Lyrics of Life (1909)/Influence

by Florence Earle Coates

For other versions of this work, see Influence.

INFLUENCE

My friend leaned o'er the flowery brink
Of evil, bending down to drink;
But though he stooped, resolved to take
⁠The harmful draught despite my fears,
He yielded for my pleading's sake—
⁠Feeling my love and tears.

Again he stoops; again I long
To save a fellow-man from wrong.
He was my friend! Fain, in this hour,
⁠Would I defend him as before:
I strive—but I have lost the power,
⁠Who love him now no more.