A friendship, that in frequent fits The sparks of disputation, Like hand in hand insurance plates, The thought of conflagration. Some fickle creatures boast a soul Their humour yet so various- 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 Without an effervescence, Like that of salts with lemon-juice, Religion should extinguish strife, But friends that chance to differ To prove at last my main intent Sometimes the fault is all our own, Then judge yourself, and prove your man And, having made election, That secrets are a sacred trust, 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 As similarity of mind, Or something not to be defined, Some act upon this prudent plan, So barren sands imbibe the shower, The man I trust, if shy to me, These samples-for alas! at last Pursue the search, and you will find The noblest Friendship ever shown O Friendship, if my soul forego On a mischievous Bull, which the Owner of him sold at the Author's instance. GO-Thou art all unfit to share The squirrel here his hoard provides, The sheep here smoothes the knotted thorn Ah!-1 could pity thee exiled But thou canst taste no calm delight; Thy magnanimity in fight, Thy prowess-therefore go I care not whether east or north, The angry Muse thus sings thee forth, |