Nor such as may awhile subsist For vicious ends connected. Who seek a friend should come disposed To exhibit, in full bloom disclosed, The graces and the beauties That form the character he seeks, For 'tis a union that bespeaks Reciprocated duties. Mutual attention is implied, Our own as much distorted. But will sincerity suffice? And must be made the basis; But every virtue of the soul Must constitute the charming whole, A fretful temper will divide In vain the talkative unite In hopes of permanent delight— They drop through mere desire to prate, How bright soe'er the prospect seems, As envy pines at good possess'd, On good that seems approaching; And hates him for encroaching. Hence authors of illustrious name, A man renown'd for repartee Will thrust a dagger at your breast, Whoever keeps an open ear A friendship that in frequent fits The sparks of disputation, 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, 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, To prove at last my main intent Needs no expense of argument, No cutting and contriving— Seeking a real friend, we seem To adopt the chemist'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 |