ELEGY 10th. To a Friend who, from the mis-representations of some insidious Person, suspected the Sincerity…

Does Sylvius, then, the tender tie disclaim? Shall the fond union here abruptly end? Must dark Suspicion quench the rising flame, Or Passion aim her arrows at a Friend?

Why seek to add fresh sorrows to the load?— With quick increase the cumb'rous burden grows: Ah! why augment the weight of ills bestow'd, Or swell the measure with imagin'd woes!

Ere yet, before the rash resolve has past, Or thou condemn with prejudice unkind; Or late repentance blame the hasty blast That stamp'd the erring censure on thy mind:—

Small my request—let Candor's laws decide— 'Tis Reason sues, attend the moral strain; Let her unbiass'd dictates be thy guide, Nor Friendship doom to plead her cause in vain.

Thro' life with me extend the brief survey— New troubles rise, and cares engender care; Swift fade the blossoms of the vernal day, But fraught with griefs, whole years successive bear.

This dreary clime, this low'ring realm of pain, Where bliss imperfect deals the dubious joy— Shall kindred souls their covenant profane, Or foul Distrust the sacred league annoy?

No—since Misfortunes crow'd this destin'd sphere, And Mis'ry close pursues us to the grave, Let not a doubt unkindly interfere, To blight the good our fortune's bounty gave:

Let us, my friend, while youth and genial prime Wake ev'ry sense, and give the fair delight, Enjoy the pleasures of the passing time, And snatch the winged blessings on their slight:

Since Fate's perverse, consign us o'er to pain, And poignant sorrows urge their blacken'd tide, Hence let us jointly dare life's stormy main, Alike through smiles, through fortune's frowns, ally'd.