Friendly Counsaile.
OR,
Heres an answer to all Demanders
The which Ile declare to all By-standers,
Thereby to teach them how to know
A perfect Friend from a flattering Foe.
To the tune of I could fancy pretty Nancy.
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IT was my chance not long time since,
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To be where was much conference:
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And amongst their questions all,
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One did me to answer call,
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Thus demanding how to know
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A faithfull friend from a flattering foe.
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Being much amazed in my minde,
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How this Theame might be defind;
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Yet I answerd thus againe,
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That I would resolve them plaine,
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In what kinde they well might know
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A faithfull friend from a flattering foe.
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If that thou have a friend, be kinde,
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Here in true love thou some may finde,
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Heel not leave thee in distresse,
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But will helpe thee more or lesse:
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Hereby you may plainely know
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A faithfull, etc.
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On the contrary, marke my words,
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Flattering tongues are worse than swords,
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Theyl speake you fair while you them feed,
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But quite forsake thee in thy need:
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These are perfect signes to know
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A faithfull, etc.
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If thou want meanes and have a friend,
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Heele something give and something lend,
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He will not see thee for to perish,
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But will thee relieve and cherish:
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Hereby you may finde and know
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A faithfull, etc.
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The Flatterer whilst thou hast chinke,
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Will proffer meate and give thee drinke,
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But for it thou shalt dearely pay,
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For he will bring thee to decay:
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Then I advise thee how to know
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A faithfull, etc.
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Thy friend will grieve to see thee lacke,
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Heels speake thee faire behind thy backe,
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In words and deeds heel still agree,
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Heel grieve to see thy misery:
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Hereby you may plainely know
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A faithfull, etc.
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Thy foe indeed is nothing so,
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For heel rejoyce still at thy woe,
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And if thou once grow poore and bare,
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Then for thee he no more will care:
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Thus thou plainely here maist know
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A faithfull, etc.
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Thy friend will wish thee Keep thy meanes,
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And not to waste it on lewd Queanes,
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Heel bid thee for to have a care
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Cards, Dice and Whores, are dangerous ware:
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Hereby you may plainely know
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A faithfull, etc.
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The other he will thee intice
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To drunkennesse, Cards, Whores & Dice,
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Heel advise thee for to roare,
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To spend thy meanes and so be poore:
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Thus thou here maist plainely know
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A faithfull, etc.
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