CARISOPHUS. Nothing have I done but this; in talk I overthwarted Eubulus, When he lamented Pithias’ case to King Dionysius. Which to-morrow shall die, but for that false knave Damon, He hath left his friend in the briars, and now is gone. We grew so hot in talk, that Eubulus protested plainly, Which[128] held his ears open to parasitical flattery. And now in the king’s ear like a bell he rings, Crying that flatterers have been the destroyers of kings. Which talk in Dionysius’ heart hath made so deep impression, That he trusteth me not, as heretofore, in no condition: And some words brake from him, as though that he Began to suspect my truth and honesty, Which you of friendship I know will defend, how so ever the world goeth: My friend--for my honesty will you not take an oath? ARISTIPPUS. To swear for your honesty, I should lose mine own. CARISOPHUS. Should you so, indeed? I would that were known. Is your void friendship come thus to pass? ARISTIPPUS. I follow the proverb: _Amicus usque ad aras_. CARISOPHUS. Where can you say I ever lost mine honesty? ARISTIPPUS. You never lost it, for you never had it, as far as I know. CARISOPHUS. Say you so, friend Aristippus, whom I trust so well? ARISTIPPUS. Because you trust me, to you the truth I tell. CARISOPHUS. Will you not stretch one point, to bring me in favour again? ARISTIPPUS. I love no stretching; so I may breed mine own pain. CARISOPHUS. A friend ought to shun no pain, to stand his friend in stead. ARISTIPPUS. Where true friendship is, it is so in very deed. CARISOPHUS. Why, sir, hath not the chain of true friendship linked us two together? ARISTIPPUS. The chiefest link lacked thereof, it must needs dissever. CARISOPHUS. What link is that? fain would I know. ARISTIPPUS. Honesty. CARISOPHUS. Doth honesty knit the perfect knot in true friendship? ARISTIPPUS. Yea, truly, and that knot so knit will never slip. CARISOPHUS. Belike, then, there is no friendship but between honest men. ARISTIPPUS. Between the honest only; for, _Amicitia inter bonos_,[129] saith a learned man. CARISOPHUS. Yet evil men use friendship in things unhonest, where fancy doth serve. ARISTIPPUS. That is no friendship, but a lewd liking; it lasts but a while. CARISOPHUS. What is the perfectest friendship among men that ever grew? ARISTIPPUS. Where men love one another, not for profit, but for virtue. CARISOPHUS. Are such friends both alike in joy and also in smart? ARISTIPPUS. They must needs; for in two bodies they have but one heart. CARISOPHUS. Friend Aristippus, deceive me not with sophistry: Is there no perfect friendship, but where is virtue and honesty?