Shakespeare and the Emblem Writers / an exposition of their similarities of throught and expression, preceded by a view of emblem-literature down to A.D. 1616

by Henry Green

He seeks for cause the wretched Ass to slay,

And cries,—‘With sawdust much thou troublest me,—

The trouble check, or with these teeth, I say,

My spoil to be devoured thou straight shalt be.’

To this the Ass,—‘Friend Wolf, be not annoyed;

Guileless the saw I guide with might and main.’

But soon the long-eared brute would be destroyed,

When falls the wedge;—ah! ’tis the Wolf is slain.”

Apologi Creaturarum, 1584.