Page:Poems of Anne Countess of Winchilsea 1903.djvu/184

46

'Tis not much wonder, if affairs go ill. Then for the Church-men—
 * hold my lodging's here ;

Nor can I longer a re-proof forbear When sacred things nor Persons she wou'd spare.
 * We parted thus, the night in peace I spent,

And the next day, with haste and pleasure went To the best seat of fam'd and fertile Kent. Where lett me live from all detraction free Till thus the World is criticis'd by mee ; Till freind, and Foe, I treat with such dispite May I no scorn, the worst of ills, excite.

FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN EPHELIA AND ARDELIA Eph. What Friendship is, shew. Ard. 'Tis to love, as I love You. Eph. This Account, so short (tho' kind)
 * Suits not my enquiring Mind.
 * Therefore farther now repeat;
 * What is Friendship when compleat?

Ard. 'Tis to share all Joy and Grief;
 * 'Tis to lend all due Relief
 * From the Tongue, the Heart, the Hand;
 * 'Tis to mortgage House and Land;
 * For a Friend be sold a Slave ;
 * 'Tis to die upon a Grave,
 * If a Friend therein do lie.

Eph. This indeed, tho' carry'd high,
 * This, tho' more than e'er was done
 * Underneath the rolling Sun,
 * This has all been said before.
 * Can say no more?

Ard. Words indeed no more can shew:
 * But 'tis to love, as I love you.