Social Commentaries

I.17 The Sheep, the Dog, and the Wolf

by Phaedrus c. 15 BC - c. AD 50

Translated by Christopher Smart (1887 printing) · From Fables, Book I

Social Commentaries

Liars are liable to rue
The mischief they're so prone to do.
The Sheep a Dog unjustly dunn'd
One loaf directly to refund,
Which he the Dog to the said Sheep
Had given in confidence to keep.
The Wolf was summoned, and he swore
It was not one, but ten or more.
The Sheep was therefore cast at law
To pay for things she never saw.
But, lo! ere many days ensued,
Dead in a ditch the Wolf she view'd:
"This, this," she cried, "is Heaven's decree
Of justice on a wretch like thee."

MLA

Phaedrus. “I.17 The Sheep, the Dog, and the Wolf.” Translated by Christopher Smart. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/phaedrus/17/.

Chicago

Phaedrus. “I.17 The Sheep, the Dog, and the Wolf.” Translated by Christopher Smart. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/phaedrus/17/.

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