The Rhode Island American, And General Advertiser

Miscellany.
From a new volume of Poems by James Montgomery
THE PILGRIMAGE OF LIFE.
How blest the pilgrim who in trouble
Can lean upon a bosom friend:
Strength, courage, hope, with him redouble,
When foes assail or griefs impend.
Care flies before his footsteps, straying
At break of day o'er the purple heath,
He plucks the wild flowers round him playing,
And binds their beauties in a wreath:
More dear to him the fields and mountains,
When with his friend abroad he roves,
Rests in the shade near sunny fountains,
Or talks by moonlight through the groves;
For him the vine expands its clusters,
Spring wakes for him her woodland quire,
Yea, though the storm of winter blusters,
'Tis Summer by his evening fire.
In good old age serenely dying,
When all he lov'd forsakes his view.
Sweet is affection's voice replying,
"I follow soon," to his "adieu";
Nay, then, though earthly ties are riven,
The spirit's union will not end,
Happy the man whom heaven hath given
In life and death a faithful friend.