To prove at last my main intent T DA No cutting and contriving— Seeking a real friend we seem T'adopt the chymists golden dream, With still less hope of thriving. + Sometimes the fault is all our own, Then judge yourself, and prove your man As circumspectly as you can, And, having made election, Beware no negligence of yours, 192 Such as a friend but ill endures, Enfeeble his affection. That secrets are a sacred trust, Are observations on the case, places, tud And all the world admits them, But 'tis not timber, lead, and stone, To finish a fine building- If he could possibly forget The carving and the gilding. The man that hails you Tom or Jack, As similarity of mind, Or something not to be defin'd, First fixes our attention; So manners decent and polite, Some act upon this prudent plan, So barren sands imbibe the show'r, These samples-for alas! at last ་་་་ Pursue the search, and you will find To be at least expedient, The noblest Friendship ever shown O Friendship! if my soul forego Thy dear delights while here below; Or may my 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 The squirrel here his hoard provides, And wood-peckers 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, Like her, a friend to peace. Ah!-I could pity thee exil'd |