The Frogs and the Mice, who inhabited part of a most extensive fen,
(of which there remained unoccupied sufficient room to hold many
whole nations of both) could not agree with each other so as to live
in peace: many bitter disputes arose between them about the right to
particular pools, and their tuft-covered margins. At length, national
jealousies and animosities arose to such a height, that each claimed
the sovereignty of the whole fen, and the most rancorous war was waged
between them, in order to settle, by force of arms, their respective
pretensions. While their hostile armies were drawn up in battle array,
on a plain of several square yards in extent, protected on both flanks
and rear by dark pools and gloomy forests of sedges, reeds, and
bulrushes, their two chieftains advanced to meet each other, and to
it they fell as fierce as tigers. While these two combatants were thus
engaged, a Kite sailing in the air, beheld them from a great distance,
and darting down upon them, instantly bore them off in his talons;
while the field of battle presented a delicious repast to some Ravens,
who had chanced to spy the movements of these hostile armies.