Put in the cargo and explore the main.
'Twas thus our Sire, ere he from Cumæ strayed,
Drove on the seas a dangerous, luckless trade,
And then, the ills of poverty to shun,
Came and dwelt near the Groves of Helicon,[1]
In Ascra's town, which, though my native place,
I think has a mean climate and—still meaner race.
Let these few timely precepts, ere we part,
Be graved upon the tablet of thy heart:—
Respect thy country's laws, but for the law
Of God preserve a reverential awe.
Cherish thy brother most, nor e'er offend
His love by undue preference for a friend.
From sinful lies and flatteries guard thy tongue,
And make amends whene'er thou do'st a wrong.
And if thy neighbor wrong thee and be sorry,
Forgive th' offence, nor keep him in a worry.
Neither too liberal nor too frugal be,
This leads to hate, but that to penury;
And they who most upon thy bounty feed,
Are first to leave you in the hour of need.
Reproach not him who is scourged by Poverty's rod,
God gave it him, and thou reproachest God.
But of all gifts a prudent tongue is best,
To render its possessor truly blest.
Guard then thy tongue, nor let its seal be broken,
Who evil speaks, of him is evil spoken.
- ↑ For descriptions of Mount Helicon, and Ascra, Hesiod's birth-place, see Appendixes C and D.
