142 STEVENSON'S POEMS
Here once his line an impious Lybian threw ;
And as with tremulous reed his prey he drew,
Straight, the light failed him.
He groped, nor found the prey that he had ta'en.
Now as a warning to the fisher clan
Beside the lake he sits, a beggarman.
Thou, then, while still thine innocence is pure,
Flee swiftly, nor presume to set thy lure ;
Respect these fishesrfor their friends are great;
And in the waters empty all thy bait