her race, <br />Whose charms the stoutest must embrace <br />When in the vale of need. <br /> <br />Friendship is but the feeling sigh, <br />The sympathizing tear, <br />Constrain'd to flow till others dry, <br />Nor lets the needy soul pass by, <br />Nor scorns to see or hear.<br /><br />George Moses Horton<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/true-friendship-28/
