[Page [167]]

ON FRIENDSHIP.

1 IF e'er on earth a charm was found,
2 To heal our woe, or light up joy;
3 The joy is brighten'd, heal'd the wound,
4 If friendship's charm we can employ.
5 Love is a transient flame at best,
6 As vivid lightnings glaring fly;
7 And must with friendship quickly rest,
8 Or soon with cold indifference die.
9 Its root is deep, its growth is slow,
10 Its native soil the generous heart;
11 And they can only friendship know,
12 Who sympathy to all impart.
13 'Tis not to glitt'ring wealth confin'd,
14 Or blooming beauty's smiling morn;
[Page 168]
15 It clings to beauties of the mind,
16 And virtues that the heart adorn.
17 So cherish'd, it may only stand
18 A numerous host of treacherous foes,
19 That rise a mean and hostile band,
20 Their baneful influence to oppose.
21 Suspicion known but to disgust,
22 With clouded brow and squinting eye;
23 And cold reserve and mean distrust,
24 Their base and chilling arts employ.
25 Friendship! sublimest good on earth:
26 It claims our tender constant care;
27 But if such foes oppose its worth,
28 No wonder it is seen so rare.

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Title (in Source Edition): ON FRIENDSHIP.
Author: Eliza Day
Themes:
Genres: advice

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Daye, Eliza, b. ca. 1734. Poems, on Various Subjects. Liverpool: Printed by J. M'Creery, 1798, pp. [167]-168. [2],x,[4],258p.; 8° (ESTC T132359) (Page images digitized by University of California Libraries.)

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