48
I pray thee think of me where'er thou art,
Whether in palace, cottage, or retreat,
Sacred to science, or to friends like thee;
Yet let not others occupy that place
Which I so long have held within thy heart,
And consecrated by our mutual vow
To unfading, never-ending friendship.
My thoughts, my friend, will oft be fixed on thee,
While mem'ry shall trace back scenes of pleasure
Which I of late so much enjoy'd with thee,
And Fancy's mirror shall reflect thy form.
Thus shall imagination's fairy pow'r
Present thine image faithfully to view,
Though thou art now so distant from thy friend,
And snatch Time's mantle of oblivion
Ere he has pow'r to hide dear Memory,
Or bind her quick and penetrating eye
With chilling bandage of forgetfulness.
Yes, my dear friend, old Time is on the wing,
And beckons thee to distant lands away;
But the remembrance of thee still remains,
Whether in palace, cottage, or retreat,
Sacred to science, or to friends like thee;
Yet let not others occupy that place
Which I so long have held within thy heart,
And consecrated by our mutual vow
To unfading, never-ending friendship.
My thoughts, my friend, will oft be fixed on thee,
While mem'ry shall trace back scenes of pleasure
Which I of late so much enjoy'd with thee,
And Fancy's mirror shall reflect thy form.
Thus shall imagination's fairy pow'r
Present thine image faithfully to view,
Though thou art now so distant from thy friend,
And snatch Time's mantle of oblivion
Ere he has pow'r to hide dear Memory,
Or bind her quick and penetrating eye
With chilling bandage of forgetfulness.
Yes, my dear friend, old Time is on the wing,
And beckons thee to distant lands away;
But the remembrance of thee still remains,
