Page:Poetical Works of John Oldham.djvu/237

Rh 'Troth,' said the wolf, 'I envy your estate; Would to the gods it were but my good fate, That I might happily admitted be A member of your blessed society! I would with faithfulness discharge my place In any thing that I might serve his grace. But, think you, sir, it would be feasible, And that my application might prevail?’ ’Do but endeavour, sir, you need not doubt; I make no question but to bring 't about; Only rely on me, and rest secure, I'll serve you to the utmost of my power, As I am a dog of honour, sir:—but this I only take the freedom to advise, That you'd a little lay your roughness by, And learn to practise complaisance, like me.' ’For that let me alone, I'll have a care, And top my part, I warrant, to a hair; There's not a courtier of them all shall vie For fawning and for suppleness with me.' And thus resolved at last, the travellers Towards the house together shape their course. The dog, who breeding well did understand, In walking gives his guest the upper hand; And as they walk along, they all the while With mirth and pleasant raillery beguile The tedious time and way, till day drew near, And light came on; by which did soon appear The mastiff's neck to view all worn and bare. This when his comrade spied, 'What means,' said he, 'This circle bare, which round your neck I see? If I may be so bold;'—’Sir, you must know, That I at first was rough and fierce like you, Of nature cursed, and often apt to bite Strangers, and else, whoever came in sight; For this I was tied up, and underwent The whip sometimes, and such light chastisement; Rh