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I.
Scilicet ut fulvum spectatur in ignibus aurum,
Tempora sic du••o est inspicienda fides.
Dum Juvat, & vultu ridet fortuna secundo,
Indelibatas cuncta sequuntur opes:
Vix duo tresve inter, tot restatis amici
Cetera fortunae, non me turba fuit.
Illud amicitiae sanctum, & venerabile nomen,
Re tibi pro vili sub pedibus{que} jacet.
Donec eris faelix, multos numerabis amicos,
Tempora si ••uerint nubila, solus eris.
Horrea formici tendunt ad mania nunquam,
Nullus ad amissas ibit amicus opes.
Mobile sic sequ tur fortunae legitima vulgus,
In duris autem, remanentem rebus amicum
Callebit inviso Caesar in hoste probatur.
AS Gold's unknowne, by fire not purify'd,
So Friendship by Adversity is try'd.
Whilst we can help, or Fortune seemes to smile,
Friends follow bounty, as the Souldiers spoile.
Scarce two or three of all my crowds remaine:
The rest were Fortunes rabble, and not mine.
That reverend, sacred name of Friendship lyes
Without regard, as things they most despise.
Whilst thou art happy, thou some friends mayst count,
If the time cloud, thy sunne will scarce amount
To Cyphers: For these friends like Ants will runne
To better Stoicks, when all thy store is done.
The giddy people follow Fortunes flowes,