Friends and Neighbors; Or, Two Ways of Living in the World

FORGIVE AND FORGET.

     THERE'S a secret in living, if folks only knew;
     An Alchymy precious, and golden, and true,
     More precious than “gold dust,” though pure and refined,
     For its mint is the heart, and its storehouse the mind;
     Do you guess what I mean—for as true as I live
     That dear little secret's—forget and forgive!

     When hearts that have loved have grown cold and estranged,
     And looks that beamed fondness are clouded and changed,
     And words hotly spoken and grieved for with tears
     Have broken the trust and the friendship of years—
     Oh! think 'mid thy pride and thy secret regret,
     The balm for the wound is—forgive and forget!

     Yes! look in thy spirit, for love may return
     And kindle the embers that still feebly burn;
     And let this true whisper breathe high in thy heart,
     'Tis better to love than thus suffer apart—

     Let the Past teach the Future more wisely than yet,
     For the friendship that's true can forgive and forget.

     And now, an adieu! if you list to my lay
     May each in your thoughts bear my motto away,
     'Tis a crude, simple ryhme, but its truth may impart
     A joy to the gentle and loving of heart;
     And an end I would claim far more practical yet
     In behalf of the Rhymer—forgive and forget!