Page:Plutarch - Moralia, translator Holland, 1911.djvu/98

76 and treating with him about the capitulations and articles of peace, made request unto him that he would impose upon them what conditions he would himself, were they never so chargeable and disadvantageous unto them, but in no wise enjoin them to do any shameful indignity; even so a faithful friend ought to be so disposed, that if his friend's occasions do require any matter of expense, danger, or travail, he shew himself at the first call and holding up of his finger ready to come, and cheerfully to take his part and undergo the same, without any shifting off, or allegation of any excuse whatsoever: marry, if there be never so little shame or dishonour that may accrue thereby, he shall then refuse and pray him to hold him excused; he shall request pardon and desire to have leave for to be dismissed and depart in peace.

The flatterer is quite contrary: for in painful, difficult and dangerous affairs, which require his help and assistance, he draweth back, and is ready to pluck his neck out of the collar: if (I say) in this case you seem for trial sake to knock (as it were upon a pot) to see whether he be right, he will not ring clear; but you shall see by the dead sound of his pretended and forged excuses, that he is full of cracks and flaws: contrariwise, in dishonest, vile, base, and shameful ministeries, I am for you (will he say), I am yours to command; do with me what you will, tread me under your foot, abuse me at your pleasure: to be short, he will think nothing to be an ignominious indignity unto him. See you not the ape? good he is not to keep the house and to give warning of thieves, as dogs do; carry upon his back any burdens he cannot, like the horse; neither yet is he fit to draw or to plough the ground, as the ox doth; and therefore he beareth all kind of abuse and misusing, all wrongs, all unhappy sports and tricks that can be devised, serving only as an instrument of mockery, and a mere laughing-stock. Even so it fareth with a flatterer, being not meet to plead at the bar for a friend, to assist him in counsel, to lay his hand to his purse and supply his wants that way, nor to fight as his champion in maintenance of his quarrel, as one that can away with no labour, no painstaking, or serious employment; and in one word, fit for nothing that good is: marry, in such affairs as may be done under the arm, that is to say, which be close, secret and filthy services, he is the forwardest man in the world, and maketh no excuses. A trusty courier he is between, in love matters; in finding favour with a bawd and bringing a wench or harlot to your bed, he is excellent, and hath a marvellous