5245   His freend, lest that he warned be,
5246   Til that he preve his stabilte.
5247   But whanne that he hath founden oon
5248   That trusty is and trewe as stone,
5249   And assaied hym at Alle,
5250   And founde hym stedefast as a walle,
5251   And of his freendshipp be certeyne,
5252   He shal hym shewe bothe Ioye and peyne,
5253   And all that dar thynke or sey,
5254   Withoute shame, as he wel may.
5255   ffor how shulde he ashamed be
5256   Of sich one as I tolde thee?
5257   ffor whanne he woot his secre thought,
5258   The thridde shal knowe therof right nought;
5259   ffor tweyne of noumbre is bet than thre
5260   In every counsell and secre.
5261   Repreve he dreded never a deele,
5262   Who that bisett his wordis wele;
5263   ffor every wise man, out of drede,
5264   Can kepe his tunge til he se nede;
5265   And fooles can not holde her tunge;
5266   A fooles belle is soone runge.
5267   Yit shal a trewe freend do more
5268   To helpe his felowe of his sore,