Classic Poem

PHILOSOPHER

My dear old friend, where'er we meet,
How steals the happy time away;
We lose our present cares in sweet
Remembrance of some happier day.

BOTH

O what on earth can e'er beguile
The never ending toil and strife,
And heart corroding cares of life,
Like friendship's beaming smile.

PHILOSOPHER

Long have we borne each other's care,
Though held by fortune far apart;
Then let us still in common bear
The heavy burthen of the heart.

BOTH

But now we'll throw our sorrows in
O'er this our friendly goblet's brink,
And, as the heavy weight shall sink,
Our pleasure shall begin.

PHILOSOPHER

O! mark the time! 'tis flying fast!
It flies in joy, it lags in woe;
Nay, we will still enjoy the past,
So even let the present go.

BOTH

Or be we sad, or be we gay,
We cannot stop its hasty flight.
'Tis hard, 'tis hard, to say good night,
So let us stop till day.