A Faithful Friend

My friends -- I called them friends -- have gone,
They’ve turned their smiling eyes away,
They stole the stars, they stole the sun,
And when my skies were darkest gray!

But there was one -- how name the one
Who stays when all the rest have fled?
O friend, my very heart you’ve won
And hung a bright moon overhead.

When all my skies are dark and drear
And life is sadly bare of love,
I think of you, my dearest dear,
And see your faithful smile above.

If ever I in grief should dare
To think you’ve left me in my woe,
‘Twould only be my soul’s despair
Deserting you, my friend, as foe.

‘Twould only be my faithless heart,
So tested under trial’s strain
That sobbed to leave yet felt the smart
A step to keep that spirit sane.

O faithful friend of faithless friend,
How could I earn to share that name?
To be as loyal to the end
And forfeit self’s untimely shame.

O faithful friend, o Treasure rare!
By your fidelity is proved
You're every hope in life's despair...
Oh, I’ve a friend and I am loved!

~