Poems, chiefly pastoral By John Cunningham. The second edition. With the Addition of several pastorals and other pieces |
 |
 | Poems, chiefly pastoral |  |
121
THE SHEEP AND THE BRAMBLE-BUSH:
A FABLE.
A thick-twisted brake, in the time of a storm,
Seem'd kindly to cover a sheep:
So snug, for a while, he lay shelter'd and warm,
It quietly sooth'd him asleep.
Seem'd kindly to cover a sheep:
So snug, for a while, he lay shelter'd and warm,
It quietly sooth'd him asleep.
The clouds are now scatter'd—the winds are at peace;
The sheep to his pasture inclin'd:
But ah! the fell thicket lays hold of his fleece,
His coat is left forfeit behind.
The sheep to his pasture inclin'd:
But ah! the fell thicket lays hold of his fleece,
His coat is left forfeit behind.
My friend, who the thicket of law never try'd,
Consider before you get in;
Tho' judgement and sentence are pass'd on your side,
By Jove, you'll be fleec'd to the skin.
Consider before you get in;
Tho' judgement and sentence are pass'd on your side,
By Jove, you'll be fleec'd to the skin.
| Poems, chiefly pastoral | |