University of Virginia Library

Verses spoken Extempore,

At the Sight of my Brother's Dead Corps, January 6.

Thou best of Brothers, and thou best of Friends,
(For one our Int'rests were, as one our Minds)
Could earnest Cries, and Floods of briny Tears,
And all the pious Eloquence of Pray'rs,
To thy cold Clay recall th' enliv'ning Breath,
I'd soon relieve thee from the Jaws of Death.
But since the Fates relentless are, in vain
We wish thy Life, and seek thee back again.
Yet while from Fetters of the Grave I'm free,
True Love shall keep you still alive in me:
And if my Muse a deathless Fame can spread,
In latest times our Friendship shall be read.