Come listen, friends, the while I paint Upon your hearts a picture true, Of one whose love was never faint, But full and strong and true to you. No master’s skill can I command, To imitate a face so fair, But love will help to guide my hand, And draw the lines with tender care. First I will mark those large bright eyes, So full of life, so full of cheer, Sparkling with love yet meek and wise, Touching our hearts to draw them near. That noble brow I next observe, Fountain of thoughts so pure and sweet, Teaching us all the way to serve Our fellow men whene’er we meet. Now as a whole I will define, That pleasant smile, that charming face, That beams with joy in ev’ry line, And wraps our hearts in love’s embrace. Oft have we felt the friendly glow, That bubbled from her gen’rous soul, Like as a spring whose overflow, Yields cooling draughts to make us whole. Her tender voice no more is heard, Her friendly acts and pleasant way, Her gentle hand and soothing word, Are gone away, all gone away. But graven on our aching hearts, Her loving face is firmly cast, And fortune’s sway, nor sorrow’s darts, Can wash it out while life doth last. BRAVER THE SICK. Brave are the soldiers who go forth to fight, Tho chances of death are one in a hundred, Brave are the sailors who stand for the right, Tho the hours of battle are soon numbered. Brave are the life savers who plunge in the main, And rescue the drowning and land them on shore, But braver the sick who long suffer pain, And bear it as Christ once bore it before. DO NOT DIE TONIGHT. Written in answer to the poem “If I Should Die Tonight.” Do not die tonight. Your friends would sadly miss your pleasant face, Their joy depart and sorrow take its place, Their hearts would mourn for one they loved so long, And solemn hymns displace the joyful song. Kind loving words might stay their grief awhile, But naught could take the place of thy sweet smile If you should die tonight. Do not die tonight. Your friends all know how your warm heart doth bleed, In sympathy and love for all in need, How oft by kind words and good deeds you prove, The depth, and strength, and wealth of human love; Beautiful flowers will bloom by your side, And all your friends rejoice you have not died, If you will stay and do not die tonight.