John Esten Cooke (1830–1886)

OLD friends to love!—true soul bound to true soul

With olden memories, and traces dear

Of the dead past, claiming the happy tear

That still at sight of each will fondly roll!

Old friends! No sycophants of yesterday,

With smiles and protestations never done,

Bright summer-flies, true “lovers of the sun”

And all who bask beneath the golden ray.

Old friends! who on the battle-field of life,

When closed the serried hosts in stormy fight,

Have raised the buckler Friendship strong and bright,

And borne us bleeding from the mortal strife,

Who heart-whole, pure in faith, once written friend,

In life and death are true, unto the end!