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Mihi Carissimus.

Who is the friend who is dear to my heart,
Whose is the pulse that beats one with my own,
Whom shall I deem to be worthy of trusting—
Whom shall I love ?

One who is girded with strength for the fight
Girded to fight for the cause of mankind;
Breathing the air of the pure empyrean :
Strong, and as pure.

Proud as a man who is strong, who has power,
Proud, but a man who would never assume
Semblance of virtue, nor claim as a virtue
Wrecks of a hope.

One who will stoop to the broken and bruised,
Raise them to health again, help to revive
Hopes that were languishing, visions long faded—
Spend and be spent.

Mighty the rocks that hurl back to its bosom
Waves of the ocean—As rock will he stand ?
Waters erosive will weaken resistance,
Friendship endures.

So shall I cleave to him, so shall remain
Ever a friend to him; thus shall it be
Time shall not alter, nor space e'er divide us—
Loving and loved.

(H.M)