'Tis thought's exchange, which, like th' alternate push Of waves conflicting, breaks the learned scum, And defecates the student's standing pool. In contemplation is his proud resource? 'Tis poor, as proud, by converse unsustain'd. Rude thought runs wild in contemplation's field; 490 Converse, the menage, breaks it to the bit Of due restraint; and emulation's spur Gives graceful energy, by rivals awed. 'Tis converse qualifies for solitude; As exercise, for salutary rest. 495 By that untutor'd, contemplation raves; And Nature's fool, by wisdom is undone. Wisdom, though richer than Peruvian mines, And sweeter than the sweet ambrosial hive, What is she, but the means of happiness? That unobtain'd, than folly more a fool; A melancholy fool, without her bells. Friendship, the means of wisdom, richly gives 503 The precious end, which makes our wisdom wise. Nature, in zeal for human amity, Denies, or damps, an undivided joy. Joy is an import; joy is an exchange; Joy flies monopolists: it calls for two; Rich fruit! heaven-planted! never pluck'd by one. Needful auxiliars are our friends, to give 510 To social man true relish of himself. Full on ourselves, descending in a line, Pleasure's bright beam is feeble in delight: Delight intense, is taken by rebound; Reverberated pleasures fire the breast. Celestial happiness, whene'er she stoops To visit earth, one shrine the goddess finds, And one alone, to make her sweet amends For absent heaven--the bosom of a friend; Where heart meets heart, reciprocally soft, 520 Each other's pillow to repose divine. Beware the counterfeit: in passion's flame Hearts melt, but melt like ice, soon harder froze. True love strikes root in reason; passion's foe: Virtue alone entenders us for life: I wrong her much--entenders us for ever: Of friendship's fairest fruits, the fruit most fair Is virtue kindling at a rival fire, And, emulously, rapid in her race. 529 O the soft enmity! endearing strife! This carries friendship to her noontide point, And gives the rivet of eternity. From friendship, which outlives my former themes, Glorious survivor of old time and death; From friendship, thus, that flower of heavenly seed, The wise extract earth's most Hyblean bliss, Superior wisdom, crown'd with smiling joy. But for whom blossoms this Elysian flower? Abroad they find, who cherish it at home. Lorenzo! pardon what my love extorts, 540 An honest love, and not afraid to frown. Though choice of follies fasten on the great, None clings more obstinate, than fancy, fond That sacred friendship is their easy prey; Caught by the wafture of a golden lure, Or fascination of a high-born smile.