Page:Poems Cook.djvu/172

Like hungry hawks upon a wandering bird;
They will condemn the heart that's frank enough
To speak its folly, and yet babble forth
"An honest man's the noblest work of God."

Oh, Honesty thou art indeed a gem.
Of matchless brilliancy; but he who wears thee
Finds the pure jewel is a target mark
For every bolt that worldly knaves can shoot;
Till, worn and harassed by the goading strife,
He flings the lustre from his struggling breast,
And walks the road of life like all wise men,
A flattering trickster. He must learn to look
All smiles and courtesy to those above him;
Be their ways good or evil. He must give
The hand of Friendship where he may despise;
Woo the rich fool, and meet the titled villain
With eulogistic greeting and glad aspect.
He must be all things for all purposes;
Veer with Opinion's compass, let it point
Wherever it may, and breathe soft eloquence
In praise of even that he inly loathes.

'Tis sad, but 'tis most true—that Honesty
Is like the phantom sprites in grandams' tales—
Much oftener prated of than seen; and 'tis
As true and sad, that it is safer far
To sin, like Lucifer, in wily guise;
Than simply err, and tell the wrong we do.

 

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