But sapient and noble advice
That now you can get at no price).
But the sages got terribly pestered,
For those they advised for the best, erred
In doing their best, then in rages
Laid all of the blame on the sages;
While now and then one (you ’twas rude’ll
Allow) said each sage was a noodle!
Meanwhile, no less, morning and night
From all parts of the earth, left and right.
From north, and from south, east, and west
For advice—gratis—all the world prest.
Said the sages, “We’re too much admired!
Let’s retire.” So the sages retired,
And then to extremes rushing hotly,
Took cap and bells, bauble, and motley,
In that disguise guided the throng,
Not by showing the right but the wrong,
And found to their wonderment great
’Tis more easy to keep people straight