To counsel my estate, abandoned to the spoil <br />Of forged friends, whose grossest fraud is set with finest foil; <br />To verify true dealing wights, whose trust no treason dreads, <br />And all too dear th'acquaintance be, of such most harmful heads; <br />I am advised thus: who so doth friend, friend so, <br />As though tomorrow next he feared for to become a foe. <br /> <br />To have a feigned friend, no peril like I find; <br />Oft fleering face may mantle best a mischief in the mind. <br />A pair of angel's ears oft times doth hide a serpent's heart, <br />Under whose grips who so doth come, too late complains the smart. <br />Wherefore I do advise, who doth friend, friend so, <br />As though tomorrow next he should become a mortal foe. <br /> <br />Refuse respecting friends that courtly know to feign, <br />For gold that wins for gold shall lose the selfsame friends again. <br />The quail needs never fear in fowler's nets to fall, <br />If he would never bend his ear to listen to his call. <br />Therefore trust not too soon, but when you friend, friend so, <br />As though tomorrow next ye feared for to become a foe.<br /><br />Thomas Lord Vaux<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/try-before-you-trust/
