How dear is lovely liberty.
A Wolf with hunger gaunt and lean,
Met a fat Mastiff on the green.
They bow, salute, and stop to speak.
"I'm glad to see you look so sleek,
You praise your keep," says Wolf. "'Tis true;
Would I could say the same of you,"
Sultan replies. " My stomach's good,"
Wolf said, "I only want the food:
Pray may I ask you where you dine?"
"Your fare may be the same as mine,"
Answer'd the Dog, "if you'll agree
My office to partake with me."
"And pray what is it friend?" — "No more,
Than from night-thieves to guard the door."
"Your offer I receive with pleasure:
To live in plenty, ease, and leisure,
And shelter'd from the winds and snow!
I cannot doubt; come, let us go."
As he on Sultan cast his eye,
The collar's mark he chanc'd to spy;
"Friend, what is that?" — "O, nothing." — "Nay,
Pray tell me." — "Why, sometimes by day,
To sleep they tie me up, that I
At night may watch more wakefully;
Let out at evening I am free;
And then the servants bring to me
Plenty of meat, with which at will,
Full daintily my paunch I fill;
What say you?" — "That I would refuse
A crown, my liberty to lose."
Source: Boothby - Phaedrus 3.6.
Click here for a SLIDESHOW of all the Harrison Weir images. Notice that this illustration shows the dog hobbled with a "clog" to keep him from straying.
M0099 Perry346
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