NECESSITY.

Necessity, whom long I deemed my foe, Thou cold, unsmiling, and hard-visaged dame, Now I no longer see thy face, I know Thou wert my friend beyond reproach or blame.

My best achievements and the fairest flights Of my winged fancy were inspired by thee; Thy stern voice stirred me to the mountain heights; Thy importunings bade me do and be.

But for thy breath, the spark of living fire Within me might have smoldered out at length; But for thy lash which would not let me tire, I never would have measured my own strength.

But for thine ofttimes merciless control Upon my life, that nerved me past despair, I never should have dug deep in my soul And found the mine of treasures hidden there.

And though we walk divided pathways now, And I no more may see thee, to the end, I weave this little chaplet for thy brow, That other hearts may know, and hail thee friend.