III.
Reading edition
ON A FRIEND.
[The name of this friend is neither mentioned nor alluded to in any of the poet’s productions.]
An honest man here lies at rest As e’er God with his image blest! The friend of man, the friend of truth; The friend of age, and guide of youth; Few hearts like his, with virtue warm’d, Few heads with knowledge so inform’d: If there’s another world, he lives in bliss; If there is none, he made the best of this.