To Eugenio, A Discription of the Love of True Friendship

Man, of a troubled Spirit, prone to fight,
In fortitude placing too much delight,
Unjustly Friendship disinherited,
No dowry to her hath proportioned
Amongst the morall Sisters of the will;
Goddesse of youth though she, yet should not fill
Their cups, be she none of the wheeles, her right
Is in the treasure, drawes the appetite
To amiable good; But if the raine
Be held by Prudence (for she guides the wain)
This virtue next inheritrix is she,
Fitted to turne upon that axletree;
For lamely would the wills bright chariot move
If not inform'd by friendly heat of Love,
Whose lightning shoots directly, never bends
Reflecting glances upon private ends.
Indeed her sister (of a bastard race)
Squints on her good, like Venus in her glasse;
Mechanick love, desire with usury,
Which nere is lent but for utility,
Or some returne of pleasure to the sense;
A thrifty worldling hight Concupiscence.
The first a wealthy Queen of generous strain;
The latter indigent, and works for gaine;
That, from the bosome of the deitie;
Derives the lustre of her pedigree;
Who of this wonder truely is possest
Hath heavens Epitome lodg'd in his breast;
This Children to their Parents give; by this
Perfumd with Frankincense the alter is;
That's Gold refined, whose solidity
(The perfect emblem of true constancy)
Being ductile, will consume it selfe and pine
Even to small threads, to make another fine:
Self-loving this as subtle Mercury,
Which parted, to it self again doth fly