1. The best of your friends is the one who shares with you in every

    matter—but where, oh where, is such a partner to be found?

  2. The one who, when you are present, brings you joy among your

    people, and when you are absent, becomes your ears and eyes;

  3. such a one is like a keen sword, refined by the

    smith, who burnished it to brilliance, so it grew lovelier still.

  4. You are among a company who, when you are away from them,

    turn every grace of yours into a blemish.

  5. Yet when they see you, they all say together,

    “You are among the noblest of men in our eyes.”

Sol 5.6