The Wolf and the Lamb.

It is a thing without contest, That he that's strongest reasons best. The Weather being sultry hot, A Lamb to cool himself, was got A paddling in a purling Stream. (To Rhiming Fools a mighty Theme) When a she Wolf (the De'l sure sent her) Came down, in quest of some Adventure, And hardly spy'd poor Innocence; But pick'd a Quarrel void of Sence; Began to sputter, Damn and Sink, Ask'd how he dar'd to spoil her Drink, A nasty poysoning Dog. Odsbud! He'd make it all as thick as mud. For which he'd punish him by Jove. Madam, reply'd the Lamb, I love To reason calmly, and will show ye, That I am Twenty Yards below ye. And humbly craving leave, from thence I draw this reg'lar Consequence; That I can't, standing in this Place, Disturb the Liquor of your Grace. You do, says the other, and last Year You told some lies of me. I swear, I was not born then, quoth the Lamb: I han't left sucking of my Dam. 'Twas either you or else your Brother. I've ne'er a one. Then 'twas your Mother, Or any other near Relation; For all your wicked Generation Hates me; your Dogs and Shepherds too And without any more a do, The Lamb was carry'd to the Wood And serv'd the cruel Wolf for Food.