XLIX. THY FATHER’S FRIEND.

Forsake not thou thy father’s friend, Forsake not thou thine own; Though care and grief his form may bow, And frosts of age be on his brow, And like a leafless willow now He stand on earth alone.

Forsake not thou thy father’s friend, Revere the hoary head; Thou may’st have little to bestow To lessen want, or lighten woe, But who does not the solace know Which kindly words can shed!

Forsake not thou thy father’s friend; So when thy strength is o’er, 112 May’st thou ne’er want a friend in need, Thy age to cheer, thy footsteps lead, But he who is a “Friend indeed” Be thine for evermore!