Classic Poem

To counsel my estate abandon to the spoil
Of forged friends whose grossest fraud is set with finest foil.
To verify true dealing wights, whose trust no treason dreads,
And all too dear the acquaintance be of such most harmful heads.
I am advised thus who so doth friend, friend so
As though tomorrow next he feared for to become a foe.

To have a fained friend no peril like I find;
Oft flering face may mantel best a mischief in the mind.
A pair of angel's ears oft times doth hide a serpent's heart,
Under whose grips who so doth come too late complains the smart.
Wherefore I do advise, who so doth friend, friend so
As though tomorrow next he should become a mortal foe.

Refuse respecting friends that courtly know to fain,
For gold that wins for gold shall lose the self same friend again.
The quail needs never fear in fouler's net to fall,
If he would never bend his ear to listen to his call.
Therefore trust not too soon, but when you friend, friend so
As though tomorrow next you feared for to become the foe.