May still befriend—what themes? Time’s wondrous price,
Death, friendship, and Philander’s final scene.
So could I touch these themes, as might obtain
Thine ear, nor leave thy heart quite disengaged,
The good deed would delight me; half impress 20
On my dark cloud an Iris; and from grief
Call glory.—Dost thou mourn Philander’s fate?
I know thou say’st it: says thy life the same?
He mourns the dead, who lives as they desire.
Where is that thrift, that avarice of time,