Hold yet a while, Strong Heart,

Not part a lifelong yoke

Though blighted looks the present, future gloom.

And age it seems since you and I began our

March up hill or down. Sailing smooth o’er

Seas that are so rare —

Thou nearer unto me, than oft – times I myself —

Proclaiming mental moves before they were!

Reflector true — thy pulse so timed to mine,

Thou perfect note of thoughts, however fine —

Shall we now part, Recorder, say?

In thee is friendship, faith,

For thou didst warn when evil thoughts were brewing —

And though, alas, thy warning thrown away,

Went on the same as ever — good and true.