book borrower's guide

If this be borrowed by a friend,

Right welcome shall he be,

To read, to copy – not to lend-

But to return to me

Not that impartial knowledge doth

Diminish learning’s store,

But books I find, if often lent,

Return to me no more;

Now slowly read, and often pause,

Think much, the book keep clean;

And when returned to me, let not

The folded leaves be seen.