How oft around the Well my Soul would grope Athirst; but lo! my Pail was without Rope: I cried for Water, and the deep, dark Well Echoed my wailing cry, but not my hope. The door of What-May-Be none can unlock, But we can knock and guess, and guess and knock: Night sets her glittering sail, and glides along, Ship-like; but where, O Night-ship, is thy dock? Oh, when will Fate come forth with his decree, That I might clasp the cool clay, and be free? My Soul and Body, wedded for a while, Are sick, and would that separation be. If miracles were wrought in bygone years, Why not to-day, why not to-day, O seers? This Leprous Age most needs a healing hand, Oh, why not heed his cries, and dry his tears?" MISCELLANEOUS PROVERBS He who treats you as he treats himself does you no injustice. He who lives on expectations dies in poverty. Three things are no disgrace to man--to serve his guest, to serve his horse, and to serve in his own house. Extremes are a mistake--a middle course is the best. When the cooks are many the food is spoiled. When a ship has two captains it will sink. Tie the ass where his owner wants. Be a slave to truth--the slave to truth is a freeman. No bravery in war can withstand overwhelming numbers. If God gives you, give you to others. A horseman has ever an open grave before him. Confide not in a friend until you have tried him, and fight no enemy until you have sufficient power. A prudent man is right though he perisheth, and a reckless man is wrong though he cometh out safely. Trust not in present prosperity, for it is a departing guest. Reserve the white coin for the black day. If it be in your power to do harm to your enemy--do it not, but forgive him and win his thanks. The eye cannot contend with pointed steel. Be cautious even where you are most sure. Poverty is a chain which restrains men from doing much evil. If you would know what a man hath, look not to what he gains but to what he spends. Nothing can be concealed except that which is not. The best friend is he who changeth not with the changes of time. Every rule has exceptions. The most unjust man to himself is he who humbles himself to one who hates him, and he who praises one whom he does not know. When you do a kindness, make a small thing of it, though it be a great; and when you receive a kindness, make much of it, though it be small. Idle hands are unclean. This world is honey mixed with poison--a joy inseparable from sorrow. If you are ignorant, inquire; if you stray, return; if you do wrong, repent; and if you are angry, restrain yourself. _Printed by Hazell, Watson & Viney, Ld., London and Aylesbury, England._