Will never fail, this counsel gives poor Damon at his death:
Friends are the surest guard for kings, gold in time does[142] wear away,
And other precious things do fade, friendship will never decay.
Have friends in store therefore, so shall you safely sleep;
Have friends at home, of foreign foes so need you take no keep.
Abandon flatt’ring tongues, whose clacks truth never tell;
Abase the ill, advance the good, in whom dame virtue dwells;
Let them your playfellows be: but O, you earthly kings,
Your sure defence and strongest guard stands chiefly in faithful friends:
Then get you friends by liberal deeds; and here I make an end.