The most elegant and witty epigrams of Sir Iohn Harrington ... digested into fovre bookes: three whereof neuer before published |
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 | The most elegant and witty epigrams of Sir Iohn Harrington |  |
18 Of Sheepe turned Wolues.
VVhen hearts obdurate make of sin an habiteHigh frowning Nemesis was wont to send
Beares, Lions, Wolues, and Serpents, to this end,
To spoyle the coasts whereso good folke inhabite.
Now since this age, in habite and in act,
Excels the sinnes of euery former age,
No maruaile Nemesis in her iust rage,
Doth like, or greater punishment exact.
And for this cause, a cruell beast is sent,
Not only that deuoures and spoyles the people,
But spares not house, nor village, Church nor Steeple,
And makes poore widdowes mourn, Orphants lament.
You muse (perhaps) what beasts they be that keep
Such beastly rule as seld was seene before!
Tis neither Beare, nor Lyon, Bull, nor Bore:
But Beasts, then al these beasts, more harmeful shee
Loe then, the mystery from whence the name
Of Cotsold Lyons first to England came.
| The most elegant and witty epigrams of Sir Iohn Harrington | |