My boast is not, that I deduce my birth From loins enthron'd, and rulers of the Earth; But higher far my proud pretensions rise- The son of Parents pass'd into the skies. And now, farewell-Time unrevok'd has run His wonted course, yet what I wish'd is done. By contemplation's help, not sought in vain, I seem t' have liv'd my childhood o'er again; To have renew'd the joys that once were mine, Without the sin of violating thine;
And, while the wings of Fancy still are free, And I can view this mimic show of thee, Time has but half succeeded in his theft- Thyself remov'd, thy pow'r to soothe me left.
WHAT virtue, or what mental grace But men unqualified and base Will boast it their possession? Profusion apes the noble part Of liberality of heart,
And dulness of discretion.
If ev'ry polish'd gem we find Illuminating heart or mind
Provoke to imitation;
No wonder friendship does the same, That jewel of the purest flame, Or rather constellation.
No knave but boldly will pretend The requisites that form a friend,
A real and a sound one; Nor any fool, he would deceive,
But prove as ready to believe,
And dream that he had found one.
Candid, and generous, and just,
Boys care but little whom they trust, An errour soon corrected
For who but learns in riper years,
That man, when smoothest he appears, Is most to be suspected?
But here again a danger lies, Lest, having misapplied our eyes, And taken trash for treasure, We should unwarily conclude Friendship a false ideal good, A mere Utopian pleasure.
An acquisition rather rare Is yet no subject of despair; Nor is it wise complaining, If either on forbidden ground, Or where it was not to be found, We sought without attaining.
No friendship will abide the test, That stands on sordid interest,
Or mean self-love erected;
Nor such as may awhile subsist, Between the sot and sensualist,
For vicious ends connected.
Who seek a friend should come dispos'd, T'exhibit in full bloom disclos'd
The graces and the beauties, That form the character he seeks, For 'tis a union, that bespeaks Reciprocated duties.
Mutual attention is implied, And equal truth on either side, And constantly supported; "Tis senseless arrogance t' accuse Another of sinister views,
Our own as much distorted.
But will sincerity suffice?
It is indeed above all price,
And must be made the basis;
But ev'ry virtue of the soul
Must constitute the charming whole,
All shining in their places.
A fretful temper will divide
The closest knot that may be tied, By ceaseless sharp corrosion; A temper passionate and fierce May suddenly your joys disperse At one immense explosion.
In vain the talkative unite In hopes of permanent delight- The secret just committed, Forgetting it's important weight, They drop through mere desire to prate, And by themselves outwitted.
How bright soe'er the prospect seems, All thoughts of friendship are but dreams,
If envy chance to creep in;
An envious man, if
May prove a dang'rous foe indeed, But not a friend worth keeping.
As envy pines at good possess'd, So jealousy looks forth distress'd
On good, that seems approaching;
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