My shadow, wheresoe'er I wend,
Is with me, like a flattering friend.
But chiefly when the sun in June
Is climbing to its highest noon,
My fond attendant closes near,
As I were growing still more dear;
And then, to show its love complete,
Falls even servile at my feet,
Where, proud of place, it scarcely nods
Before the temple of the Gods.
But when the evening sun descends,
It seems to seek for other friends,
Making a dial of the town,
To tell that Timon's day goes down;
And when the stormy night comes on,
I look, and lo! my shade is--gone.
--_Atlantic Monthly._
647
Ah, how good it feels;
The hand of an old friend!
648
If you want enemies, excel others; if you want friends, let others excel
you.
649
A man may have a thousand intimate acquaintances and not a friend among
them all. If you have one friend, think yourself happy.
650
Go slowly to the entertainment of your friends, but quickly to their
misfortunes.
651