The bird of Jove bore off a heavy "mutton;" A Raven, witness of the whole affair, Weaker in back, but scarcely less a glutton, Resolved to do the same, whate'er Might come of it. With greedy wit, Around the flock he made a sweep, Marking, among the fattest sheep, One of enormous size, Fit for a sacrifice. Said Master Raven, winking both his eyes, "Your nurse's name I cannot tell, But such fat flesh will suit me well: You're ready for my eating." Then on the sheep, slow, sluggish, bleating, The Raven settled down, not knowing The beast weighed more than a mere cream-cheese could. It had a fleece as thickly growing As beard of Polyphemus--tangled wood-- That clung to either claw; the animal could not withdraw. The shepherd comes, and calling to his boy, Gives him the Raven for a toy. We must take care; the moral is quite clear-- The footpad mustn't rob on the highway. Example is a dangerous lure, I fear: Men-eaters are not all great people; no, I say, Where wasps passed last week gnats are crushed to-day. [Illustration] FABLE XLIV. THE WOLVES AND THE SHEEP. After a thousand years of open war, The Wolves signed treaty with their foes, the Sheep: It seemed to be the best for both, by far; For if the Wolves contrived their tithes to reap, The shepherds liked a coat of tanned Wolf-skin. No liberty for pasture had there been, Neither for carnage; never was there rest! None could enjoy what pleasures seemed the best; Peace was concluded--hostages surrendered. The Wolves their cubs, the Sheep their watch-dogs rendered; [Illustration: THE WOLVES AND THE SHEEP.] Th' exchange was made in form and order due, Commissioners were there and not a few; Some time elapsed, but soon the Wolf-cubs grew To perfect Wolves, and with a taste for killing; They chose a time the shepherds were away, Choked all the fattest lambs that they could slay, And bore them to the woods; no whit unwilling, Their fellow-plotters waited for them there. The dogs, who, full of trust, had thrown by care, Were slain so quickly, that not one e'en knew Who their assailants were that bit and slew. War 'gainst the bad, a war that never ends; Peace is a wholesome thing, good men are friends. That I allow; yet peace is but a word, a senseless joke, With wicked people, and such faithless folk. FABLE XLV. THE CAT CHANGED INTO A WOMAN.