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FABLE XXVI. The Wolf and Ram:

Or, Suspicion gives Security.

A Wolf, that hardly scap'd pursuing Hounds,
And cou'd do little else but lick his Wounds,
Desir'd a Ram, that at a distance stood,
To bring him Water from the neighb'ring Flood:
For if he might some help for Drink entreat,
Himself, he said, wou'd make a shift for Meat.
The Ram, that guess'd what Shift he meant, reply'd,
That friendly Office should not be deny'd;
But that I fear, if I should prove so kind,
The Meat you mean, wou'd not be far to find.

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The MORAL.

‘Dissembling Villains wou'd, by Art, prevail
‘To gain their Ends, when open Measures fail:
‘But Wise Men (apprehensive of the Cheat)
‘Taught by Suspicion, their Designs defeat.