Classic Poem

VERSES SUNG BY A YOUNG LADY TO HER NEWLY-MARRIED FRIEND. .

Le coin de l' Amitie

Love, Hymen, Interest, Folly, meeting
To play " four corners " for our days,
Friendship comes in, the set completing;
But finds she's tricked all sorts of ways.
Thus Reason half its radiance lacks,
For souls absorbed in pleasure's tracks,
And Folly in the van attacks
Friendship's corner.

Then Love, the traitor, false will play;
Deceit his nature is indeed —
A master, too, in tricks, they say;
Poor Friendship, heed thy corner, heed!
This jealous god, aware what flame
He's kindled, still at all would aim:
You yield him all; no less he'll claim
Friendship's corner.

Next Hymen; to what fêtes he's led!
His robes — by Friendship's aid he's donned them;
Whilst putting trifles in one's head,
He'd never have us go beyond them.
This god, for self aye wide awake,
Will soon a friend of Interest make;
Too oft inviting him to take
Friendship's corner.

With thee, dear friend, no sort of fear
Folly or Interest can impart:
But Hymen leagued with Cupid here
May well to-day alarm one's heart.
Each in his corner, let them don
Their garlands, and rule jointly on;
But never, never, seize upon
Friendship's corner!