John Heywood

Of Dogs and Thieves

To keep thieves by night out of my house, 
I keep dogs to aid me in my yard, 
Whose barking at stir of every mouse, 
By lack of sleep killeth me in regard – 
Thieves or dogs then, which may best be spared?
Murder is the most mischief here to guess; 
Thieves can do no more, and dogs will do no less.