The _Eagle_, _Cat_ and _Sow_.
There was an _Eagle_, a _Cat_ and a _Sow_, that bred in a Wood together.
The _Eagle_ Timber’d upon the top of a High _Oak_; the _Cat_ Kitten’d in
the hollow _Trunk_ of it, and the _Sow_ lay Pigging at the _Bottom_. The
_Cat_’s Heart was set upon Mischief, and so she went with her Tale to
the _Eagle_. Your Majesty had best look to your self, says _Puss_; for
there is most certainly a Plot upon ye, and perchance upon poor me too;
for yonder’s a _Sow_ lies Grubbing every Day at the Root of this Tree;
She’ll bring it down at last, and then your Little Ones and Mine are all
at Mercy. So soon as ever she had Hammer’d a Jealousie into the Head
of the _Eagle_, away to the _Sow_ she goes, and Figs her in the Crown
with another Story; Little do you think what a Danger your Litter is in;
there’s an _Eagle_ watching constantly upon this Tree to make a Prey of
your _Pigs_, and so soon as ever you are but out of the way, she will
certainly Execute her Design. The _Cat_ upon this, goes presently to her
_Kittens_ again, keeping her Self upon her Guard all Day, as if she were
afraid; and steals out still at Night to provide for her Family. In one
Word, the _Eagle_ durst not stir for fear of the _Sow_; and the _Sow_
durst not budge for fear of the _Eagle_: So that they kept themselves
upon their Guard till they were both Starv’d, and left the Care of their
Children to _Puss_ and her _Kittens_.
The MORAL.
_There can be no Peace in any State or Family, where Whisperers and
Tale-bearers are Encouraged._