me time I cannot forbear expressing my uneasiness at the
inconvenience of the place, which will not let me pay my respects
to you in a handsomer manner; though I suppose you will come down
presently, and thus the difficulty will be easily removed."

"Indeed, cousin," says the Cock, "to tell you the truth, I do not
think it safe to venture upon the ground; for though I am
convinced how much you are my friend, yet I may have the
misfortune to fall into the clutches of some other beasts, and
what will become of me then?" "Oh, dear!" says Reynard, "is it
possible that you can be so ignorant, as not to know of the
peace which has been lately proclaimed between all kinds of birds
and beasts; and that we are for the future to forbear hostilities
on all sides, and to live in the utmost love and harmony, and
this, under the penalty of suffering the severest punishment that
can be inflicted?" All this while the Cock seemed to give little
attention to what was said, but stretched out his neck, as if he
saw something at a distance.

"Cousin," says the Fox, "what is it that you look at so
earnestly?" "Why," says the Cock, "I think I see a pack of hounds
yonder, a little way off." "Oh, then," says the Fox, "your humble
servant, I must begone." "Nay, pray cousin, do not go," says the
Cock, "I am just coming down; surely you are not afraid of Dogs
in these peaceable times?" "No, no," says he, "but ten to one
whether they have heard of the proclamation yet."

MORAL.

When rogues are met in their own strain, they are generally
worsted. It is interesting to see the snares of the wicked
defeated by the discreet management of the innocent. "Answer a
fool according to his folly," is an old maxim.

FABLE LXXIII.

THE LION AND THE MOUSE.

A LION, faint with heat and weary with hunting, was lying down to
take his repose under the spreading boughs of a thick shady oak.
It happened that while he slept, a company of scrambling mice ran
over his back, and waked him; upon which, starting up, he clapped
his paw upon one of them, and was just going to put it to death,
when the little supplicant implored his mercy in a very moving
manner, begging him not to stain his noble character with the
blood of so despicable and small a beast.

The Lion, considering the matter, thought proper to do as he was
desired, and immediately released his little trembling prisoner.

Not long after, while traversing the forest in pursuit of his
prey,