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Poem
April 22, 1785
Fowle's New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
A reflective poem cautioning against errors in choosing friends based on external appearances, advocating for recognition of inner virtues and esteem to ensure lasting friendship.
Clipping
OCR Quality
96%
Excellent
Full Text
POET'S CORNER.
On FRIENDSHIP.
So oft in choosing friends we err,
By warm good nature press'd;
And, in a dove like form, receive
A serpent to the breast.
External beauties strike the eye,
And such attractions wear,
We nothing but perfection see.
And rush into the snare.
No wonder that a pleasing face,
With winning manners join'd;
Are lov'd by those who cannot trace
The motions of the Mind.
There must the Lasting beauties lie,
Which never know decay;
For ev'ry charm but those within,
Are swept, by time, away.
Th' allurements of external charms,
Can ne'er deceive us long;
Affection may the union bind,
Esteem must make it strong
A thousand smiling flow'ry paths,
To Friendship's temple lead:
But those that follow virtue's steps,
Most happily succeed.
On FRIENDSHIP.
So oft in choosing friends we err,
By warm good nature press'd;
And, in a dove like form, receive
A serpent to the breast.
External beauties strike the eye,
And such attractions wear,
We nothing but perfection see.
And rush into the snare.
No wonder that a pleasing face,
With winning manners join'd;
Are lov'd by those who cannot trace
The motions of the Mind.
There must the Lasting beauties lie,
Which never know decay;
For ev'ry charm but those within,
Are swept, by time, away.
Th' allurements of external charms,
Can ne'er deceive us long;
Affection may the union bind,
Esteem must make it strong
A thousand smiling flow'ry paths,
To Friendship's temple lead:
But those that follow virtue's steps,
Most happily succeed.
What sub-type of article is it?
Ode
What themes does it cover?
Friendship
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Friendship
Choosing Friends
External Beauties
Inner Virtue
Esteem
Moral Instruction
Poem Details
Title
On Friendship.
Form / Style
Rhymed Quatrains
Key Lines
So Oft In Choosing Friends We Err, By Warm Good Nature Press'd; And, In A Dove Like Form, Receive A Serpent To The Breast.
There Must The Lasting Beauties Lie, Which Never Know Decay; For Ev'ry Charm But Those Within, Are Swept, By Time, Away.
Affection May The Union Bind, Esteem Must Make It Strong
A Thousand Smiling Flow'ry Paths, To Friendship's Temple Lead: But Those That Follow Virtue's Steps, Most Happily Succeed.