Some are so placid and serene They sleep secure from waking; Unmoved and without quaking. Courtier and patriot cannot mix Like that of salts with lemon juice, Religion should extinguish strife, But friends that chance to differ On points which God has left at large, How freely will they meet and charge! No combatants are stiffer. To prove at last my Needs no expense of main intent argument, No cutting and contrivingSeeking a real friend, we seem To adopt the chymist's golden dream, With still less hope of thriving. Sometimes the fault is all our own, Some blemish in due time made known By trespass or omission; Sometimes occasion brings to light Then judge yourself, and prove your man As circumspectly as you can, And, having made election, Beware no negligence of yours, Such as a friend but ill endures, Enfeeble his affection. That secrets are a sacred trust, Are observations on the case That savour much of common place, But 'tis not timber, lead, and stone, To finish a fine building- The carving and the gilding. The man that hails you Tom or Jack, Is such a friend that one had need As similarity of mind, Or something not to be defined, So manners decent and polite, 66 Some act upon this prudent plan, So barren sands imbibe the shower, The man I trust, if shy to me, These samples-for alas! at last Pursue the search, and you will find Good sense and knowledge of mankind To be at least expedient, And, after summing all the rest, The noblest Friendship ever shown O Friendship! if my soul forego friend deceive me! ON A MISCHIEVOUS BULL, WHICH THE OWNER OF HIM SOLD AT THE AUTHOR'S INSTANCE. Go-thou art all unfit to share The pleasures of this place With such as its old tenants are, Creatures of gentler race. The squirrel here his hoard provides, And woodpeckers explore the sides Of rugged oaks for worms. The sheep here smooths the knotted thorn With frictions of her fleece; And here I wander eve and morn, Ah!-I could pity thee exiled But thou canst taste no calm delight; Thy magnanimity in fight, Thy prowess therefore, go I care not whether east or north, |