THE WOLF, SHEEP, AND LAMB. Edward Moore Alexander Huber Editor Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
Broad Street Oxford OX1 3BG UK
Eighteenth-Century Poetry Archive
Taylor Institution Library St Giles' Oxford OX1 3NA UK info@eighteenthcenturypoetry.org https://www.eighteenthcenturypoetry.org/
Oxford This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. T124631 1073 K099398.000 Mendez, Moses. A collection of the most esteemed pieces of poetry: that have appeared for several years. With variety of originals, by the late Moses Mendez, Esq; and other contributors to Dodsley's collection. To which this is intended as a supplement. London printed for Richardson and Urquhart 1767 pp. 281-284. [8],320p. ; 8⁰.

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THE WOLF , SHEEP , AND LAMB . BY THE SAME . DUTY demands , the parent's voice Should sanctify the daughter's choice ; In that , is due obedience shewn ; To choose , belongs to her alone . May horror seize his midnight hour , Who builds upon a parent's pow'r , And claims , by purchase vile and base , The loathing maid for his embrace ; Hence virtue sickens , and the breast , Where Peace had built her downy nest , Becomes the troubled seat of Care , And pines with anguish and despair . A Wolf , rapacious , rough , and bold , Whose nightly plunders thinn'd the fold , Contemplating his ill-spent life , And , cloy'd with thefts , would take a wife . His purpose known , the savage race , In num'rous crouds , attend the place ; For why , a mighty Wolf he was , And held dominion in his jaws . Her fav'rite whelp each mother brought , And , humbly , his alliance sought ; But cold by age , or else too nice , None found acceptance in his eyes . It happen'd , as , at early dawn , He solitary cross'd the lawn , Stray'd from the fold , a sportive lamb Skipp'd wanton , by her fleecy dam ; When Cupid , foe to man and beast , Discharg'd an arrow at his breast . The tim'rous breed the robber knew , And , trembling , o'er the meadow flew ; Their nimblest speed the Wolf o'ertook , And , courteous , thus the dam bespoke . Stay , fairest , and suspend your fear ; Trust me , no enemy is near : These jaws , in slaughter oft imbru'd , At length , have known enough of blood ; And kinder business brings me now , Vanquish'd , at beauty's foot to bow . You have a daughter — Sweet , forgive A Wolf's address — In her I live ; Love from her eyes like lightning came , And set my marrow all on flame ; Let your consent confirm my choice , And ratify our nuptial joys . Me ample wealth and pow'r attend , Wide o'er the plains my realms extend ; What midnight robber dare invade The fold , if I the guard am made ? At home the shepherd's cur may sleep , While I secure his master's sheep . Discourse like this attention claim'd ; Grandeur the mother's breast inflam'd ; Now , fearless by his side she walk'd , Of settlements and jointures talk'd ; Propos'd , and doubled her demands , Of flow'ry fields , and turnep-lands , The wolf agrees . Her bosom swells ; To miss her happy fate she tells ; And , of the grand alliance vain , Contemns her kindred of the plain . The loathing lamb with horror hears , And wearies out her dam with pray'rs ; But all in vain ; mamma best knew What unexperienced girls should do ? So , to the neighbouring meadow carry'd , A formal ass the couple marry'd . Torn from the tyrant mother's side , The trembler goes , a victim-bride , Reluctant meets the rude embrace , And bleats among the howling race . With horror oft her eyes behold Her murder'd kindred of the fold ; Each day a sister lamb is serv'd , And at the glutton's table carv'd ; The crashing bones he grinds for food , And slakes his thirst with streaming blood . Love , who the cruel mind detests , And lodges but in gentle breasts , Was now no more . Enjoyment past , The savage hunger'd for the feast ; But ( as we find in human race , A mask conceals the villain's face ) Justice must authorize the treat ; Till then he long'd , but durst not eat . As forth he walk'd , in quest of prey , The hunters met him on the way ; Fear wings his flight ; the marsh he sought ! The snuffing dogs are set at fault . His stomach baulk'd , now hunger gnaws ; Howling , he grinds his empty jaws ; Food must be had — and lamb is nigh ; His maw invokes the fraudful lye . Is this ( dissembling rage ) he cry'd , The gentle virtue of a bride ? That , leagu'd with man's destroying race , She sets her husband for the chace ? By treach'ry prompts the noisy hound To scent his footsteps on the ground ? Thou trait'ress vile ! for this thy blood Shall glut my rage , and dye the wood ! So saying , on the lamb he flies ; Beneath his jaws the victim dies .