FAVOURITE FABLES. O7

FABLE Tit
THE SHEPHERD'S DOG AND THE WOLF.

A Wotr, with hunger fierce and bold,
Ravaged the plains, and thinned the fold;
Deep in the wood secure he lay,

The thefts of night regaled the day.

In vain the shepherd’s wakeful care

Had spread the toils, and watched the snare ;
In vain the Dog pursued his pace,

The fleeter robber mocked the chase.

As Lightfoot ranged the forest round,
By chance his foe’s retreat he found:
“Let us awhile the war suspend,

And reason as from friend to friend.”
‘eX truce!” replies the Wolf. “Tis done.
The Dog the parley thus begun :—

‘** How can that strong, intrepid mind
Attack a weak, defenceless kind ?
Those jaws should prey on nobler food,
And drink the boar’s and lion’s blood;