The morsel that brings a pure light to the soul Is earned by endeavour; not begged with a bowl. Should oil, upon trimming, extinguish a lamp, Not oil may we name it; ’tis water; ’tis damp. The honestly-earned morsel, wisdom imparts; Gives softness to souls, and a warmness to hearts. If thou be aware that from thy morsel spring Heartburnings and hate, know it’s not a blest thing. Hast wheat ever sown, and reaped barley instead? Hast known colt of ass from a mare in birth bred? 100 A morsel, when eaten, ’s a seed; its fruit, thought. A morsel, when swallowed, ’s a sea pearls has brought. From good, honest morsels come, taken in mouth, Good works, and firm strivings to shun the soul’s drought. Reflections, though true, we’ll now bring to an end. To merchant and parrot’s tale ear we will lend. Our merchant his trading had quickly despatched, Then homeward he turned; with joy housedoor unlatched. To ev’ry male slave a rare present he brought; For each of his handmaids some gift he had bought. 105 The parrot him questioned: “What news bringest thou me? And whom hast thou seen? What’s been said? Tell. Let’s see.” The merchant him answered: “I’m sorry for that. I’d rather my hand eat, than tell it thee;--flat. In thoughtlessness, folly, ah! why did I prate About thy fool’s message, until ’twas too late?” The parrot then asked: “What’s this fuss all about? What’s caused tribulation? Let’s hear it right out.” The merchant now said: “I told all thy sad grief To flock of green parrots;--so like thee, their chief. 110 Of them, one, affected with thy tale of woe, Heart-broken, a gasp gave, expired, and fell low. I conscience-struck was for the words I had said. But what is the use? A word breathed can’t be stayed.” A spoken word’s arrow swift shot from a bow, It can’t be recalled, whate’er we may do. An arrow once shot off will never come back. At source, inundation alone can have check. An outlet once found, there’s no stoppage for it. A world is then ruined, through lack of quick wit. 115 Act, consequence little dreamt of may produce. The progeny’s far ’yond our power to reduce.