Bright as silver's the ribbon, and white is the glove,
Those symbols so soft of the Goddess of Love;
Those emblems unstained, and unsullied by art,
Like the Giver resplendent, and pure as her heart.
To the tumults of Love I have long been a stranger,
For Time has forbid him my peace to endanger,
And Hymen, at length, from his bondage set free,
Presents the mild chalice of friendship to me.
When thy love has received the soft touches of time,
And Friendship approaches with aspect sublime,
O! dash not regardless the cup to the ground,
For there, the true cordial of life shall be found.