My greatest glory shall be to be counted a perfect friend.

Pithias. For this your deed, most noble king, the gods advance your name,

And since to friendship’s lore you list your princely heart to frame,

With joyful heart, O king, most welcome now to me,

With you will I knit the perfect knot of amity:

Wherein I shall instruct you so, and Damon here your friend,

That you may know of amity the mighty force, and eke the joyful end:

And how that kings do stand upon a fickle ground,

Within whose realm at time of need no faithful friends are found.

Dionysius. Your instruction will I follow; to you myself I do commit.