Of science though the soul be bare and Summoned the Sheep before the Wolf, Æsop a tale puttis in memory, How that a Dog, because that he was poor, Called a Sheep to the consistory, A certain bread of him for to recure.2 A fraudful Wolf was judge that time, and bure Authority and jurisdiction; IV. This summons made before witness enew,1 The Raven as till his office well affeird,2 Endorsed has the writ, and on he flew : The silly Sheep durst lay no mouth on erd, Till she before that awful judge appeared, By hour of cause whilk that court used than, When Hesperus to show his face began.3 V. The Fox was clerk and notar in that cause: The Gled,4 the Graip5 up at the bar couth stand As advocates expert into the laws, And on the sheep sent forth a strait Agane" the Sheep to procure the sentence; Though it were false, they have no conscience. summoun. II. The Sheep again before the Wolf derenyeit,3 But4 advocate, abaisedly couth 5 stand. He bad the parties choose, with one assent, judgment Before the Wolf: and so they did but weir, Of whom the namis after ye shall hear. X. The Beir, the Brok,3 the matter took on hand For to decide, gif this exception plained; "Ane sum I payèd have before the hand For certain bread; thereto a borrow he fand, That wrongously the Sheep held frae him bread, Whilk he denyèd; and there began the plead." XIV. Was of nae strength, nor lawfully might And when the Sheep this strife had con stand: testait, Lawrence' the actis and the process wrait, And soon the plea unto the end they speed. This cursed court corrupted all for meid, Agains good faith, law, and eke conscience; For this false Dog pronounced the sentence. XV. And it to put in execution, And has with him ane cursed assize about, And dytis1 all the poor men uponland. Fra3 the coroner have laid on him his wand;4 Though he were true as ever was Sanct Johne, Slain shall he be, or with the judge compone. 5 XIX. This Raven I liken to ane false coroner, The Wolf charged the Sheep, without delay, Whilk has ane porteous of the indictment, Under the pain of interdiction, The sum of silver, or the bread to pay. Of this sentence, alas! what shall I say? Whilk damned has the silly innocent, And justified the wrongous judgment. My mother said, sister, when we were born, Their heartly cheer, Lord God! gif ye had That ye and I lay both within ane wame;1 seen, Was kithit when that thir 3 two sisters met, And great kindness was showin them between ; For whiles they leuch,4 and whiles for joy they gret ;15 Whiles kissit sweet, and whiles in armis plet. I keep the right auld custom of my dame, IX. "My fair sister," quoth she, "have me excused, This rude diet and I cannot accord; For why, I fare as well as any lord. And thus they fure, till sobert was their With tender meat my stomach aye is used; mood, Syne foot for foot unto the chalmer yud., Thir withered peas and nuts, or they be VI. As I heard say, it was a simple wane VII. When they were lodgit thus, thir silly mice, The youngest sister until her buttrie yeid, 10 Brought forth nuttis, and peas, instead of spice bored, Will break my teeth, and make my wame full slender, Whilk was before used to meatis tender." X. "Weel, weel, sister," quoth the rural Mouse, "Gif it please you sic things as ye see here, Both meat and drink, and harbery and house, Shall be your awin, will ye remain all year, Ye shall it have with blithe and merry cheer; And that should make the messes that are rude, Gif this was good fare, I do it on them Among friends right tender, and wonder beside, |
