 | Beasts at law, or zoologian jurisprudence |  |
“Such is the Goat, on her report,
Believing what she told the court;
What is she by report of those
Who in support of Canis rose;
Who even modesty discarded,
That justice might not be retarded?
Gladly would they have shunn'd the task
Of stripping vice of virtue's mask;
But when they saw their friend must yield,
Should they abash'd desert the field,
They chose the treacherous snake to slay,
And save her charm'd, bewildered prey.
By them, this Goat appears to hold
No claim to virtue in the fold:
She has those very teats exposed
Which she complains that Canis nosed;
She has declared, she feared her eyes,
Would show how warm her wishes rise;
And that she dared not be alone
With any male, except her own.
But these foul stains are snowy white,
Compared with others brought to light....
She stands convicted of complaining
(Not while the gloom of night was reigning,
But in the open light of day)
That Capricorn could not allay
The flames of lust which fill her veins....
The fire that in her bosom reigns!!!
And yet, she can of virtue prate,
And has the hardihood to state
That force against her had been used,
And her fair chastity abused!!!
Why, gentle Bulls, as well might you
Complain of all the Heifers, too;
With the same justice, too, might I
Complain that Chickens cannot fly;
Or Felis, while she roves the heath,
That Rabbits jump between her teeth!
Believing what she told the court;
What is she by report of those
Who in support of Canis rose;
91
That justice might not be retarded?
Gladly would they have shunn'd the task
Of stripping vice of virtue's mask;
But when they saw their friend must yield,
Should they abash'd desert the field,
They chose the treacherous snake to slay,
And save her charm'd, bewildered prey.
By them, this Goat appears to hold
No claim to virtue in the fold:
She has those very teats exposed
Which she complains that Canis nosed;
She has declared, she feared her eyes,
Would show how warm her wishes rise;
And that she dared not be alone
With any male, except her own.
But these foul stains are snowy white,
Compared with others brought to light....
She stands convicted of complaining
(Not while the gloom of night was reigning,
But in the open light of day)
That Capricorn could not allay
The flames of lust which fill her veins....
The fire that in her bosom reigns!!!
And yet, she can of virtue prate,
And has the hardihood to state
That force against her had been used,
And her fair chastity abused!!!
Why, gentle Bulls, as well might you
Complain of all the Heifers, too;
With the same justice, too, might I
Complain that Chickens cannot fly;
92
That Rabbits jump between her teeth!
| Beasts at law, or zoologian jurisprudence | |