Inscription

inscription

writtenontheblankleafofacopyofthelasteditionofmypoems,presentedtotheladywhom,insomanyfictitiousreveriesofpassion,butwiththemostardentsentimentsofrealfriendship,ihavesooftensungunderthenameof—“chloris.”

'tisfriendship'spledge,myyoung,fairfriend,

northouthegiftrefuse,

norwithunwillingearattend

themoralisingmuse.

sincethou,inallthyyouthandcharms,

mustbidtheworldadieu,

(aworld'gainstpeaceinconstantarms)

tojointhefriendlyfew.

since,thygaymornoflifeo'ercast,

chillcamethetempest'slour;

(andne'ermisfortune'seasternblast

didnipafairerflower.)

sincelife'sgayscenesmustcharmnomore,

stillmuchisleftbehind,

stillnoblerwealthhastthouinstore—

thecomfortsofthemind!

thineistheself-approvingglow,

ofconscioushonour'spart;

and(dearestgiftofheavenbelow)

thinefriendship'struestheart.

thejoysrefin'dofsenseandtaste,

witheverymusetorove:

anddoublywerethepoetblest,

thesejoyscouldheimprove.

r.b.