A A N INSTANCE OF FIDELITY IN FRIENDSHIP. MIDST the various vices which disgrace human nature, none is lefs pardonable than thofe of ingratitude, or infidelity in friendship. We bear up against the calamities and unavoidable misfortunes incidental to the commerce of life, as being the lot to which every individual is liable; but when our kindeft fervices are returned by ingratitude, or the man in whom we placed an implicit confidence, in whom we opened the fecrets of our bofoms, and whom we confidered as a valuable part of ourselves, proves falfe, treacherous, and deceitful, the heart then receives a deep wound, which neither time, reason, nor philofophy, can ever perfectly heal. Indeed, too fashionable is the obfervation, that to fucceed in the world, a man must not be too delicate; that he muft temporize, flatter, and deceive, if he intends to become great and independent." Let us not, however, give to man, as his ruling principles, the cunning of the fox, the the ferocity of the tyger, or the hypocrify of the crocodile. Man is born with nobler attributes; and though they are by too many debafed, yet we have several striking inftances of the greatnefs of the human foul in both antient and modern authors. Lucian gives us a striking example of an unfhaken adherence to friendship in two Scythians, who, notwithstanding the natural barbarity of the age and nation in which they lived, have left a memento worthy the attention, in fome degree at least, of the profeffors of modern politeness and good breeding. But four days had paffed after Amyzocus and Dandamis had fworn an eternal friendship, and, after the custom of the Scythians, had drank of each other's blood in confirmation of their alliance, when the Sarmates entered Scythia with thirty thousand foot and ten thousand horse. The two friends encamped on the banks of the Tanais, oppofite to each other, in order to oppose the enemies paffage. By the fortune of war, Amyzocus was defeated and taken prisoner, which Dandamis perceiving, he threw himself into the river and fwam across it to the affiftance of his friend. No fooner had he reached the fhore, than he was furrounded by the enemy, by whom he would have been inftantly killed, had he not cried out that he came to release a prisoner. At these words their fury was abated, and they led him to the General, who demanded of him what ransom he would give. "Myfelf, (replied he) for I have nothing elfe to give, fince my arms are taken from me, which are the only poffeffion of a Scythian." "Your offer is too great (replied the barbarian) we will be contented with a part of it;" and immediately ordered the light of his eyes for ever to be extinguifhed. He was then fent back with his friend to the Scythians; and Dandamis was more rejoiced at this conqueft, than afflicted for the lofs of his fight. His presence reftored courage to the Scythi ans, who thought they had loft nothing fince they had preferved fo great a treasure. This noble action aftonifhed even the enemy, when they began to confider with what fort of people they had to deal: they retired by night in diforder, after having burnt the chariots they had taken, and left a part of their spoils. Amyzocus, however, difdained to enjoy the light, fince his friend was in darkness through tenderness to him. Thefe two illuftrious friends were afterwards fupported by the public, who held them in the highest veneration for their virtue. It will be needlefs to make any long reflections on this fingular piece of hiftory, the truth of which we have no reason to doubt: I fhall only observe, that what a Scythian confidered as more facred than the light of heaven, is now every day facrificed to the most paltry views of interest. THE WOOD BINE. LOW rifing front the womb of earth, SLOW By vegetation's care, The woodbine claims its vernal birth, To bloom amongst the fair. No beaut'ous flow'r that courts a mate, For whilft around the branching tree Their loves in one combine. In vain is Tefe's flatt'ring glafs Boreas in vain may play his part, Nor force, nor ftratagem, nor art, Fair emblem of the married life, The fincere fpoufe, the faithful wife, Thus, Delia, see the charming flow'r The elm in marriage meets; And brings (what should it more) a dow'r Thus, while in life's alluring vale, Let love and truth entwine; Be I the arbor of the dale, And thou the fweet Woodbine. 階 THOUGHTS |