That is most certain—What! can more be told?

Will he return, who has so long been gone,

And lost to us? Oh! what of Uncle John?”

This was aside: their unobservant friend

Seem’d on their thoughts but little to attend; 600

A traveller speaking, he was more inclined

To tell his story than their thoughts to find.

“Although, my Friends, I love you well, ’tis true, }

’Twas your relation turn’d my mind to you; }

For we were friends of old, and friends like us are few; }