that have fine feathers FAB 183. Of the Priest and the Pears ON his way to a wedding was a Priest What at another time would make a feast He found by chance a curious heap of pears Durst not at that time eat one for his ears Lest it should pall his stomach and forestall His Appetite who aim'd to have at all Sorne say 't is good with Appetite to rise To eat therewith all agree that are wise And so would he in 's pockets should he bring Those pears they might prevent some better thing He might convey from thence leave them behind It griev'd him lest them other folks should find And eat them what himself could not employ It was his mind others should not enjoy Upon good terms therefore on them did piss Acting an envious Slovens part I wiss Then on he went but found the waters up He could not pass either to dine or sup With the new-married folks Bride-groom and Bride Came back a hungry having all ways try'd To pass and could not in his way he found The heap of pears which he in piss had drown'd Snapt at them though they were in such a pickle Hungry dogs fancies dirty puddings tickle Mor. Be not thou full of scorn when full in purse For thou mayst cat thy words or else eat worse Slight not inferiours for when all is done Thou mayst need those that thou hast piss'd upon FAB 184. vide FAB 33. FAB 185. Of the Hog and the Horse A Hog espi'd a War-horse to the Battle Made hast thought them a simple sort of cattel Would run post-hast into the jaws of death He saw his error might have sav'd his breath In saying so thou shalt die by a knife Said th' horse when thou hast lead a shameful life Liv'd like thy self that is liv'd like a hog Thy throat to cut some Butcher will thee dog When I shall dye upon the bed of honour Nought but disgrace the Swine shall have upon her Pamper'd with offals shortly die you must Thou' rt living dirt dead wil 't be meerly dust Mor. Who liveth long obscure is all amort Choose then a glorious life though it be short FAB 186. Of a Tanner that bought of a Hunter the skin of a Bear that was not yet caught A Tanner of a Hunter bought a Hide Belonging to a Bear that ne're yet dy'd Nor was so much as caught his money paid Down on the nail in which the fool he playd Said he have patience till the Bear I kill And then the skin you bought make good I will Next day the Tanner and the Hunter went Into the wood hoping for good content The Hunter with his dogs went to a cave Th' Tanner to see what success he would have Clombe up a tree the hunter saw fall down Before a Bear as dead or in a sown If dead he by his nose did try to know Thinking he was he made no more adoe But left him on the place for bears won't tarry on A body which they take to be meer carrion Down came the Tanner bid the hunter rise Said he was now secure from enemies But let me know said he what in thine ear The Bear did whisper for I could not hear Said he he said no more but this I thought Sell no more Bear-skins till the bear be caught He to the Tanner might have said as well Buy no more skins of them that han't to sell Mor. Count not upon uncertains lest you loose Your hopes 't is ill to wait for dead mens shoes A live bears hide is hardly worth a pin If living he may sleep in a whole skin Buy what is ready but not things bespoke Wise men won't purchase a pig in a poke FAB 187. Of the Hermite and the Souldier A Souldier holy Hermite would perswade For to turn Hermite and leave off his trade Both for his bodies safety and souls health Truth is said he we get but little wealth Now by our arms both plunders dead and pay Small heart to kill men for twelve pence a day All one of us is promis'd when he enters Besides that we are forc'd to sell debenters Mor. Interest takes off some men whose hearts do cleave To vice they leave not it it doth them leave FAB 188. Of the man and the wife that had been twice married A Widdower and a Widdow made a match Mutually to be quit they lay at catch She 'd with her former husband him upbraid He 'd tell how good a wife the former made There was a capon roasted for their meal She to a beggar part of it did deal To pray for her first husband and her best He over-heard and gave him all the rest To pray for his first wife her soul departed So she got little who her husband thwarted For her first husband she gave part sad story He all to pray his wife from purgatory Mor. To vex those people never lye at catch Who will be found to be more than thy match FAB 189. Of the Lyon and the mouse A Lyon that was taken in a snare It to untie did beg a mouse his care He set him free and when he had so done Did hope the Lyons daughter to have won He beg'd her for his wife and had consent Of the old Lyon who did say content Gain but the maids good will and it is done When Parents are agreed maids are soon won Soon after came the Bride to th' Bridegrooms house Unsight unseen she trod upon the mouse Who came to meet her crush'd him all to bits Heard say her husband's dead fell into fits But afterwards she did not care a louse When once she understood he was a mouse Mor. Thus 't is when mouse-like men wed Lionesses They'd better be content with Jones and Besses They 'l tread 'em under foot and make the house Too hot the man won't be known from a mouse In marriages regard equality Or ten to one that you shall ne're agree FAB 190. vide FAB 82. FAB 191. Of the wax that desired to be hard IT melted wax to see its self so soft Melted it into tears considering oft How hard were bricks made of a certain clay More soft than wax after a while that they Had lain in fiery Kils so firm and sure Were they as many ages might endure At this the waxe threw its self into th' fire To be as hard as bricks it did aspire But there 't did waste did not waxe hard but wan After a while it in the fire had lain Mor. One medicine Doctors Mountebanks we call It will not have the same effect on all On different subjects different effects The same things have which whosoe're rejects May know without much skill in arts or tongues Those waters help the spleen which hurt the lungs FAB 192. Of the Husbandman that would be a Souldier and a Merchant AN honest Farmer took a world of pains Could hardly pay his rent so far from gains He thought a Souldier liv'd a gallant life
upon himself he spent Only the Almond husks and stones of dates To Jupiter he boldly dedicates Saying great Jove I pray thee be content Outsides and insides both I thee present Mor. Some men they say are so in love with pelf So cunning too they 'l cheat the Devil himself Nay which is worse some Jove himself would cheat Give him the stones and husks and keep the meat FAB 12. Of the boy and his mother A Woman had a son a Horn-book stole As boldly as a Miller might take tole She knew it so unkindly fond was she She whip'd him not for his thefts ABC He quickly stole Primmers and Testaments And Bibles too not minding their contents He grew a thief at length would have at all Worthy to have memoirs such as Du vall Came to this end had sentence for to stretch His mother bare him company the wretch Got leave to whisper in his mothers ear As who was loth that other folks should hear And though a womans ears been't good to eat Fastning on hers he made his teeth to meet I 'le have thee by the ears said he because Thou didst permit me for to break the laws Of God and men sparing thy cruel rod Cruel because 't was spar'd in grace of God I might have come to good if thou hadst whipt me And in the bud when I stole Horn-books nipt me Thy seeming kindness was flat cruelty Thanks to thy fondness I come thus to die Mor. For less offences early punishment Far greater crimes and th' Gallows may prevent FAB 13. Of the Shepherd that turn'd Seaman A Shepherd kept his sheep near to the Sea Which when he saw exceeding calm to be Quoth he I 'le sell my sheep and merchandize He dealt in Dates and thought to have a prize But a storm did arise a mighty storm He was compell'd to th' tempest to conform Which would have all his Lading if his life It spar'd thinks he life 's sweet I have a wife And children that will miss me Sea take all But promise that come safe to shoar I shall He safely came to shoar soon after saw One wondring that the Sea did stand in awe As 't were it was so very still and grave The Shepherd said the Sea more Dates would have Mor. When malt and hops and fuell all are cheap Into a Brewhouse every one would leap But when all these begin to rise amain Then O cries he that I were out again Calm times trappan men make 'em go to Sea Come storms and they of other minds will be FAB 14. Of an old mans Son and a Lyon ONe to his Son had a young Gentleman From danger he would keep him if he can He dreamt he by a Lyon should be kill'd Was thereupon with dread and terror fill'd Built him a Pallace kept him always there Of Lyons in that place he had no fear All sorts of beasts he painted on the wall Hoping for to delight him therewithall Because he lov'd to hunt Lion was one He soon repented that he had so done His son the Lion saw had heard his fame And fathers dream his colour went and came Thinks he the Lyon in my fathers dream Hath so confin'd me I a prisoner seem My father for his sake doth me immure He dreams of Lyons sends me to the Tower The picture of a Lyon I do hate Dreams pictures are upon a dream I wait A Lyon pictur'd in my fathers mind When fast asleep hath made him thus unkind To keep me here thus his poor son to harras I 'le be reveng'd o th' Lyon in the Arras Up went his fist at him with all his might He struck his hand upon a nail did light A wretched nail which wofully did pester His tender hand it thereupon did fester Brought him into a feaver by and by In spight of Doctors the young man did die Those towring walls could not preserve his breath When all was done a Lyon was his death Mor. Divine Decrees will certainly commence None can anticipate Gods providence FAB 15. Of the Eagle and the Fox EAgle and Fox agreed to dwell close by Each other to confirm their amity The Eagle in a tree his house bespoke Fox his within a mile of the same oak Yea at the bottome of the Eagles tree Loth at a greater distance for to be Fox went abroad Foxes hunt far from home Mean time did th' Eagle to her Kennel come Took all her Cubs being to seek for meat Them she and hers forthwith made shift to eat Reynard came back and found an empty box And seeing that look'd as red as a Fox And pour'd out curses long as his own tail Whilst she her Cubs did passionately bewall After this Eagle stole part of a Kid Was slain for Sacrifice and therewith hid An unknown firebrand in his grassie nest Then Fox that curs'd the Eagle himself blest The nest was fir'd the Eagles could not fly Could not be help'd they must fall down and die And did Sir Reynard smil'd and said if it fall As th' nest was tumbling I will catch it pit-fall Good as his word was he Eagle's brave meat Quoth he when they good store of Foxes eat They 're very young how tenderly they eat Methinks I never tasted better meat Than is an Eagle larded with a Fox 'T is better than the Surloin of an ox This pleases me the best of all I tell you My young ones are come back into my belly Mor. Who friendship violates and wrongs allies Will find i th upshot he has got no prize If humane justice he shall chance to fly By a just hand from heaven he 's like to die To devour sacrifices is no jeast Who steals from th' Altar he will fire his nest FAB 16. Of the Eagle and the Raven EAgle's a King and can do what he will It was his pleasure a brave sheep to kill The Raven thought that he might do so too He got upon a sheep it would not do To clap upon his back that was the best That he could do the sheep did him arrest Made him for to continue where he found him With Cords of wool to 's good behaviour bound him Then cut his wings and threw him to the boys To play with him as they do use with toys Then one pass'd by and ask'd what bird was he I took my self an Eagle for to be His answer was that fancied foolishly But a poor Raven without wings am I. Mor. 'T will cost thy wings if Pride thee so inveagle To think thou but a Raven art an Eagle FAB 17. Of the Nightingal and the Hawk THe Nightingal sang sweetly all alone The Hawk did change his note and made him moaâ— Nothing would serve his turn but he would kill him He said I 'm but a bit and cannot fill him To fill your ears with musick I 'le take care I 'm no Camelion for to feed on air Said he my hungry stomach craves for meat A Nightingal is good for
horns for he had wont to strike Do so again said he as that you like Fearing his feet put him into a plow Now play more tricks said he if you know how Shuffling his feet he cast about the sand Upon his face his head his eyes his hand Mor. He is a man of great renown and name Who a wild heifer does know how to tame Some folks we cannot govern for our ears They have as many tricks as dancing bears FAB 113. Of the Satyr and the Traveller A Hairy Satyr they as Poets sing Are Gods of woods and Groves did a kind thing A traveller was almost dead with cold Him he 'd take home to his own house he told And did they heap good fires the woods are theirs Made much of him but something did break squares Betwixt them and 't was this he blew his hand Of which the cause the Satyr did demand It is saith he that I may make it warm He spake it honestly and meant no harm But by and by his barley he did blow The cause of which the Satyr would needs know To cool my barley I do use my breath Said he thou shalt pack hence as sure as death Thou hast a very false mouth of thy own For thou to blow both hot and cold art known Get hence false loon double tongue errand knave you You shan't stay here I know not where to have you Mor. Trust not a man if credibly you 're told His manner is for to blow hot and cold FAB 114. Of the Boar and the Countrey-man A Boar that trusted too much to his tusks Would feed on corn and no more live on husks It cost him both his ears not at once twain He lost one the first time then came again ' Ware the third time the Boar like Ass or Mule Would not observe though 't is a common rule With his cropt ears a third time came the noddy And then the Tenant quickly seiz'd his body And to his Landlords table did present him For it had been in vain t' have only shent him For he could take no counsel for his ears For they were lost and he still void of fears One would have thought this boar all heart had been Yet as they say no heart of his was seen When he was brought unto his Landlords table Which made his Landlord greatly chide and squabble Where is his heart said he there are heart-stealers Too many I have met with some such dealers He had no heart the Countrey-man repli'd Or it ne're liv'd or it before him di'd Though hearts they say live first and last do die Him void of heart spake his simplicity Would not be warn'd when both his ears in pawn Were had which shew'd had he a heart 't was brawn Hearing him say it had no heart each guest Burst our a laughing but w' have lost the jest We heart for wisdome don't in English take He had no head if so our jeast must make Mor. Some are so void of courage and of parts It may be thought they 've neither heads nor hearts FAB 115. Of the Bull and the Mouse A Creeping mouse did bite a Rampant Bull Upon his feet with indignation full He shook his stately head and dismal horns Could not come at the enemy he scorns For he into a mouse-hole could not creep Where the small mouse in a whole skin did sleep What he would do if he could catch the mouse Safe in his hole he did not take care a louse Mor. Despise not an unlikely enemy He whom thou scorn'st may get the victory FAB 116. Of the Countrey-man and Hercules A Countrey-man whose Cart stuck in the dirt Calling on Hercules receiv'd this flurt Fool whip thy horse and shoulder up thy wheels For Hercules won't lacquey at the heels Of idle drones be thou a good Pains-taker If thy Cart won't wag Hercules will make her Mor. To this pass all must come there is no doubt To lie i th' dirt or take pains to get out It is in vain for those who swim in ease For to cry out help O help Hercules FAB 117. Of the Goose A Certain Hen some golden egs did lay Thinking she was a mine the owner slay Her did hoping to find her belly full Of egs and his own too his hopes were null Having so done he afterwards did need her He found no egs and he had lost the breeder Mor. Let no man hasten too much to be rich Blind puppies are produc'd by hasty bitch He that goes so to work the question begs Who kills the Hen must look for no more Egs. FAB 118. vide FAB 119. Of the Ape and her two Cubs AN Ape had twins she dearly did love one Seem'd not to care if t' other were undone There came a fright her darling in her arm She took brim full of care t' might take no harm The other like unto a Pedlers pack Or beggars brat she fastned to her back She made more haste it seemed than good speed So spoyl'd the Cub she lov'd more than she need Dasht him against a cragged rock until His brains gush'd out full sore against her will That on her back was safe as safe could be A Jolly Cub not like a twin was he Mor. It is no slander to charge Love with blindness Doubtless not a few folks are kill'd with kindness So the Ape hugs her young ones e'ne to death And so embraceth themshe stops their breath The children parents don't regard a fiddle Are usually those that are in the middle Whom so good fortune many times attends They need not care a fiddle for their friends FAB 120. Of the Ox and the Steer AN aged Ox was toyling at the plow Whom th' wanton heifer saw I know not how Revil'd him sorely Plow-jogger quoth he Not for a million I 'de in thy case be I frisk about the Pastures live at ease Despise all yoaks and bands do what I please Thou' rt like a ragged Colt I smooth and slick Do nothing else but eat and wince and kick The prudent Ox thought then few words were best To pass it by as if he spake in jest Soon after came the heifer with a halter About his neck marching towards the Altar This seen the Ox did thus the Steer accost If this be all you have no cause to boast To have thy ease and liberty I wiss Is no such purchase if it come to this Mor. Of ease and wantonness there comes no good If what it ends in be well understood It will be seen at last that they are broke Not who put on but who cast off the yoke FAB 121. Of the Dog and the Lion vide 102. FAB 122. Of the Fishes WHat made the fresh fish vaunt their pedigree Above all fishes that do use the Sea Is hard to say but in Nobility They did pretend all Sea-fish to outvie Phocas took 't ill an Emperour of that name Had been and he did look to be the same Amongst the
silver key Fring but good fees and 't is the Lawyers pleasure To be always at home always at leisure FAB 225. Of an old man that stonâ—d a young fellow down that stole his Apples ANaughty boy was got into a tree To rob an old mans orchard there was he Whether th' old man his Spectacles had on He spi'd a Thief his Apple-tree upon Call'd to him good Sweet heart prethee come down Those words were too too soft to give a clown He took up grass when his words would not do To throw at him in herbs there 's vertue too Said he then cry'd the boy the old man's mad Flings grass then he to take up flints was glad And when to crack his crown he made no bones I 'le try said he what vertue is in stones Mor. Go not to war till all things else be done Turn every stone for peace e're you throw one First try what words will do and then what grass Sâ—ines are the worst of remedies alas FAB 226. Of the Nightingal that promised the Hawk a Song for her life Awarbling Nightingal caught by a Hawk Could by no melody his clutches bawk Dear Sir said he be pleas'd to let me go How thankful I shall be I 'le let you know I 'le fill your ears with many a pleasant song Spare but my life and do me but no wrong You fill my ears said he pray fill my belly That must be fill'd that has no ears I tell you I can well fast from songs all the year round But not from meat for that would soon redound To my great hurt in sour and twenty hours My bowels yearn for you as I am yours Mor. Let Minstrels stand behind 't is a disease Less to mind what will profit than will please FAB 227. Of the Lyon that chose the Hog for his Companion MOst creatures to the Lyon did make court To bear him company 't was not in sport But in good earnest he refus'd 'em all Saving the hog him he did kindly call Much good may do him with his cleanly mate A kin for that to some who swines flesh hate His reason was hogs always friends have been That would go with their friends through thick and thin He truly said 't was no abusive flurt A hog won't leave me when I 'm in the dirt Mor. Him for thy friend to take there 's no cause why That won't be so in thine adversity FAB 228. Of the Gnat that beg'd meat and Lodging of a Bee AGnat with cold and hunger in great danger Beg'd with the Bees to be at rack and manger Take me into your hives said he and I Will teach your young ones curious melody I am a Fidler Bees this answer made Not so we 'l teach our young ones our own trade To get their living 't is to us a riddle Who are concern'd to live should meerly siddle Mor. To childrens education this care give So bring them up they may know how to live FAB 229. Of an Ass that was the Trumpeter and a Hare that was the Letter post THe King of beasts with birds commenc'd a war He to the earth belongs they to the air They of two elements could not agree He 'd have the Ass and Hare his souldiers be The Hare is fearful and the Ass is slow The Bear alledg'd neither of them will doe Said th' Lyon Ass my Trumpeter shall be The Hare my Letter-post for swift is he Mor. All are of use know we but how to use 'em As all may hurt us if we do abuse 'em Though it may seem in war they useless are Lyon knows what to do with th' Ass and Hare FAB 230. Of the Hawks which fell out amongst themselves which the Pigeons made friends THe Hawks among themselves had wont to jar The silly Pigeons laid to heart that war Made peace betwixt them at a solemn diet But then the other birds could not be quiet They least of all as who should say a spight They ought them cause they would not let them fight But husht their civil wars and made a close Hawks would be fighting witness the hawks nose Mor. Help Hawks for to fall out hinder them not If they agree Pigeons must go to pot When they have civil wars laugh in your hoods When Thieves fall out true neen come by their goods FAB 231. Of the Governour that was condemned of money unjustly taken AGriping Praetor feather'd had his nest For his exaction was call'd to the test He was a Sponge did hugely suck and suck Was full as he could hold of wealth and muck Came to be squeez'd such sponges squeez'd must be Forc'd to restore his ill-got wealth was he They that first get then loose unlawful gain Conceive with pleasure but bring forth with pain As women do one said that understood He lost what he had got like drops of blood Mor. Stoln goods are sweet when they at first are ta'ne Bitter as gall when they 're cast up again FAB 232. Of the old man that would put off Death TO an old man death himself did appear Thou must pack hence said he as I am here Good Death said he be patient until You give me time at least to make my Will And for so great a journey to provide He did beg as for life but was deny'd Said he great patience 't was I did not take Thee hence e're now Is thy Will yet to make Time after time I did thee warning give 'T is next a miracle that thou dost live Your face said he I never saw before Spare me a while and I 'le intreat no more Ne're saw my face said death will you say so Who men like grass use with my Sythe to mow Men younger than your self and children too You must ne're think such an excuse will doe Nay in thy self I a long time have dwelt Me in thine eyes and ears thou might'st have felt Death in thy limbs and death in all thy senses No warning to have had are vain pretences Life's part in thee death 's more than countervail Did though not yet thou' rt dead as a door nail Therefore old man let not vain hopes abuse thee March off thou must and shalt I 'le not excuse thee Mor. Death till it come in earnest is derided And when it comes finds most men unprovided Though many warning Arrows it doth dart They won't be took men play loth to depart FAB 233. Of the Man that spake to his bags of money AN old Syncator ready for to die Had got his wealth by fraud and bribery Before he di'd would parly with his bag How he came by it he 'd no cause to brag But how it should be spent he wish'd to know Whom to make merry it at last should go The bag made answer to his small content E'ne upon feasts and whores it will be spent And Pluto to in rich that great tormentor More fool wer 't thou to get it at a venture Mor. 'T is a
Fish there came Of no small bulk and price so very tame That it did leap into their Peter boat 'T was hunted by another you must note That one was worth a power of other fish 'T was dear sold for 't would make a lovely dish What pains would do the Fisherman had tri'd Fortune perform'd what industry deni'd Mor. Industrious men use to have best success Though fortune without pains seems them to bless She would be thank'd alone and therefore she Cries give men luck and throw them into th' sea FAB 27. Of the Fishermen SOme Fisher-men were over-joy'd their net i th' Sea so heavy felt did hope to get A mighty booty when it came to land It prov'd another thing when 't came to hand But the great weight may 't please you was a stone That for a Salmon how did they bemoan A stone was then the most that they could get They found that all 's not fish that comes to net One wiser than the rest bid them employ Their minds to think Sorrow 's a kin to joy This was a stone the next a fish may be Humane vicissitudes we must foresee Mor. Man 's married to fate and 't is his curse H' accepts it not for better and for worse Every mans case is very agauish Sometimes we meet with stones sometimes with fish FAB 28. Of an old man that wished for Death AN aged man like the man in the moon Loaded with sticks cry'd out he was undone He seem'd to wish for death tir'd out of measure Death quickly came desir'd to know his pleasure Sir death said he I nothing else do lack But that you 'd lift my burthen on my back I laid it down can't get it up again Refresh'd I 'm willing to renew my pain Mor. Life upon any terms most men would have They have a strong aversion to the grave Wishing for death they say they know not what For when death comes then any thing but that FAB 29. Of the woman and the Physician A Womans eyes were very much enflam'd The course-she took was no ways to be blam'd Sought to a Doctor for his best advice In case he cur'd her promis'd a great price For all his pains but if she cur'd were not By his endeavours nothing should be got He went to work bled her and Issues made And did what else did belong to his trade He clos'd her eyes lest the light should offend Or her or him her Goods he did intend And took them all away though by degrees And in so doing pay'd himself large fees When that was done he told her that she saw But she said no and so they went to law This argument she us'd 't was all in one Before I could see Goods now can see none Mor. They 'l contradict themselves who have a mind To save their money she said she was blind And yet she saw her goods were took away Covetous people care not what they say FAB 30. Of the two Enemies TWo men there were whom one house could not hold Though one Ship did they were so apt to scold Their enmity was easie to discern One got to th' Prow the other to the Stern 'T was come to that they had cause to mistrust Whom one house could not hold one Sea soon must Of being cast away began to think He at the Prow did ask which side would sink First of the two the Pilot said the stern 'T was like a mighty Cordial from Mayem With a good courage follow him I durst Said he if I may but see him go first Mor. Some are so bent their enemies to undoe They say we 'l perish may they perish too Revenge on some men hath so great a charm Their own good 's less to them than their foe's harm FAB 31. Of the Boy and Fortune BLind fortune spi'd a boy asleep to be Close by a well strange blind and yet did see Sweet heart to call thee hence I hither came Said he shouldst thou fall in I 'se bear the blame Mor. Some that they might pretend to innocence Cast all their faults upon Gods providence FAB 32. Of the mice and the Cat. A Cat perceiv'd a magazine of mice In a good house went thither in a trice Made woful havock did her belly fill Reserv'd the rest time after time to kill Therefore the mice in a full number met To that same trade resolv'd some bounds to set It us behoveth as our selves we love Not to go down say they but keep above Out of the reach of Puss where she can't come Or she 'l kill all the mice as she has some Puss knew their plot and forthwith did project How she might make it be of none effect Hung her self by the heels upon a post Not by the neck she was a cunning tost When they shall see Puss hang'd they 'l think she 's dead Thought she One mouse had more wit in his head If that be th' Cat I doubt she is not dead Quoth he she hangs by th' heels not by the head The Proverb saith Dead women doe not trust Then were she dead dead Cat much less I must Nay though the eighth time dead for though mens wives Doe live but once they say Cats have nine lives Mor. Less than a mouse is he that will believe A cheating knave that did him once deceive Who cheats me once a knave shall be his name Mine fool if I 'm twice cheated by the same Of whom by one cheat I have warning ta'ne Though'd hang himself shall not cheat me again FAB 33. Of the Ape and the Fox AN Ape so neatly danc'd they made him king 'T was a brave dance that made a royal thing The Fox did think his wit might him advance No less than did the Ape his skilful dance 'T would make a Fox look red to see an Ape Prefer'd before him though he have a shape More like to mans that said an Ape 's an Ape And a Fox is a Fox for all his shape Fox led the APe Foxes Apes use to lead The Ape as void of Head as tail no dread Had of the Fox he led him to a ditch Where some body flesh with a snare did pitch That is a treasure which belongs to kings Said the Fox to the Ape therefore those things Are thine be pleas'd to seize them to thy use He catcht at them was caught soon saw th' abuse The Fox had put upon him and complain'd Of his deceit but thereby only gain'd This answer thou hast well deserv'd this thing For thinking thou deserv'dst to be a king Mor. Ambition ends in scorn when an Ape dares Accept of Kingship Foxes will lay snares Aim not too high nor dare to fly at all Who vainly soar take but the greater fall FAB 34. Of Jupiter and the Crow OF Birds a great assembly Jove did call To try which was the finest bird of all The finest bird he did intend for King For personage in a Prince is a good thing The