Two Thieves broke into a house with a design to rob it; but when they
had pried into every corner, found nothing worth taking away but a
Cock, which they seized upon and carried off. When they were about to
kill him, he begged very hard that they would spare his life, putting
them in mind how useful he was to mankind, by crowing and calling them
up betimes to their work. You villain, replied they, it is for that
very reason we will wring your head off; for you alarm and keep the
people waking, so that we cannot rob in quiet for you.