Amanda and Amator. Real Life

AMANDA's form kind nature could not mend, Nor more true graces in a female blend; While by her beauty coldest hearts are fir'd, Her mental sweetness seems by heaven inspir'd. To social frankness, and habitual ease, Amanda joins the happy art to please; No affectation is to her ally'd, While conscious virtue is her only pride.

True to her friends, to all mankind the same, Goodness her title, loveliness her name! She gains from virtue's friends her due reward, While envy views her with a forc'd regard. Such is Amanda; worthy, kind, and fair; Few mortal beings may with her compare: Amator is her friend; and 'tis his pride, Since virtue, honor, truth with her reside.

Of social temper, and of mind serene, Amator relishes each happy scene; Envying none their riches, or their power, Contentedly enjoys the passing hour. Benevolence inspires his manly heart, To act the worthy, generous, friendly part; He makes the general welfare life's great end, And serves with constancy his worthy friend; The world's his home, mankind his kindred are, All worthy objects his attention share; But still his friendship he reserves for those, In whom the strictest faith he may repose.

IF different sexes may pure friendship claim, Without fond love, or love's enchanting name, May not Amator and Amanda be, True, genuine friends; and yet from censure free.