Part 28

"Robes were none, nor oil of unction, when the King of Beasts was crowned: 'Twas his own fierce roar proclaimed him, rolling all the kingdom round."

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"What but for their vassals, Elephant and man-- Swing of golden tassels, Wave of silken fan-- But for regal manner That the 'Chattra' brings, Horse, and foot, and banner-- What would come of kings?"

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"At the work-time, asking wages--is it like a faithful herd? When the work's done, grudging wages--is that acting like a lord?"

"Serve the Sun with sweat of body; starve thy maw to feed the flame; Stead thy lord with all thy service; to thy death go, quit of blame."

"Many prayers for him are uttered whereon many a life relies; 'Tis but one poor fool the fewer when the greedy jack-daw dies."

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"Give thy Dog the merest mouthful, and he crouches at thy feet, Wags his tail, and fawns, and grovels, in his eagerness to eat; Bid the Elephant be feeding, and the best of fodder bring; Gravely--after much entreaty--condescends that mighty king."

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"By their own deeds men go downward, by them men mount upward all, Like the diggers of a well, and like the builders of a wall."

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"Rushes down the hill the crag, which upward 'twas so hard to roll: So to virtue slowly rises--so to vice quick sinks the soul."

"Who speaks unasked, or comes unbid, Or counts on service--will be chid."

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"Wise, modest, constant, ever close at hand, Not weighing but obeying all command, Such servant by a Monarch's throne may stand."

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"Pitiful, who fearing failure, therefore no beginning makes, Why forswear a daily dinner for the chance of stomach-aches?"

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"Nearest to the King is dearest, be thy merit low or high; Women, creeping plants, and princes, twine round that which groweth nigh."

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"Pearls are dull in leaden settings, but the setter is to blame; Glass will glitter like the ruby, dulled with dust--are they the same?"

"And a fool may tread on jewels, setting in his turban glass; Yet, at selling, gems are gems, and fardels but for fardels pass."

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"Horse and weapon, lute and volume, man and woman, gift of speech, Have their uselessness or uses in the one who owneth each."

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"Not disparagement nor slander kills the spirit of the brave; Fling a torch down, upward ever burns the brilliant flame it gave."

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