WHO does not wish ever to judge aright, And, in the course of life's affairs, To have a quick and far-extended sight, Though it too often multiplies his cares? And who has greater sense, but greater sorrow shares? This felt the swine, now carrying to the knife; And whilst the lamb and silent goat In the same fatal cart lay void of strife, He widely stretches his foreboding throat, Deafening the easy crew with his outrageous note. The angry driver chides th' unruly beast, And bids him all this noise forbear; Nor be more loud nor clamorous than the rest, Who with him travelled to the neighbouring fair, And quickly should arrive and be unfettered there. 'This,' quoth the swine, 'I do believe is true, And see we're very near the town; Whilst these poor fools, of short and bounded view, Think 'twill be well when you have set them down, And eased one of her milk, the other of her gown. 'But all the dreadful butchers in a row To my far-searching thoughts appear, Who know indeed we to the shambles go, Whilst I, whom none but Beelzebub would shear, Nor but his dam would milk, must for my carcase fear.' 'But tell me then, will it prevent thy fate?', The rude, unpitying farmer cries; 'If not, the wretch who tastes his sufferings late, Not he, who through th' unhappy future pries, Must of the two be held most fortunate and wise.' | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A HIGH-TONED OLD CHRISTIAN WOMAN by WALLACE STEVENS LONDON, 1802 (2) by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH HYMN TO SANTA RITA; THE PATRON SAINT OF THE IMPOSSIBLE by ALVEY AUGUSTUS ADEE THE POET: A RHAPSODY by MARK AKENSIDE NEW JERSEY by FRED CLARE BALDWIN THE BIRDS' BALL by C. W. BARDEEN |