Page:Poems of home and country (IA poemsofhomecount01smit).pdf/16

 The third tribute which belongs to this honored. group is the following:—

Dear friend of well-remembered years,

When youth was on thy brow and mine,

Thy smoothly flowing numbers seemed

A well-spring from a source divine.

With undiminished affluence still,

From the same fountain calm and clear,

Flow melodies as musical

As dropped upon my boyhood's ear.

Aye, holier are their undertones,

And richer with the lore of age;

The opening vista dowu the vale

Grows broader to the saint and sage.

As friends beloved reach, one by one,

Life's limit, three-score years and ten,

Thy fingers touch the old-time chords,

Responsive with their sweet Amen.

For never fairer is the vine

Than when its purpling grapes hang low;

And life's divinest hour is when

'Tis radiant in its sunset glow.

And thon dost stay the fleeting hours

To paint the blush ere it dopart,

And weave thy benedictions round

The holiest tendrils of the heart.