Friendly Counsel. OR, 
Here's an answer to all Demanders  
The which I'll declare to all Bystanders,  
Thereby to teach them how to know  
A perfect Friend from a flattering Foe.   

To the tune of I could fancy pretty Nancy.  
 

IT was my chance not long time since,  
To be where was much conference:  
And amongst their questions all,  
One did me to answer call,  
Thus demanding how to know  
A faithful friend from a flattering foe.   

Being much amazed in my mind,  
How this Theme might be defined;  
Yet I answered thus again,  
That I would resolve them plain,  
In what kind they well might know  
A faithful friend from a flattering foe.   

If that thou have a friend, be kind,  
Here in true love thou so●ne may find,  
he'll not leave thee in dis●resse,  
But will help thee more or less:  
Hereby you may plainly know  
A faithful, etc.   

On the contrary, mark my words,  
Flattering tongues are worse than swords,  
They'll speak you fair while you them feed,  
But quite forsake thee in thy need:  
These are perfect signs to know  
A faithful, etc.   

If thou want means and have a friend,  
he'll something give and something lend,  
He will not see thee for to perish,  
But will thee relieve end cherish:  
Hereby you may find and know  
A faithful, etc.   

The Flatterer whilst thou hast think,  
Will proffer meat and give thee drink,  
But for it thou shalt dear pay,  
For he will bring thee to decay:  
Then I advise thee how to know  
A faithful, etc.   

Thy friend will grieve to see thee lack,  
Hée'ls speak thee fair behind thy back,  
In words and deeds hée'l still agree,  
hée'l grieve to see thy misery:  
Hereby you may plainly know  
A faithful, etc.   

Thy foe indeed is nothing so,  
For hée'l rejoice still at thy woe,  
And if thou once grow poor and bare,  
Then for thee he no more will care:  
Thus thou plainly here mayst know  
A faithful, etc.   

Thy friend will wish thee keep thy means,  
And not to waste it on lewd Queens,  
hée'l bid thee for to have a care  
Cards, Dice and Whores, are dangerous ware:  
Hereby you may plainly know  
A faithful, etc.   

The other he will thee entice  
To drunkenness, Cards, Whores & Dice,  
hée'l advice thee for to roar,  
To spend thy means and so be poor:  
Thus thou here mayst plainly know  
A faithful, etc.    

The Second Part. To the same tune,  
 

THy friend such lewdness soon will check,  
And tell thee thou art like to lack,  
hée'l bi● thee always have a care  
Of that which thou dost little fear,  
And that is, poverty will grow,  
Which thy true friend would not have so.   

The false and feigned Flatterer  
Will seek to trap thee in his snare,  
His words most sweet shall still appear  
To get thy money, wine and beer:  
These are certain signs to know  
A faithful friend from a flattering foe.   

If that thy friend be true indeed,  
hée'l not forsake thee in thy need,  
he'll take thy part in weal and woe,  
Thy flattering friend will not do so:  
These are certain signs to know  
A faithful, etc.   

Now some perchance may this object,  
And say they are of the true Sect,  
But such I'll never trust till I  
Their inward thoughts do prove and try,  
Then I certain am to know  
A faithful, etc.   

If that you want, then needs of force,  
For your relief you'll take some course,  
Need stands behind and bids you go,  
The kindness of men's hearts to know,  
And where once you have tried it so,  
You'll know your friend, etc.   

Thy friend will wondrous sorry be  
To see thee fall to misery,  
And to his power he'll give relief  
To ease thy dolour, woe and grief:  
These are certain signs to know  
A faithful, etc.   

Your fair tongued fawning hypocrite  
Will say that you were void of wit,  
To spend your means so foolishly,  
And lack so long before you die.  
These are certain signs to know  
A faithful, etc.   

Then this advice take then of me,  
Before need comes go thou and see.  
Try whilst thou hast of thine own,  
And see where favour may be shown:  
Then thou soon shalt find and know  
A faithful, etc.   

And look where thou didst favour find,  
There be not wavering like the wind,  
If that thy friend prove just and true,  
Then do not change him for a new:  
Thus to all men I do show  
The difference twixt a friend and foe.   

For my part I may plainly say,  
That friends are apt for to decay,  
In wealth a man shall have great store,  
But very few if once grown poor:  
This I write for men to know  
A faithful, etc.   

When I had means than I had friends,  
But now I want, their friendship ends,  
Now but few will take my part,  
Nor help release me of my smart:  
This I have writ for men to know  
A faithful, etc.   

Thus to conclude and end my Song,  
Let me advise both old and young,  
If thou do wish for many friends,  
Then have a care and get some means  
Than you need not care to know  
A faithful friend from a flattering foe.   
C. R.   
FINIS.   

LONDON, Printed for Richard Harper in Smithfield.