Page:An argosy of fables.djvu/403

---

---

Our earnest wish, I hope and trust, is
The guiltiest should pay this debt of justice."
"Sire," said the Fox, "you have too good a heart—
Such scruples show it;
But, as for eating Sheep—why, for my part,
I see no sin in that—the stupid brutes!
You do them too much honour, if they knew it,
As for the shepherd, if your taste he suits,
Why, I can safely say, by Nation's laws,
He well deserves to reap the righteous fruits
Of men's preposterous claim to hold dominion
Over us free-born beasts. That's my opinion."
So spoke the Fox; and flatterers hummed applause.
It was not safe to probe too close the offences
Of the great nobles there.
Tiger or Bear,
Against whose life there might have been complaints;
All for their deeds found very fair pretences,
Down to the very Dogs that chased a Hare,
To hear them talk, they were four-footed saints.
The Ass in turn advanced to make confession:
"I mind me once," said he,
When that the devil of hunger took possession
Of poor unhappy me,
I passed a grassy mead
Belonging to some monks, and in my need
(It was so tempting) I just took one bite—
A mouthful—I confess it was not right."
All with one voice cried out upon the thief.