Glen Collection of printed music > Printed text > Composite volume > Sky-lark, being a choice selection of the most favourite songs, sung at the theatres, Vauxhall, Sadler's Wells, Circus, and other places of amusement

105
WOUNDED FRIENDSHIP.
I of feeling won't boast — I've no more than my share,
Yet humanity bleeds when a friend is distress'd,
Who in sorrow's sad moment made friendship his care,
And bade the bright sunshine of hope cheer my
breast :
When law's iron hand on by cruelty led,
In a darksome abode me disgracefully penn'd
A school-mate, whom pity inspir'd, thither stray'd,
Gave me freedom, and prov'd himself more than a
a friend.
Recollection reveal'd, that in youth's early hour
My saviour he'd been ; when with billows at strife
I was whirl M down the eddy, and aid did implore,
He plung'd in, and risquing his own sav'd my life.
Again, when a ruffian, who conscience had brav'd,
And dar'd against the fiat of justice offend.
His weapon to murder had rais'd-^-me he sav'd :
And gratitude warm'd my full heart to my friend.
But pelican like, the fair, gen'rous mind,
Feeds the suppliant brood with its own vital stream ;
My friend to the wr. tched had oft prov'd so kind,
Liberality made all his wealth but a dream :
Haggard ruin approach'd, withits heart rending pains,
O'er the straw I had quitted his form did extend j
I flew to console him— -*but lacking the means,
Did but gaze, and alas ! could not speak to my friend.
I read all the workings, of passion and grief,
The just indignation that flash'd from his eye,
His bosom was bursting — a tear gave relief—
And the stab of ingratitude fors'd a deep sigh t