[Illustration: THE CAT AND THE COCK.]
The Cat, having a mind to make a meal of the Cock, seized him one
morning by surprise, and asked him what he could say for himself why
slaughter should not pass upon him?--The Cock replied, that he was
serviceable to mankind by crowing in the morning, and calling them up to
their daily labour.--'That is true,' says the Cat, 'and is the very
objection that I have against you; for you make such a shrill
impertinent noise, that people cannot sleep for you. Besides you are an
incestuous rascal, and make no scruple of lying with your mother and
sisters.'--'Well,' says the Cock, 'this I do not deny; but I do it to
procure eggs and chickens for my master.'--'Ah! villain,' says the Cat,
'hold your wicked tongue; such impieties as these declare that you are
no longer fit to live.'