RECOLLECTIONS OF FRIENDSHIPS. MARINO VALIERO. BY BYRON. ALL these men were my friends; I loved them, they Requited honourably my regards; We served and fought; we smiled and wept in concert; We revel'd or we sorrow'd side by side; In common! and sweet bonds which link old friendships, When the survivors of long years and actions, Of deeds that else were silent, save on marbleOime! Oime!-and must I do this deed! I blame you not-you act in your vocation; They smote you, and oppress'd you, and despised you; So have they me: but you ne'er spake with them; You never broke their bread, nor shared their salt; You never had their wine-cup at your lips; You grew not up with them, nor laugh'd, nor wept, Nor held a revel in their company; Ne'er smiled to see them smile, nor claim'd their smile In social interchange with yours, nor trusted That friendship's raised on sand, Massinger. I GO, SWEET FRIENDS! BY MRS HEMANS. I Go, sweet friends! yet think of me When spring's young voice awakes the flowers; For we have wander'd far and free In those bright hours, the violet's hours. I go, but when you pause to hear, From distant hills, the sabbath-bell On summer-winds float silvery clear, Think on me then-I loved it well! Forget me not around your hearth, And oh when music's voice is heard Thou art the man in whom my soul delights, Rowe. |