Hold Yet A While (To My Own Soul)

Hold yet a while, Strong Heart,
Not part a lifelong yoke

Though blighted looks the present, future gloom.
And age it seems since you and I began our
March up hill or down. Sailing smooth o’er
Seas that are so rare-

Thou nearer unto me, than oft-times I myself-
Proclaiming mental moves before they were!
Reflector true-Thy pulse so timed to mine,
Thou perfect note of thoughts, however fine-
Shall we now part, Recorder, say?

In thee is friendship, faith,
For thou didst warn when evil thoughts were brewing-
And though, alas, thy warning thrown away,
Went on the same as ever-good and true.