Lines To ---.

When 'twas my hap to meet you, for awhile Our paths together lay—and each one brought Heart to feel heart, and thought to answer thought; And our brief converse has been as a smile Upon a sorrowful face,—sweet—sad—and now It dies away, and we must say farewell: The strain is closing,—the spring leaves to flow,— And our good fellowship in the past must dwell. Yet, let there be no parting. In my heart I hold you, and your looks and words; I pray, In your remembrance let me keep a part, And let us still be friends—true friends alway;— Still holding converse in that inner life, Where Time and Absence wage with Love no strife.