University of Virginia Library

In days of yore, when beasts cou'd speak
As naturally as pigs squeak,
A flock of sheep, high-wool'd, rich, free,
Enthusiasts to Liberty,
Who claim'd a right, time immemorial,
Like other sheep-boroughs corporeal,
To choose a Shepherd to attend 'em,
And eke from injuries defend 'em,
Met on the downs in grave debate,
A Patriot Shepherd to create;
The sheep in those times, you're to note
Like Citizens cou'd give a vote:—
Among the peasants who laid claim,
To the Sheep-guardian patriot name,
One peasant far above the rest,
With tinsel virtues was possest;
For Liberty he bellow'd loud,
He tickled up the sheepish croud;
Like them he talk'd, and always strove
By sheepish tricks to shew his love:
The lady sheep he oft carest,
To please the ladies, laugh'd and drest;
He flatter'd hard—for sheep, like men,
Can swallow flatt'ry—now and then;
With them the downs wou'd often strole,
Nibble the grass, and drink the pool:
And more—to shew his gen'rous mind,
His gold was scatter'd like the wind;—
“Tho' ev'ry favor, and each treat is
“(He scorns a bribe) still given gratis;”—
So popular, none dare oppose,
He soon was chair'd, and Shepherd chose.

Too true the axiom we find,
Preferment warps the human mind;
No longer now with patriot zeal
He ba'ad aloud for Common weal;
No longer nibbled on the hill,
Nor longer, sheep-like, drank the rill:—
The fish was caught, the net thrown by,
Wove by that demon Bribery:
He talk'd of nothing but Obedience,
Of Shepherd's pow'r, and Sheep's Allegiance;
He fleec'd 'em without rhyme or reason,
Regardless of or time or season;
Drove them to market, and there sold
His free-born sheep, for king-stamp'd gold;
And when their Grievances they spoke,
He answer'd thus with sneering look:

“Those Fools who sell themselves for gain,
“Of Slav'ry never shou'd complain;—
“And give me leave, good sheep, to tell ye,
“I bought ye, and by G*d I'll sell ye.”

The Moral Sir?—I'm not inclin'd,
To hold a Mirror to the blind.