FABLE XXXIX. The Ewe and Shepherd:
Or, Repining, adds to Misery.
A Murm'ring
Ewe did on the Shepherd rail:
For, tho' her swelling Udders fill'd his Pail,
The daily Tribute cou'd not buy her Peace,
But ev'ry Year he stript her of her Fleece.
The Swain, incens'd at the repining Dam,
Slew, in her sight, her tender Infant-Lamb.
At which, she cry'd, You now can do no more,
You have no greater Punishment in Store.
Yes, he reply'd, I can my Rage pursue,
And, as I kill'd your Son, can slaughter you;
Flea off your Skin, as I your Wool do shear,
And throw your Carcase for the Wolves to tear.
The Ewe, thus aw'd, and for her Life afraid,
No more her pow'rful Master durst upbraid.
The MORAL.
‘If Heav'n, that amply do's supply our Wants,
‘To try, or punish us, resumes its Grants;
‘If Riches fail, or hopeful Children die,
‘We humbly must with Providence comply.
‘The Blessings we enjoy are all God's Loan,
‘Nor shou'd we murmur, if he claims his own:
‘Repining can so little give us Ease,
‘That what it seeks to lessen, 'twill encrease:
‘For Murm'ring Wretches do Heaven's Wrath provoke
‘To punish them with a severer Stroke.
‘Whoe'er dares question God's Prerogative,
‘And will not let him take, aswell as give;
‘Draws his resenting Vengeance on his Head,
‘And feels the heavy Blow, alive, or dead:
‘But all who to its Will do theirs resign,
‘And ne'er at its Correcting Hand repine,
‘Lighten the Weight they, with Submission, bear,
‘And find Rewards above, for Suff'rings here.
