Friend of my many years! br When the great silence falls, at last, on me, br Let me not leave, to pain and sadden thee, br A memory of tears, br But pleasant thoughts alone. br Of one who was thy friendship's honored guest br And drank the wine of consolation pressed br From sorrows of thy own. br I leave with thee a sense br Of hands upheld and trials rendered less, br The unselfish joy which is to helpfulness br Its own great recompense. br The knowledge that from thine, br As from the garments of the Master, stole br Calmness and strength, the virtue which makes whole br And heals without a sign. br Yea more, the assurance strong br That love, which fails of perfect utterance here, br Lives on to fill the heavenly atmosphere br With its immortal song.