And are indeed a bog, that bears 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. To prove at last my main intent Needs ho expense of argument, No cutting and contriving— Seeking a real friend we seem T'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 Our friend's defect long hid from sight, And even from suspicion. 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 common place, And all the world admits them. But 'tis not timber, lead, and stone, To finish a fine building The palace were but half complete, The carving and the gilding. The man that hails you Tom or Jack, Is such a friend, that one had need To pardon or to bear it. 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, Unpleasant and ungrateful. The man I trust, if shy to me, These samples-for alas! at last However well-intention'd. Pursue the search, and you will find To be at least expedient, And, after summing all the rest, The noblest Friendship ever shown Though some have turn'd and turn'd it; And, whether being craz'd or blind, Have not, it seems, discern'd it. O Friendship! if my soul forego May I myself at last appear 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 Creatures of gentler race. |