Classic Poem

WITH AN EMBLEMATICAL PICTURE OF JOY, COFIED FROM A PRINT BY THE AUTHOR .

Whilst here my ling'ring days may humbly end,
May heartfelt Joy thy precious hours attend;
Still may her smiling looks diffuse that ray,
Which brightens thought, and makes our Winter gay:
Never — oh never — may her form depart
Too far, my friend, — but fix her on thy heart!
When each soft stroke shall fade and disappear,
Of that faint image, which I give thee here —
Know, that I wish thee then that solid bliss,
As freely thine, tho' not so frail as this!
And own (if e'er thy mem'ry shou'd recall
Some heedless word, that from my lips might
Say, I aton'd for all my errors past,
And faithful Friendship gave thee Joy at last.