Amicitia, etiam post mortem durans
To R.T. and M.C. Esquiers.
A Withered Elme, whose boughes weare bare of leaves
And sappe, was sunke with age into the roote:
A fruictefull vine, unto her bodie cleaves,
Whose grapes did hange, from toppe unto the foote:
And when the Elme, was rotten, drie, and dead,
His braunches still, the vine abowt it spread.
Which showes, wee shoulde be linck'de with such a frende,
That might revive, and helpe when wee bee oulde:
And when wee stoope, and drawe unto our ende,
Our staggering state, to helpe for to uphoulde:
Yea, when wee shall be like a sencelesse block,
That for our sakes, will still imbrace our stock.