Fruits of Retirement Or, Miscellaneous Poems, Moral and Divine. Being Some Contemplations, Letters, &c. Written on a Variety of Subjects and Occasions. By Mary Mollineux ... To which is Prefixed, Some Account of the Author |
 |
 |
Of a FRIEND.
|
 | Fruits of Retirement |  |
Of a FRIEND.
If I to Love would be inclin'd,And, without seeking, knew to find
One, whose unblemish'd Outward Case,
Princely Deportment, Comely Grace,
Might unto each observant Eye
Denote the true Nobility
Of an Heroick Heart and Mind,
(From sordid Vanity sublim'd)
Sincerely Pious, Loyal, Chaste,
And with such Inward Peace possest,
That Blust'ring Storms could ne'er prevent
True Inward Solace and Content:
Whom Prosp'rous Lot exalts not high,
Nor can a cross Adversity
Much discompose; observing well,
That all things here are mutable;
Who rightly knows to prize a Friend,
Without a base sinister End.
And though a Competency here
Of needful things, without much care
Enjoying, knows Treasure laid up,
Secur'd from Theft, and Moths corrupt;
Yet here, in Visibles, can see
The Wisdom of Eternity;
92
In true Dominion things below;
Meek, though Majestick; Valiant, and
That Self and Passion can command:
Rich in all Vertues, to compleat
A Noble Heart, more Good than Great;
'Tis such an one as this shall be
Much Honour'd, and Esteem'd by me.
| Fruits of Retirement | |