Book IX: The Wolf and the Lean Dog

A troutling, some time since,Endeavour'd vainly to convinceA hungry fishermanOf his unfitness for the frying-pan.That controversy made it plainThat letting go a good secure,In hope of future gain,Is but imprudence pure.The fisherman had reason good--The troutling did the best he could--Both argued for their lives.Now, if my present purpose thrives,I'll prop my former propositionBy building on a small addition.A certain wolf, in point of witThe prudent fisher's opposite,A dog once finding far astray,Prepared to take him as his prey.The dog his leanness pled;'Your lordship, sure,' he said,'Cannot be very eagerTo eat a dog so meagre.To wait a little do not grudge:The wedding of my master's only daughterWill cause of fatted calves and fowls a slaughter;And then, as you yourself can judge,I cannot help becoming fatter.'The wolf, believing, waived the matter,And so, some days therefrom,Return'd with sole design to seeIf fat enough his dog might be.The rogue was now at home:He saw the hunter through the fence.'My friend,' said he, 'please wait;I'll be with you a moment hence,And fetch our porter of the gate.'This porter was a dog immense,That left to wolves no future tense.Suspicion gave our wolf a jog,--It might not be so safely tamper'd.'My service to your porter dog,'Was his reply, as off he scamper'd.His legs proved better than his head,And saved him life to learn his trade.