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Poem
February 4, 1774
The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle
Portsmouth, Greenland, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
A poem describing the ideal qualities of a true friend, emphasizing loyalty, shared sentiments, benevolence, virtue, and mutual joy in health or distress.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
A REAL FRIEND DESCRIBED
Friend, what is he? Why he's one that loves,
And likes the very Thing my Heart approves:
He's faithful, tender, virtuous, and Free;
Benevolent to all, but most to me:
His Studies, Temper, Sentiments, and Aim,
Are of a Kind with mine, if not the same:
When I rejoice—his Pleasures overflow—
Spring from the Heart, and not from outward Show:
If I'm distress'd he flies to my Relief,
Nor knows a Joy till I'm free from Grief;
If Health and Peace my happy Hours crown,
His Soul partakes, and thinks them both his own:
His Sense refin'd, by Nature form'd to please,
Art, has improv'd, to Dignity and Ease;
The treasur'd Knowledge, which his Mind contains,
His flowing Tongue reveals in pleasing Strains:
His Conversation brightens and improves
With lovely Influence the Friend he loves;
With Virtue arm'd, his Airs and Manners free,
Shew how he gain'd and keeps the Friend in me:
His Passions all subdu'd, his placid Mind
Reigns in his Face, and speaks him always kind;
Self conscious Innocence, and inward Peace,
Smile in his Heart, and brighten in his Face!
This is a Friend, the Friend whom I approve,
All this is he, whom from my Soul I love.
H. B.
Friend, what is he? Why he's one that loves,
And likes the very Thing my Heart approves:
He's faithful, tender, virtuous, and Free;
Benevolent to all, but most to me:
His Studies, Temper, Sentiments, and Aim,
Are of a Kind with mine, if not the same:
When I rejoice—his Pleasures overflow—
Spring from the Heart, and not from outward Show:
If I'm distress'd he flies to my Relief,
Nor knows a Joy till I'm free from Grief;
If Health and Peace my happy Hours crown,
His Soul partakes, and thinks them both his own:
His Sense refin'd, by Nature form'd to please,
Art, has improv'd, to Dignity and Ease;
The treasur'd Knowledge, which his Mind contains,
His flowing Tongue reveals in pleasing Strains:
His Conversation brightens and improves
With lovely Influence the Friend he loves;
With Virtue arm'd, his Airs and Manners free,
Shew how he gain'd and keeps the Friend in me:
His Passions all subdu'd, his placid Mind
Reigns in his Face, and speaks him always kind;
Self conscious Innocence, and inward Peace,
Smile in his Heart, and brighten in his Face!
This is a Friend, the Friend whom I approve,
All this is he, whom from my Soul I love.
H. B.
What themes does it cover?
Friendship
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
True Friend
Loyalty
Virtue
Benevolence
Shared Joy
Moral Character
What entities or persons were involved?
H. B.
Poem Details
Title
A Real Friend Described
Author
H. B.
Subject
Description Of A True Friend
Form / Style
Rhymed Couplets
Key Lines
Friend, What Is He? Why He's One That Loves,
And Likes The Very Thing My Heart Approves:
He's Faithful, Tender, Virtuous, And Free;
Benevolent To All, But Most To Me:
This Is A Friend, The Friend Whom I Approve,
All This Is He, Whom From My Soul I Love.