t answere unto him to frame,
Ne how to scape great punishment, or shame,
For their false treason and vile theeverie: 315
For not a lambe of all their flockes-supply
Had they to shew; but ever as they bred,
They slue them, and upon their fleshes fed:
For that disguised dog lov'd blood to spill,
And drew the wicked shepheard to his will. 320
So twixt them both they not a lambkin left;
And when lambes fail'd, the old sheepes lives they reft;
That how t'acquite themselves unto their lord
They were in doubt, and flatly set abord.
[_Set abord_, set adrift, at a loss.]
The Foxe then counsel'd th'Ape for to require 325
Respite till morrow t'answere his desire:
For times delay new hope of helpe still breeds.
The good man granted, doubting nought their deeds,
And bad next day that all should readie be.
But they more subtill meaning had than he: 330
For the next morrowes meed they closely ment,
[_Closely_, secretly.]
For feare of afterclaps, for to prevent:
[_Prevent_, anticipate.]
And that same evening, when all shrowded were
In careles sleep, they without care or feare
Cruelly fell upon their flock in folde, 335
And of them slew at pleasure what they wolde.
Of which whenas they feasted had their fill,
For a full complement of all their ill,
They stole away, and tooke their hastie flight,
Carried in clowdes of all-concealing night. 340
So was the husbandman left to his losse,
And they unto their fortunes change to tosse.
After which sort they wandered long while,
Abusing manie through their cloaked guile;
That at the last they gan to be descryed 345
Of everie one, and all their sleights espyed;
So as their begging now them failed quyte,
For none would give, but all men would them wyte.
[_Wyte_, blame.]
Yet would they take no paines to get their living,
But seeke some other way to gaine by giving, 350
Much like to begging, but much better named;
For manie beg which are thereof ashamed.
And now the Foxe had gotten him a gowne,
And th'Ape a cassocke sidelong hanging downe;
For they their occupation meant to change, 355
And now in other state abroad to range:
For since their souldiers pas no better spedd,
They forg'd another, as for clerkes booke-redd.
Who passing foorth, a