Library:The Wolf and the Dog

The Wolf and the Dog
A wolf reduced to skin and bone,

So well the dogs had watched their care,

Met with a wildered mastiff stout as fair,

Fat, in good case, and straying all alone;

Gladly Sir Wolf had made the attack,

And tore his belly from his back.

He fain would have his dinner;

But he must to battle fall,

With a mastiff strong and tall,

Which kept in awe the sinner.

Most humbly therefore he the silence broke,

And pretty compliments admiring spoke,

About his goodly size and fat.

"Why," said the Dog, "you soon may equal that;

Leave but your woods and come along with me,

And from your wretched, starving neighbours flee;

For here you live by fighting or by fetches;

No easy cheer, no certain state,

Poor, despicable, hungry, shabby wretches:

Corne follow me and share a better fate."

"And what's the work," said Wold, "required in place?"

"A trifie,"--answered Mastiff, "just to chase

Beggars and men with sticks away;

Fawn on the family, and please the master,

Which mounts our wages up the faster;

Platesful of broken victuals every day,

Pullets' and pigeons' bones are on us pressed;

You've no idea how we're caressed."

The Wolf o'ercome assented weeping,

He formed great popes of such high keeping.

As they advanced he saw the Dog's neck bare.

"What's that?" he cried.--"Nothing."--"Nothing? why pause?"

"Pshaw! what ye see, perhaps is worn-off hair;

The collar I'm tied up in is the cause."

"Tied!" cried the Wolf, "ye don't run where ye will?"

"No always.--But no matter; we've our fill."

"Have you indeed? I really do not care

Now for your sumptuous fare;

For liberty I count all treasures light."--