The dog and the rooster,
The hangman, the ass,
The camel, defile you:
Don't touch them, but pass."
At that the Brahman was mastered by anger, and he said: "Are you blind, man, that you impute doghood to a goat?" "O Brahman," said the rogue, "do not be angry. Go whither you will."
But when he had traveled a little farther, the second rogue met him and said: "Alas, holy sir, alas! Even if this dead calf was a pet, still you should not put it on your shoulder. For the proverb says:
Touch not unwisely man or beast
That lifeless lie;
Else, gifts of milk and lunar fast
Must purify."
Then the Brahman spoke in anger: "Are you blind, man? You call a goat a calf." And the rogue said: "Holy sir, do not be angry. I spoke in ignorance. Do as you will."
But when he had walked only a little farther through the forest, the third rogue, changing his dress, met him and said: "Sir, this is most improper. You are carrying a donkey on your shoulder. Yet the proverb tells you:
If you should touch an ass—be it
In ignorance or not—
You needs must wash your clothes and bathe,
To cleanse the sinful spot.
Pray drop this thing, before another sees you."
