ODE
TO
FRIENDSHIP
.
BY
THE
SAME
.
NO
more
fond
Love
shall
wound
my
breast
,
In
all
his
smiles
deceitful
drest
,
I
scorn
his
coward
sway
;
And
now
with
pleasure
can
explore
The
galling
chains
I
felt
before
,
Since
I
am
free
to-day
.
To-day
with
Friendship
I'll
rejoice
,
Whilst
dear
Lucinda's
gentle
voice
Shall
soften
every
care
:
O
Goddess
of
the
joy
sincere
!
The
social
sigh
!
the
pleasing
tear
!
Thy
noble
bonds
I'll
wear
.
When
first
,
ill-fated
,
hapless
hour
!
My
soul
confest
Amintor's
power
,
Lucinda
shar'd
my
grief
;
And
leaning
on
her
faithful
breast
,
The
fatal
passion
I
confest
,
And
found
a
soft
relief
.
My
steps
she
oft
was
wont
to
lead
Along
the
fair
enamell'd
mead
,
To
soothe
my
raging
pain
;
And
oft
with
tender
converse
strove
To
draw
the
sting
of
hopeless
Love
,
And
make
me
smile
again
.
O
!
much-lov'd
Maid
!
whilst
life
remains
To
thee
I'll
consecrate
my
strains
,
For
thee
I'll
tune
my
lyre
;
And
,
echoing
with
my
sweetest
lays
,
The
vocal
hills
shall
speak
the
praise
Of
Friendship's
sacred
fire
.