Book VIII: The Pashaw and the Merchant

A trading Greek, for want of law,Protection bought of a pashaw;And like a nobleman he paid,Much rather than a man of trade--Protection being, Turkish-wise,A costly sort of merchandise.So costly was it, in this case,The Greek complain'd, with tongue and face.Three other Turks, of lower rank,Would guard his substance as their own,And all draw less upon his bank,Than did the great pashaw alone.The Greek their offer gladly heard,And closed the bargain with a word.The said pashaw was made aware,And counsel'd, with a prudent careThese rivals to anticipate,By sending them to heaven's gate,As messengers to Mahomet--Which measure should he much delay,Himself might go the self-same way,By poison offer'd secretly,Sent on, before his time, to beProtector to such arts and tradesAs flourish in the world of shades.On this advice, the Turk--no gander--Behaved himself like Alexander.Straight to the merchant's, firm and stable,He went, and took a seat at table.Such calm assurance there was seen,Both in his words and in his mien,That e'en that weasel-sighted GrecianCould not suspect him of suspicion.'My friend,' said he, 'I know you've quit me,And some think caution would befit me,Lest to despatch me be your plan:But, deeming you too good a manTo injure either friends or foesWith poison'd cups or secret blows,I drown the thought, and say no more.But, as regards the three or fourWho take my place,I crave your graceTo listen to an apologue.

'A shepherd, with a single dog,Was ask'd the reason whyHe kept a dog, whose least supplyAmounted to a loaf of breadFor every day. The people saidHe'd better give the animalTo guard the village seignior's hall;For him, a shepherd, it would beA thriftier economyTo keep small curs, say two or three,That would not cost him half the food,And yet for watching be as good.The fools, perhaps, forgot to tellIf they would fight the wolf as well.The silly shepherd, giving heed,Cast off his dog of mastiff breed,And took three dogs to watch his cattle,Which ate far less, but fled in battle.His flock such counsel lived to rue,As doubtlessly, my friend, will you.If wise, my aid again you'll seek--'And so, persuaded, did the Greek.

Not vain our tale, if it convincesSmall states that 'tis a wiser thingTo trust a single powerful king,Than half a dozen petty princes.