How sweet are the ties which a…

How sweet are the ties which a friend can impose, The mind to suspicion and envy to close, While sympathy opens her heart-soothing source, To blunt sorrow's sting and give pleasure new force!

Though soft are the bonds which a lover enchain, Yet say, is his bliss unattended by pain? The fear of delusion his bosom must know, And the stream of his joy prove the current of woe.

Even Hymen's fond slave is oft heard to complain, Joys founded in love are but airy and vain; While friendship's recorded in truth's sacred page, The rapture of youth, and the solace of age.