Another Letter to a Friend

My hasty Pen, about to write Vnkind, (When interrupted by my zealous Mind) Again admits of dear Marcaria; tho' Thy tedious Silence gives Affront unto True Cordial Friendship, which in ev'ry State Sweetly delighteth to communicate Pure Streams of Love, as Opportunity Permits, to manifest its Sympathy; Which seeming now to cease, gives Cause of Doubt, Some new Concern hath jostled Friendship out, From that fair Bosom; where, if yet it dwell, 'Twill by its influencing Power dispel Whate'er would stop its Current: For we see That standing Pools oft times corrupted be, When smaller Brooks, whose Streams do gently glide Along their Banks, are purg'd and purify'd. A las, that Love that burns with Fervency, Is frequently perprex'd with Jealousied Then why so silence? Why so straugely mute? Must I indeed not only find my Suit Ungranted, but disdain'd? And must I be Therefore unanswer'd, for a Penalty To be impos'd, as for a heinous Crime? Tho' I forgot once a Request of thine, I did not wholly throw aside my Pen; But, as full fraught with other Matter, when In hopes of sending, tho' I did omit To answer each. Punctilio, yet I writ, (Grateful or not:) For my officious Quill, As formerly engag'd, is ready still To write to thee.— Ah! Canst thou think what Doubtings do attend Whether sad Sickness, or some rival Friend May now so long restrain thy careless Pen, As if it would not deign to write again? Or must that Friendship in Oblivion lie, That seems immortal? Then send Reasons why: How should I else resent this Injury?