Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry.
Volume I. Of Home: of Friendship. 1904. | | | | Poems of Friendship | | Early Friendship | | Aubrey Thomas de Vere (1814–1902) |
| | | THE HALF-SEEN memories of childish days, | |
| When pains and pleasures lightly came and went; | |
| The sympathies of boyhood rashly spent | |
| In fearful wanderings through forbidden ways; | |
| The vague, but manly wish to tread the maze | 5 |
| Of life to noble ends,—whereon intent, | |
| Asking to know for what man here is sent, | |
| The bravest heart must often pause, and gaze; | |
| The firm resolve to seek the chosen end | |
| Of manhood’s judgment, cautious and mature,— | 10 |
| Each of these viewless bonds binds friend to friend | |
| With strength no selfish purpose can secure: | |
| My happy lot is this, that all attend | |
| That friendship which first came, and which shall last endure. | | | | |
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