Chapter 83: Unreal Friendship

821.
Anvil where thou shalt smitten be, when men occasion find,
Is friendship's form without consenting mind.

822.
Friendship of those who seem our kin, but are not really kind,
Will change from hour to hour like woman's mind.

823.
To heartfelt goodness men ignoble hardly may attain,
Although abundant stores of goodly lore they gain.

824.
'Tis fitting you should dread dissemblers' guile,
Whose hearts are bitter while their faces smile.

825.
When minds are not in unison, 'tis never just,
In any words men speak to put your trust.

826.
Though many goodly words they speak in friendly tone,
The words of foes will speedily be known.

827.
To pliant speech from hostile lips give thou no ear
Tis pliant bow that shows the deadly peril near!

828.
In hands that worship weapon often hidden lies;
Such are the tears that fall from foeman's eyes.

829.
'Tis just, when men make much of you, and then despise,
To make them smile, and slay in friendship's guise.

830.
When time shall come that foes as friends appear,
Then thou, to hide a hostile heart, a smiling face may'st wear.