1. Though the carpenter's sons be brothers twain
One is active, one inert, of no repute,

2. No sense to guide them, no religion's rein,
Judgment they pass, commandments constitute.

3. Their wont it is to slaughter lambs in view
Of all the clan when drought gives way to rain—

4. When once the chieftains set themselves to sue
Law's course, the days of dearth will wane:

5. 'Tis passing strange that none their behest obeys
Save him death wraps in mouldering shroud:

6. Stranger than this that we their acts should praise
Who of yore in such acts were proud!