218 MORALS, MANNERS, ETC. 



While thus he tuned his idle song, 

 Borne by the crystal stream along, 



A trout descry' d the prize j 

 And upward darting, swift as thought, 

 The vain, the boasting insect caught, 



The boasting insect dies . 



I mark'd his fate I smote my breast, 

 Deep be the lesson there impress' d, 



Which thus my genius gave : 

 The wretch who quits the path assigned, 

 To taste forbidden joy, shall find 



New ways to reach the grave." 



" O world's deceit ! how are we thrall' d by thee, 

 That dost thy gall in sweetest pleasures hide ! 

 When most we think in happiest state to be, 

 Than do we soonest into danger slide. 

 Behold the fish, that even now was free, 

 Unto the deadly hook, how he is ty'd ; 

 So vain delights allure us to the snare, 

 Wherein, unawares, we first entangl'd are." Dr. Donne. 



MORAL. 



" Think when thou seest the bait, 



Wherein is thy delight ; 

 That hidden hooks are hard at hand, 



To pierce thee when thou bite." 1701. 



