The Virtuous Goat Dedicated to Teachers Upon a mountain lived of old (So says the Saga that is wise) An ancient Goat of portly size, Well known for virtues manifold, Who once to take the evening air Reposed upon a meadow there, With Wife and Children in a row; And thus endeavour'd to bestow On them (and all of us) advice To make our conduct more precise And lead at last to paradise. 'My dears be Good. All else forgot Yours shall be still a happy lot. Enough the Rule. Do not enquire The How and Why of things--or higher. Be Virtuous, and neglect the Schools; For Wisdom was but made for fools. Scorn still the shallow Mind that pries In science, art, philosophies; Essays the future to forecast, Forsooth, by study of the past; Maintains the laws should be (what treason!) Compounded by the use of reason; And will advise e'en men of note To govern well by thinking o't; Avers when honest people chatter That he knows best who knows the matter; And even go so far as state Goats can by thinking mend their fate. So hold this saw before your eyes, Be Good and let who will be wise.' Alas, with his own virtue blind, He fail'd to mark the Wolf behind; Who, as he seized and bore him off, Distress'd him with this bitter scoff-- 'With your high views I sympathise; But better also to be Wise.'