From peering into what has nourished root—

Dew or manure: the plant best knows its place.

Enough, from teaching youth and tending age

And hearing sermons,—haply writing tracts,—

From such strange love-besprinkled compost, lo,

Out blows this triumph! Therefore love 's the soil

Plants find or fail of. You, with wit to find,

Exercise wit on the old friend's behalf,

Keep me from failure! Scan and scrutinize

This cousin! Surely he 's as worth your pains