’Tis true that birds find pleasure in a whistle’s note; But then they fancy ’tis their mate’s, on whom they dote. And if a thirsty man take pleasure in his wine, He tastes the lees, and loathes. To water he’ll incline. A pauper may amused be with counterfeited coin; But take this to the mint; defaced ’twill be, in fine. 165 Then be not thou misled with gilded counterfeit; Delusion will thee plunge headlong into hell’s pit. V. The Lion and the Beasts. Kalīl’ and Dimna’s book relates a charming tale,[136] From which males may a moral draw;--and eke, female. Within a shelter’d vale, four-footed game in droves, Were kept in tremor by a lion from its groves. So frequently had he borne victims off from thence, The vale a prison had become in every sense. A consultation held, they fair proposals state, To satisfy the lion’s hunger by a rate; But on condition that he rapine lay aside, And not prolong disquiet in that valley wide. 5 The lion gave consent, if they’d perform their part; Remarking: “I’ve a victim been to wily art. Man persecutes me with his deadly stratagems; The snake and scorpion sting me;--rancour’s true emblems. But worse than any man, in venom and in spleen, The fleshly lust within me traitor’s always been. But I’ve grown wary. Has not Ahmed said: ‘Rely! Believers are not twice caught by the selfsame lie?’”[137] Their answer was: “O most sagacious, knowing guide, Thy caution pray dismiss; decree of God abide. 10 Suspicion, caution, ever is corroding ill. Put trust in Providence; and God thy maw will fill. Strive not with Providence, however strong thou be; Lest Providence should take offence, and war with thee.” He answered them: “Sure! Sure! Trust Providence we must. His prophets in the Lord have always placed their trust. To trust in God, and yet put forth our utmost skill, The surest method is, to work His holy will. The Prophet plainly said to his disciple train: ‘Put trust in God, and bind thy camel’s shank amain.’[138] 15 Remember the old saw: ‘The friend of God must work.’[139] Through trust in God, neglect not ways and means, O clerk.”