NON KILLING

What is Virtue? Tis not to kill
For killing causes every ill.

Share the food and serve ail lives
This is the law of all the laws.

Not to kill is unique good
The next, not to utter falsehood.

What way is good? That we can say
The way away from heat to slay.

Of saints who renounce birth-fearing
The head is he who dreads killing.

Life-eating-Death shall spare the breath
Of him who no life puts to death.

Kill not life that others cherish
Even when your life must perish.

The gain of slaughter is a vice
Though deemed good in sacrifice.

Those who live by slaying are
Eaters of carrion bizarre.

The loathsome poor sickly and sore
Are killers stained by blood before.