Poem by Anne Finch, Countess of Winchilsea

Friendship between Ephelia and Ardelia

Eph. What Friendship is, ARDELIA shew.
Ard. 'Tis to love, as I love You.
Eph. This Account, so short (tho' kind)
     Suits not my enquiring Mind.
     Therefore farther now repeat;
     What is Friendship when complete?
Ard. 'Tis to share all Joy and Grief;
     'Tis to lend all due Relief
     From the Tongue, the Heart, the Hand;
     'Tis to mortgage House and Land;
     For a Friend be sold a Slave;
     'Tis to die upon a Grave,
     If a Friend therein do lie.
Eph. This indeed, tho' carry'd high,
     This, tho' more than e'er was done
     Underneath the rolling Sun,
     This has all been said before.
     Can ARDELIA say no more?
Ard. Words indeed no more can shew:
     But 'tis to love, as I love you.

1. A Description of One of the Pieces of Tapistry at Long-Leat
2. The Petition for an Absolute Retreat
3. Moral Song
4. A Contemplation
5. Cupid and Folly

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