Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry.
Volume I. Of Home: of Friendship. 1904. | | | | Poems of Friendship | | Friendship | | William Shakespeare (1564–1616) |
| | From “Hamlet,” Act III. Sc. 2.
HAMLET.—Horatio, thou art e’en as just a man | |
| As e’er my conversation coped withal. | |
HORATIO.—O my dear lord—
HAMLET.— Nay, do not think I flatter: | |
| For what advancement may I hope from thee | |
| That no revènue hast but thy good spirits, | 5 |
| To feed and clothe thee? Why should the poor be flattered? | |
| No, let the candied tongue lick absurd pomp, | |
| And crook the pregnant hinges of the knee, | |
| Where thrift may follow fawning. Dost thou hear? | |
| Since my dear soul was mistress of her choice, | 10 |
| And could of men distinguish, her election | |
| Hath sealed thee for herself; for thou hast been | |
| As one, in suffering all, that suffers nothing,— | |
| A man that Fortune’s buffets and rewards | |
| Hast ta’en with equal thanks; and blessed are those | 15 |
| Whose blood and judgment are so well commingled, | |
| That they are not a pipe for Fortune’s finger | |
| To sound what stop she please: Give me that man | |
| That is not passion’s slave, and I will wear him | |
| In my heart’s core, ay, in my heart of heart, | 20 |
| As I do thee. | | | | |
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