University of Virginia Library



Sure Friend.

Not like Thirsites enuious and repining,
In maledictious order thou hast liued:
But prone and ready still to be adioyning,
In friendly amitie and neuer grieued.
To be a loyal and true hearted friend,
In case of charge assured to the end.
Damon by right and title thou art called,
For to the last to Pithias thou didst stand:
Before the tyrant proffering to be haled,
For him to death, and gau'st that tyrant band
For his forth-comming, which had he but slackt,
Thy selfe for him had beene most surely rackt.
Thou hast not with blanditious flatteries,
Soothd vp thy friend in hope of any gaine:
Giuing faire words, and turning them to mockeries
Tainting thy conscience then to worke him paine.
But rather then to make thy friend a pray,
Thy selfe thou hast endangered many away.
Caring for conscience how thou maist vphold,
It guiltlesse of reuealing secret things:
Most willing thou hast beene still to vnfold,
The mischiefe which to friend a mischiefe brings.
Then in this friendly knot come take a place,
To heauens glory, and to hells disgrace.