Page:Ovid's Metamorphoses (Vol. 2) - tr Garth, Dryden, et. al. (1727).djvu/270

246 And Self-defence: But who did Feasts begin Of Flesh, he stretch'd Necessity to Sin. To kill Man-killers, Man has lawful Pow'r, But not th' extended Licence, to devour. Ill Habits gather by unseen Degrees, As Brooks make Rivers, Rivers run to Seas. The Sow, with her broad Snout, for rooting up Th' intruded Seed, was judg'd to spoil the Crop, And intercept the sweating Farmer's Hope: The cov'tous Churl, of unforgiving Kind, Th' Offender to the bloody Priest resign'd: Her Hunger was no Plea: For that she dy'd. The Goat came next in order, to be try'd: The Goat had cropt the Tendrills of the Vine: In vengeance Laity, and Clergy join; Where one had lost his Profit, one his Wine. Here was, at least, some Shadow of Offence: The Sheep was sacrific'd on no Pretence, But meek, and unresisting Innocence. A patient, useful Creature, born to bear The warm, and woolly Fleece, that cloath'd her Murderer; And daily to give down the Milk she bred, A Tribute for the Grass on which she fed. Living, both Food and Rayment she supplies, And is of least Advantage, when she dies. How did the toyling Ox his Death deserve, A downright simple Drudge, and born to serve? O Tyrant! with what Justice canst thou hope The Promise of the Year, a plenteous Crop; When thou destroy'st thy lab'ring Steer, who till'd, And plough'd with Pains, thy else ungrateful Field? From his yet reeking Neck to draw the Yoke, That Neck, with which the surly Clods he broke; And to the Hatchet yield thy Husband-man, Who finish'd Autumn, and the Spring began! Nor