May be conceiv’d but cannot well be penn’d;

On this deceitful world’s precarious stage,

You stood my friend from youth to hoary age;

Upright, and firm, steady to thy trust,

The actions keen, but still correctly just;

The critic’s malice, peace has oft destroy’d,

But you well tempered, could not be annoy’d;

Within thy mansion, peace and plenty dwelt,

Your guests when pleas’d, what pleasure then you felt;

A friend so rare to meet with now a days,