There are folks who will stalk you and drag you down for years;
There are guys who will frighten you beyond your greatest fears.
There are ones whose only goal is to screw up your life;
There are jerks whose sole desire is plunge you into strife.
But even those who will haunt you to the very earth's ends,
Don't even compare with the worst of all: the fair-weather friends.

When storm clouds gather low above they're nowhere to be found;
When you look for their presence you won't even have a sound.
They're first to want the glory when the azure skies are clear;
Though in the times of crisis they were not even here.
Free, flying spirits, all, with no sense of duty,
But who swoop in among you at the first sight of booty.

When you are in plenty and your surplus does afford,
You to give of your riches to the fair-weather horde,
Don't do it. One draws a hundred seeking rewards unearned,
And disappearing whence they came when danger has returned.
Watch the foemen, watch the traitors, for on that your life depends;
But even more than them you must beware the fair-weather friend.