The Virginia Gazette

POET'S CORNER.

On FRIENDSHIP.

When friendship's sacred sympathies inspire,
Who can resist the muse's kindling fire?
Friendship, thou dearest blessing Heaven bestows!
Balm of our cares! and softener of our woes!
I at thy shrine my willing tribute pay,
And to thy honour consecrate the lay.
Thy form is lovely, and thy fruits divine;
For love and peace, and truth, and joy, are thine;
And kindred souls, who feel the generous flame,
Enjoy a fund of bliss that wants a name.
Ye sons of wine! that o'er your cups pretend
Eternal service to your jovial friend,
When the warm fumes forsake your reeling brains,
Say of your boasted friendship what remains?
How oft, alas! what bitter hate succeeds!
What broken vows! and what atrocious deeds!
How oft in smoke your loud professions end,
And the smooth flatterer supplants the friend!
Ye sons of interest! whose benighted souls
Are cold and dark as winter at the poles,
Say when your favourite point is once obtain'd,
Your purse replenished, and your neighbour's drained,
When pinching poverty distracts his breast,
Will then your friendship firmly stand the test?
Will friendship then the needful aid supply,
And wipe the bursting tear from sorrow's eye?
Friendship's a pure, a Heaven-descended flame,
Worthy the happy region whence it came,
The sacred tie that virtuous spirits binds,
The golden chain that links immortal minds.
Not the obsequious fop whose words beguile,
Who lives or dies as you or frown or smile;
Nor, whom immensely complaisant we find,
Those humble servants of all human kind,
Nor joyous buck, nor vain assuming ape
(Who shows your friendship in a modish shape)
Nor rake nor pend'r'ift, nor time-serving tool,
Nor fawning knave, nor self-sufficient fool,
Can feel the joy true amity imparts
To gentle bosoms, and to honest hearts:
To vice and shame the charmer's all unknown,
She lives and reigns in virtuous breasts alone.