DAMON. My Pithias, where tyrants reign, such cases are not new, Which fearing their own state for great cruelty,[43] To sit fast as they think, do execute speedily All such as any light suspicion have tainted. STEPHANO (_aside_). With such quick carvers I list not be acquainted. DAMON. So are they never in quiet, but in suspicion still, When one is made away, they take occasion another to kill: Ever in fear, having no trusty friend, void of all peoples’ love, And in their own conscience a continual hell they prove. PITHIAS. As things by their contraries are always best proved, How happy then are merciful princes, of their people beloved! Having sure friends everywhere, no fear doth touch them: They may safely spend the day pleasantly, at night _securè dormiunt in utramque aurem_, O my Damon, if choice were offered me, I would choose to be Pithias, As I am Damon’s friend, rather than to be king Dionysius. STEPHANO. And good cause why; for you are entirely beloved of one, And as far as I hear, Dionysius is beloved of none. DAMON. That state is most miserable; thrice happy are we, Whom true love hath joined in perfect amity: Which amity first sprung--without vaunting be it spoken, that is true-- Of likeness of manners, took root by company, and now is conserved by virtue; Which virtue always though[44] worldly things do not frame, Yet doth she achieve to her followers immortal fame: Whereof if men were careful for virtue’s sake only, They would honour friendship, and not for commodity. But such as for profit in friendship do link, When storms come, they slide away sooner than a man will think. My Pithias, the sum of my talk falls to this issue, To prove no friendship is sure, but that which is grounded on virtue. PITHIAS. My Damon, of this thing there needs no proof to me, The gods forbid, but that Pithias with Damon in all things should agree. For why is it said, _Amicus alter ipse_, But that true friends should be two in body, but one in mind? As it were transformed into another, which against kind Though it seem, yet in good faith, when I am alone, I forget I am Pithias, methink I am Damon. STEPHANO. That could I never do, to forget myself; full well I know, Wheresoever I go, that I am _pauper_ Stephano: But I pray you, sir, for all your philosophy, See that in this court you walk very wisely. You are but newly come hither; being strangers, ye know, Many eyes are bent on you, in the streets as ye go: Many spies are abroad, you can not be too circumspect.