Unto my fathers sheepe I usde to looke,
That yet the skill thereof I have not loste:
Thereto right well this curdog, by my coste,
(Meaning the Foxe,) will serve my sheepe to gather,
And drive to follow after their belwether." 295
The husbandman was meanly well content
[_Meanly_, humbly.]
Triall to make of his endevourment;
And, home him leading, lent to him the charge
Of all his flocke, with libertie full large, 300
Giving accompt of th'annuall increce
Both of their lambes, and of their woolly fleece.
Thus is this Ape become a shepheard swaine,
And the false Foxe his dog: God give them paine!
For ere the yeare have halfe his course out-run, 305
And doo returne from whence he first begun,
They shall him make an ill accompt of thrift.
Now whenas time, flying with wingës swift,
Expired had the terme that these two iavels
[_Iavels,_ worthless fellows.]
Should render up a reckning of their travels 310
Unto their master, which it of them sought,
Exceedingly they troubled were in thought,
Ne wist what answere unto him to frame,
Ne how to scape great punishment, or shame,
For their false treason and vile theeverie: 315
For not a lambe of all their flockes-supply
Had they to shew; but ever as they bred,
They slue them, and upon their fleshes fed:
For that disguised dog lov'd blood to spill,