A _Cat_ and _Mice_.
There was a House mightily troubl’d with _Mice_, and a Notable _Cat_
there was, that Time after Time had Pick’d up so Many of ’em, that they
agreed among themselves to keep above in the Cieling; for they found that
upon the Plain Floor there was No Living for ’em. This spoil’d _Puss’s_
Sport, unless she could find a way to Trepan them Down again. So she
Leapt up to a Pin that was driven into the Wall, and there hung like a
Pole-Cat in a Warren, to Amuse them. The _Mice_ took Notice of it, and
One Wiser then the rest Stretch’d out his Neck to learn the Truth of the
Matter, and so soon as ever he found how ’twas. Ah, says he, You may
Hang there till Your Heart Akes; for if you were but a Dish-Clout, as you
are a Counterfeiting-Devil of a _Cat_, here’s not a Creature will come
Near ye.
The MORAL.
_Let no Man lay himself at the Mercy of a known Enemy under any Shew,
or Pretence Whatsoever; for he forfeits his Discretion, even though he
should happen to Save his Carcass, and his Fortune._