[Illustration: THE COCK AND THE JEWEL.]
A brisk young Cock, in company with two or three pullets, his
mistresses, raking upon a dunghill for something to entertain them with,
happened to scratch up a Jewel. He knew what it was well enough, for it
sparkled with an exceeding bright lustre; but, not knowing what to do
with it, endeavoured to cover his ignorance under a gay contempt; so,
shrugging up his wings, shaking his head, and putting on a grimace, he
expressed himself to this purpose:--'Indeed, you are a very fine thing;
but I know not any business you have here. I make no scruple of
declaring that my taste lies quite another way; and I had rather have
one grain of dear delicious barley, than all the Jewels under the sun.'