Aesop Dress'd or A Collection of Fables Writ in Familiar Verse. By B. Mandeville |
 |
The Wolves and the Sheep.
|
 | Aesop Dress'd |  |
The Wolves and the Sheep.
Between the Wolves, and Sheep, the Wars
Had lasted many hundred Years.
The Sheep could never feed in quiet;
But Wolves disturb'd 'em at their Diet:
And truly Wolf is every Day
By Mastiff hunted from his Prey.
The Shepherd often cuts his Throat,
And turns his Skin into a Coat.
But now both Parties are for ease;
And met to agree on terms of Peace.
When in Debates some time was spent,
On each side Hostages are sent:
As such both Nations were to give
What's valued most, the Wolves receive,
The Dogs, of which in Awe they stood;
The Sheep young Wolves of Noble Blood:
And thus the Peace is ratify'd,
With Joy proclaim'd on every side.
But in short time the Whelps grew strong,
The sturdy Rogues began to long
For Blood, and Mischief; watch'd a day,
The Shepherds were not in the way,
Then hunt the young ones from their Dames,
And pick'd and cull'd the finest Lambs;
Kill'd and devour'd a Multitude;
The rest they carry'd to a Wood,
Where with the other Wolves they joyn,
Who knew before hand their design.
The Dogs on publick Faith secure
(And pray what ties could be more sure)
Where whilst they slept, and thought no harm,
Throttled before they heard th'alarm.
Had lasted many hundred Years.
The Sheep could never feed in quiet;
But Wolves disturb'd 'em at their Diet:
And truly Wolf is every Day
By Mastiff hunted from his Prey.
The Shepherd often cuts his Throat,
And turns his Skin into a Coat.
But now both Parties are for ease;
And met to agree on terms of Peace.
When in Debates some time was spent,
On each side Hostages are sent:
45
What's valued most, the Wolves receive,
The Dogs, of which in Awe they stood;
The Sheep young Wolves of Noble Blood:
And thus the Peace is ratify'd,
With Joy proclaim'd on every side.
But in short time the Whelps grew strong,
The sturdy Rogues began to long
For Blood, and Mischief; watch'd a day,
The Shepherds were not in the way,
Then hunt the young ones from their Dames,
And pick'd and cull'd the finest Lambs;
Kill'd and devour'd a Multitude;
The rest they carry'd to a Wood,
Where with the other Wolves they joyn,
Who knew before hand their design.
The Dogs on publick Faith secure
(And pray what ties could be more sure)
Where whilst they slept, and thought no harm,
Throttled before they heard th'alarm.
The Moral.
Ssome Nations, fond of slothful Ease,Trust to deluding Enemies;
And striving to avoid Expence,
Will leave themselves without defence;
But cunning Tyrants call 'em Friends,
No longer than it serves their Ends.
Against a mighty King that is,
Regardless of his Promises,
46
Observe his Motions, watch with care;
And never hearken to a Peace,
Proffer'd by faithless Enemies.
| Aesop Dress'd | |