Book 2 / Act 5 — FORTUNE AND WISDOM.
Reading edition
Enraged against a quondam friend, To Wisdom once proud Fortune said "I'll give thee treasures without end, If thou wilt be my friend instead."
"My choicest gifts to him I gave, And ever blest him with my smile; And yet he ceases not to crave, And calls me niggard all the while."
"Come, sister, let us friendship vow! So take the money, nothing loth; Why always labor at the plough? Here is enough I'm sure for both!"
Sage wisdom laughed,—the prudent elf!— And wiped her brow, with moisture hot: "There runs thy friend to hang himself,— Be reconciled—I need thee not!"