Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO PHYLOCLES, INVITING HIM TO FRIENDSHIP, by JOAN PHILIPS


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO PHYLOCLES, INVITING HIM TO FRIENDSHIP, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Best of thy sex! If sacred friendship can
Last Line: T' its native purity we will refine.
Alternate Author Name(s): Ephelia
Subject(s): Friendship; Man-woman Relationships; Male-female Relations


Best of thy Sex! if Sacred Friendship can
Dwell in the Bosom of inconstant Man,
As cold and clear as Ice, as Snow unstain'd.
With Love loose Crimes unsully'd, unprofan'd:

Or you a Woman with that Name dare trust,
And think to Friendship's Ties we can be just:
In a strict League together we'l combine,
And let our Friendship's bright example shine.

We will forget the Difference of Sex,
Nor shall the World's rude Censure us Perplex.
Think Me all Man: my Soul is Masculine,
And Capable of as great Things as Thine.

I can be Gen'rous Just and Brave,
Secret and Silent as the Grave,
And if I cannot yield Relief,
I'le Sympathize in all thy Grief.

I will not have a Thought from thee I'le hide,
In all my Actions Thou shalt be my Guide;
In every Joy of mine Thou shalt have share,
And I will bear a part in all thy Care.

Why do I vainly Talk of what we'l do?
We'l mix our Souls, you shall be Me, I You;
And both so one it shall be hard to say
Which is Phylocles, which Ephelia.

Our Ties shall be as strong as the Chains of Fate,
Conqu'rors and Kings our Joys shall Emulate;
Forgotten Friendship, held at first Divine,
T' its native Purity we will refine.





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