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, And taken trash for treasure, An acquisition rather rare If either on forbidden ground, No friendship will abide the test, в в 3 Who seek a friend should come dispos'd, T exhibit in full bloom disclos'd The graces and the beauties, For 'tis a union, that bespeaks Mutual attention is implied, Our own as much distorted. But will sincerity suffice? And must be made the basis; But ev'ry virtue of the soul, Must constitute the charming whole, All shining in their places. il bod A fretful temper will divide By ceaseless sharp corrosion ; A temper passionate and fierce A In vain the talkative unite In hopes of permanent delight- They drop through mere desire to prate, How bright soe'er the prospect seems, An envious man, if you succeed, As envy pines at good possess'd, And hates him for encroaching. Hence authors of illustrious name, A man renown'd for repartee Whoever keeps an open ear A friendship, that in frequent fits The sparks of disputation, Like hand in hand insurance plates, Most unavoidably creates The thought of conflagration. Some fickle creatures boast a soul True as a needle to the pole, Their humour yet so various They manifest their whole life through The needle's deviations too, Their love is so precarious. The great and small but rarely meet Plebeians must surrender And yield so much to noble folk, Some are so placid and serene They sleep secure from waking; Unmov'd and without quaking. Courtier and patriot cannot mix Without an effervescence, Like that of salts with lemon juice, Which does not yet like that produce A friendly coalescence. 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. |