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, That friends should be sincere and just, That constancy befits them, Are observations on the case, That savour much of commonplace, And all the world admits them. But 'tis not timber, lead, and stone, An architect requires alone, To finish a fine building The palace were but half complete, If he could possibly forget The carving and the gilding. 160 The man that hails you Tom or Jack, And proves by thumps upon your back 170 How he esteems your merit, Is such a friend, that one had need Be very much his friend indeed, To pardon or to bear it. As similarity of mind, Or something not to be defin'd, So manners decent and polite, The same we practis'd at first sight, Must save it from declension.. 180 Some act upon this prudent plan, 66 Say little, and hear all you can." So barren sands imbibe the show'r, But render neither fruit nor flow'r, Unpleasant and ungrateful. The man I trust, if shy to me, Shall find me as reserv'd as he, No subterfuge or pleading These samples for alas! at last However well-intention'd. Pursue the search, and you will find 190 Good sense and knowledge of mankind 200 To be at least expedient, And, after summing all the rest, Religion ruling in the breast A principal ingredient. The noblest Friendship ever shown The Saviour's history makes known, Though some have turn'd and turn'd it; And, whether being craz'd or blind, Or seeking with a biass'd mind, Have not, it seems, discern'd it. O friendship! if my soul forego Or may my friend deceive me! 210 216 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 Creatures of gentler race. The squirrel here his hoard provides, Aware of wintry storms, 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. 10 |