Poems (Procter)/Friend Sorrow

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FRIEND SORROW.
DO not cheat thy Heart and tell her, "Grief will pass away,Hope for fairer times in future, And forget to-day."—Tell her, if you will, that sorrow Need not come in vain;Tell her that the lesson taught her Far outweighs the pain.
Cheat her not with the old comfort, "Soon she will forget,"—Bitter truth, alas! but matter Rather for regret;Bid her not "Seek other pleasures, Turn to other things":—Rather nurse her caged sorrow Till the captive sings.
Rather hid her go forth bravely, And the stranger greet;Not as foe, with spear and buckler, But as dear friends meet; ​Bid her with a strong clasp hold her, By her dusky wings,Listening for the murmured blessing Sorrow always brings.

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