The works of Allan Ramsay edited by Burns Martin ... and John W. Oliver [... and Alexander M. Kinghorn ... and Alexander Law] |
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Fable of the Lost Calf
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 | The works of Allan Ramsay |  |
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Fable of the Lost Calf
A Carefu' Cowherd anes had lostA Calf, that him much Seeking cost,
His Labour vain, he near Despair,
No Means untry'd save that of Prayer,
The last Shift; when nought els will do,
Then to the Gods at length we bow:
Thus did our Herdsman, fill'd with Grief,
Petition Jove to shew'm the Thief
That with his Calf had run away,
And he would on his Altar lay
A Kid, the fattest of the Plain,
Should for his Godship's Use be slain.
His Prayer reach'd the high Abode.
We hear thee, (smiling) cry'd the God,
Have thy Desire.—Straight in the Place
A Lion star'd him in the Face.
The too rash Clown now shook with Fear,
To see the awfu' Brute so near;
Then to his Prayers he runs once more
To unpray what he pray'd before:
“Great Jove, said he, I know my Vow,
“But the unhappy Wish I rew;
“Remove the Thief, an't be thy Will,
“And I shall make the Kid a Bull.”
Thus Mankind oft importune Heaven
For what would ruine them, if given.
| The works of Allan Ramsay | |