MENANDER.

Misfortune to have lived not knowing thee!

’ T were not high living, nor to noblest end,

Who, dwelling near, learned not sincerity,

Rich friendship’ s ornament that still doth lend

To life its consequence and propriety.

Thy fellowship was my culture, noble friend:

By the hand thou took’ st me, and did’ st condescend

To bring me straightway into thy fair guild;

And life-long hath it been high compliment

By that to have been known, and thy friend styled,

Given to rare thought and to good learning bent;

Whilst in my straits an angel on me smiled.

Permit me, then, thus honored, still to be

A scholar in thy university.