A SONNET TO MRS. O. C. BULLOCK

Again rare riches thou hast gently shown, And I drink sweetness from thy royal heart. Again I rise and claim the nobler part, And bless the friendship in thee made known. Full forty years, in public or alone, I’ve studied men, high heaven’s sovereign art And thee—thy virtue’s smiles, and whence they start, Adoring Truth’s sweet balm, which is thine own. Let turmoils come and go; let fools foment Disaster dire, till many shall lament Their natal hour, their present lot and all. Thy friendship true, which grows from bud to bloom And fruit eternal, dissipates all gloom— Again I’ve entered love’s pure banquet hall.