To E--

Let Folly smile, to view the names

Of thee and me, in Friendship twin'd;

Yet Virtue will have greater claims

To love, than rank with vice combin'd.

And though unequal is _thy_ fate,

Since title deck'd my higher birth;

Yet envy not this gaudy state,

_Thine_ is the pride of modest worth.

Our _souls_ at least congenial meet,

Nor can _thy_ lot _my_ rank disgrace;

Our intercourse is not less sweet,

Since worth of rank supplies the place.