The skilful thief of Lacedæmon had praise before his judges,
And many caitiffs win applause for genius in their callings.
Moreover, his meaning may be kind,—and thou art a debtor to his tongue;
Hasten well to pay the debt, with charity and shrewdness:
He must not think thee caught, nor feel himself discovered,
Nor find thine answering compliment as hollow as his own.
Though he be a smiling enemy, let him heed thee as the fearless and the friendly;
A searching look, a poignant word, may prove thou art aware:
Still, with compassion to the frail, though keen to see his soul,
Let him not fear for thy discretion: see thou keep his secret, and thine own.