Whence comes it then, that in the wane of life, Though nothing have occurred to kindle ftrife, We find the friends we fancied we had won, Though numerous once, reduced to few or none? Can gold grow worthless that has ftood the touch? No; gold they seemed, but they were never such.

Horatio's fervant once, with bow and cringe, Swinging the parlour door upon its hinge, Dreading a negative, and overawed

Left he should trefpafs, begged to go abroad.
Go, fellow!-whither?-turning fhort about-
Nay. Stay at home-you are always going out.
'Tis but a ftep, fir, juft at the street's end.-

For what? An please you, fir, to see a friend.-
A friend! Horatio cried, and seemed to start-
Yea marry fhalt thou, and with all my heart.-
And fetch my cloak; for though the night be raw
I'll fee him too-the first I ever faw..

I knew the man, and knew his nature mild, And was his plaything often when a child; But somewhat at that moment pinched him close, Elfe he was feldom bitter or morofe.

Perhaps his confidence just then betrayed,

His grief might prompt him with the speech he made;

Perhaps 'twas mere good-humour gave it birth, The harmless play of pleasantry and mirth. Howe'er it was, his language, in my mind, Bespoke at least a man that knew mankind.

But not to moralize too much, and strain
To prove an evil of which all complain,
(I hate long arguments verbosely spun)
One ftory more, dear Hill, and I have done.
Once on a time an emperor, a wife man,
No matter where, in China or Japan,
Decreed that whofoever should offend
Against the well-known duties of a friend,
Convicted once fhould ever after wear
But half a coat, and fhow his bofom bare.
The punishment importing this, no doubt,
That all was naught within, and all found out,

Oh happy Britain! we have not to fear Such hard and arbitrary measure here;

Elfe, could a law, like that which I relate,
Once have the fanction of our triple state,
Some few, that I have known in days of old,
Would run most dreadful risk of catching cold;
While you, my friend, whatever wind fhould blow,
Might traverse England fafely to and fro,

An honeft man, clofe-buttoned to the chin,

Broad-cloth without, and a warm heart within.

TIROCINIUM:

OR,

A REVIEW OF SCHOOLS.

Κεφαλαιον δη παιδειας ορθη τροφη.

PLATO.

Αρχη πολιτείας απασης νέων τροφα.

DIOG. LAERT.