CAREFUL WHEN YOU FIND A FRIEND.
Reading edition
SET TO MUSIC AND PUBLISHED.
O if in life you'd friends obtain, Be careful how you choose them; For real friends are hard to gain, And trifling things may lose them. Hold out your hand to every palm That reaches forth to greet you; But keep your heart for those alone Who with pure friendship meet you. Then if in life a friend you'd find, Be careful how you choose one; True friends are scarce among mankind: A trifling thing may lose one.
A friend your heart may now relieve, And one day want relieving; So if from others you'd receive Ne'er shrink from wisely giving. Be grateful when you find a friend— The heart that's thankless—spurn it; Let conscience guide you to the end— Take friendship and return it. Then if in life a friend you'd find, Be careful how you choose one; True friends are scarce among mankind: A trifling thing may lose one.
When days grow cold the swallow flies, Till sunshine bright returneth; When life grows dark false friendship dies: True friendship brighter burneth. An angel fair, twin-born of Love, It lights life's pathway for us; And like the stars that shine above, At night beams brighter o'er us. Then if in life a friend you'd find, Be careful how you choose one; True friends are scarce among mankind: A trifling thing may lose one.