The Pashaw And The Merchant.

[1]      A trading Greek, for want of law,      Protection bought of a pashaw;      And like a nobleman he paid,      Much rather than a man of trade -      Protection being, Turkish-wise,      A costly sort of merchandise.      So costly was it, in this case,      The Greek complain'd, with tongue and face.      Three other Turks, of lower rank,      Would guard his substance as their own,      And all draw less upon his bank,      Than did the great pashaw alone.      The Greek their offer gladly heard,      And closed the bargain with a word.      The said pashaw was made aware,      And counsel'd, with a prudent care      These rivals to anticipate,      By sending them to heaven's gate,      As messengers to Mahomet -      Which measure should he much delay,      Himself might go the self-same way,      By poison offer'd secretly,      Sent on, before his time, to be      Protector to such arts and trades      As flourish in the world of shades.      On this advice, the Turk - no gander -      Behaved himself like Alexander.[2]      Straight to the merchant's, firm and stable,      He went, and took a seat at table.      Such calm assurance there was seen,      Both in his words and in his mien,      That e'en that weasel-sighted Grecian      Could not suspect him of suspicion.      'My friend,' said he, 'I know you've quit me,      And some think caution would befit me,      Lest to despatch me be your plan:      But, deeming you too good a man      To injure either friends or foes      With poison'd cups or secret blows,      I drown the thought, and say no more.      But, as regards the three or four      Who take my place,      I crave your grace      To listen to an apologue.      'A shepherd, with a single dog,      Was ask'd the reason why      He kept a dog, whose least supply      Amounted to a loaf of bread      For every day. The people said      He'd better give the animal      To guard the village seignior's hall;      For him, a shepherd, it would be      A thriftier economy      To keep small curs, say two or three,      That would not cost him half the food,      And yet for watching be as good.      The fools, perhaps, forgot to tell      If they would fight the wolf as well.      The silly shepherd, giving heed,      Cast off his dog of mastiff breed,      And took three dogs to watch his cattle,      Which ate far less, but fled in battle.      His flock such counsel lived to rue,      As doubtlessly, my friend, will you.      If wise, my aid again you'll seek - '      And so, persuaded, did the Greek.      Not vain our tale, if it convinces      Small states that 'tis a wiser thing      To trust a single powerful king,      Than half a dozen petty princes.