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The Consolations of Friendship.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


104

The Consolations of Friendship.

Address'd to Calista.

Few Days are past, since my unquiet Breast
Was with conflicting Agonies opprest.
Contesting Passions in a Torrent rose,
My Bosom swell'd with its o'erflowing Woes:
Grief and Despair the Pow'rs of Thought controul,
And sadly triumph o'er my wounded Soul.
Thus rack'd alternately by diff'rent Care,
With aking Heart, I to a Friend repair;
Whose healing Counsel might relieve my Pain,
'Twas thus I hop'd; nor did I hope in vain:
Calista was her Name, a Virgin fair,
And kind as interceding Angels are.

105

No lawless Passion can her Reason blind,
Whose Aspect shews her inward Peace of Mind.
Soon as I was with her sweet Presence blest,
'Twas Peace, 'twas Joy, 'twas Heav'n within my Breast:
Grief and her gloomy Train were banish'd thence,
As I approach'd her purer Excellence.
Say, my Calista, by what wondrous Art
Didst thou allay the Torments of my Heart?
How was it done? say, by what Pow'r Divine?
And where was lodg'd the precious Anodyne?
Thou only could'st Tranquillity restore,
And change me from the Wretch I was before.
My Bosom is from ev'ry Passion free;
Mild, calm, serene, I now resemble Thee.