An
EPISTLE
to
a
FRIEND
.
I
Permit
me
dearest
girl
to
send
,
The
warmest
wishes
of
a
friend
,
Who
scorns
deceit
,
or
art
,
Who
dedicates
her
verse
to
you
,
And
every
praise
so
much
your
due
,
Flows
genuine
from
her
heart
.
II
Yet
all
that
I
can
write
,
or
say
,
My
meaning
never
can
convey
,
My
fond
intention
prove
,
It
flows
spontaneous
from
the
soul
,
Without
restraint
,
without
controul
,
'Tis
gratitude
,
and
love
.
III
The
friendship
glowing
in
my
breast
,
Can
never
,
never
,
be
suppress'd
,
While
life
or
sense
remain
,
The
only
recompense
I
ask
,
To
me
,
would
prove
an
easy
task
,
That
prize
bestow
again
.
IV
How
bless'd
are
you
in
every
joy
,
No
care
your
happiness
to
cloy
,
No
rude
unwelcome
pain
,
No
grief
to
interrupt
your
ease
,
But
every
comfort
form'd
to
please
,
In
solitude
remain
.
V
There
busy
clamours
ne'er
resound
,
Nor
high
ambition's
to
be
found
,
Or
envy's
hateful
train
,
But
ever
happy
,
ever
gay
,
Soft
pleasure
with
despotic
sway
,
Holds
empire
o'er
the
plain
.
VI
Along
the
daisy
painted
meads
,
New
scenes
of
beauty
each
succeeds
,
To
charm
th'enraptured
eye
,
Or
shelter'd
from
the
noon-tide
beams
,
Where
cooling
grots
,
and
crystal
streams
,
Meand'ring
murmur
by
.
VII
May
heaven-born
peace
,
content
,
and
rest
,
Dwell
undisturb'd
within
that
breast
,
From
every
folly
free
,
May
health
,
sincerity
,
and
truth
,
Be
the
companions
of
thy
youth
,
With
meek-ey'd
charity
.
VIII
Adieu
,
dear
girl
,
accept
my
love
,
And
may
Maria
never
prove
,
Unworthy
thy
esteem
,
One
vow
I
make
to
heaven
and
you
,
This
pleasing
task
I'll
still
pursue
,
And
make
thy
praise
,
my
theme
.