Bleſſings of Providence, before the dazling and the ſplendid Curioſities of Mode and Imagination: and finally, that we are not to govern our Lives by Fancy, but by Reaſon.
Fab. II.
A Cat and a Cock.
IT was the hard Fortune once of a Cock, to fall into the Clutches of a Cat. Puſs had a Months Mind to be upon the Bones of him, but was not willing to pick a Quarrel however, without ſome plauſible Color for't. Sirrah (ſays ſhe) what do you keep ſuch a bawling, and ſcreaming a Nights for, that no body can ſleep near you? Alas, ſays the Cock, I never wake any body, but when 'tis time for People to riſe, and go about their Buſineſs. Nay, ſays the Cat, and then there never was ſuch and inceſtuous Raſcal: Why, you make no more Conſcience of Lying with your own Mother, and your SiſtersIn truth, ſays the Cock again, that's only to provide Eggs for my Maſter and Miſtreſs. Come, come, ſays Puſs, without any more ado, 'tis time for me to go to Breakfaſt, and Cats don't live upon Dialogues; at which word ſhe gave him a Pinch, and ſo made an end, both of the Cock, and of the Story.
Fab. III.
A Wolf and a Lamb.
AS a Wolf was lapping at the Head of a Fountain, he ſpy'd a Lamb, paddling at the ſame time, a good way off down the Stream. The Wolf had no ſooner the Prey in his Eye, but away he runs open-mouth to't. Villain (ſays he) how dare you lye muddling the Water that I'm a drinking? Indeed, ſays the poor Lamb, I did not think that my drinking there below, could have foul'd your Water ſo far above. Nay, ſays t'other, you'll never leave your chopping of Logick, till your Skin's turn'd over your Ears, as your Fathers was, a matter of ſix Months ago, for prating at this fawcy rate; you remember it full well, Sirrah. If you'll believe me, Sir, (quoth the innocent Lamb, with fear and trembling) I was not come into the World then. Why thou Impudence, cries the Wolf, haſt thou neither Shame, nor Conſcience? But it runs in the Blood of your whole Race, Sirrah, to hate our Family; and therefore ſince Fortune has brought us together ſo conveniently, you ſhall e'en pay ſome of your Fore-Fathers Scores before you and I part; and ſo with-
