Falsehood and Sin

FROM THE TALMUD Among the beasts that thronged to fill the ark Slunk Falsehood in a lizard's borrowed guise And begged for refuge; but the Patriarch Denied her, saying, 'He that rules, All-Wise, Hath given charge that none shall pass within Save mated pairs, and thou art come alone.' Then Falsehood, baffled, sought her playmate, Sin, Imploring, 'Friend, the shape that I have shown Do thou assume as my pretended mate That both be saved.' Sin answered, 'I agree; But give the pledge thou darest not violate That, henceforth, all thy gains thou'lt yield to me.' And so 'twas done: As mates they entered in, And Falsehood's gains are ever claimed by Sin.