ABSENT FRIENDS. -Joe Wilson

As in nights of dreary darkness,
There may be a flitting ray,
A chaste glow of light so starry bright,
To clear the douds away;
In lone moments of dark sadness,
HOPE will lighten ev'ry pain,
Till the soul knows not its gladness,
And our hearts their peace regain.

Though oft in sad lamentation
We mourn for an absent friend,
Each relation or separation,
A cheering word we send;
Hope! thou star of light, we listen
To thy pure consoling strain;
WELCOME in each eye will glisten,
Absent friends to meet again.

Wife

Wisdom's worth but little, if te worldly joys
I t turns a scornful ear, myeks luv a jest;
F or i' this simple verse ye'll find a neym
Entwined wi' ivry bliss te myek man blest.