Washington Statesman

Old Friends Together.

Oh time is sweet when roses meet.
With Spring's sweet breath around them;
And sweet the cost, when hearts are lost,
If those we love have found them;
And sweet the mind that still can find
A star in darkest weather;
But nought can be so sweet to see
As old friends meet together.

Those days of old, when youth was bold,
And time stole wings to speed it,
And you ne'er knew how fast time flew,
Or, knowing, did not heed it;
Though gray each brow that meets us now-
For age brings wintry weather,-
Yet nought can be so sweet to see
As those old friends together.

The few long known, whom years have shown
With hearts that friendship bless;
A hand to cheer, perchance a tear,
To soothe a friend's distress;
Who helped and tried, still side to side,
A friend to face hard weather:
O this may we yet joy to see,
And meet old friends together.