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TO A BELOVED FRIEND.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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60

TO A BELOVED FRIEND.

The Sun is not more prodigal of light,
Nor liberty more native to the air,
The purple rose more lovely to the sight,
Or glory to poetic minds more fair,
Than thou to all, that know thee, and admire,
Art dear, for virtue and unfeigned truth;
A mind, that burns with everlasting fire,
And feeds on wisdom in unclouded youth:
In thee is love of labour, and of fame;
Sweet nature, and divine ability;
Thy light is lit at pure religion's flame,
To guide thy steps to immortality;
And with unfading honour may'st thou bloom,
“And late return to thy celestial home .”
 

This line is taken from a very beautiful translation: it runs thus in the original;

“long may you govern Rome,
And late return to your celestial home.”