Paradise sig. Ciiiiv

[sig. Ciiiiv]

22. Nothing is comparable vnto a faithfull frend. +

S Ith this our time, of frendship is so scant, Sith frendship now, in euery place doth want: Sith euery man, of frendship is so hollow, As no man rightly knowes, which way to follow: (5) Cease not my Muse, sease not in these our dayes, To ring loude peales, of sacred frendships prayse.
If men be now, their owne peculiar frendes, And to their neighbours frendship none pretendes: If men of frendship, shew them selues so bare, (10) And of their brethren, take no frendly care: Forbeare not then my Muse, nor feare not then, To ring disprayse, of these vnfrendly men.
Did man in frendship know the mightie power? How great effectes, it worketh euery hower: (15) What store of hidden frendship it retaynes, How still it powreth forth aboundant gaynes: Man would with thee, my Muse in these our dayes, Ring out loude peales, of sacred frendships prayse.
Frendship releeueth mans necessitie, (20) Frendship comforteth mans aduersitie: Frendship augmenteth mans prosperitie, Frendship preferres man to felicitie: Then ring my Muse, ring out in these our dayes, Ring out loude peales, of sacred frendships prayse.
(25) Of frendship, groweth loue and charitie, By frendship, men are linked in amitie: From frendship springeth all commoditie, The fruite of frendship is fidelitie: Oh ring my Muse, ring out in these our dayes, (30) Peale vpon peale, of sacred frendships prayse.
That man with man, true frendship may embrace.