Chapter 79: Friendship

What so hard for men to gain as friendship true? What so sure defence 'gainst all that foe can do?

Friendship with men fulfilled of good Waxes like the crescent moon; Friendship with men of foolish mood, Like the full orb, waneth soon.

Learned scroll the more you ponder, Sweeter grows the mental food; So the heart by use grows fonder, Bound in friendship with the good.

Nor for laughter only friendship all the pleasant day, But for strokes of sharp reproving, when from right you stray.

Not association constant, not affection's token bind; 'Tis the unison of feeling friends unites of kindred mind.

Not the face's smile of welcome shows the friend sincere, But the heart's rejoicing gladness when the friend is near.

Friendship from ruin saves, in way of virtue keeps; In troublous time, it weeps with him who weeps.

As hand of him whose vesture slips away, Friendship at once the coming grief will stay.

And where is friendship's royal seat? In stable mind, Where friend in every time of need support may find.

Mean is the friendship that men blazon forth, 'He's thus to me' and 'such to him my worth'.