If you have a friend worth loving, |
Love him. Yes, and let him know |
That you love him ere life's evening |
Tinge his brow with sunset glow; |
Why should good words ne'er be said |
Of a friend—till he is dead? |
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If you hear a song that thrills you, |
Sung by any child of song, |
Praise it. Do not let the singer |
Wait deserved praises long; |
Why should one that thrills your heart |
Lack that joy it may impart? |
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If you hear a prayer that moves you |
By its humble pleading tone, |
Join it. Do not let the seeker |
Bow before his God alone; |
Why should not your brother share |
The strength of "two or three" in prayer? |
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If you see the hot tears falling |
From a loving brother's eyes, |
Share them, and by sharing, |
Own your kinship with the skies; |
Why should anyone be glad, |
When his brother's heart is sad? |
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If a silver laugh goes rippling |
Through the sunshine on his face, |
Share it. 'Tis the wise man's saying, |
For both grief and joy a place; |
There's health and goodness in the mirth |
In which an honest laugh has birth. |
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If your work is made more easy |
By a friendly helping hand, |
Say so. Speak out brave and truly, |
Ere the darkness veil the land. |
Should a brother workman dear |
Falter for a word of cheer? |
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Scatter thus your seed of kindness, |
All enriching as you go— |
Leave them, trust the Harvest-Giver; |
He will make each seed to grow. |
So, until its happy end, |
Your life shall never lack a friend. |