MEDIT. IV.
Vpon a withered Posey taken up in the way.
FInding in my walk a Posey, of once sweet and fragrant, but now dry and withered flowers, which I supposed to be thrown away by one that had formerly worn it: Thus said I, doth the unfaithful world use its friends, when pro∣vidence hath blasted and withered them; whilst they are rich and honourable, they will put them into their bosoms, as the Owner of this Posey did, whilst it was fresh and fragrant; and as easily throw them away, as useless and worthless things, when thus they come to be withered. Such usage as this Petronius long since complained of.
Cum fortuna manet vultum servatis amici, Cum cecedit turpi vertitis or a fuga. (i. e.) Are they in honour? then we smile like friends, And with their fortunes all our friendship ends.But this loose and deceitful friendship stinks so odiously in the very nostrils of nature, that a Heathen Poet severily tax∣es, and condemns it as most unworthy of a man.