Yes! welcome, right welcome — and give me your hand,–
I like not to keep in the cold!
If new friends are true friends I can’t understand
Why hearts should hold back till they’re old;
For life is so short, and there’s so much to do,
And so many pleasures and cares–
And somewhere I’ve read that, though angels are few,
They’re sure to be met unawares!
The eye of sincerity shines like a star
Through the clouds of suspicion and doubt;
I love its fair lustre, and lure it from far,
And wouldn’t for worlds put it out:
Away with such wisdom, as risking the chance
Of killing young love with old fears–
The face that is honest is known at a glance,
And needn’t be studied for years!
And when petty Prudence would put me to school
About caution, and care, and all that,
I trust that, like some folks, I yield to the rule
Of wearing a head in my hat;
But more that remains is better than brains,
And I know not that some folks are blest,
Like me, with a share in a custom more rare,
Of wearing a heart in my breast!
Then come with all welcome! I fear not to fling
Reserve to the winds and the waves,
And never can cling to the cold-blooded thing
Society makes of its slaves:
Thou dignified dullard, so cloudy and cold,
Get out of the sunshine for me;
But, hearty good friend! whether new one or old,
A Welcome for Ever to thee!
(Martin Farquhar Tupper)
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Based on Topics: Life Poems, Faces Poems, Friendship Poems, Wisdom & Knowledge Poems, Angels Poems, Doubt & Skepticism Poems, Brain Poems, Chance Poems, Honesty & Integrity Poems, Moderation & Temperance Poems, Custom & Convention PoemsBased on Keywords: dullard, cold-blooded