When brothers part for manhood’s race,

What gift may most endearing prove

To keep fond memory its her place,

And certify a brother’s love?

’Tis true, bright hours together told,

And blissful dreams in secret shar’d,

Serene or solemn, gay or bold,

Shall last in fancy unimpair’d.

E’en round the death-bed of the good

Such dear remembrances will hover,

And haunt us with no vexing mood

When all the cares of earth are over.

But yet our craving spirits feel,

We shall live on, though Fancy die,

And seek a surer pledge — a seal

Of love to last eternally.

Who art thou, that wouldst grave thy name

Thus deeply in a brother’s heart?

Look on this saint, and learn to frame

Thy love-charm with true Christian art.

First seek thy Saviour out, and dwell

Beneath this shadow of His roof,

Till thou have scann’d His features well,

And known Him for the Christ by proof;

Such proof as they are sure to find

Who spend with Him their happy days,

Clean hands, and a self-ruling mind

Ever in tune for love and praise.

Then, potent with the spell of Heaven,

Go, and thine erring brother gain,

Entice him home to be forgiven,

Till he, too, see his Saviour plain.

Or, if before thee in the race,

Urge him with thine advancing tread,

Till, like twin stars, with even pace,

Each lucid course be duly aped.

No fading frail memorial give

To soothe his soul when thou art gone,

But wreaths of hope for aye to live,

And thoughts of good together done.

That so, before the judgment-seat,

Though chang’d and glorified each face,

Not unremember’d ye may meet

For endless ages to embrace.