General information
This is a poem by Isaac Watts, from Horae Lyricae, 1706, Book 2, entitled The Comforts of a Friend.
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Text and translations
 English text
1. Thus nature tuned her mournful tongue,
Till grace lift up her head ;
Reversed the sorrow and the song,
And, smiling, thus me said:
2. Were kindred spirits born for cares?
Must every grief be mine?
Is there a sympathy in tears,
Yet joys refuse to join?
3. Forbid it, heaven, and raise my love,
And make our joys the fame:
So bliss and friendship joined above,
Mix an immortal flame.
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4. Sorrows are lost in vast delight
That brightens all the soul,
As deluges of dawning light
O'er-whelm the dusky pole.
5. Pleasures in long succession reign,
And all my powers employ:
Friendship but shifts the pleasing scene,
And fresh repeats the joy.
6. Life has a soft and silver thread,
Nor is it drawn too long:
Yet, when my vaster hopes persuade,
I'm willing to be gone.
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7. Fast as ye please, roll down the hill,.
And haste away my years;
Or I can wait my Father's will,
And dwell beneath the spheres.
8. Rise glorious, every future sun,
Gild all my following days;
But make the last dear moment known
By well distinguished rays.
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