I Have Some Friends

I have some friends, some worthy friends,      And worthy friends are rare:      These carpet slippers on my feet,      That padded leather chair;      This old and shabby dressing-gown,      So well the worse of wear.      I have some friends, some honest friends,      And honest friends are few;      My pipe of briar, my open fire,      A book that's not too new;      My bed so warm, the nights of storm      I love to listen to.      I have some friends, some good, good friends,      Who faithful are to me:      My wrestling partner when I rise,      The big and burly sea;      My little boat that's riding there      So saucy and so free.      I have some friends, some golden friends,      Whose worth will not decline:      A tawny Irish terrier, a purple shading pine,      A little red-roofed cottage that      So proudly I call mine.      All other friends may come and go,      All other friendships fail;      But these, the friends I've worked to win,      Oh, they will never stale;      And comfort me till Time shall write      The finish to my tale.