Page:Poems Freston.djvu/62

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
48
Poems

A BROKEN PROMISE
See what you've done, mon cher ami!
This porcelain, fine and rare,
You have shattered into fragments,
Heedless that it was fair.

Can you e'er collect the pieces
Again, and fit them true?
Never! though countless ages
Were given unto you.

No chemist, no, nor alchemist,
That bent alembic o'er,
Hath ever found a cement sure
To make it as before.

This precious vase of promise
With the wine of faith was filled,
And when you broke it, oh, my friend!
That wine was rudely spilled.