_Thieves_ that Stole a _Cock_.
A Band of _Thieves_ Brake into a House once, and found Nothing in’t to
Carry away, but One Poor _Cock_. The _Cock_ said as much for Himself as a
_Cock_ could say; but Insisted Chiefly upon the Services of his Calling
People up to their Work, when ’twas time to Rise. Sirrah (says one of the
_Thieves_) You had better have let That Argument Alone; for Your Waking
the Family Spoils our Trade, and We are to be Hang’d forsooth for your
Bawling.
The MORAL.
_That which is One Body’s Meat, is Another Body’s Poyson; as the Trussing
up of Thieves is the Security of Honest Men. One Foolish Word is enough
to Spoil a Good Cause, and ’tis many a Man’s Fortune to Cut his Own
Throat with his Own Argument._