No doubt, ere this Rejoycing Friends are come,
Congratulating thy Arrival home;
And with the kindest Welcome, signify
Their Expectation, to renew the Joy
They'd formerly in thy Society.
But sure, a watchful Heart may never be
Lost (tho' engag'd) in multiplicity;
But eyes the Rock, which, when in rowling Waves,
Is safe to Anchor on, and firmly saves,
As in a Cliff, or secret hiding place,
Free from the dangers of Tempestuous Seas;
Wherein, as any doth securely stand,
Such cannot be unmindful of a Friend
That doth in such like Habitation dwell,
But can delight by Tongue or Pen to tell
Their Exercises, with Endearments free;
Love circulating thus in Sympathy.
But scarce had these my Musings finished,
With many more quite lost and scattered,
For want of Penning, when thy Letter came,
And prov'd my hopes deferr'd were not in vain;
Therefore in curtale Lines herewith I send
My Sentiments thereof to thee, my Friend.