University of Virginia Library

Search this document 
Poems, chiefly pastoral

By John Cunningham. The second edition. With the Addition of several pastorals and other pieces
 
 

collapse section
 
 
 
 
 
expand section
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
expand section
 
THE SHEEP AND THE BRAMBLE-BUSH:
expand section
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
expand section
 
 
 
 
 
 
expand section


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.
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.
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.