A _Fox_ and a _Divining Cock_.
A _Fox_ that had spy’d out a _Cock_ at Roost upon a Tree, and out of
his Reach, fell all of a sudden into an Extravagant Fit of Kindness for
him; and to Enlarge upon the Wonderful Esteem he had for the Faculties
and good Graces of the Bird, but more particularly for his Skill in
_Divination_, and the Foreknowledge of Things to come. Oh (says he) that
I were but Worthy the Friendship of so great a Prophet! This Flattery
brought the _Cock_ down from the Tree into the very Mouth of the _Fox_,
and so away he Trudges with him into the Woods; reflecting still as he
went, upon the strange Force that Fair Words have upon vain Fools: For
this Sot of a _Cock_ (says he) to take himself for a _Diviner_, and yet
not foresee at the same time, that if he fell into my Clutches, I should
certainly make a Supper of him.
The MORAL.
_A fool that will Swallow Flattery, shal never want a Knave to give it
him._