IF , when far distant, memory should pourtray
The sweet enjoyments of a former day;
If she should reign and by her strong controul,
Melt the fond heart and captivate the soul;
Still let her work, till she has drawn the scene
As fair and smiling as it once had been;
When hope, approaching with her aspect bland,
Shall take the pencil from her rival’s hand,
And to thy view shall copy the design,
Till doubly beautified the work shall shine.
Hope’s glowing tints can ev’ry charm supply,
Her radiant beams enrich the azure sky;
While friendship’s altar in the front is plac’d,
Which, nor by adverse storms nor time defac’d,
Shall stand a lasting monument confess’d,
With garlands of unfading roses dress’d.
These wreaths shall round the sacred structure twine,
These opening blossoms decorate the shrine;
Which, tho’ contending elements assail,
Shall still survive till time itself shall fail.
E’en now in fancy’s mirror I survey
The embryo treasures of a future day,
Which shall restore the sweet perennial joy,
That absence may suspend, but not destroy.
When mutual feelings mutual charms impart,
And friendship reigns unrivall’d in the heart,
Of heav’n’s pure sunshine is the mind possess’d,
When sympathetic pleasures fill the breast;
For tho’ distress the feeling bosom tear,
When taught to feel the woes a friend may bear;
Yet while his griefs the anxious mind employ,
The pains of sympathy are mix’d with joy;
Her’s is the tranquil stream, the placid sky,
And rich the draught her ceaseless springs supply.
Cold is the breast when she resigns her throne,
And worthless he who lives for self alone.
I dread no evils for my distant friend,
If worth can shield, or merit can defend;
And if Louisa should remember’d be,
Enshrine her image in sincerity.
(Elizabeth Bath)
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Based on Topics: Mind Poems, Soul Poems, Joy & Excitement Poems, Friendship Poems, Hope Poems, Work & Career Poems, Memory Poems, Future Poems, Emotions Poems, Self Poems, Design PoemsBased on Keywords: unrivall, defac, enshrine, captivate, resigns, louisa, decorate, pourtray, enjoyments, beautified