Poet's Perch : New Friends and Old Friends by Joseph Parry

New Friends and Old Friends

Make new friends, but keep the old;

Those are silver, these are gold.

New-made friendships, like new wine,

Age will mellow and refine.

Friendships that have stood the test - 

Time and change - are surely best;

Brow may wrinkle, hair grow gray,

Friendship never knows decay.

For 'mid old friends, tried and true,

Once more we our youth renew.

But old friends, alas! may die,

New friends must their place supply.

Cherish friendship in your breast - 

New is good, but old is best;

Make new friends, but keep the old;

Those are silver, these are gold

Joseph Parry