The Wolf and Fox, with the Ape for Judge
Whoe'er by practice indiscreetHas pass'd for a notorious cheat,
Will shortly find his credit fail,
Though he speak truth, says Esop's tale.
The Wolf the Fox for theft arraigned;
The Fox her innocence maintained:
The Ape, as umpire, takes his seat;
Each pleads his cause with skill and heat.
Then thus the Ape, with aspect grave,
The sentence from the hustings gave:
"For you, Sir Wolf, I do descry
That all your losses are a lie-
And you, with negatives so stout,
0 Fox! have stolen the goods no doubt."