AN

EPISTLE

то

JOSEPH

HILL, ESQ.

DEAR JOSEPH-five and twenty years ago—
Alas! how time escapes-'tis even fo-
With frequent intercourfe, and always fweet,
And always friendly, we were wont to cheat
A tedious hour-and now we never meet.
As fome grave gentleman in Terence fays,
('Twas therefore much the fame in ancient days)
Good lack, we know not what to-morrow brings
Strange fluctuation of all human things!
True. Changes will befall, and friends may part,
But diftance only cannot change the heart :
And, were I call'd to prove th' affertion true,
One proof fhould ferve-a reference to you.
Whence comes it then, that in the wane of life,
Though nothing have occurr'd to kindle ftrife,
VOL. II.

L

We

We find the friends we fancied we had won,
Though num'rous once, reduc'd to few or none?
Can gold grow worthlefs that has stood the touch?
No: Gold they feem'd, but they were never such.
Horatio's fervant once, with bow and cringe,
Swinging the parlour door upon its hinge,
Dreading a negative, and overaw’d

Left he fhould trefpafs, begg'd to go abroad.
Go, fellow!-whither ?-turning fhort about-
Nay. Stay at home;-you're always going out.
'Tis but a ftep, Sir, juft at the street's end—
For what? An please you, Sir, to fee a friend.
A friend? Horatio cried, and seem'd to start-
Yea marry fhalt thou, and with all my heart-
And fetch my cloak, for though the night be raw
I'll fee him too-the first I ever faw.

I knew the man, and knew his nature mild,
And was his play-thing often when a child ;
But fomewhat at that moment pinch'd him clofe,
Elfe he was feldom bitter or morofe:

Perhaps, his confidence just then betray'd,

His grief might prompt him with the speech he made;

Perhaps 'twas mere good-humour gave it birth,
The harmless play of pleafantry and mirth.
Howe'er it was, his language, in my mind,
Bespoke at least a man that knew mankind.

But

But not to moralize too much, and strain Το prove an evil of which all complain, (I hate long arguments, verbofely fpun) One story more, dear Hill, and I have done : Once on a time, an Emp'ror, a wife man, No matter where, in China or Japan, Decreed that whatfoever fhould offend Against the well-known duties of a friend, Convicted once, fhould ever after wear But half a coat, and show his bofom bare. The punishment importing this, no doubt, That all was naught within, and all found out. Oh happy Britain! we have not to fear Such hard and arbitrary measure here ; Elfe, could a law like that which I relate, Once have the fanction of our triple state, Some few, that I have known in days of old, Would run moft dreadful risk of catching cold; While you, my friend, whatever wind fhould

blow,

Might traverse England fafely to and fro,

An honeft man, close-button'd to the chin, Broad-cloth without, and a warm heart within.

L 2

BLOTH

TIROCINIUM:

OR, A

REVIEW OF SCHOOLS.

Κεφαλαιον δη παιδείας ορθή τροφή.

PLATO.

Αρχη πολιτείας υπασης, νέων τροφα.

DIOG. LAERT.

L3