Classic Poem

PARABLE XXXIX.

Pearls not to be cast before Swine.

To dogs present not things divine,
Nor cast your pearls before the swine;
Lest wrath should crush, what filth disdains,
And rend the donor for his pains.
?CHRIST here his conduct to ingrates,
By precept clears, and vindicates;
For he did oftentimes refuse
Plain doctrine to the rebel Jews.
For there are incidents and times,
When criminals affect their crimes
In such, that they advisers scorn,
Still hated more, the more they warn.
Thus Christ, nor word, nor works, they own'd,
But for his merit would have ston'd.