On The Renewal Of Virtuous Friendship In A Future State

IF, when the Spirit quits her clay-built cell,
With incorporeal essences to dwell,
Attachments form'd on earth their force retain,
And with increasing ardour still remain;
What raptures must posses the virtuous mind,
(Virtue alone those joys can hope to find)
To meet in worlds of never-ending bliss,
All whom we lov'd, esteem'd, rever'd in this.
The long-lost Child shall glad the Parents' sight,
Deck'd in refulgent robes of spotless light;
Children with grateful smiles their Parents greet,
Who fled before them to the blissful seat.
They whom th' untimely stroke of Death disjoin'd,
The faithful Pair, by sacred vows combin'd;
Met in the realms of happiness, shall prove
The true delights of pure celestial love.
But when two hearts whom tender Friendship sways,
On virtue founded in their earliest days;
(Union which sympathy of soul endears,
Its strength maturing with increasing years)
Who ne'er could wish one pleasure to conceal,
Nor knew one grief but Friendship's balm could heal;
Sincerely anxious for each other's good,
By mutual counsel, sweet reproof they stood:
When two such Spirits wing their airy way,
And reach the bright abodes of endless day;
Enraptur'd, each the dear-lov'd friend shall view,
And ardently the solemn league renew;
Ecstatic transports feel, without alloy,
Sublimest friendship height'ning ev'ry joy;
They part no more, nor change their glorious state,
Completely blest beyond the power of Fate.
Should we not form such friendships here below,
As only can survive the destin'd blow?
Since Vice, though leagu'd, her trust shall soon betray,
And Folly's airy vows flee swift away;
Whilst virtuous Union scorns th' attacks of Time,
And hopes to flourish in a nobler clime;
Of never-fading happiness possest,
In heav'nly mansions of eternal rest.