<h2><SPAN name="page133"></SPAN><span class="pagenum"></span>FRIENDSHIP</h2>
<p class="poetry">Dear friend, I pray thee, if thou wouldst be
proving<br/>
Thy strong regard for me,<br/>
Make me no vows. Lip-service is not loving;<br/>
Let thy faith speak for thee.</p>
<p class="poetry">Swear not to me that nothing can divide
us—<br/>
So little such oaths mean.<br/>
But when distrust and envy creep beside us<br/>
Let them not come between.</p>
<p class="poetry">Say not to me the depths of thy devotion<br/>
Are deeper than the sea;<br/>
But watch, lest doubt or some unkind emotion<br/>
Embitter them for me.</p>
<p class="poetry">Vow not to love me ever and for ever,<br/>
Words are such idle things;<br/>
But when we differ in opinions, never<br/>
Hurt me by little stings.</p>
<p class="poetry"><SPAN name="page134"></SPAN><span class="pagenum">p.
134</span>I’m sick of words: they are so lightly spoken,<br/>
And spoken, are but air.<br/>
I’d rather feel thy trust in me unbroken<br/>
Than list thy words so fair.</p>
<p class="poetry">If all the little proofs of trust are
heeded,<br/>
If thou art always kind,<br/>
No sacrifice, no promise will be needed<br/>
To satisfy my mind.</p>
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