University of Virginia Library

Once in a time, in Indostan,
A thief conceived a cunning plan
(So potent is the voice of Hope)
To save his throttle from the rope,
Though now the day was drawing nigh
When he by law was doomed to die.
He bade the jailer tell the King
He fain would show a wondrous thing,—
A precious secret fairly worth
The ear of any prince on earth.

And now the culprit, being led
Into the royal presence, said,
“This golden coin which here you see,
If planted, will become a tree
Whose fruit, increased a hundred-fold,
Will be—like this—the purest gold.
I pray your Majesty to try
If this be true before I die.”
With this, the King and courtiers went
Into the garden with intent
To plant the curious coin of gold;
But now, when all was ready, “Hold!”
Exclaimed the thief,—“this hand of mine
Would surely spoil our whole design.
The hand that plants the gold must be
(Else all is nought) entirely free
From stain of fraud; and so I pray
Your Gracious Majesty will lay
The seed in earth.” “Yes,—no,—in sooth”—
The King replied, “for in my youth
I pilfered from my sire; some stain,
For all my sorrow, may remain.
My good Prime Minister is here;
His hand, no doubt, is wholly clear
Of any taint.” “Nay,” he replied,
“That 's more than I can well decide;
As Tax-Receiver—now—I may
Have kept a trifle. So I pray
To be excused, for prudence' sake,
And let our Commissary take
The coin in hand. Sure that were best;
For he, no doubt, can stand the test.”
“Faith!” said the Commissary, “I
Would rather not. I can't deny
My good intent; but since I pay
Large sums of money every day
For soldiers, sailors, and a herd
Of spies,—I would n't give my word
I have not kept a small amount,
Not entered in my book account.
Since any error—e'en the least—
Would spoil the charm, pray let the Priest
Proceed to plant the coin of gold.”
“Nay, that I fear were over-bold;
Despite my prayers and pious zeal,”
Replied his Reverence, “I deal
In tithes and sacrificial dues;
And so I beg you will excuse
My sharing in a work like this
Where nothing must be done amiss.”

“Faith!” said the thief, “since no man here
(As we have learned) is wholly clear
Of knavish tricks, I ask you whether
We should not all be hung together?”

The monarch, laughing, made reply,
“Why, yes, if every rogue must die!
Well, since we five are knaves confest,
I pardon you,—and spare the rest!”