The third cycle on the waters, another of those rings upon the onyx, A further definite broad zone, holdeth kith and kin: A motley band of many tribes, and under various banners; The intimate and strangers, the known and loved, or only seen for loathing: Some, dear for their deserts, shall honour and have honour of relationship, Some, despising duties, will add to it both burden and disgrace. A man's nearest kin are oftentimes far other than his dearest, Yet in the season of affliction those will haste to help him. For, note thou this, the providence of God hath bound up families together, To mutual aid and patient trial; yea, those ties are strong. Friends are ever dearer in thy wealth, but relations to be trusted in thy need, For these are God's appointed way, and those the choice of man: There is lower warmth in kin, but smaller truth in friends, The latter show more surface, and the first have more of depth: Relations rally to the rescue, even in estrangement and neglect, Where friends will have fled at thy defeat, even after promises and kindness; For friends come and go, the whim that bound may loose them, But none can dissever a relationship, and Fate hath tied the knot. Wide, and edged with shadowy bounds, a distant boulevard to the city, The common crowd of social life is buzzing round about: That is as the outer court, with all defences levelled, Ranged around a man's own fortress, and his father's house. For many friends go in and out, and praise thee, finding pasture, And some are honeycomb to-day, who turn to gall to-morrow: And many a garrulous acquaintance with his frequent visit Will spend his leisure to thy cost, selling dulness dearly: For the idle call is a heavy tax, where time is counted gold, And even in the day of relaxation, haply he may spare his presence,-- He found himself alone, and came to talk,--till they that hear are tired; Let the man bethink him of an errand, that his face be not unwelcome. But many friends there be, both well and wisely greeted, Gladly are they hailed upon the hills, and are chidden that they come so seldom. Of such are the early recollections, school friendships that have thriven to grey hairs, And veteran men are young once more, and talk of boyish pranks: And such, yet older on the list, are those who loved thy father, Thy father's friend, and thine, who tendereth thee tried love: Such also, many gentle hearts, whom thou hast known too lately, Hastening now to learn their worth, and chary of those minutes: And such, thy faithful pastor, coming to thy home with peace;-- Greet the good man heartily,--and bid thy children bless him!