The Friend Supreme XL.

O what a Friend is mine!

O what a burning Flame!

My Heart was parched and dead,

Till His Breath o'er me came.

When I before Him fled,

By Love's Keen Pang distressed;

He cried, Why dost thou flee?

Thou art thyself to blame.

At Night I asked the Moon,

Where hid my Moon still stayed?

She said, My Cheek grew pale,

In Fear when told His Name.

The Sun, when risen, I asked,

And why art thou so dim?

He said, My Eyelids dull

In Tears have veil'd their Shame.

And to the Sea I said,

Why canst thou not be still?

She answer'd, Deep Unrest

Will leave me ne'er the Same.

I cried to Fire, Flame Queen:

Why flickerest thou So?

On me, she cried, He looked,

And quench'd all Earthly Aim.

I shouted then, O Wind:

Why hurriest to and fro?

She gasped, His Breath consumes me,

Whene'er my Pace I tame!

But what in me, too, meaneth

This elemental Strife?

The Cup in my Hand shaketh,

And Fever thrills my Frame.

In Revel's Glow enraptured,

His Love I know my own:

Then, come, pour foaming Wine out,

Till o'er All flows His Name.