Social Commentaries
I.16 The Sheep, the Stag, and the Wolf
Translated by Christopher Smart (1887 printing) · From Fables, Book I
When one rogue would another get
For surety in a case of debt,
'Tis not the thing t' accept the terms,
But dread th' event--the tale affirms.
A Stag approach'd the Sheep, to treat
For one good bushel of her wheat.
"The honest Wolf will give his bond."
At which, beginning to despond,
"The Wolf (cries she) 's a vagrant bite.
And you are quickly out of sight;
Where shall I find or him or you
Upon the day the debt is due?"
Cite this poem
MLA
Phaedrus. “I.16 The Sheep, the Stag, and the Wolf.” Translated by Christopher Smart. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/phaedrus/16/.
Chicago
Phaedrus. “I.16 The Sheep, the Stag, and the Wolf.” Translated by Christopher Smart. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/phaedrus/16/.
Read this poem with the Codex →