NogaNote:

Hypocrites

Upon the Frog / From: John Bunyan's Poetry for Children

The Frog by Nature is both damp and cold,
Her Mouth is Large,
her Belly much will hold:
She sits somewhat ascending, loves to be
Croaking in Gardens, tho unpleasantly.

The Hyppocrite is like unto this Frog;
As like as is the Puppy to the Dog.
He is of nature cold, his Mouth is wide,
To prate, and true Goodness to deride.
He mounts his Head, as if he was above
The World, when yet
Ît is that which has his Love.

And though he seeks in Churches for to croak,
He neither loveth Jesus, nor his Yolk.

Jesus being kindness and genuine humanism, and yolk meaning the rich, nutritious material stored in an animal ovum that supplies food to the developing embryo, it is clear that Bunyan defines the hypocrite as morally the very opposite of what is good and nourishing, life sustaining and enriching. A hypocrite famishes those who come in contact with him.

"She gives when our attention is distracted
And what she gives, gives with such supple confusions
That the giving famishes the craving.
Gives too late
What's not believed in.. " (From: TS Eliot, Gerontion)