Truth in Fiction Or, Morality in Masquerade. A Collection of Two hundred twenty five Select Fables of Aesop, and other Authors. Done into English Verse. By Edmund Arwaker |
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| XV. | FABLE XV. The Dog and Sheep:
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 | Truth in Fiction |  |
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FABLE XV. The Dog and Sheep:
Or, Gainful Perjury soon swallow'd.
A
Dog impleads a Sheep, pretends a Debt
Of ancient Standing, and not paid him yet.
The Sheep denies it, in her own Defence,
And bids the Dog produce his Evidence.
He brings a Wolf, a Vulture, and a Kite,
Who swear point-blank the Dog's Demands are right.
Judgment thereon against the Sheep is giv'n;
And she, wrong'd Beast! to Execution driv'n:
While her Accusers at their Falshood smile,
That gain'd them such a rich and easie Spoil.
Of ancient Standing, and not paid him yet.
The Sheep denies it, in her own Defence,
And bids the Dog produce his Evidence.
He brings a Wolf, a Vulture, and a Kite,
Who swear point-blank the Dog's Demands are right.
Judgment thereon against the Sheep is giv'n;
And she, wrong'd Beast! to Execution driv'n:
While her Accusers at their Falshood smile,
That gain'd them such a rich and easie Spoil.
The MORAL.
‘False-Witness strongly backing False-Pretence,‘Prevails to ruin injur'd Innocence;
‘And Villains soon such Testimonies give,
‘Who by their Perjuries expect to thrive.
‘When Things Untrue, in hope of gain, they swear,
‘They no Voir dire, nor Heav'n's just Wrath revere.
| Truth in Fiction | |