Epigram XI. On the Wolf Sentenc'd

The Countrey people once a Wolf did take,
That of their Sheep & Lambs did havock make
Some voted that he should be crucifi'd;
Others would have him in the fire be fry'd:
Some, to be hew'd in pieces with a sword,
And to be thrown to dogs to be devour'd:
Among the rest, one whom unlucky fate
Had doom'd to th' troubles of a married State,
(The common lot of men) oh? Friends (sayes he)
Lay by your forks, and ropes, that knotty be;
The sword, the fire, the guns, the cross, the whip,
Are but slight tortures, I have one out-strips,
All those, if you would punish him to th' life,
Fit for his crimes, then let him wed a wife.