MISFORTUNE to have lived not knowing thee! 'T were not high living, nor to noblest end, Who, dwelling near, learned not sincerity, Rich friendship's ornament that still doth lend To life its consequence and propriety. Thy fellowship was my culture, noble friend: By the hand thou took'st me, and did'st condescend To bring me straightway into thy fair guild; And life-long hath it been high compliment By that to have been known, and thy friend styled, Given to rare thought and to good learning bent; Whilst in my straits an angel on me smiled. Permit me, then, thus honored, still to be A scholar in thy university. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ON HEARING OF INTENTION .. TO PURCHASE THE POET'S FREEDOM by GEORGE MOSES HORTON IDYLLS OF THE KING: THE LAST TOURNAMENT by ALFRED TENNYSON HINDOO FUNERAL SONG by EDWIN ARNOLD THREE THINGS by CHRISTOPHER BANNISTER HYMN, COMPOSED FOR THE CHILDREN OF A SUNDAY SCHOOL by BERNARD BARTON |