Page:A Selection of Original Songs, Scraps, Etc., by Ned Farmer (3rd ed.).djvu/153



you the flower of friendship blight, Or of its beauty dock it, The blow need be but very light, Just hit the breeches pocket.

Friendship's a pure and holy thing, And in men's hearts we lock it; Whilst often, mind, the secret spring Lies in the breeches pocket.

Friendship shall bring you many friends, Pray, therefore do not mock it; But would you know how all this ends, Just touch the breeches pocket.

The human breast is Friendship's hive, With bees of love go stock it; But oh! if you would have them thrive Don't touch the breeches pocket.

to mankind are as the flowers to the bee. Read, therefore, I conjure ye; read! seeing that the spring and summer of your life is the proper season for laying in an useful stock of knowledge, which to the mind, like the well-stored hive to the bee, is a source of sustenance, when the dreary winter of old age sets in.