Chapter I: PRAY the prayer of Plato old

God make thee beautiful within;
And let thine eye the good behold
In everything, save sin.

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A FEW true friends to aid us and love us,
And cordial hands to warmly clasp our own;
O! surely God hath never made us
To live distrustingly, selfish, and alone.

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A VERSE you ask this fine day:
Of course I’ll write you one.
The task of writing finds its pay
In joy that it is done.

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WHY ask a name;
Small is the good it brings;
Names are but breath—
Deeds—deeds alone—are things.

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WHEN years and months have glided by,
And on this page you cast your eye,
Remember ’twas a friend sincere
That left this kind remembrance here.
With best wishes for your future cheer.

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DEAR ----, may your life be blest
With friendship, love and happiness;
May all your friends prove true,
And cheer you all the journey through.

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MAY Future, with her kindest smile,
Wreath laurels for thy brow;
May loving angels guard and keep thee
Ever pure as thou art now.

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IF writing in Albums remembrance insures,
With the greatest of pleasure I’ll scribble in yours.

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IN after years when you recall
The days of pleasures past,
And think of joyous hours and all
Have flown away so fast,
When some forgotten air you hear
Brings back past scenes to thee,
And gently claims your listening ear
Keep one kind thought for me.

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THE truest happiness is found in making others happy.

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ACCEPT my friend these lines from me,
They show that I remember thee,
And hope some thought they will retain
Till you and I shall meet again.

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FOR thee, my fair and gentle friend,
I ask not wealth or fame,
I only ask thy path may be
Free from life’s toil and care.

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AMONG the many friends that claim
A kind remembrance in thy breast,
I too would add my simple name.
Among the rest.

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NEVER grow weary doing good.

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