Page:An argosy of fables.djvu/402

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Down on the Animal world in fury came—
Death day by day to some, sore pain to all.
The love of life no more had power to move:
Food lost its relish; Wolf nor Fox
Prowled round the innocent flocks;
The Turtle-dove
Fled from its sickening mate; there was no love,
And therefore no more joy.
The Lion held council and spoke out:
"My friends," said he, "this pest the Gods employ
To punish our misdeeds, I make no doubt;
Wherefore it seems to me
'Twere fit the greatest sinner of us all
Should sacrifice himself in expiation.
So to avert Heaven's wrath, and save the Nation.
You that read history know that in such case,
These acts of self-devotion find their place.
Let each examine them, as truth compels,
Without equivocation,
The tale his several conscience tells,
And so make revelation.
As for myself I candidly confess
To satisfy my greediness
I have devoured Sheep not a few,
Who never did me harm,—nay, now and then
I ate the shepherd too.
I will devote myself, I say again.
If needful; but I think the rest are bound
To make a clean confession first, all round.