Classic Poem

PARABLE XLII.

The Wolves in Sheep's Clothing.

Beware of prophets in pretence,
That come with seeming innocence
Like sheep, but both in will and pow'r
They're wolves to worry and devour:
These by their fruits you shall detect
Do men from thorns the grapes collect,
Or figs from thistles? Even so
On the good tree good fruit will grow:
But when once damag'd in the root,
The tree's corruption mars the fruit.
A tree that's good, with proper care,
An evil fruit will never bear;
Nor can a tree that's naught at heart,
By any means good fruit impart:
And all (not such as we require)
Are fell'd and cast into the fire.
On men too thus your judgments pass,
And by their fruits their merit class.