Matthew Prior. Dialogues of the Dead and Other Works in Prose and Verse. The Text Edited by A. R. Waller |
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The Priest and the Shepherd.
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 | Matthew Prior. Dialogues of the Dead and Other Works |  |
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The Priest and the Shepherd.
An Imitation OF A GREEK EPIGRAM.
When hungry wolves had trespass'd on the fold,And the robb'd shepherd his sad story told;
“Call in Alcides, said a crafty priest,
“Give him one half, and he'll secure the rest.”
No, said the shepherd, if the Fates decree,
By ravaging my flock to ruin me;
To their commands I willingly resign,
Pow'r is their character, and patience mine:
Tho', troth to me, there seems but little odds,
Who prove the greatest robbers, wolves or Gods?
| Matthew Prior. Dialogues of the Dead and Other Works | |