quod the Iudge thou shalt proue that thou sayest that I may iudge therof right or else I will martyr thée with him Then she bicause no profe was made was tormented and the fellony enquired off In the ende the théefe declared al and many other theftes whiche he had committed whereof the Iudge commaunded to hang him vp out of hand Mor. Who so accuseth any one lette him first examin him self whether he be of like faulte gyltie 387 Of the Hauke and the Cuckoe THe Hauke sometime mocked the Cuckoe bicause that being as big bodied as hée and in colour like him for his faynte courage he did liue by wormes and not by the swéete flesh of other birdes Not long after the Cuckoe espied the Hauke hang out of a high Toure being caught in pursuing Pigeons to whom he sayde Howe farre better hadde it bin to haue hunted wormes than other mens birds Mor. Their life is safer that being voyd of perill are content with their owne thā those which by coueting other mens goods come in daunger 388 Of a Grammarian teaching an Asse A Certein Grammarian boasted that he was so passing fine in his arte that if he might haue a sufficiēt reward he would take vpō him to teach not only childrē but also Asses The Prince hearing of y e mans rashnesse asked him whither he thought he could teach an Asse within ten yeares if he gaue him 50. Crownes The shamelesse man aunswered that he would not refuse to be slayne of him if in that space the Asse could not write and reade His friendes hearing of this maruelled rebuked him bicause he had promised to doe a thing not only hard but also impossible they did feare least when the time had bin expired he should be slayne of the King whome he answered Before this tyme be come out either the Prince the Asse or I will die Mor. Delay of time is cōmonly wont to be a helpe for those whiche stande in daunger 389 Of a man that would trie his friends THere was a certein man very riche and liberal which had many friends whom often times he hadde bid to supper to the which willingly they came and bicause he might y e better know whither they would be trustie in time of néede he assembled thē togither told them that he had foes lately vpstart which he meaned to destroy praying them therfore to arme themselues and come with him to reuēge his quarell then euery one began to excuse him selfe sauing two which he accounted for his friendes afterward loued them dearely but the other he reiected Mor. The best trier of friendes is aduersitie 390 Of a yong man and an old A Certen old man espied a yong man gathering of his frute whome he gently entreated to come downe from the trée and not to purloyne his goods but he spake to the winde for he lightly regarded his age and his woords Ah quod the olde man I haue hearde that not onely in woordes but also in herbes force consisteth wherevpon he began to pluck the leaues and cast them at him The yong man séeing him doe so laughed out of measure supposing that hée doted to driue him downe with leaues The olde man willing to assaye him by gentle meanes when he perceyued that he coulde nothing preuayle sayde I will proue what stones will doo for in them men saye there is vertue and forthwith filled his lap with stones which he caste at the yong mā and perforce made him come downe and departe Mor. A wise man ought to assaye all manner ways before he take any weapon in hande 391 Of the Lyon and the Bull. A Bull being afrayde of a Lyon fledde away and by chaūce met with a Gote who with frounting coūtenaunce threatned to strike him with his hornes to whome the Bull full of wrath sayd It is not the knitting of thy browes feareth mée but y t the fierce Lion is so néere at my héeles thou shouldest féele what it were to medle with a Bull and to renew his wounde Mor. To the sorowfull ought no more miserie be added who that hath bin once in trouble hath tasted sorowe inough 392 Of a Larke A Certeine Larke by chaunce builded hir nest in a piece of wheat that was somwhat riper than other whence hir yong ones were not able to flie when the corne was yellowe As she was going foorth to séeke meats she warned thē if any noueltie hapned to be done or sayd to marke it wel and at hir returne to certifie hir thereof after hir departure the owner of the corne came thither and sayd to a yong man hys sonne Séest not thou that this corne is rype and néedeth labourers to morrowe therfore by breake of the daye goe to my friends desire thē to helpe me in w t my harnest when he had so sayde he departed When the Larke returned to hir yong ones they came fluttering about hir and prayed hir out of hande to haste and carry them away for the owner had sent to his friendes willing them to come the nexte morning to reape his corne She bad them be of good cheare and feare nothing for if the Lorde of the ground haue remitted the matter to his friends to morrowe it shall not be cut downe The nexte day she flew abroade again for meate the Lord wayted for his bidden friendes the Sunne waxed hot but nothing was done neyther any friende of his came Then sayde hée to his sonne I sée well that these my friendes for the most part are loyterers let vs therfore entreate our kinsfolks and neyghbours to morrowe betimes to come hir Chickens were then afrayd and tolde it to their mother she bad them to leaue of feare care for none of alliaunce would be so obedient as to come at a becke especially to labour take you héed only if ought be sayd agayn The nexte morning she went abroade as before his kinsfolks left the work vndone The owner séeing that sayd to his sonne Adieu both friendes and Cousins bring thou to morrowe at the breake of the daye two sickles one for mée another for thée we with our owne handes will reape it When hir yong ones told hir this she said It is time to be packing for that he sayde without doubte shall come to passe for on him that ought it the labour is turned not where it was required and thus the Lark shifted hir nest and the corne was reaped Hereof Ennius writeth these two Verses This sentence in thy minde beare thou in any wise Looke for no helpe of friends where thy helpe may suffise 393 Of a Foxe taken A Foxe being taken in the snares of a Countryman of whose Hens he hadde killed many desired a Cock of whom only he was séene that he would eyther bring him a knife to cut the ginne or else say nothing to his maister till he had gnawne it a sunder with his téeth The Cocke promised both
stoode beneath willing him to performe his promisse Nay verily quod the Dog but if from henceforth thou finde me sléeping without doores tary not at all vpon hope of any mariage Mor The burnt hand euer after feareth the fire 19 Of the Asse and the Foxe AN Asse put on a Lyons skinne and walked abroade putting all other beastes in feare who on a tyme séeing a Fox endeuoured to make him also afrayed But hée for by chaunce he heard him braye sayd to him Thou knowest well that I would haue trembled at thée if I had not heard thy braying Mor. Some vnlearned men whiche outwardly beare coūtenance through their babling are reproued 20 Of the Egle and the Pye THe Pye sometyme desired the Egle to make him one of his friends of hys housholde bycause the beauty of hys body deserued it and also the redinesse of his speach to do messages I woulde so doo sayd the Egle but I feare least that which I speak within doores thou wouldest preache it abroad on the house tops Mor. Keepe no bablers nor teltales in thy house 21 Of a Nightingale fearing the Kite A Nightingale espying a Kyte flying abroad in the aire making a great crying was sore afrayde to whome the Tyrustie sayde Feare not sister for this preparation to fight these threatnings will light at length eyther on a little mouse or a chicken we must take héede of the Hanke whose gripes we shal first féele ere we heare his voyce Mor. Quiet and close men are more to be dreaded than threatners great pratlers 22 Of a Countreyman that would passe ouer a Ryuer A Coūtryman ready to passe a streame which by chaunce was sodenly rysen with late rayne that fell sought the shallow When he had assayed that parte of the Riuer which was calmest he founde it déeper than he supposed agayn where it was roughest there he foūd it shallowest than he bethought hym whyther he might committe hys life to the calmest place of the water or to the roughest Mor. Dread those lesse whiche are full of wordes and threatnings than those that say nothing 23 Of a Harte and a Vyne A Hart escaping the hunters lay hidde vnder a vine When they were a litle past hir she supposing she lay safe began to féede on the vine leaues Which being stirred the Hunters returned and iudging as it was in déede some beaste to lurke vnder the leaues they with their arrowes slew the harte who as she lay a dying sayd thus Rightly am I serued for I ought not to haue hurte that which saued me Mor. They which do any wrong to their benefactors are punished of god 23 Of a man bitten with a Dog A Certen man being bitten by a Dog wente aboute séeking for helpe At length one met hym who as soone as he vnderstood what he would sayde to him If thou wouldest be healed thou shalt néed no surgion only let y e dog which bit thée licke the bloud from thy sore for better remedie than this can not be founde The other smyling at him sayd If I do so I shall be bitten of Dogs dayly more and more Mor. Naughty men hauing receyued good turnes are the sooner ready to render displeasure 24 Of an Asse that serued an vnkinde Maister AN Asse serued a certen man many yeares in which time he neuer offended him It happened afterwarde being heauy laden that he stumbled in a rough way and fell vnder hys burthen Then his cruell Maister bette him sore and in spite of his harte forced him to ryse calling him a slouthfull and sluggish beast but this poore wretch thought thus with him selfe Miserable is my estate which haue happened to so vnkinde a Maister for though I haue serued him a long time without displeasing him yet doth he not forgyue me this one faulte in recompēce of the good seruice that I haue done him Mor. This Fable is against those which forgette the benefites that they haue receyued and greuously punishe the least offence of their benefactors toward them done 25 Of the Mouse that set the Kight at libertie A Mouse espied the Kight taken in a Foulers grin on whom he toke compassion though he were hys moste enimie and gnewe the knots in pieces and set him at libertie The Kight remembring the good turn no lōger than it was in doing When he perceyued him selfe loose layd holde on the poore Mouse and with his talents tore him in pieces Mor. Wicked men in like manner are wont to recompence theyr benefactors 26 Of a Husbandman pricked by a Bee A Husbandman being stoong by a Bée maruelled that oute of the selfe same mouth so swéete iuyce procéeded and so grieuous a sting The Bée aunswered the more beneficiall I am y e more I hate them which do me wrong Mor. The more good men doo the lesse iniurie they endure 27 Of the tree Abrotanum and the Hare THe propertie of Abrotanum is to drawe oute any thing that sticketh fast with the helpe of Auxangia Wherfore on a tyme came a Hare halting to him for a thorne which stuck in his foote and sayde O Phisitian both of body and soule take pitie on me and helpe me and forthwith shewed his right foote This trée being moued with compassion put him selfe vpon the wounde brought oute the thorne and healed it Wherfore the Hare remembring thys benefite caried dayly a flaggō of water on his shoulders and watered the roote of the trée wherby he caused it to continue fresh and gréene Mor. Let vs alwayes gladly serue our benefactors 28 Of the Crowe and the Dog AS the Crowe was offering sacrifice to Minerua she bad the Dog to hir good cheare but he aunswered hir Why doest thou bestowe sacrifice to no purpose For the Goddesse so hateth thée that she suffereth thée to haue no credit in any diuination To whome the Crowe sayd for that cause the more do I sacrifice vnto hir that I might get hir fauour agayne Mor. Many for aduauntage feare not to benefite their enimies 29 Of a Hunter and a Partriche A Hunter hadde caught a Partriche whiche as hée would haue killed she besought him pardon for hir lyfe to set hir at libertie promising to bring to hys net many Partriches The Fouler answered hir redily agayn saying I think that nowe thou arte more woorthy of death bicause thou hast giuen thy woord to betray thy friend Mor. He whiche goeth about by deceyt to vndoo his friend runneth headlong into miserie 30 Of the Dolphin and the Eele A Certeyne Dolphin finding an Eele in the sea pursued after hir whome when he had often caught but could not holde bycause of hir slippernesse he was wonderfull sory But the Eele being disposed to mock him and therby to escape spake craftely to the Dolphin I am sorie for thée that thou art too muche wéeryed and gréeued with swimming after mée but thy labor is lost for in the déepe waters thou
is strōger than thou if not stronger yet craftier with his pollicie to gyue thée the foyle 43 Of a Foxe and women eating of a Hen. THe Foxe passing by a farme house espied a great route of women eating Hens sumptuously prepared but God wot there was no talke amongst them to whom she sayd what crying and barking of dogs would be after me if I shold doo as ye doo Thou wicked beast quod an old woman we eate that is our own but thou stealest from others Mor. We may not be so bolde with other mens goods as y e right owners 44 Of a Dog and Wolues A Great barking Dog was a sore enimie to the Wolues for when they would haue entred the citie he kept them out wherfore they also hated the dogge whom they would fayne haue killed At length they sent two Ambassadours to y e Dog desiring him to come abroad into y e fields and they would make him their king bycause he was mighty and valiaunt The foolish curre consented went with them whom they brought safely to y e other wolues that tare him in pieces Mor. Hée that will be hardy let him kéepe him selfe in a sure defence 45 Of the Pecocke and the Crane THe Pecocke and the Crane somtyme supped togither amōgst other talke the Pecocke bragged muche of his fayre tayle despising the Crane he graunted y t she was a faire birde in that pointe yet was he able with his stoute flying to enter amongst the clouds when she coulde scarse flye to the house toppe Mor. Let not one thinke scorne of another euery one hath his proper gift vertue for he that wāteth thy qualitie perhaps hath y t which thou lackest 46 Of a Knight which had a brauling wife THere dwelt a Knight at Florence descended of a noble bloud whiche had a wayward and brauling wife that dayly went to hir ghostly Father to whom she complayned of hir husbāds demeanure for which he much blamed the Knight It happened not long after that she desired hir ghostly father to set hir hir husband at quiet wherevppon he called him to shrift saying that if he came he doubted not but to make them friendes againe The Knight agréeing the other required him to make declaration of his faultes In fayth quod y e knight it shall not néed for I know that my wife hath often tolde thee al that euer I did yea and more too 47 Of Arion and the Dolphin ARion was an auncient man came of a noble linage he could sing to the harpe he was borne in the citie of Methimne in the Isle of Lesbus whom Periander King of Corinthe loued for his cunnings sake from whom he departed to sée the famous countrey of Sicilie and Italie When he was come thyther had well delighted the eares and contented the minds of most mē in those partes he gayned greatly and liued in pleasure loue of all men Afterwarde hauing gathered much substance he minded to returne to Corinth whervpon he hired a Corinthian ship and mariners of that coaste bycause he hoped to find friendship at their hands The Corinthians receyued him and laūched into the déepe who being gréedy of this great praie of money tooke counsell to kill Arion He vnderstanding of hys destruction gaue them al the money that he had praying them only to saue his life But being past hope and sore afrayde he requested that before his death he might put on his apparell and take his Harpe sing a mourning song to cōfort hys harté withall The Mariners though they were hard harted and cruell desiring to heare him graunted his petitiō He being clad as he was accustomed standing in y ◠hinder part of the ship song with a loude voyce the song called Orithium In the end of his song as he stood with his harpe and in his clothes he cast him selfe intoo the Sea The shipmen nothing doubting but that he was drowned kept on their voyage But a straunge and wonderfull thing happened for a Dolphin sodeynly swam by receyued him caried hym on his backe aboue the water and brought him safe soūd to Tenarus in the land of Laconia frō whēce Arion went straight to Corinthe and shewed him selfe to King Periander and howe he was caried of the Dolphin declaring all that happened The King little beleeued this but commaunded him safely to be kept til y e truth were tried The mariners were sought for and Arion sent out of the way who being brought before the king he demaūded of them making no semblant that he had knowledge of Arion whyther they hearde any thing of him in the parties whence they came they aunswered that when they set foorth he was in Italie and liued wel there and was highly estéemed in the cities and also was excéeding rich Whiles they thus spake in came Arion with his Harpe hauing on the same apparell wherewith he lept into the Sea wherby the shipmē being amazed pricked in conscience could not denie it Mor. In brute beasts we shall somtyme finde more friendshippe than in couetous men which care for nothing but riches neyther haue any sparke of humanitie but the only phisnomie 48 Of a Kid and a Wolfe A Kid straying frō the flock and being pursued by a Wolf turned backe to him sayde O wolf bycause I am persuaded y t thou shalt eate mée play first on thy pipe that I may daunce least I die in sorow As the wolf was playing and the Kid daūcing y e dogs heard it chased the wolf who sayd to the kid I haue well deserued this for I ought not being a cooke to counterfet a minstrell Mor. They whiche regarde not that wher vnto thei are naturally inclined but assaye that which to others belongeth fall into aduersitie 49 Of the Crab and the Foxe A Crab fish came forth of the sea fed the Foxe being hungry séeing him caught him who being ready to be deuoured sayd I am wel serued which being a fishe of the sea would liue on land Mor. Those mē are iustly miserable y t forsaking their proper sciēce doo medle w t that which becommeth them not 50 Of the Aple tree and the Pomegranat tree THe Pomgranat and the Apple trée cōtended aboute their beautie When they hadde continued long in stryfe togyther a bush which was their neighbour often hearing them at length sayd It is tyme friends to be at one Mor. The vilest persons sometyme will medle in their betters matters 51 Of a Dog and his Maister A Certen man had a Dog whome he alwayes fed with his owne handes bycause he should loue him the more and when he was bound he loosed him But yet he cōmaunded hys seruant to tye him vp and beate him to the ende the dogge might perceyue he loued him that hys seruant did not The dog taking it gréeuously to be dayly tied and beaten ranne away Whom when his maister rebuked as
had so far followed them neither had left their cōpanie The Wolues made light of hym bycause he followed not thē but their praie in y t he wold as soon deuoure the harts of wolues if they should be slayn as of any other beast Mor. We must always mark not y t we doo but of what mynde we are in doing 62 Of the father and his sons A Husband man had many yong men to his sons which wer always at variāce whom hée diligently endeuored to vnite in loue toogether and bycause hée wold plainly opē to thē the incōueniēces of theyr discord hée brought a bundell of small sticks whiche he cōmaunded them to bynde with a little corde and then to breake it in péeces they being but yong and weake did their good wyll to breake it but coulde not preuayle Then theyr father loosed it and gaue euery of them a little rod therof which euery one according to his strength did easily breake and foorthwith he sayde to them Sonnes if ye would agrée and sticke thus one to an other no man were able to vanquishe you but if ye be eyger to hurt and pursue one an other with mortal hatred ye shal soone be a praie for your enimie Mor By concord small thyngs encrease By discord great thyngs wast and consume 63 Of Bulles and a Lyon THer were foure Bulls which agréeed to sticke one too an other as well in wealth as in woe whome the Lyon perceiued féeding together and therfore was afraide too assaile them though hée were verie hungry but in the ende he deuised by some crafty way to seuer them whom after they were parted he soon tore them in péeces Mor. Nothing is surer than concord and discord maketh the mighty weak 64 Of a Lyon which begged of the Wolfe part of his praie THe Wolf and the For entred felowship and went a hunting to whome as they were diuiding the Harte whiche they had taken the Lion came by chaūce and chalenged the third part of the praie bycause he was king of foure footed beastes but the Wolf denyed it then the Lion being angry layd hold on the Wolfe with his clawes and plucked the skinne cleane from his head and made it redde whereby the Wolfe escaped searse with his life After the Lion turned to the For and sayde What sayest thou Forsooth my lorde the Kyng quod he I graunte not only y e third part but also the whole Hart vnto you What quod the Lion hath any body taught thée to answere so wysely Yea sir sayde the Fore The redde hatte which you put on my fellow the Wolfe hath taught me Mor. Better it is sometime to graūt a part than to léese the whole 66 Of a Snayle THe Snayle being offended that he cōtinually abode in moyst and low places desired the Egle of whome he had heard that shée flewe so hygh that shée myght beholde the greatest parte of the Earth on euery side to cary hym vp on high wherby he myghte at once beholde both Hilles and Gaileys the Fields and she Sea Whiche thing when the Egle hadde quickly done shee cast him downe whereby he fell on the grounde and was dashed in péeces Mor Let no mā exalt himself higher than his state nature doth require 67 Of the Doue and the Kyte IN time past the Doues kept war with the Kyte whom bicause they woulde banquishe they chose the Hauke too bée theyr Kyng When hée was come to the kingdome hée was rather a mortall enimie to them than a King he caughte and destroyed them as fast as the Kite Then the Doues were wonderful sory for that they had doone and iudged it muche safer for them to haue endured the perpetuall warres of the Kite than the tyrānie and oppression of the Hauke Mor. Let no man bée too much grieued wyth hys estate for nothyng is blessed on euery syde 68 Of a Husbandman A Certeyne husbandman was discontented that he dayly ploughed his earth and could attayn no great wealth through his toyling had séen some souldiers whiche when warre was broken vp had so encreased theyr substance that they went wel apparailed fared sumptuously and liued in all pleasure Wherevppon hée solde his Sheepe Goates and Dxen and bought horse and Armoure and went a warfare where bycause he played not the man as he ought he was spoyled of al that he had wounded sore then he misliked warfare and mynded to occupye marchandise hoping for greater gayne lesse payne when he had sold his Farme and laded his shyppe with marchandise he launched out into the déepe where sodeynly there arose a great tempest of weather the shyp was drowned and he with all his companie were caste away Mor. Let euery man be content with his estate seing that miserie is euery where at hand 68 Of the Hare and the Fox THe Hare and the Foxe made theyr peticions too Iupiter the one desired swiftnesse to his subtiltie the other subtiltie to his swiftnesse Iupiter aunswered them In the begynning of y e world wée gaue euery beaste his propre gifte bountifully now if one should haue had all other had ben wronged Mor. God hath bestowed his gifts so indifferently vpon euery mā that we ought with our state to be satisfied 69 Of the Elme and the Osier THere sprong vp an Elme in the bank of a Riuer whiche mocked an Dsier that grew next him for his weakenesse bicause that with the least beating of the water he moued but of his own strēgth and stoutnesse he boasted excedingly and howe that he had continued there many yeares not able to be shaken by the violence of the water It hapned on a tyme that by force of the waues he was brokē downe and caried away by the streame Then the Dsier mocked hym saying Whither away neyghbour wilte thou nowe forsake me Where is nowe thy strength become Mor. Those men are wiser that giue place to their betters than they that doo contende and haue a fowle ouerthrowe 70 Of the Serpent and the Crab. THe Serpente and the Crab being entred friendship liued together The Crab being a true meaner exhorted him to leaue off his gyle but he would not obey him the Crab therfore watched him when he was a sléepe and as well as hée coulde pressed hym downe and slue hym be séeing the serpent when he was deade sayd Thou oughtest afore too haue bene strayght and simple and then thou hadst escaped this punishment Mor. They which go craftily to their friends doo rather hurt them selues 72 Of the Hart and the Wolfe A Hart sometyme accused a Shepe before the Wolfe that he ought hym a bushell of wheate The Shéepe in very déede knew nothing of this yet for feare of the Wolfe promysed payment A day was set which being come the Hart put the Shepe in remembraunce therof she denyed it excusing that promise too bee made for feare of the Wolues presence Forced promises are not to be
whereof they perceyued to bée that the Belly hauing receyued y e meate did equally parte it to euery member whervpon they became friends agayne Mor. Great things by discorde decaye but small things by concorde are of force 123 Of the Frog and the Crab. A Frogge séeing a Crab swimming by the water side sayd What is he so ylfauoured and foule that dare trouble my water séeing I am mightie and strong I will put him to flight When he had so sayd he lept vpon the Crab saying why wast not thou ashamed O wretch to enter into my resting place Didst not thou blush being so foule and so black to defile the cleare water The Crab as his maner is began to go backe and sayde I pray thée sister say not so for I would be at one with thée therfore come not thus vpon mée The Frog séeing him go back supposed that he did it for feare of him whereby he waxed more fierse against him saying Drawe not back thou filth for thou maist not escape this day will I giue thy flesh to the fish and incontinent he skipped vpō him to kill him The Crab séeing the present daunger turned about and with his clawes byt the Frog tore him in pieces Mor. Euery man as much as in him lieth let him studie to auoyde warre and discord 124 Of a Leopard and an Vnicorne fighting with a Dragon THe Leopard sometime fought with y e Dragon against whome bycause he could not preuayle he besought the Vnicorne to ayde him and sayd Thou art a goodly beast expert in fighting valiaūt wherfore I pray thée helpe me The Vnicorne hearing this commendatiō of himself aunswered Thou sayst truthe for I haue skill in fighting and therfore I wil valiauntly defende thée for when y e Dragon shall open his mouthe I will thrust him into the throte with my horne Whē they were both come to the Dragon the Leopard gaue the onset trusting to the strength of the Vnicorne but the Dragō fought with them spit fire at them The Vnicorne séeing him open his mouth ran hastely to thrust him through but he cast his head at one side whereby y e Vnicorne missing him smot his horne fast into the ground and died Mor. Hée that wil fight for another séeketh his owne destruction 125 Of the enuious Dog and the Oxe A Dogge lay sléeping in a racke full of hey thyther came an Oxe to féede The Dog séeing him comming barked for bad him To whom the Oxe sayd the Diuell choke thée with this thy despite which neyther canst eate hey thy self nor yet will suffer me Mor. Many are of that disposition y t they will grudge others that whiche they for lacke of wit can not attayne vnto 126 Of a yong Man A Certen yong Man espied an old man going crooked like a bent bow whom he asked if he would sell a bowe Haste thou quod hée any néede to loose thy money If thou liue til my age nature shal giue thée a bowe without money Mor. The faultes of age are not to be laughed at bicause no man if he liue can escape it 127 Of a Countryman and Peares A Certein gluttonous man tooke hys iourney to go to a Wedding wherevnto he was biddē By the way he found an heape of peares but none of them he touched albeit he was excéeding hungry which in cōtempt he made water on for he thought scorne of such meate going to so good cheare But as he passed on his way he came to a streame lately risen with rayne whiche without daunger of his life he could not passe ouer therefore he returned home againe and by the way he was so hungry bicause of his lōg fasting that if he had not eatē the peares that he pissed on séeing there was nothing else he had famished Mor. Despise nothing for what is so vile or base that will not at one time or another serue for some purpose 128 Of a man that refused Clysters A Certen rich German fell sick to whō came many Phisitians to cure him for to hony come flies by heapes amōgst whome one helde opinion that he must take a Clyster if he woulde récouer hys health The pacient hearing this bicause hée had neuer taken any such medicine was wood angrie and commaunded all y e Phisitians to be put out of doores saying that they were mad whiche would minister to his tayle when his head aked Mor. All holsome things seeme tedious to them which neuer assayed thē 129 Of a Deceyuer A Certein poore man being sick vowed to the Gods if he might recouer hys health an hundred Oxen in sacrifice the Gods bicause they would trie him made him whole When he was well bicause he had no Oxen he made an hundred Oxē of paste which on the Altar he sacrifised The Gods meaning to punish him therfore appeared to him in a dreame sayd Go to the sea shore in such a place there thou shalt find an hūdred talents of gold This fellow when he awaked reioysing greatly went to the place y t was shewed him and sought for it where he was takē by Pirates whome he prayed for his liberty promising thē a M. talents of gold but to him they gaue no credit but caried him away and solde him for a M. Grotes Mor. God hateth dissemblers lyers 130 Of a Cat and Mise A Cat hearing that there were many Mise in a certein house came thither of which those that she caught she deuoured The Mise séeing them selues dayly diminished agréed togither to come down no more least they should al be destroied for if the Cat come not hither sayd they we shall be safe The Cat perceyuing the Mise descended not thought by deceyt to take them and climbed vp on a beame wheron she hanged hir self fayning to be dead whom one of the Mise as he looked downward espied and sayd to him verily my friende though I knewe thou were dead yet would I not come downe Mor. A wise man once deceyued through the falshood of a wicked man will neuer after credite hys dissimulation 131 Of the Wolf and the Sheepe A Wolfe being bitten by Dogs and euill entreated laye prostrate along he lacking meate espied a shéep whome he desired to bring him some of the running water to drink saying If thou wilt giue me drink I will prouide meate my self she aunswered if I giue thée drink thou wilt eate mée Mor. This Fable is against an euil body whiche by dissimulation lyeth in wayte 132 Of the sicke Asse THe report was that the Asse lay sick nigh at the point of death there came both the Wolues and Dogges to visite him and demaunded of his Sonne howe his Father dyd he aunswered looking through the chinkes of the doore better than ye would Mor. This Fable speaketh of them that fayne to take heauily the death of other where as they wishe them dead long before 133 Of a Foxe A Foxe came into
a Vineyarde where he espyed faire clusters of Grapes which were ripe of them fayne would he eate and bicause they were past his reach he thought to find some shift to gette them but perceyuing his labor to be lost and that by no meanes he could satisfie his desire he turned his sorowe into ioye saying Those Clusters be yet to soure to eate for they would set my téeth on edge Mor. It is wisdome to dissemble that he careth not for that whiche he knoweth he can not get 134 Of a man that would kil a Hog IT was a custome in a certeyn Citie of Picene in Italie that he whiche killed a Hog in Winter should bid his neighbours to supper Now there was one which minded to kill a Hog but lothe he was to be at any charges wherevppon he asked the aduise of his Godfather how he might shifte of the expences Tell abroade quod hée to morow that this night there was a Hog stollen from thée It happened the same night he nothing mistrusting it that one verily conueyed a Hogge from him In the morning whē he rose he looked for his hogs wherof missing one he wént incōtinent to his Godfather and cried a loude that one of his Hogs were stollē Wel done quod hée thou playest y ◠wise fellow for so I taught thée to speake the other swore by all the Gods he did not lie I conne thee thāk sayd his Godfather thou followest wel my coūsell The other for all that did sweare and stare the more that it was true Thou arte to be cōmended quod hée for I for warned thée so to saye and my counsell was good The other seing him selfe thus flouted departed heauily 135 Of the Egle that cited al maner of birds THe Eagle called togither all manner of wildfoule which being assembled as he corrected certein faultes there came Hunters which set abroade their nets to catche the birds The Egle seing the present daūger made proclamation by his criers that all should follow the banner of the Egle flie with hir if they would escape then as many as flew with hir escaped but some gluttonous disobediēt who beholding the pray coueting it flew into y e nets wherin being entangled they cried piteously Mor. Hée that will not obey falleth into mischief 136 Of a Satyr and a wayfaring Man A Satyr which in old time was counted God of the Woods walking abroade found a wayfaring mā couered with snow nigh dead with cold on whom taking pitie he brought him into his denne made a fire cherished him It happened that the Satir espied him breathing on his hands wher of demaūding the cause he answered to heate his hands And being set downe to meate the trauayler blowed on fried barley that was on his trencher He asked againe why he did so to coole it quod he Thē the Satir draue him out of his denne told him that he would harbor none that had so variable a mouth Mor. Deale not with that man which hath a double hart or is vnstable in hys wordes 137 Of a tyrannous Griffon THe Griffon sometime tooke vppon him the gouernement of a Realme whiche with Tyrannie he ruled commaunding that no Straunger should bye or sell any thing amongst them Secondly that none shoulde come from other Countreys to them Thirdly that none of hys subiectes should trauell to other places These thrée things being straightly executed he liued in pleasure and waxed riche whereof he neuer gaue any thing It happened that his Countrey was destroyed by lightning and tempestes wherefore hys Citizens cried out that they might trauaile abroade least they died for hunger Then he sent Ambassadoures to other Nations desiring to sell them of their marchādise and barter them at their pleasure But they denied it bycause he neuer would sell any thing to thē then he required that they woulde come with their ware to him but they woulde not Last of all he prayed them to receyue him and his people being then in miserie but they sayd Thou wouldest neuer come till néede made thée therefore we will not receyue thée Then hée and his people being thus reprobate died miserably Mor. We must doo as we woulde be done vnto 138 Of a Pie and a Cuckow A Pie espying a Cuckow lurking amōgst the boughes of a trée supposed it to be a Hauke wher with being moued flewe away which thing other birdes néere at hād beholding mocked the Pie that in stead of a Hauke she flew frō the Cuckow she answered I had rather be mocked of you thā my friends should wéepe for mée Mor. It is better to minister occasion for our foes to laugh at than our friends to wéepe at 139 Of a Serpent A Serpent being troden vpon by many made his moane to Iupiter but he sayd to him If thou hadst stinged him whiche first kicked thée the next would neuer haue attempted it Mor. They which withstande their assaulters become a terror to others 140 Of the rule of womē of their husbands A Certein man caried about through the whole worlde a paire of bootes whiche he woulde giue that man who feared not his wife He could find none a great while which would take them But at length a Countreyman receyued them to whome he sayde Soft lette me put them in thy bosome and wype them But the Coūtryman bycause his shirt was new white sayd I dare not least my wife taūt me for blacking my shirt thē he tooke away the bootes bet him therwith saying Get thée hence in the Diuels name bicause thou dreadest thy wife for a litle trifle thou didst meane to deceyue me of my bootes and he straight way departed But I think he hath not yet bestowed them iustly of any man 141 Of a woman A Certen Woman had a dronkard to hir husband from whiche vice bicause she would rid him she vsed this pollicie She watched him when he was dronken heauy a sléepe like a dead man without féeling and tooke him on hir shoulders caried him into the churchyard layde him in a graue departed When she supposed that he was sober she went and knocked at the head of the tombe who asked who knocketh at the doore his wife aunswered I am here and haue brought meate for the dead Ah quod hée bring mée rather some drink thā meat thou doest trouble me in speaking of meate and no drinke The good woman stroke hir breast and sayd woe is mée wretch for my craft will do no good thou my husband art nothing mended but become worse so that this disease hath got an habit in thée Mor. We must not continue in euill déeds for custome sometime créepeth on a man 142 Of the Bore and the Countryman THere was a Bore which routed vp the corne whose eare a Countreyman cut off It chaunced he came againe the second time then he cut off his other eare When he came yet againe
chased by an other great fishe skipped into their boate whom they tooke departed merily Mor. Fortune commonly giueth that which by cunning can not be got 185 Of a riche man and a poore A Certen man being maruellous weary of the great abundance of his riches offered a begger an 100. crowns if he wold go to Fortune whiche dwelled in the furthest partes of the world and beseche hir in his name to bestowe no more goods vppon him The poore man being agast bicause of the trauaill of so long a iourney refused at the firste but afterwarde chaunging his minde and promising that he would goe the riche man sayd he would giue but. 90. The poore man supposing it to be a small rewarde for so great paynes first woulde not agrée therevnto but after requiring 90. the rich man could hardly be persuaded to giue him 80. The begger refusing that summe and after requiring it the other rebated always ten frō the number which he offred till it came but to ten pieces At length the begger whiche refused 100. Crownes being forced by pouertie tooke the. 10. Crownes and went vnto Fortune whome with many prayers he besought to giue no more goods to the riche man but rather that she would be bountiful to him which from his tender age had liued in continuall pouertie whō fortune aunswered I haue determined to double yea treble the riche mans goods whiche sent thée whether he will or not but thée will I make to liue continually in extreme pouertie besides that thou shouldest neuer haue had y ◠10. Crownes which thou receyuedst had I not ben very fast a sléepe Mor. Against a miserable person Fortune always frowneth but to a Fortunate person she is cōtinually beneficiall euen against his will 186 Of a Phisitian A Phisitian hauing the cure of a sick mā whose chaunce was to die sayd to them which caried the corps this mā if he had refrayned wine taken clisters had bin aliue at this day thē one of thē that were by answered Sir your aduise shoulde haue ben shewed whē it might haue done good not now when it is too late to call him backe Mor. Friendes should helpe in time of néede 187 Of the Countryman and the Mouse THere was a Countreyman very poore but yet so merie conceyted y t in his most miserie he forgat not his natural pleasantnesse It happened that his ferme house by chaunce was set on fire whiche burned so sore that he mistrusted y e quenching which with heauie chéere he beheld In the meane time he espied a Mouse running out of the ferme which made hast to escape burning The Countryman forgetting his losse ran after the mouse caught him and flong him into the midst of the fire saying Thou vnthankfull beast in time of my prosperitie thou dwelledst with me now bicause Fortune is chaunged thou hast left my house Mor. Those are no true friends which cleaue to thée like a burre in thy felicity but in aduersitie swiftly runne away 188 Of the Lyon and the Hogge THe Lion intended to get him a companion wherevpon many beastes desired to be matched with him yea and instantly required it but he sette light by them and chose only y t hog into his fellowship wherfo being demaūded y e cause answered this beast is so faithfull that he neuer forsaketh his friends or fellowes in the greatest daūger that can be Mor. We séeke the friendship of those men which in time of néed cleane to vs and not those which giue vs the slippe 189 Of the Dog that deuoured the sheepe A Certen shepherd gaue his Dog charge ouer his shéep to looke to thē for whiche he fed him with the best meate Neuerthelesse the Dog often killed a shéepe and deuoured him whiche when the shepherd had espied caught the Dogge and woulde haue killed him Why quod the dogge wouldest thou destroy me I am one of the houshold stay the wolf rather which continually lyeth in wayte to destroy thy shéep Nay quod the shepherd I think thée rather worthy of death than the wolf for he is my open enimie but thou vnder the colour of friendship doest dayly decrease my flocke Mor. They are more greuously to be punished which vnder y e pretence of friēdship do hurt vs than those whiche shewe them selues to be our open enimies 190 Of the Larke A Lark being caught in a net wept and sayd Woe is mée wretch and vnhappy birde for I haue taken from no man either gold siluer or any other precious thing but for a litle grain of corne I must die Mor This fable is against those which for a trifling gayne put them selues in daunger 191 Of a wilde Asse A Wild Asse séeing a tame Asse in a sūny place went to him and accounted him blissed bicause he had good féeding and was in good lyking after ward seing him beare burthens and the horsekéeper follow stryking him with a staff he sayd I think thee now no more happy for I sée y t with much sorow thou enioyest this felicitie Mor. Gayn full of miserie and daunger is not to be followed 192 Of the Théefe and the Dog A Théefe somtime offred a Dog a piece of bread to stop his mouth withall to whom he answered I know thy pretence thou giuest me a piece of bread to leaue my barking but thy gift I vtterly abhorre for if I receyue this bread thou wilt carie away all things out of this house Mor. Take héede that for a litle lucres sake thou loose not a great thing beware how thou trustest euery man for some there are whiche vnder a colour not only will pretende friendship in worde but also in déed 193 Of the Wood and the Countryman WHat time as trées had their proper language a Countryman came into the Woode and required a handle for his Axe they graunted his requeste When he had well mended his Axe he began to cut downe the trées then the Wood al too late repented his gentlenesse and was full sory that he had made a rod for his owne tayle Mor. Take héed whō thou pleasurest for many hauing receyued good turnes haue abused it to y e destructiō of y e giuer 194 Of a Country man and a Counseller A Certaine countreyman being in lawe vp to the eares came to a Counseller to the end that by his help he might winde him selfe out of the lawe But this Counseller being otherwise occupied sente hym woorde that he had no leysure to talk with him now praying him to returne an other time The Countreyman accounting him for his sure friend came often but coulde not speake with him At length he returned ageyne and brought with him a yong sucking Kid and fat with which he stood at the Lawyers gate and often plucked him to make him bleate the Porter whome his master commaunded to open the gates to them that broughte presentes hearyng the voyce of the Kid streight way opened the
greately supposyng they had a great multitude of Fishes but when they drew the nette to lande and founde a great stone but few Fishes they waxed heuie not for the small number but bicause it fel out otherwise than they iudged then one of the company being an auncient mā sayd let vs not be grieued for sorow waiteth vpon pleasure and therfore we ought to be sory in some thing bicause we reioyced so much before Mor. We ought not to be greued being defeated of our purpose 206 Of the Tygre and the Foxe A Hunter pursued wylde Beastes with dartes wherevppon the Tygre commaunded all other beasts to depart and he only would end that fight the Hunter stil cast his dartes the Tygre foorthwith was wounded As hée fled out of the fielde and drewe oute the darte the Foxe asked who had so sore wounded so valiant a beast he aunswered that the doer he knew not but by the greatnesse of the wounde he toke it to be some man Mor Strong men for the most part are more hardy than néedeth but cunning passeth force and policie strength 207 Of the wolfe and the Sow AS a Sowe was ready to farrowe the Wolfe came vnto hir promisyng to be a safegarde for hir yong Pigges she answered Of thy seruice I haue no néede but if thou wilte be accoūted religious or shewe mée any pleasure I pray thée depart further from mée for with thyne absence thy seruice shall stande mée in better stede than with thy presence Mor. All men deserue not credit in all things for many promyse their endeuor not for thy sake but for their owne commoditie 208 Of a Cat. A Certein man hadde a great Chéese in a ceffer which a Mouse had tasted therfore by the coūsel of a friend of his he shut in the Cat there which after she had killed the Mouse deuoured the whole Chéese Mor. Those oughte to bée no kepers which can no lesse hurt vs than our enimies 209 Of a Man that would trye his Wiues mynde A Certein crafty man desirous to vnderstande his Wiues mynde bycause shée had often sayd that so derely shee loued him that if shée might wish shée would redéeme his life with hir death he willingly let fall vpon both their bare féete a burning stick Then the woman being in paine and forgetting the loue she bare to hir husbande didde shake off the burning sticke from hir féete onely Mor. Credite not women when they say they loue their husbands better than themselues 210 Of the Cock and the Capon A Cock and a Capon dwelled together in a poultry house but the Cock was lord of the Hens and the Capon fed amongst them It happened that a Fox caught this Cock and deuoured him and his combe he touched not but kept it safe and brought it to the Capon saying O brother capon thy fellow is dead wherfore I haue broughte thée his combe euen for pure loue which I beare to thée nowe if it please thée to come downe I wil crown thée that thou mayst take the regiment of the Hens as the cock dyd the Capon being ambitious gréedie of promotiō flew down from his roost and cam to y e Fox who reioycing therof caught the Capon incontinent and killed hym Mor. Take hede how thou credit al mē 211 Of the Fouler and the Larke A Fowler set his nets for birds whom y e Larke a far of espying asked him what he did he answered y t he built a Citie then he went a good way back and bid himselfe the Lark crediting his woordes came to the nette and was taken too it the Fowler ranne to whom the Larke sayd Friend if thou buylde suche a Citie thou shalte fynde fewe dwellers therein Mor. Houses and Cities then chiefly become desolate when the Rulers are busy bodies 212 Of a Goose THere was a Goose whiche day by day layde a golden Egge hir maister desirous in all the haste to be riche killed the Goose hopyng that there was some hidden Treasure within hir and then finding hir emptie the wretche was amazed and after mourned and syghed that he had loste both his hope and substance Mor. Wee muste measure oure affections and that we be not to hastie for hast maketh wast and he that all wold haue sometyme loseth all 213 Of a woman and hir Louer A Lewde woman wept bitterly for hir louer ready to depart from hir whom she had nere polled of al that he had whervppon hir neighbour demaunded the cause why shée wept so comfortles for sooth quod shée his departing doth not greue me but the cloke which I left him to put on Mor. Harlots loue not their louers but their Money 214 Of a Serpent and a Husbandman A Serpent lurking in the entry of a husbandmans house slue his boye for whome his parentes mourned muche but his father for sorow tooke an axe went out would haue killed the Serpent the Husbandman seeing him looke vp made hast to strike hym but he missed him for he stroke the mouth of his hole when the Serpente was gone in and the Husbandeman thinking that he had forgot the wrong he came and set bread and salte before his hole but the Serpent softely hissing sayde Hereafter neither trust or friendship shall bee betwéene vs as long as I see a stone and thou thy sons graue Mor. None forgetteth hatred or vengeance as long as he séeth the cause of his gréefe 215 Of a Man and a Woman twice maried A Certain man hauing buried his wyfe whiche hée loued wel and maried a widow which dayly layd in his dish the mālynesse of hir former husband he bycause he wold be euē with hir dasht in hir teeth his other wiues honest behauiour and chast liuing It happned on a time when she was angry a begger came too the dore asked theyr almes to whome she gaue a peece of Capon which she for hir owne supper and hir husbandes boyled saying I giue thée this for the soule of my first husband Hir good man hearing that called the poore mā and gaue him the rest of the Capon saying I giue thée this for the soule of my Wyfe that is dead By whych meanes either spytyng other at length had nothing for theyr supper Mor. We muste not fight with those that can reuenge their quarell 216 Of a Wolfe and Dogs A Wolfe espyed twoo Dogs which were kéepers of the flock of shéepe fighting together and with theyr byting tearyng eche other was in good hope that he might safely assaulte the shéepe Therefore with greate violence he ran vpon the shéepe and tooke a fat one quickly with whiche he fled away spéedily The Dogs seing that lefte off their stryfe and ouertooke the Wolfe runnyng away whome they wounded so sore that he could scarce escape but streight after being demaunded by an other Wolf why he sette on the flocke alone where so strong resisters were In fayth quod he I was deceyued by their
mutuall fighting Mor. The hatred whiche we beare to straungers are woont to set at one the debate betweene neighbours 217 Of the Countryman and the Horse A Countryman draue by the way a spare Horse and an Asse sore laden wyth packs the Asse being weary with trauayling prayed the Horse if he would saue his lyfe to ease him somewhat of his burthen the Horse thoughte skorne and denyed his helpe It hapned as they trauayled on in their iorney y t the Asse being ouerladen fel vnder his burthen dyed then his master layde al y e asses burthen eke the skin vpon the horse wherwithall his backe began to crack Ah wretch y t I am sayd the Horse I am thus iustly serued bycause lately I refused to help the poore laboring Asse Mor. We must help oure frends that are in miserie for part of our rising our country claimeth and part our friends 218 Of a Fox that fell into a Well A Foxe being falne in to a Well and at the poynt to be drowned besought the Wolfe which was on the welles brink to cast downe a rope and helpe him vp The Wolfe sayd How fellest thou in here Ah quod the Foxe this is no time to tell thée but when thou hast drawne me out I wil shew thée all things in order Mor. Men in danger had néed of present help not spend the tyme in ydle talke 219 Of a Pig and his fathers will A Pig wept muche for the death of his parents but when he had red his will and founde that a greate heape of Acornes and many bushels of meale were left him he held his peace and being asked why hée wept no more answered The meale and the Acornes haue stopped vp my mouth Mor. A greate heritage causeth the heyres quickely to leaue theyr mourning 220 Of the Cockatrice and Seawolf THe Cockatrice on a time went to the sea side in the clothing of a Monke and called to him the Wolf saying O brother since thou wast marked with the signe of the crosse thou art become a perfecte Christian I pray thee therefore come vnto mee and instruct me in the faith of Christe that I may be baptized and therby escape euerlasting iudgement and haue fruition of eternall ioye The Wolf fishe marking him well and knowing what he was sayde O thou Hipocrite a coule maketh not a Frier thy wordes are full of wickednesse and craft neyther entendest thou to be baptized of me but rather thou wouldst begyle and poyson mée therfore I wil not heare thée and forth with he swam away and left him all ashamed Mor. Beware of those which come in shéeps clothing outwardly but in wardly are rauening wolues 221 Of the Wolf and the Dog A Wolf met a dog by chaunce very early going through a Wood whō he curteously saluted being very glad of his cōming at length he asked him by what meanes he was in so good lyking he aunswered that his maister loued him dearly for whē he fawned on him he stroked him and fed him with meate frō his table and that he neuer slept by daylight moreouer time would not serue to tell how muche I am made off by all the seruauntes Mary sayd the Wolfe thou arte happie in déede which hast so good and so louing a maister if I might dwell with him I would think my selfe the happiest of all liuing beastes The Dog perceyuing the Wolf very desirous to chaunge his accustomed trade of liuing promised his help to bring it to passe that he might be retayned to his maister so that he were content to become tamer to liue in bondage The Wolfe was content and it pleased him well to walke towarde the Towne By the way they had very pleasaunt talke but when it waxed light day the Wolfe perceyued the Dogs necke worne bare wherevppon he asked him what ment this barenesse of his neck he aunswered the cause is that when I was fierce I barked at my friends as well as my fees and sometime did byte them wherewithall my Maister not well pleased did beate me often forbidding me to assaulte any saue a théefe or a Wolfe and by this meanes I am tamer and cary the mark in remembraunce of my fiercenesse the Wolfe hearing him say so told him he would not bye his Lords loue so deare saying farewel therfore for I esteeme my libertie far better than this bondage Mor. Better is a drie morsell in a lowe house where a man is ruler than in the kings pallace to fare delicatly and to be in seruitude for libertie in the courte hath no place 222 Of a Lynnet A Certē Linnet was kept vp daintily by a rich man who much delighted in his singing It happened in time of dearth that many poore birds came to y e Linnet asked his almes but nothing would he giue thē saue of the fragments broken meate that was lefte whiche he cared not for but the birds reioysing therof eate it vp swéetely Mor. It is an yll dish which a man wil refuse when he is hungry 223 Of a Mule A Mule being fat and pricked with prouender cryed aloude and sayde My Father is a swift running horse and I am altogither like him but once when he shold néedes runne and in running stayed he straight way remembred that he was an Asses foale Mor. Though time bring a man to promotion yet ought he not to forget his estate for this life is vnstable 224 Of a King and Apes A Certein King of Egipt appointed Apes to be taught to daunce whiche as no beast is of liker fauoure to a man so none counterfaiteth better or willinglier a man in his dooings They hauing learned very quickly the arte of dauncing on a daye appointed they beganne to daunce and were clad with the richest purple Their dauncing delighted the companie a long time vntill a merie conceyted fellow cast down amongst them nuts whiche he priuily had caried in his bosome the Apes had no sooner seene the nuts but forgetting y e daūce became as they were afore time of dauncers Apes byting and tearing their clothes in pieces fighting togither for the nuts not without great laughter of y e beholders Mor. The giftes of Fortune chaunge not a mans disposition 225 Of Oxen. A Heardman entred the stable and saw the Oxen skipping for ioy he therefore axed them the cause of their ioy they answered Our hope is to spende this daye in the goodly leasues Why quod hée What thing hath brought you to this hope We dreamed sayd they it should be so Ah quod hée giue no credit to such dreames whiche ye are like to finde vntrue for I dreamed that ye should ploughe to daye and mens dreames are wont to be truer thā beastes Mor. Nothing is so soone begyled as the hope of men 226 Of a Hogge A Hog was blamed of a shéep that he yelded no profit to his Maister of whome he was so diligently fed séeing they gaue
him milke wooll and lambes He aunswered when I am dead my fruite commeth in for he féedeth me for a purpose Mor. None wil take paynes without hope of reward 227 Of a man which hid a treasure A Certein rich man hid a treasure in the wood wherof none knew but his Godfather whom he greatly trusted But whē he came within few dayes after to sée it he found that it was digged vp caried away he therfore iudged as it was in deed that his Godfather had taken it away he went and spake with him saying Godfather I will also hide a. 1000. crownes more where my treasure is Hée being desirous to gayn more brought again the treasure and layd it where it was whē the true owner came shortly after thither and found it he tooke it home with him and went to his Godfather and sayd Thou promisie breaker bestow no more labor in vayne to goe to the treasure for thou shalt find it no more Mor It is an easy thing to deceyue a coueious man with hope of money 228 Of the Pigarde and the Egle. THe Pigard sometyme being pursued by a Hauke flyed to the Eagle for saliegard saying Thou arte great and mercifull therefore came I to thée for ayde and succoure which am small and weake crauing that I may be vnder the shadowe of thy wings to defende me from the furie of my enimie The Eagle moued with pitie and compassion sayd Bicause of thy lowlinesse and imbecillitie abyde with mée feare nothing as long as thou arte in my companie Mor. They that are mightie ought to defende the méeke and lowly 229 Of the Dog and the Cooke A Dog brake loose and ranne into a kitchen where he stole away a Harte whiles the Cooke was otherwise occupied who turning about and séeing him running sayd Truste me where soeuer thou become I will watche thée for thou haste not taken a harte from mée but rather gyuen me a harte Mor. Often harmes are warnings to a man 230 Of a man stoned A Certeyn man being stoned to death of the people rose agayne who beyng asked of one what did most gréeue him in that stoning sayd Nothing so much as the stone which one did throwe whome I supposed to be my friende although it touched mée not Mor The hurte done by our friendes doth more gréeue vs than that whiche our enimies doe 231 Of a sheep crying A Shéep being caught by a Dogge which was keeper of the flocke made a great crying but being taken by the Wolfe did not crie at all who being demaunded of the shepherd why she did so aunswered It greeueth me more to be hurt of the dog which should be my kéeper and friend than of the Wolfe who naturally is my foe Mor. The hurt by them of the houshold done more hurteth than that whiche is done by straungers 232 Of a Rauen and a serpent A Rauen lacking meate sée a Serpente sléeping on a sunnie banke at whome he slewe downe and caught him vp who turned again and byt him the Rauē therwith nighe dead sayde Ah wretch that I am which haue found such a gaine wherof I perishe Mor. This fable is against him which by finding a treasure hath put him selfe in daunger of his life 233 Of a poore Man A Certeyn poore Man had nothing but a house vnderset with shores whiche was like to fall It happened on a tyme as he returned from the fieldes he found it fallen and bicause he had not wherewith to set it vp agayne he was so muche troubled in his minde that he fell to mourning and wéeping out of measure But as this poore man thus made his moane he espied a brasen pot whiche many yeares had ben hidden in the Wall lying amongest the stones and rubbishe which when he hadde taken vp and opened he founde it full of golde wherwith his hart hopping for ioy he left off his wéeping Mor. Sometime that we thinke hurtfull turneth to oure great profite and commoditie 234 Of a learned man not esteemed A Certeyn learned man being bidden to the feasie of a Prince and commaunded to sit down in the neathermost roomes when the other guestes had great fishes set before thē but to him very small ones he did eate none but put them firste one after an other to his mouth thē to his eares as though he would demaunde some thing of them after layde them downe whole vntouched in the dishes again whome the maister of the feast asked why he did so he aunswered two yéere agoe in these parties my father through shipwracke was cast away and what became of his body I could not afterwards knowe I did therefore demaunde of these litle fishes if they could tel any tydings of him but they aunswered y t at that time they were not bredde wherefore I must aske the greater Fishes The Prince hearing so merry a saying commaunded of the greater fishes to be set before him and euer after he placed him amongst his chiefest guestes Mor. Amongst vnlearned mē learning is not so profitable to the learned as is pleasaunt and mery talke 235 Of a Phisitian A Nolde Woman being troubled with payn of hir eyes bargained with a Phisitian for a certen summe of money to pay him if he healed hir if not he should haue nothing The Phisitian went about his cure who dayly came and anoynted bir eyes but she that houre he dressed hir cold sée nothing then hée at his departure caried some thing out of the house The olde woman sée hir stuff dayly decrease so that whē she was healed scarse any thing was left to whom when the Phisitian came required his bargain bicause she could sée clearely and thereof brought witnesses she sayd Truely I rather sée lesse than before for whē I was blind I could sée much stuff in my house but now that I can sée as thou sayst I perceyue nothing of y t which I had Mor. Wicked persons not knowing what they doe speake often against them selues 236 Of Dogs A Certen man had two Dogs whereof y e one he taught to hunt the other to kéep his house if it chaunced the hounde to catch any thing he whiche kept him was partaany thing he whiche being offended cast oft in his fellowes téeth that he dayly tooke payres and the other did nothing and yet he was fed with his trauaill his fellowe aunswered and sayde Blame not me but my Maister whiche neuer taught me to labor but to eate that an other hath swet for Mor. Yong men which know nothing are not to be blamed seeing their Parents brought them vp so 237 Of a Sheep wasting Corne. A Husbandman complayned that y e shéep destroyed all his Corne wherevppon Iupiter commaunded the shéep to féed temperately and bicause they obeyed not his will the Wolfe was appointed to afflicte them moderately But when the shepherd complayned that all his flocke was killed by the Wolfe Iupiter
groue of Okes he found that his calf was deuoured by the Lion whereat trembling for feare he cast vp his handes to heauen and sayd God lupiter I promised to giue thée a kid if I found y e Théefe now if I escape his hands I wil vndertake to giue thée a Bul. Mor. This Fable is against vnluckie men that lacking ought praye to finde it whiche hauing founde they séeke to auoyde 334 Of the Lyon and the Foxe WHat time the Lion fell sick al beasts came to visite him only the Fox stacked his comming to whome the Lion sent his Ambassadours to summon him to appere before him bicause his only presence would much delight the king besides that suspicion of daunger there is none firste bicause the Lion is his chiefest friend therfore desireth greatly to speake with him againe he lay sore sick so as if he ment to hurte him he hadde no force thereto The Fox wrote again wishing recouerie of his health for which he woulde praye vnto the Gods but in no wise he would come to sée him for he was afrayde of the foote steps whiche all looked toward his Denne but none backward by which it was euidēt y e many beasts came in but none returned The aunswer of the crafty Fox vnto the Lion sent Which in his Den lay very sick to shew is my intent Bycause the tract of many beasts I finde to enter there But none of them returns agayne which giues me cause of feare Mor. Take héed how thou trustest promises whiche except thou doo thou shalt oft be beguyled for of words déedes a man may first coniecture after iudge 335 Of a man created Cardinall A Certein merry conceyted fellowe hearing his friend to be created Cardinal came to gréete him for his promotion he lofty swelling with pride coūterfayting that he knewe not his olde friende asked who he was the other being ready in his merry aunswer sayde I pitie thée and others that come to suche promotion for as soone as ye haue got suche honours ye léese so your sight feeling and other senses that ye cleane forget your old friendes Mor. Some being promoted to dignitie despise their old acquaintaunce 336 Of the Foxe and the Gote THe Foxe and the Gote beyng bothe thirsty descended into a Well to drink after they hadde bothe dronk their fill the Gote looked round about to get out to whō the Foxe sayd Be of good chere for I haue found a shift to help vs both out for if thou wilt stand vpright leane on thy forféete and pitch thy hornes fast to the Wall that I may climbe vp on thy backe when I haue got foorth I will also drawe thee foorth The Gote with all his harte followed his aduise When the Fox therby had skipped out of the well he lested about the brinks thereof reioysing much for whiche he blamed the Fox that hée broken promis with him Nay quod the Foxe if thou hadst as much witte as thou hast haires in thy beard thou wouldest not haue gone downe into the Well before thou haddest well pondered how to come out Mor. Wise men will firste for sée the ende of a thing and after enterprise it 337 Of Field Mise A Flocke of Fielde Mise appointed to gnawe downe an oke full of mast that they might haue their meate the redier so as they neede not so oft runne vp and down for it Then one wiser than the rest forbad thē saying If we destroye our nourisher who shall giue foode to vs and our seede in time to come Mor. A wyse man ought not onely to beholde things present but also things to come 338 Of a Flea AS a Flea was byting a mā he was taken who asked what he was seeing he fed of him aunswered he was of that kind of beastes which as nature ordeyned liued by that meanes praying him not to kill him bycause he could not do muche harme whereat the man laughed saying I will therfore the sooner kil thée bicause it is not lawfull to hurt any eyther muche or litle Mor. We must not fauour the wicked whither their trespas be small or great 339 Of the Sheepe and the Shepherd A Shéepe sometime rayled on the Shepherd bicause he could not be cōtēt with the milke that she gaue him for his foode his sōnes but he did fliece him of his wooll The shepherd offēded with this talke lead hir Lambe to the slaughter What quod the shéepe canst thou doo me any worse villanie Yea quod the sheperd that I can for I may slaye thée and cast thee out to be torne in pieces by Wolues Dogs then the sheepe durst not mutter being afrayd of some further inconuenience Mor. We ought not to be angry with God if he suffer our goods and our children to be taken frō vs séeing he is able more gréeuously to punishe bothe the quicke and the dead 340 Of Frogs TWo Frogs fed in the marishes it hapned that Sommer that the water dried vp wherevpon they forsoke it and sought another at length they found a déepe well which when they hadde seene the one sayd to the other Lette vs goe downe into this Well Nay soft quod his fellowe howe shall we get vp again if the water be dried vp here Mor. We ought to enterprise nothing vnaduisedly 341 Of a Fisher A Certein Fisher being but a noouice in that arte tooke his pypes and his nets and went to the Sea and standing on a rocke played first with his pype supposing that by his swéete melodie the fishes would daunce but when he had long tryed y t way and could not prosper he layde downe his pype and tooke vp his net which he cast into the Sea wherin he drewe many fishes When he had emptied his nette and sawe them skipping he sayd Oh wicked Creatures when I piped ye would not daunce now that I haue left off ye begin to skip Mor. This fable is against those which do any thing without aduisement and out of tyme. 342 Of the Ape and the Foxe IN the assemblie of brute beastes the Ape daunced for which he was created King The Foxe enuying him brought him to a place where he had espied fleshe in a snare to whom he shewed that he hadde founde a treasure which he coulde not haue bycause by the lawe it is the kings right willing him to take it bycause he was king The Ape went rashly in and forthwith was caught in the snare Then he accused the Foxe of treason toward his person Why quod the Foxe shalt thou be King ouer beastes which art so mad Mor. Hée which goeth rashly to worke falleth hastely into misfortune 343 Of a Doue A Doue being very thirsty espied in a certeine place a pot of water painted which he supposing to be verely flew with great force and vnawares dashed against the table wherewith she brake hir wings fell to the grounde and was caught vp by one
a riche man 183 269 The Nightingale and the Hauke codem 270 A madde man 184 271 A priest his boy co 272 Of a Foxe 185 273 Of an Asse 186 274 A yong man codem 275 Of Iupiter 187 276 The Foxe the Weasyll codem 277 Of an Apple tree 188 278 The Fly Ante. 189. 279 A Husbandeman and his Dog 190 280 The Lampurne the Crocodile codem 281 A LioÌ„ a Mouse 191 282 The Woolfe and the Lambe 193 283 Of the Hares and the Frogs 194 284 Of a Swanne codem 285 Of a Moore 195 286 A horsman and a husbandman codem 287 A maÌ„ his dog 196 288 Of a Foxe codem 289 Of Foure footed Beastes 197 290 A Souldiour and his Horse codem 291 The Kydde and the Wolfe 198 292 A Chicken caught by a Kyght odem 293 A Philosopher 199 294 The Foxe and the Egle codem 295 Of an Oliue tree 200 296 The Mouse and the Catte 201 297 The Kyghte and the Hauke codem 298 Of Cockes and a Partriche 202 299 Of the Sowe and the Dogge 203 300 A Lamb a wolf co 301 Of a Flye codem 302 A wolf a Lion 204 303 The Ape and his two sonnes codem 304 An olde man that caryed an Asse 205 305 A sumptuous feaste of the Lyon 207 306 The Plantine and the Ape codem 307 The Firre tree and the Bushe 208 308 Of the Sowe and the Bitche 209 309 The Doggs and the Asse codem 310 Of a Camell and Iupiter 210 311 Of an Oxe 211 312 The Weasill and the Myse codem 313 The Crowe and the Pitcher 212 314 The Lyon Fox cod 315 Of the Wolfe beeing hungrie 213 316 Of the Horse and the Harte codem 317 Of Geese 214 318 The Ape and his yong ones 215 319 Of Maryners codem 320 Of the Owle 216 321 A Foxe a Dog codeÌ„ 322 The Wolfe and Porkupine 217 323 Of an olde man lothe to dye codem 324 Of a Dog brought vp to Hunting 218 325 Of a man which plucked vp a Hedge 219 326 The Asse and the Lyon 220 327 Of Cocks 221 328 Of the Horse and the Asse codem 329 Of a Crane 222 330 Iupiter and the Rauen 223 331 The Flea a Lion co 332 The Peacocke and the Chough 224 333 A man his Dog cod 333 A Heardman 225 334 The Lyon and the Foxe 226 335 A man created Cardinall 227 336 The Fox Gote 228 337 The Field Mise 229 338 Of a Flea codem 339 The Sheepe and the Shepherd 230 340 Of Frogs codem 341 A Fisher 231 342 The Ape Fox cod 343 Of a Doue 232 344 The Currier and the Hunter eodem 345 The Beauer 234 346 The Houpe eodem 347 The Beame eodem 349 Of the Lyon the Bore and the Rauens 235 350 A Wolfe eodem 351 Of a Beare 236 352 A simple Countrey-man eodem 353 The Eagle and the Dorre 237 354 The Storke and the Swallow 238 355 The town Mouse and the CouÌ„try Mouse 239 356 Of the Mule and the Horse 241 357 Of a Deuill 242 358 The Birds 243 360 Of an Oxe and a Bullocke eodem 361 Of Birdes 244 362 A wicked Man eod 363 A Boye that woulde not learne 245 364 The Doue and the Crowe 246 365 Of the Asse and the Calfe eodem 366 The Bat and the Weasyll 247 367 The Fox and Cat. eod 368 The Marchaunt and the Ievve 248 369 A Carter 249 370 An olde Women eod 371 The Nightingale and the Rauen 250 372 Of the Doue and the Pye 251 373 Asse and Frogs eod 374 The Pellican 252 375 Of the Smyth and his Dogge eodem 376 Of the Bull and the Mouse 253 377 A Weasyll eod 378 Of Hares 254 379 The Ram Bull. eod 380 The Quayle and the Larke 255 381 The Nut tree the Asse and the Woman eodem 382 Beare and the Bee 256 383 Sow and the Dog eod 384 The Boy and his Mother 257 385 Of Mercurius and Tyresias 258 386 Theuish Partrich 259 387 Of the Hauke and the Cuckoe 260 388 A Grammarian teaching an Asse eodem 389 A man that would try his friends 261 390 Of a yong man and an olde 262 391 A Lyon and a Bul. 263 392 A Larke eodem 393 A Foxe taken 265 394 Of an Asse 266 395 One that played the part of Christ 267 396 The Harte eod 397 The Countryman and Hercules 368 398 The byting Dog eod 399 Of the Hogge and the Horsse 269 400 Of the Swan and the Crowe 270 401 The Thrushe eodem 402 Of the Lyon and the Mouse eodem 403 Of a Ryuer 271 404 The Serpent 272 405 A man that brake an Image eodem 406 An Asse RaueÌ„ 273 407 Of a Dog eod 408 The Nourse and the Wolfe 274 409 Of a woman that did weepe eodem 410 Of a woman beaten folio 275 411 The Wydowe and the greene Asse eod 412 The Hare Fox 276 FINIS ¶ Imprinted at London by Henry Bynneman dwelling in Knight-ryder stréete at the signe of the Marmayde Anno Domini 1569. CVM PRIVILEGIO OMNIA TEMPVS HABENT Abuse of the simple AbuÌ„dancâ— sometymeâ— perillous Abiectes AbstineÌ„ce Affliction Agrement perforce Ayde Accusing an other Ambition Ambodexter All things as god will All things not decent Anger Armed alwayes Attempt not aboue thy capacitie Attendance Bablers Benefactors Benefits yll bestowed Benefites il rewarded Benefites Benefites for aduauÌ„tage Betraying Beware of memyes Beautie Boasters Boastiag Boldnesse Bragging Brauling Women Brute beastes kinder than men Busie bodies Causers of euill Chastitie A charm for Scolds Choose the least euill Churle Certentie Common people Company Concord Consenting perforce Content in thy state Contention with superiours Couetousnesse Couetous Prelats Counsell Counsell for priuate gayne Crafty meÌ„ Craftie men Craft of women Crueltie requited Courage Cursing Daunger Dealyng Death Debate Dettes Deceyte Deceytfull persons Deserts rewarded Desire of new things Desire that is fit Dyet Dignitie Discord Despite Despise nothing Despraysers of Phisicke Dissemblers Dissimulation Disobediâ—nce Double tonged Do as ye woulde be done vnto Doubt the worst Dreadfulnesse Dread without need Dronkennesse Dulspirited â—ducation 〈◊〉 youth â—nimie Enuie Escaping of dangers hard Euill meâ— â—â—ill for â—â—od From euiâ— to Worse â—xercise ExperieÌ„câ— â—â—lshod in â—â—lowship â—alse witâ—â—sse â—aults Faultes punished Familiaritie â—eare Flatterie Fellowship of women Flying of daunger Fellowship Fighting Follie. Fooles Fortune Fortune frowneth on the poore Friendes Friendship fayned Gayne Gluttonie Glorieng God knoweth all Goods euil gotten Good turne Good Will Great talkers Griefe for sodaine chaunce Hastinesse Hasty 〈◊〉 Hast maeth wast Harlots Hatred Helpe in neede Heritage Hipocrisie Home is homely Hunger Honor. Humilitie Heart Hurtfull gaine Hurtful things â—esting IgnoraÌ„ce Immodeatenesse Impossible promises InconstaÌ„cy â—nnoceÌ„cie Inough hath none Vayne ioye Iudging outwardly Labor Learning Learne by others Leudenesse of women Liberalitie Libertie 〈◊〉 〈…〉 Liue in â—hy vocation Loue of money Lucre. Madnesse Madseruaunts Magistrates Mariage Meane life Maisters Meading with straÌ„gers Mercy in Princes Might Miserie of others easeth some Musick Nature Necessity Negligence of seruaunts Neighbor No ayde no fellows Newe things best Obedience Offences vnpunished Oppression of poore Ouer haâ—â—inesse Outward iudgemeÌ„t Pacience Pacience for gayne Pacience perforce â—arentes Please euery body Pleasure PerfectioÌ„ Perseueraunce in his vocation Petitions Poore and riche Pouertie praysed Praise not thy selfe Prayer Prayse of our owne Prayse another for aduauÌ„tage Preparation PreparatioÌ„ to die Presente gayne remembred Preseruers Presumption Pryde Proude of an others purse Falles of pride Princes Horace PromotioÌ„ ProuideÌ„ce PunishmeÌ„â— of vices Rayling Rashnesse Regard of health Regard of gaye clothes Reioysing Religious men RepeÌ„tance to late Reward for well doing Reuengement Riches Rich enimies Riottousnesse â—ulers â—ecretes â—nowen to â—od â—eruaunts Shiftes Sick folks Sinners Singing Simplicitie Slouthfulnesse Sluggards Strength Stryfe Societie Stripes Suffering wrong Tauntes Theft Time Trying of friends Trye all wayes Trouble Trust in thy selfe Trusting mortall things Truthe hateth iesting Vayne desires Vainglory Valiaunt death Vndefiled lyfe Vndoing him selfe Vnequall mariage Vnthankfulnesse A wise Ape Wicked men Wisdome