Chapter II: On Kindness to the Unworthy

I have heard that a man some home sorrow endured,For bees in his roof had their dwelling secured.He asked for a big butcher's-knife from his dame—To demolish the nest of the bees was his aim.His wife said, " Oh, do not effect your design !For the poor bees, dispersed from their dwelling, will pine."The foolish man yielded and went his own way ;His wife with their stings was assaulted one day.The man from his shop to his dwelling returned ;At his wife's stupid folly, with anger he burnedThe ignorant woman, from door, street and roof,Was shouting complaints, while the man gave reproof!"Do not make your face sour in men's presence, oh wife !" Deprive not,' you said, ' the poor bees of their life !'"On behalf of the bad, why beneficence show?Forbear with the bad and you make their sins grow.When oppression of men, in a ruler, you note,With a sharp-cutting sword you should tickle his throat.That a dog should have "food-trays," what worth has he shown?Give orders, so that they may toss him a bone !The village priest, nicely, this proverb expressed:" For the pack-horse that kicks, heavy burdens are best."When the night-watch, patrolling, civility shows,At night, from the thieves, not a soul gets repose.In the centre of battle the cane of one spearIs, than thousands of sugar-canes, reckoned more dear.That all are not worthy of riches, is clear;One. needs riches, another a box on the ear.When you rear up a cat, off your pigeons it bears;If a wolf you should fatten, your Joseph it tears.The building whose base is not stable and true,Raise not lofty! or show for it dread, if you do!