George Withers' Emblemes

That's Friendfliip, and tmc-lovcjndeed*
Which fir me abides* in time ofneed.
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ILLVSTR. XXIX. Book. 4
Hat's Love in earnefi, which is conftant found,
When Friends arc in Affltftion, or in Bands .
And, their Ajfefiion merits to be crwn'd,
Whofe hearts are faftaed where they joyne their
Tis eafie to be friendly,where wee fee
(bands.
A Complement or two will ferve the turne$
Or, where the kindnejje may required bee j
Or, when the charge is with a trifle borne.
It is as eafie too, for him to fpend
At once, the full Revenues of a yeare,
In Cates, for entertainment of his Friend,
Who thinkes his glorie, is expenfive-cbeere :
For, 'tis his plcafurc ;
and, if none fhould come
Like fafhwablc- Friends, for him to court,
Hee would with Rogues, and Canters, fill the Roomc,
Or, fuch as fhould abufe,and flout him for't.
But,hard it is, to fuffcr, or to fpend
For him (though worthy) that's of meane eftate,
Unlikely our o'ecafions to befriend,
Or, one unable to remunerate.
Few men are liberall, whom neither Luff,
Vaineglorie, Prtdigalttie, nor Pride,
Doth forward into foolifh Bountie thruft
As may , by Obfcrvation bee efpide.
For, when a (lender Bountie would relieve
Their virtuous Friend, whofe wants to them are knowne,
To their Bufutne, a Knights eftate they'l give,
And,thinkeon t'other trifles ill-bcftowne.
Yet, this He fay ; and, give the DevtS his due ;
Thcfc Friends, are to their lu(is t and humours, true,
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