The Wolf, the Sheep, and the Lamb (Fable VI)

DUTY demands the parent's voice
Should sanctify the daughter's choice;
In that is due obedience shown,
To chuse belongs to her alone.

May horrour seize his midnight hour
Who builds upon a parent'spow'r,
And claims by purchase vile and base
The loathing maid for his embrace!
Hence virtue sickens, and the breast
Where Peace had built her downy nest
Becomes the troubled seat of care,
And pines with anguish and despair.

A Wolf, rapacious, rough, and bold,
Whose nightly plunders thinn'd the fold,
Contemplating his illspent life,
And cloy'd with thefts, would take a wife.
His purpose known the savage race
In num'rous crowds attend the place,
For why, a mighty Wolf he was,
And held dominion in his jaws.
Her fav'rite whelp each mother brought,
And humbly his alliance sought;
But cold by age, or else too nice,
None found acceptance in his eyes.

It happen'd as at early dawn
He solitary cross'd the lawn,
Stray'd from the fold a sportive Lamb
Skipp'd wanton by her fleecy dam,
When Cupid, foe to man and beast,
Discharg'd an arrow at his breast.

The tim'rous breed the robber knew,
And trembling o'er the meadow flew;
Their nimblest speed the Wolf o'ertook,
And courteous thus the dam bespoke:

"Stay Fairest! and suspend your fear;
"Trust me no enemy is near:
"These jaws, in slaughter ost' imbru'd,
"At length have known enough of blood,
"And kinder bus'ness brings me now
"Vanquish'd at Beauty's feet to bow.
"You have a daughter—Sweet! forgive
"A Wolf's address.—In her I live;
"Love from her eyes like lightning came
"And set my marrow all on flame:
"Let your consent confirm my choice
"And ratify our nuptial joys.

"Me ample wealth and pow'r attend,
"Wide o'er the plains my realms extend;
"What midnight robber dare invade
"The fold if I the guard am made?
"At home the shepherd's cur may sleep
"While I secure his master's sheep."

Discourse like this attention claim'd;
Grandeur the mother's breast inflam'd:
Now fearless by his side she walk'd,
Of settlements and jointures talk'd,
Propos'd and doubled her demands
Of flow'ry fields and turnip lands.
The Wolf agrees; her bosom swells;
To Miss her happy fate she tells,
And of the grand alliance vain
Contemns her kindred of the plain.

The loathing Lamb with horrour hears,
And wearies out her dam with pray'rs;
But all in vain: mamma best knew
What unexperienc'd girls should do;
So to the neighb'ring meadow carry'd
A formal ass the couple marry'd.

Torn from the tyrant-mother's side
The trembler goes a victim-bride,
Reluctant meets the rude embrace,
And bleats among the howling race.
With horrour oft' her eyes behold
Her murder'd kindred of the fold;
Each day a sister Lamb is serv'd,
And at the glutton's table carv'd;
The crashing bones he grinds for food,
And slakes his thirst with streaming blood.

Love, who the cruel mind detests,
And lodges but in gentle breasts,
Was now no more: enjoyment past
The savage hunger'd for the feast;
But (as we find in human race
A mask conceals the villain's face)
Justice must authorize the treat;
Till then he long'd but durst not eat.

As forth he walk'd in quest of prey
The hunters met him on the way;
Fear wings his flight, the marsh he sought,
The snuffing dogs are set at fault.
His stomach balk'd now hunger gnaws,
Howling he grinds his empty jaws;
Food must be had and Lamb is nigh,
His maw invokes the fraudful lie.
"Is this," (dissembling rage) he cry'd,
"The gentle virtue of a bride,
"That leagu'd with man's destroying race
"She sets her husband for the chase,
"By treach'ry prompts the noisy hound
"To scent his footsteps on the ground?
"Thou trait'ress vile! for this thy blood
"Shall glut my rage and dye the wood."

So saying on the Lamb he flies;
Beneath his jaws the victim dies.