Proem

Long left unwounded by the grisly foe, Who sometime pierces all with fatal shaft, Still on my cheek fresh youth did lively glow, And at his threatening arrow gaily laught; Came then my friendly scholar, and we quaffed From learning's spring, its sparkling overflow; All through the lingering evening's charmèd hours, Delightful fellowship in thought was ours: If I from Poesy could not all abstain, He my poor verses oft did quite undress, New wrapt in words my thought's veiled nakedness, Or kindly clipt my steed's luxuriant mane: 'Twas my delight his searching eye to meet, In days of genial versing, memories sweet.