Something worth having

To have the sure esteem Of those whose worth we know, The heart will oft redeem From many a doubtful throe; The anxious soul declares Some good must be in us, Or, by such souls as theirs We were not valued thus.

When brimming cups go round, When friendly faces meet, Where jest and smile abound, Oh, if we there may meet Such long-tried friend of years To share with us the wine— ’Tis nectar then—and cheers With influence divine!

Or, if oppress’d with care Or sickness, low we lie, What med’cine can compare With friendship’s love-lit eye? One fond plain English word More cheers our suffering man Than all the pomp absurd Of doctor’s Latin can.

Oh, bliss how bright, how rare, Where friend like this appears, With smiles our joy to share, Or share our grief with tears: To have this, is to win From out our earthly strife The brightest jewel in That crown of thorns—called life!