To Phylocles, Inviting Him To Friendship. Poem by Ephelia

1.
Best of thy Sex! if Sacred Friendship can
Dwell in the Bosom of inconstant Man;
As cold, and clear as Ice, as Snow unstained,
With Love's loose Crimes unsullied, unprofaned.
2.
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'll combine,
And Friendship's bright Example shine.
3.
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.
4.
I can be Gen'rous, Just, and Brave,
Secret, and Silent, as the Grave;
And if I cannot yield Relief,
I'll Sympathize in all thy Grief.
5.
I will not have a Thought from thee I'll 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.
6.
Why do I vainly Talk of what we'll do?
We'll mix our Souls, you shall be Me, I You;
And both so one, it shall be hard to say,
Which is
Phylocles
, which
Ephelia
.
7.
Our Ties shall be 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.