The Wolf Accusing the Fox before the Monkey

A wolf, affirming his belief / That he had suffer'd by a thief, / Brought up his neighbour fox -- / Of whom it was by all confess'd, / His character was not the best -- / To fill the prisoner's box. / As judge between these vermin, / A monkey graced the ermine; / And truly other gifts of Themis[1] / Did scarcely seem his; / For while each party plead his cause, / Appealing boldly to the laws, / And much the question vex'd, / Our monkey sat perplex'd. / Their words and wrath expended, / Their strife at length was ended; / When, by their malice taught, / The judge this judgment brought: / 'Your characters, my friends, I long have known, / As on this trial clearly shown; / And hence I fine you both -- the grounds at large / To state would little profit -- / You wolf, in short, as bringing groundless charge, / You fox, as guilty of it.'

[1]: _Themis_. -- The goddess of Justice.