Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A FRIEND, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Tis a little thing
Last Line: That a friend is near and feels.
Alternate Author Name(s): Talfourd, Sergeant
Subject(s): Friendship


'Tis a little thing
To give a cup of water; yet its draught
Of cool refreshment, drained by fevered lips,
May give a shock of pleasure to the frame
More exquisite than when nectarean juice
Renews the life of joy in happier hours.
It is a little thing to speak a phrase
Of common comfort which by daily use
Has almost lost its sense, yet on the ear
Of him who thought to die unmourned 'twill fall
Like choicest music, fill the glazing eye
With gentle tears, relax the knotted hand
To know the bonds of fellowship again;
And shed on some unhappy soul
A sense, to him who else were lonely,
That a friend is near and feels.





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