Page:Fables of Aesop and other eminent mythologists.djvu/56

2 Bleings of Providence, before the dazling and the plendid Curioities of Mode and Imagination: and finally, that we are not to govern our Lives by Fancy, but by Reaon.



T was the hard Fortune once of a Cock, to fall into the Clutches of a Cat. Pus had a Months Mind to be upon the Bones of him, but was not willing to pick a Quarrel however, without ome plauible Color for't. Sirrah (ays he) what do you keep uch a bawling, and creaming a Nights for, that no body can leep near you? Alas, ays the Cock, I never wake any body, but when 'tis time for People to rie, and go about their Buines. Nay, ays the Cat, and then there never was uch and incetuous Racal: Why, you make no more Concience of Lying with your own Mother, and your SitersIn truth, ays the Cock again, that's only to provide Eggs for my Mater and Mitres. Come, come, ays Pus, without any more ado, 'tis time for me to go to Breakfat, and Cats don't live upon Dialogues; at which word he gave him a Pinch, and o made an end, both of the Cock, and of the Story.

S a Wolf was lapping at the Head of a Fountain, he py'd a Lamb, paddling at the ame time, a good way off down the Stream. The Wolf had no ooner the Prey in his Eye, but away he runs open-mouth to't. Villain (ays he) how dare you lye muddling the Water that I'm a drinking? Indeed, ays the poor Lamb, I did not think that my drinking there below, could have foul'd your Water o far above. Nay, ays t'other, you'll never leave your chopping of Logick, till your Skin's turn'd over your Ears, as your Fathers was, a matter of ix Months ago, for prating at this fawcy rate; you remember it full well, Sirrah. If you'll believe me, Sir, (quoth the innocent Lamb, with fear and trembling) I was not come into the World then. Why thou Impudence, cries the Wolf, hat thou neither Shame, nor Concience? But it runs in the Blood of your whole Race, Sirrah, to hate our Family; and therefore ince Fortune has brought us together o conveniently, you hall e'en pay ome of your Fore-Fathers Scores before you and I part; and o