Address to a Departed Friend

SHADE of the man by blood allied,
By bonds of friendship nearer tied,
If (wafted to a world unknown)
On us 'tis giv'n thee to look down,
Approve reflections, that review
The early scenes of life we knew,
While, train'd in learning's infant class,
We saw the day in rapture pass:
Kenna (oft grac'd with mien august
Of GEORGE, the valiant and the just)
Attested then each boyish sport,
Her walks our Sabbath-day's resort.
Well can my memory retrace
Each cranny of that lovely place;
Where, on each licens'd holiday,
We spent the hours in harmless play,
Till, vanquish'd by the pastime sweet,
The mount reliev'd our weary feet:
The root of friendship then began,
And vegetated strong in man.
When was the hour, the moment known,
(So truly were our likings one)
When either of us disapprov'd,
Or thwarted, what the other lov'd?

The time seems present with me still,
When loit'ring over Beechen-Hill,
The tale, whereon I build my lay,
(To thee well known) thou did'st convey.

What tho' a while, by Fortune's spite,
Fonchale depriv'd me of thy sight,
Our hearts, by distance, not disjoin'd,
Were in communion sweet combin'd.

Friendship and Love! 'tis ye endear
This transient sublunary sphere,
"And since your choice is always free,
"I bless you for your smiles on me."
Sweet co-mates! may ye ne'er decay
With this our perishable clay,
But bloom triumphant over time,
Improv'd, immortal, and sublime!
O! be it then our blessed fate
(Translated to a happier state)
In recompence for earthly pain,
To know departed friends again!