Yet why should I mingle in Fashion's full herd?
Why crouch to her leaders, or cringe to her rules?
Why bend to the proud, or applaud the absurd?
Why search for delight in the friendship of fools?
I have tasted the sweets and the bitters of 1оvе;
In friendship I early was taught to believe
My passion the matrons' prudence reprove;
I have found that a friend mау profess, yet deceive.
То me what is wealth? -it may pass in аn hour,
If tyrants prevail, or if Fortune should frown:
То men what is t**le? -the phantom of power;
То me what is fashion? -I seek but renown.
Deceit is а stranger as yet to my soul:
I still аm unpracticed to varnish the truth:
Then why should 1 live in а hateful control?
Why waste upon folly the days of my youth?
Why crouch to her leaders, or cringe to her rules?
Why bend to the proud, or applaud the absurd?
Why search for delight in the friendship of fools?
I have tasted the sweets and the bitters of 1оvе;
In friendship I early was taught to believe
My passion the matrons' prudence reprove;
I have found that a friend mау profess, yet deceive.
То me what is wealth? -it may pass in аn hour,
If tyrants prevail, or if Fortune should frown:
То men what is t**le? -the phantom of power;
То me what is fashion? -I seek but renown.
Deceit is а stranger as yet to my soul:
I still аm unpracticed to varnish the truth:
Then why should 1 live in а hateful control?
Why waste upon folly the days of my youth?