FABLE XLVII. The Sharpers and Cook:
Or, Nothing hid from Heaven.
To a Cook's Shop two needy Sharpers go,
With empty Maws, and empty Stomachs too:
There busily they cheapen all his Meat,
Tho', without paying, they design'd to eat:
For while one banter'd the embarrass'd Cook,
The other from his Shelf a Capon took;
Which privately he to his Friend convey'd,
Who wore a Cloak to carry on the Trade.
The injur'd Cock, thus of his Fowl bereft,
Soon miss'd it, and accus'd them of the Theft.
But he who stole the Bird, did stiffly swear
He had it not, and therefore must be clear:
And he who had it, did Heav'n Witness call,
That he was free, and stole it not at all.
The honest Man, who cou'd not apprehend
What their Equivocations did intend;
But knew, tho' both their Innocence did boast,
That he, between them, had his Capon lost;
Reply'd; Well, Sirs, tho' of the Thief I doubt,
Just Heav'n, by whom you swear, will find it out.
The MORAL.
‘Villains, that can from Men their Mischiefs hide,
‘The stronger Evidence of Heav'n deride;
‘And their black Crimes with Perjury conceal,
‘Nor fear Omniscience shou'd the Guilt reveal.
‘But Sins that may be skreen'd from human Eyes,
‘All-seeing Heav'n, in the Commission, spies;
‘Observes our secret Faults, with strict Regard,
‘And will close Rogues with open Shame reward:
‘Equivocations then, tho' nicely made,
‘Shall not the Guilt, nor Punishment, evade.
‘Receivers, who're with Thieves in Stealths combin'd,
‘Shall be with Thieves in Condemnation join'd.
