Who does not wish, ever to judge aright, <br /> And, in the Course of Life's Affairs, <br /> To have a quick, and far extended Sight, <br /> Tho' it too often multiplies his Cares? <br />And who has greater Sense, but greater Sorrow shares? <br /> <br /> This felt the Swine, now carrying to the Knife; <br /> And whilst the Lamb and silent Goat <br /> In the same fatal Cart lay void of Strife, <br /> He widely stretches his foreboding Throat, <br />Deaf'ning the easy Crew with his outragious Note. <br /> <br /> The angry Driver chides th'unruly Beast, <br /> And bids him all this Noise forbear; <br /> Nor be more loud, nor clamorous than the rest, <br /> Who with him travel'd to the neighb'ring Fair. <br />And quickly shou'd arrive, and be unfetter'd there. <br /> <br /> This, quoth the Swine, I do believe, is true, <br /> And see we're very near the Town; <br /> Whilst these poor Fools of short, and bounded View, <br /> Think 'twill be well, when you have set them down, <br />And eas'd One of her Milk, the Other of her Gown. <br /> <br /> But all the dreadful Butchers in a Row, <br /> To my far-searching Thoughts appear, <br /> Who know indeed, we to the Shambles go, <br /> Whilst I, whom none but Belzebub wou'd shear, <br />Nor but his Dam wou'd milk, must for my Carcase fear. <br /> <br /> But tell me then, will it prevent thy Fate? <br /> The rude unpitying Farmer cries; <br /> If not, the Wretch who tastes his Suff'rings late, <br /> Not He, who thro' th'unhappy Future prys, <br />Must of the Two be held most Fortunate and Wise.<br /><br />Anne Kingsmill Finch<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-hog-the-sheep-and-goat-carrying-to-a-fair/
