The Squabble (Third Edition) - 5
Nor did they e’er my tender Lambkins tear.
THYRSIS.
Then link the infant and the hissing snake,
The turtle’s nature let the kite partake,
Bid gentle doves with rapid eagles fly,
And turn all nature into prodigy;
Wed the fierce tyger and the kid together.
Bid the stern bull engender with the wether;
And if from thence an offspring should succeed,
Unite thy Wolves, and make a motley breed.
All this may be, and more of nature change,
When Wolves and Sheep in peace together range.
CORIN.
Hist, frantic Shepherd, for I’ll hear no more.
Why wou’d’st thou wish to shed their guiltless gore?
Because their fleece is Black they have thy hate.
But, did this Flock, O Swain, themselves create?
Must they for this, their sable coats, be slain?
Who ne’r have injur’d thee, nor harm’d thy Train.
How harrass’d have the unhappy Wanderers been?
Thou would’st have griev’d this hapless tribe to’ve seen.
THYRSIS.
I’d rather laugh’d had my stout Dogs been there,
They soon had eas’d thee of thy Sable Care.
As t'other day my Mastiffs swift and bold,
Pursu’d some shaggy Wolves unto thy Fold,
And soon fell on them with a furious speed.
And in their hearts-blood did most jovial feed.
CORIN.
But had I caught thy Dogs, by my decree
They should have swung as high as yonder tree.
