The Wolves and the Sheep

"why should there always be this fear and slaughter1 between us？"

said the wolves to the sheep. "those evil-disposed dogs have

much to answer for. they always bark whenever we approach you

and attack us before we have done any harm. if you would only

dismiss them from your heels, there might soon be treaties of

peace and reconciliation2 between us." the sheep, poor silly

creatures, were easily beguiled3 and dismissed the dogs, whereupon

the wolves destroyed the unguarded flock at their own pleasure.