亲爱的约瑟夫——二十五年前——唉!时间过得真快——就是这样!我们经常交往，永远甜蜜，永远友好，我们常常欺骗一个乏味的小时，——现在我们再也见不到面了，正如特伦斯的一位严肃的绅士所说，(因此，在古代也是如此)天哪，我们不知道明天会带来什么，——人类万物的奇怪波动!真实的。世事会变，朋友会分离，但距离无法改变一颗心。如果我被召唤去证明这句话的真实性，一个证据就足够了，那就是你的参考。那么，为什么在生命衰微的时候，虽然没有什么事引起争执，我们却发现我们曾经以为赢得的朋友，虽然曾经很多，却减少到很少，甚至没有了呢?经得住触摸的金子会变得一文不值吗?不。它们看起来像金子，但从来都不是金子。有一次，荷瑞修的仆人卑躬屈膝地把客厅的门在铰链上一摇，生怕遭到否定，又怕他闯了进来，便请求出去。 Go, fellow! -- whither? -- turning short about-- Nay. Stay at home ;-- you're always going out. 'Tis but a step, sir, just at the street's end.-- For what? -- An please you, sir, to see a friend. A friend? Horatio cried, and seemed to start,-- Yea marry shalt thou, and with all my heart-- And fetch my cloak, for though the night be raw I'll see him too -- the first I ever saw. I knew the man, and knew his nature mild, And was his plaything often when a child; But somewhat at that moment pinched him close, Else he was seldom bitter or morose: Perhaps his confidence just then betrayed, His grief might prompt him with the speech he made; Perhaps 'twas mere good humour gave it birth, The harmless play of pleasantry and mirth. Howe'er it was, his language in my mind Bespoke at least a man that knew mankind. But not to moralise too much, and strain To prove an evil of which all complain, (I hate long arguments, verbosely spun,) One story more, dear Hill, and I have done. Once on a time, an Emperor, a wise man, No matter where, in China or Japan, Decreed that whosoever should offend Against the well-known duties of a friend, Convicted once, should ever after wear But half a coat, and show his bosom bare; The punishment importing this, no doubt, That all was naught within, and all found out. Oh happy Britain! we have not to fear Such hard and arbitrary measures here; Else could a law like that which I relate, Once have the sanction of our triple state, Some few that I have known in days of old Would run most dreadful risk of catching cold. While you, my friend, whatever mind should blow, Might traverse England safely to and fro, An honest man, close-buttoned to the chin, Broad-cloth without, and a warm heart within.