Misfortune to have lived not knowing thee!
’ T were not high living, nor to noblest end,
Who, dwelling near, learned not sincerity,
Rich friendship’ s ornament that still doth lend
To life its consequence and propriety.
Thy fellowship was my culture, noble friend:
By the hand thou took’ st me, and did’ st condescend
To bring me straightway into thy fair guild;
And life-long hath it been high compliment
By that to have been known, and thy friend styled,
Given to rare thought and to good learning bent;
Whilst in my straits an angel on me smiled.
Permit me, then, thus honored, still to be
A scholar in thy university.