 | |
| |
| A wolf, with hunger fierce and bold, |
| Ravaged the plains, and thinned the fold: |
| Deep in the wood secure he lay, |
| The thefts of night regaled the day. |
| 5 | In vain the shepherd's wakeful care |
| Had spread the toils, and watched the snare: |
| In vain the dog pursued his pace, |
| The fleeter robber mocked the chase. |
| As Lightfoot ranged the forest round, |
| 10 | By chance his foe's retreat he found. |
| |
| 'Let us awhile the war suspend, |
| And reason as from friend to friend.' |
| 'A truce?' replies the wolf. 'Tis done. |
| The dog the parley thus begun: |
| 15 | 'How can that strong intrepid mind |
| Attack a weak defenceless kind? |
| Those jaws should prey on nobler food, |
| And drink the boar's and lion's blood; |
| Great souls with generous pity melt, |
| 20 | Which coward tyrants never felt. |
| |
| How harmless is our fleecy care! |
| Be brave, and let thy mercy spare.' |
| 'Friend,' says the wolf, 'the matter weigh; |
| Nature designed us beasts of prey; |
| 25 | As such when hunger finds a treat, |
| 'Tis necessary wolves should eat. |
| If mindful of the bleating weal, |
| Thy bosom burn with real zeal; |
| Hence, and thy tyrant lord beseech; |
| 30 | To him repeat the moving speech; |
| |
| A wolf eats sheep but now and then, |
| Ten thousands are devoured by men. |
| An open foe may prove a curse, |
| But a pretended friend is worse.' |
