I.10 The Wolf and Fox, with the Ape for Judge

Whoe'er by practice indiscreet
Has pass'd for a notorious cheat,
Will shortly find his credit fail,
Though he speak truth, says Esop's tale.
The Wolf the Fox for theft arraign'd;
The Fox her innocence maintain'd:
The Ape, as umpire, takes his seat;
Each pleads his cause with skill and heat.
Then thus the Ape, with aspect grave,
The sentence from the hustings gave:
"For you, Sir Wolf, I do descry
That all your losses are a lie--
And you, with negatives so stout,
O Fox! have stolen the goods no doubt."