WHAT NEED OF YEARS — LONG YEARS TO PROVE ?

I.

What need of years, long years to prove
The sense of Friendship or of Love?
What need of years to firmly bind
The social compact of the mind?

II.

In youthful hearts of kindred mould,
Not slowly feeling's flowers unfold;
But oft — though 'neath a sky a gloom —
They burst to instantaneous bloom!