Sophronia, all the World agree, <br />The Soul of Friendship dwells in Thee: <br />Let Envy other Gifts dispute, <br />Since here the Fury must be mute. <br />Without one vain, one venal View, <br />The Muse inscribes these Lines to you. <br />Tho' I thy Favour shall not share, <br />Thy Worth I'm destin'd to revere; <br />And in Sophronia must commend <br />The firm, disinterested Friend: <br />To Virtue I this Homage pay, <br />Rewarded, tho' you slight the Lay. <br /> <br />Those who thy Favour once obtain, <br />Need not sollicit thee again; <br />Nor ever at Neglect repine: <br />Their Wishes and their Cares are thine: <br />Nor at the Grave thy Friendship ends; <br />But to Posterity descends. <br /> <br />Hail, sacred Friendship! seldom found, <br />Tho' sought for all the World around: <br />Say, Blessing of the peaceful Cell! <br />How cam'st thou in a Court to dwell?<br /><br />Mary Barber<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/to-sophronia/
