Note 111 — Chapter VI · CLASSIFICATION OF THE CORRESPONDENCIES AND PARALLELISMS OF SHAKESPEARE WITH EMBLEM WRITERS.

“A snake worn out with cold a rustic found,

And cherished in his breast doth rashly warm;

Thankless the snake inflicts a fatal wound,

And life restored requites with deadly harm.

If badly benefits thou dost intend,

Simple of heart and good within thy mind,—

No benefits suppose them in their end,

But deeds of evil and of evil kind.

To serve the thankless is a sinful thing,

And wicked they who wilfully give pain;

Whatever with free soul of good thou bring,

This rightfully thou may’st account true gain.”