781 What so hard for men to gain as friendship true? What so sure defence 'gainst all that foe can do?

782 Friendship with men fulfilled of good Waxes like the crescent moon; Friendship with men of foolish mood, Like the full orb, waneth soon.

783 Learned scroll the more you ponder, Sweeter grows the mental food; So the heart by use grows fonder, Bound in friendship with the good.

784 Not for laughter only friendship all the pleasant day, But for strokes of sharp reproving, when from right you stray.

785 Not association constant, not affection's token bind; 'Tis the unison of feeling friends unites of kindred mind.

786 Not the face's smile of welcome shows the friend sincere, But the heart's rejoicing gladness when the friend is near.

787 Friendship from ruin saves, in way of virtue keeps; In troublous time, it weeps with him who weeps.

788 As hand of him whose vesture slips away, Friendship at once the coming grief will stay.

789 And where is friendship's royal seat? In stable mind, Where friend in every time of need support may find.

790 Mean is the friendship that men blazon forth, 'He's thus to me,' and 'such to him my worth.'