X. The Wolf and Fox, with the Ape for Judge

Whoe’er by practice indiscreet

Has 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 arraign’d;

The Fox her innocence maintain’d:

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,

O Fox! have stolen the goods no doubt.”

Riley