The unhappy boy rush'd between, and kissing both our knees, with tears, entreated that we would not expose our selves in a pitiful alehouse, nor with our blood pollute the rites of so dear a friendship: but, raising his voice, says he, "if there must be murder, behold my naked bosom, hither direct your fury: 'Tis I deserve death, who violated the sacred laws of friendship." Upon which we sheath'd our swords; and first Ascyltos, "I'll," says he, "end the difference: Let the boy himself follow the man he likes, that, in chusing a friend, at least, he may have an unquestion'd liberty." I, that presum'd so long an acquaintance, had made no slight impressions on his nature, was so far from fearing, that with an eager haste I accepted the proffer, and to the judge committed the dispute: Gito, that he might not seem to consider, at my consent jump'd up, and chose Ascyltos. I, like one thunderstruck, at the sentence, void of defence, fell upon the bed, and had not surviv'd the loss, if envy of my rival had not stopp'd my sword. Ascyltos, proud of the conquest, goes off with the prize, leaving me expos'd in a strange place, that before he caress'd as a friend and sharer of his fortune: 'Tis in the world, as in a game of chess; We serve our friends but where our profit is. When fortune smiles, we're yours, and yours alone; But when she frowns, the servile herd are gone. So, in a play, they act with mimick art, Father, or son, or griping miser's part: But when at last the comic scenes are o'er, They quit the visards they assum'd before.