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 |
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On FRIENDSHIP.
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On FRIENDSHIP.
Amongst the many Records I have read,And Transcripts, thro' the world much scattered,
I've met with several Hints and Whisperings,
Of an abstruse Grand-Property, that springs
From some interiour, hidden, innate Cause,
In Noble Breasts, uncircumscrib'd by Laws,
Styl'd Friendship, which of such a Nature is,
That many think they know it when they miss.
But 'tis suppos'd of such sweet Innocence,
Of so Divine and Sacred Influence,
When it doth in true tender Hearts prevail,
That when occurrent Troubles would assail,
It guards, as doth a Bulwark, either Breast,
Where it resides, and taketh up its rest.
But O! this treacherous World knows little of it,
Except it be in Name, whereby to scoff it.
For now, tho' some affected with the Name,
Would be suppos'd touch'd with its Noble Flame,
They scorn its Dictates, and will not regard
A troubled Friend, except some fair Reward
Appear in view; their Business or their Pride
Engrosses all; Self may not be deny'd.
O when will Mortals raise their Eyes to see,
That all things here are only Vanity!
1691.
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