And, ere I found what honor meant, lost mine.

So was the sheep lost, which the Shepherd found

And never lost again. My friend found me;

Or better say, the Shepherd found us both—

Since he, my friend, was much in the same mire,

When first we made acquaintance. Each helped each,—

A twofold extrication from the slough;

And, saving me, he saved himself. Since then,

Unsmirched we kept our cleanliness of coat.

It is his perfect constancy, you call