A Cock, perched upon a lofty tree, crowed so loud, that his voice
echoed through the wood, and drew to the place a Fox, who was prowling
in quest of prey. But Reynard finding the Cock was inaccessible, had
recourse to stratagem to decoy him down. Approaching the tree, Cousin,
says he, I am heartily glad to see you; but I cannot forbear expressing
my uneasiness at the inconvenience of the place, which will not let
me pay my respects to you in a better manner, though I suppose you
will come down presently, and that difficulty will be removed. Indeed,
cousin, says the Cock, to tell you the truth, I do not think it safe to
venture upon the ground; for, though I am convinced how much you are my
friend, yet I may have the misfortune to fall into the clutches of some
other beast, and what will become of me then? O dear, says Reynard,
is it possible you do not know of the peace that has been so lately
proclaimed between all kinds of birds and beasts; and that we are for
the future to forbear hostilities, and to live in harmony, under the
severest penalties. All this while the Cock seemed to give little
attention to what was said, but stretched out his neck as if he saw
something at a distance. Cousin, says the Fox, what is that you look
at so earnestly? Why, says the Cock, I think I see a pack of hounds
yonder, a good way off. O then, says the Fox, your humble servant, I
must be gone. Nay, pray cousin do not go, says the Cock, I am just
coming down; sure you are not afraid of the dogs in these peaceable
times. No, no, says he; but ten to one whether they have yet heard of
the proclamation!