Classic Poem

ON LEAVING THE University OF C AMBRIDGE

F RIENDSHIP , ever young and hale,
Glows with unremitted fire;
Never shall Oblivion's gale,
Never Envy's chilling air,
Blast its fruit, its flower impair:
Never shall its labours tire.

Seas and mountains may divide,
Worldly cares may disunite,
Those whom Youth , in vernal pride,
Careless of the future day,
Touch'd with sympathetic ray;
Yet shall Memory's glass delight.

Hers the fond and sweet regret,
Brooding o'er the vision past,
Where the lov'd companions met —
Where , in social converse mild,
Welcome toil the hours beguil'd,
Never limp'd, or flew too fast.

Such were those delightful days
When to thee I gave my soul:
Thee , belov'd of honest Praise,
Lov'd of Science, Fate ordains,
Truth to pour in glowing strains ;
Me — in waves of Strife to roll.