A Farewell

The hour arrived! I sigh'd and said,
How soon the happiest hours are fled!
On wings of down they lately flew,
But then their moments pass'd with you;
And still with you could I but be,
On downy wings they'd always flee.

Say, did you not, the way you went,
Feel the soft balm of gay content?
Say, did you not all pleasures find,
Of which you left so few behind?
I think you did: for well I know
My parting prayer would make it so.

"May she," I said, "life's choicest goods partake;
Those, late in life, for nobler still forsake--
The bliss of one, th' esteem'd of many live,
With all that Friendship would, and all that Love can give!"