A _Country-man_ and a _Mouse_.
There was a Pleasant sort of a Poor Fellow had his House a fire; but
his Misfortune did not make him lose his Good Humour. As it was all in
a Flame, out Bolts a _Mouse_ from the Ruins, to save herself: The _Man_
Catches her, and throws her back again. Why thou Ungrateful Wretch (says
he) to leave thy Friend now in Adversity that gave thee thy Bread in his
Prosperity.
The MORAL.
_’Tis a Barbarous Faculty, an Ill-Natur’d Wit; that will rather Expose
the very Life and Reputation of a Friend, then lose the Opportunity of a
Jest._