Fable XVII. The Cat and the Rabbits

A Cat, patdDg OQ a domire oaumeiiaiioe, had goi into a warreo, p«^^ed vith rabbits: immecfi' atdy iht whole commonwealth, in alarm, made hast< to whip into their holes, as the intruder laj apoa tb catch, hard by a barrow, the depaties of the rabbi nation, who had seen his terrible paws, made thei appearance in the straitest place rf the burrow' mouth, to aik his business there, he protested with mild voice, that he wanted only to (Indy the manner of the nation; that in quality of philosopher he wa travelling thro* all countries, to inform himself of th customs of every fpedes of animals, the (imple an credulous deputies returned, and told their brethrec that this ilranger, fo venerable for his modest demea nour, and majeflic sur, was a sober, difinteredec peaceful philosopher, who was on his travels froi country to country, in search of wisdom; that he cam from a variety of places, where he had seen flrang wonders; that it would be a pleasure to hear him dii course, and that he would be very loth to snap u any rabbits, seeing he believed, like a good Bramin a he was, the tranfraigration of souls, and tasted no soo that had ever had life, this fine account touched th assembly. in vain did an old cunning rabbit, who was generally didlator of the company, represent how much that grave philosopher was suspicious to him: in spite of all he could say, the infatuated creatures go to fa-lute the Bramin, who, at the first embrace, throttled seven or eight of them; the rest make the best of their way back to their holes, not a little frighted and aihamed of their folly, whereupon, the grave Mr. Modefty returned to the entrance of the burrow, protesting with a most cordial tone, that he had commit-ted this murder much against his will, only to satisfy his preffibg need; that henceforth he would live upoa other animals, and make with them an eternal alliance. the rabbits immediately entered into a negotiation with him, without, however, coming within reach of his claws, the treaty continues; they hold him in play, in the mean time, one of the nimbleft of the rabbits gets out by the back-side of the burrow, and runs to acquaint a neighbouring fhcpherd, who used to divert himfclf with catching some of its juniperfed companions, the shepherd incensed against the destroyer of fo useful a people, hastens to the burrow with his bow and arrows: he spies Mr. Puss, who was mindful of nothing but his prey; he lets fly one of his deadly ftiafts, and pierces him to the heart, the cat expiring, is said to have spoke these words; when a person has once deceived, he can DO more be trusted by any body; but is hated, feared^ and at length «aught by his own devices

TWO MICE-