THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF CAWWOOD the rook. OR, The Assembly of Birds, with the several Speeches which the Birds made to the Eagle, in hope to have the Government in his Absence: And lastly, how the rook was banished; with the Reason why crafty fellows are called rooks. As also fit morals and Expositions added to every Chapter.  
London Printed by T.C. for F. Grove, and are to be sold at his shop, at the upper-end of Snow-Hill, near the Saracens head without Newgate. 1640.   
THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF Cawwood the rook.  

CHAP. I.  
IN the heat of Summer, when the Woods were lined with pleasant shade, and filled with the cheerful music of the feathered choristers. It happened that the Eagle, the royal King of Birds, intending to leave off his government a a while, and to live solitary in the deserts of Arabia, made a Proclamation to be drawn in this manner. That seeing he purposed for some reasons best known unto himself, to retire unto the Arabian desert, & for some few months to leave off all rule and dominion; he therefore tendering the welfare of his Subjects, and being careful they might not lack one in his absence to administer justice unto them, thought good to signify his royal Will and Pleasure, which was that all Birds; of what name, colour, or degree soever, should repair unto the Wood, called Sylvia; and that there he purposed to choose one amongst them to rule the rest; who could declare himself to be most worthy in merit and desert. This Proclamation being written and subscribed with Aquila Rex avium, which is in English, The Eagle King of Birds: It was no sooner made known through all thickets, hedges, and bushy fields where Birds do resort, but that presently their hearts were inflamed with ambition, every one desiring to prove himself worthy of the Vice-regency or government, during the retiring of the King. So that in a short time there were come unto the Court of Sylvia. Rubert the Robin, Mavis the Magpie, Philip the Sparrow, the Blackbird, Starling, and jackdaw, with Philomela the nightingale, Tom Titmouse, Parvis the Wren, Spincke the Finch, Columber the Dove, and Maybird the Cuckoo, with many others which came with prepared speeches to make known their own worth. But now the Eagle having seated himself on a high Cedar tree, began to look down upon the Assembly of Birds, who sat upon the lower boughs round about him, and by the piercing quickness of his eye, he soon perceived that his x Rapax the hawk, who was somewhat a kin unto him, and Cawwood the rook were only absent. So that before he would make known his mind unto them, he sent Flywill the Buzzard for his x Rapax the hawk, and Cawwood the rook; and withal fearing that the hawk kept out of the way, because he had committed many outrages, upon the smaller birds, he sent him a free pardon for all his former offences, bidding Flywill to command him to come away with all speed.  

The moral.  
THere is no man hath so mean a conceit of himself, but he thinks he deserveth honour and preferment, as may appear by the Wren and the small Birds, who all resorted to the Court upon the eagle's Proclamation, to make the worthiest Vice-regent in his absence. The hawk and the rook keeping away from Court, doth show that a guilty conscience, is a self accuser, and maketh men afraid to come in fight, especially at any public Meeting.    

CHAP. II.  
How Flywill the Buzzard carried a Pardon to Rapax the hawk, and how the hawk and the rook requited him for his pains.  
NO sooner had Flywill the Buzzard tide the Pardon with a string round about his neck, but straight he took wing, and flew away to a Wood some three miles of, to which he knew the hawk and the rook did use to resort, and there accordingly he soon meet with them, and delivered the Pardon to the hawk, telling him that the King out of his free mercy, had sent him a Pardon for all his former bloody facts, wishing him to obey the former Proclamation, and to make all haste that could be to come unto the Court. The hawk took the Pardon▪ and having read it, he gave Flywill the buzzard many thanks, for that he being so short of wing, had took the pains to bring him these good tidings and so walking aside with Cawwood the rook, as if they had consulted about going to the Court; the hawk told the rook that this buzzard, (albeit he was a kin unto him, was a shame and disgrace unto all hawks, being a Coward, and not daring to cease on any thing but dead Carrion, or some scattered guts, or to take children's bread and butter out of their hands, all which do show the baseness of his breeding, and that he never came out of the true Nest or Eyrie of the hawks; and therefore friend Rook, seeing thou hast been accounted a cunning Politition in thy days, I would entreats thee to instruct me in some device how we might make him a way, and yet have no hand in the matter. The rook scratching his head with one of his claws stood still a while, till at last turning to the hawk, he told him, that there was a new invention come into his brain how to make away the buzzard, and set him going with a powder. After this they returned again unto Flywill the buzzard, who never suspected what they had contrived against him, but complained unto them that he had gotten a great cold in his head, by flying so far in a rainy day, he being only used to haunt Warrens, and there to fly from one old tree to another, and so pass away the time. But no sooner had the rook heard him say that he had gotten a cold, but he presently took hold of the occasion, telling him that there was no better medicine for a cold than warmth; and therefore if he would but tie his head about with a cloth, he should find that the rheum would presently void itself, and run out of his beak in a great abundance. The buzzard being full of pain with the headache▪ consented thereunto, so that the rook very carefully and cunningly tied a clout round about his head, and so bid him fly to the next tree. The foolish buzzard thinking he could find out the way for all he was blindfolded, took wing, and flew directly against the body of a great oak, which beat him back so violently, that he came fluttering through the boughs, till at last he caught hold on one of them with his talents, and so having parched himself, he thought to sit there, till the hawk and the rook, his learned physicians did come unto him; but they flew unto an other tree from whence they might behold the buzzard sitting very demurely by himself. But he had not sat there long, when it happened that one came by with a birding piece, and perceiving so fair a mark, went towards him, and taking his aim gave fire, and shot the Buzzard that he came tumbling down stark dead. Which when the rook & the hawk perceived, they flew away toward the Court; the hawk being very glad that his x Buzzard was brought to this end, and so giving the rook many thanks for inventing this device which had so luckily took effect, they both flew together to the Court.  

The moral.  
SOme are so blindfolded that they cannot discern danger before it come upon them, as may appear by the buzzard, who sat blindfolded in the tree, till the Fowler came by and shot him. The hawk bringing his x Buzzard to an untimely death; and showeth that the rich do despise their poor kindred, and so do expose them to danger.    

CHAP. III.  
How Rapax the hawk, and Cawwood the rook came to the Court, and how the Eagle declared unto the Birds the reason why he called them together.  
THe Eagle being, as before mounted upon a Cedar, all the Birds in a circle sat round about him, making such a charm of several notes, tunes, and ditties, that if you had heard them, you would have sworn you had never heard the like. As they were thus sitting together, in came the hawk and the rook with nimble wing, and took their place amongst the other Birds. And so the hawk having made obeisance to the King, began in an eloquent speech, to amplify the King's mercy, who had not only granted him a free pardon for all his former bloody offences, but also safe protection to come unto that place. But the Eagle cut him off in his speech, saying, x, I hope my mercy shall find that reward which I expect, which is, that you will amend your life, for that is the best way to give me thanks, and satisfy the whole Common wealth of Birds, who else, though they dare not speak yet openly, yet in their hearts they will condemn me of injustice, for remitting the bloody murders, and slaughters of my subjects which you have daily committed. But I have other matters to declare unto you, & therefore I would have you give attention, and so with his sceptre (which he held in one of his talents) making a sign unto them for silence. He began his royal speech in this manner. My loving subjects, it behodeth a King to be careful of his subjects, even from the highest to the lowest; I therefore do here profess, that all my subjects are equally dear unto me, so that my x the hawk is not more dear unto me than the little Wren. It behooveth me therefore that as I have made known my purpose unto you by my Proclamation, which is, to leave my Court of Sylvia, and fly into the solitary deserts of Arabia; so it is necessary for the establishing of peace and quiet in my absence, that I leave one to rule and govern over you; and to this end I have called you to this Assembly, that whatsoever Bird among you can prove himself to be the worthiest, either by parentage, merit, or desert, or any other way, him I will make King in my absence. Therefore let every one speak boldly in the behalf of themselves, and urge what reasons they can in their own practice. The Birds hearing this began to clap their wings, and with chirping and chattering gave a great applause to the eagle's speech.  

The moral.  
THat when a wicked offender receives mercy, either from the King or a Magistrate, he cannot show more thankfulness than by amending his life; for so the Kingly Eagle told his x Rapax the hawk. King's ought to take care of their Subjects in their absence, as appeareth by the eagle's speech to the Commonalty of Birds, whose rejoicing thereat, does show how acceptable the gracious Speech of a King is to his loving subjects.   

How Parvis the Wren made a speech unto the Eagle.  
THe Wren all this while sat upon thorns, though indeed she were now upon a higher tree than ever she was in her life before, being always wont to creep and peep in the hedge bottom, and therefore it seems that the height of the tree had put high conceits into her head. So that packing up herself, and getting upon a small twig, from whence she might be seen of all the company, she began most earnestly to desire the Kingly Eagle to make her his substitute; for says she, though I am but a Wren, and of a small body, yet my heart is as big as the best; and for my wit and policy, you may see it in building my nest, and the workmanship thereof. And therefore though I am least of Birds, yet if you please, I think myself worthy to bear the greatest authority among Birds. The Wren would still have gone on, being all heart and tongue; but that the Eagle commanded Rubert the Robin to speak next.   

The moral.  
THis showeth that men of least desert will put themselves most forward, as is seen by the Wren preferring herself before all other Birds, and the reason is because those that have the least worth, have the greatest opinion of themselves.   

How Rubert the Robin spoke to the Eagle.  
MY Lord the Eagle, I hope Rubert the Robin is not unknown unto you, whom men, women, and children, do love, honour, and respect; no piece is discharged against me, no snare set for me, so that I fly with safety into houses, butteries, and cellars, because no man will hurt a Robin. The reason why I am beloved is for my courtesy and familiarity towards men, for if I find a dead body in the Wood, I and the rest of my fellows do bury it with moss and Leaves, and for this I am called the Sexton of the Wood: Besides, I sing in Winter, neither can the coldest frosts put me down, when all the other Birds like cowards creep into bushes, I therefore having the better heart, and being generally beloved, do know no reason why I may not govern the Common wealth of Birds in your royal absence.   

The moral.  
IT is some Argument of worth in ourselves when we are beloved of others, as appears by the speech of Rubert the Robin, who urges it as a praise unto himself, to be beloved of men.   

The owls Speech.  
THe owl being not in those times afraid of the other Birds, but esteemed as a grave counsellor, began to speak next; but with such a hollow voice, as no man could understand him, yet some of his words were to this purpose. May it please your royal Eagleship, the owl was beloved of Pallas, and the lacedaemonians did coin their money with the stamp and picture of an owl, so much did the lacedaemonians love me. But the Birds hearing the owl speak of the lacedaemonians, they fell all into a confused chirping or laughter, so that the owl without taking any leave flew away, and ever since that time hath hid his head in an old Ivy tree, being ashamed of day light, and shunning the company of the other Birds.   

The moral.  
THat when men will strive to show learning at unseasonable times, it makes them prove ridiculous, as appears by the owl, who was laughed at for his learned speech of the lacedaemonians.   

The Speech of Philomela the nightingale.  
AFter the owl was laughed out of countenance. The nightingale began to delight their ears with her sweet harmonious voice; and no sooner had she framed herself to speak, but the Birds were ready to give attendance to her speech; which was in this manner. Most royal sovereign, if I should declare my sorrows which I record by night, making the thorn my Songbooke, I know it would move you to compassionate my unjust ravishment; for know, that I was daughter to a King, and ravished by my Sister Progne's husband, called Tereneus, and afterward by some strange power, we were all changed into Birds; Tereneus into a Lapwing, my Sister Progne into a Swallow, and I Philomela into a nightingale who still in lamentable tunes, setting my breast against a thorn, do warble forth my own grief. And seeing every bird hath free liberty to praise herself, I may boldly say, that I am the honour of the Woods, the darling of the Spring, the lover's joy; for young men and maids will walk out together to hear my notes, and if they hear me before May-bird the Cuckoo, they are in good hope they shall enjoy their sweet hearts that year. I am called Philomela for my melodious strains, my body is little, my voice is loud, so that one said of me, Vox es praeterea nihil: That I was only a voice and nothing else. If therefore my great birth, my former wrongs, or pleasant tunes have any power to declare my merit, I hope the crown and sceptre may be worthily resigned unto me, having been sometime a King's Daughter, and therefore fit to be made Queen of the Woods.   

The moral.  
INjured virtue is pitied of all men, which made Philomela declare the story of her ravishment, and by the Birds giving so diligent attention, unto her, is showed that a well delivered speech hath a great power over the mind and affections.   

The cuckoo's Speech.  
MAybird the Cuckoo having heard the sweet speech which Philomela had made, thinking he could have made as good himself, for yet he had not sucked so many eggs to make him hoarse, and therefore getting upon a bared bough, he began to wipe his beak, and rub it upon the tree, afterwards he fluttered his wings, and at last, fetching his breath as if he meant to make a long speech▪ he began in this manner. Great King, I am the Cuckoo, Cuckoo, Cuckoo, & so he could go no further, but still cried Cuckoo, Cuckoo, whereat all the other Birds laughed, and the Cuckoo was much dismayed, and since then he will never be seen of the Birds but only in May, and for that reason he is called the Maybird.   

The moral.  
THis shows that great preparations, have small performances, and that those whose brains seem to be in labour with a mountain, do at last bring forth a Mouse, as may be perceived by Maybird the Cuckoo, who made them believe that she had great matters to speak, and at last could say nothing but Cuckoo, Cuckoo, and so was laughed at for her pains.   

The Speech of Corvino the Crow.  
WHen the Cuckoo had ended with shame, as she began with great ostentation. Then Corvino the Crow stood up, and told them he was a great ginger, having knowledge in the influence of the stars, the shiftings of the winds, the change of the weather, all which he made known unto men by voice, so that the Shepherds are wont to say,  

When the Crow doth cry amain,  
Then you may be sure of rain.   
Besides, my craft and cunning it is such, that I am seldom ensnared & brought to ruin, and therefore I ought for my policy to be preferred. If a horse chance to die, I am presently upon his bones; or if a lamb or sheep be weak, I pick out his eyes, and afterward do fly to some tree and from thence do hear how the shepherds curse me, but yet for all that I thrive the better. If therefore Policy or Knowledge in affairs may enable one for public government, you may make me your Substitute, and deliver the crown unto the Crow, for to him it belongeth, if desert may bear it away.   

The moral.  
THose that have no knowledge, will presume many times to be professors of Arts, so that Every Art hath some ignorant fellows, who will pretend to have skill therein, as mountebanks will needs be physicians, and fellows with a little Latin will needs be scholars, as the Crow, because he cries sometimes before rain, would therefore needs be an ginger.   

The Speech of Mavis the Magpie.  
THe Magpie after this began to chatter out her mind, saying he was once a King, and so was changed into a pie, and therefore he might now again be changed from a pie into a King. Besides, saith he, I have been always esteemed as a Poet, for I can make Verses, and chatter them out so fast that you would wonder at it, and I can tell you the Commonwealth of birds have much delighted in my Songs and Ditties, being excellent Rhyme with some reason, and therefore I think they have reason to applaud me: and for proof of my skill you shall hear some of my Verses.  

Although I am no jackedaw,  
Nor house Crow that crieth Caw,  
Yet I am a Magpie,  
That can make sweet melody,  
And sing so in my mother tongue,  
That all birds shall admire my song.   
And no sooner had he spoke these Verses, but the Magpie seeing the birds laugh at him, he swore they were very good lines, and that they had no more wit than Woodcocks, or else they would have praised them.   

The moral.  
BEcause this moral will be offensive to some Magpies in the world, I will deliver the moral to two Verses, out of Persius the Poet, entreating of the same matter.  
Corvos Poetas, & pöetrias picas,  
Cantare credas, Pegaseium melos.  
Crow Poets, and poetic Pies.  
Do think they make sweet Melodies.   

The Speech of Anser the Goose.  
AFter this Anser the Goose, and Coby the cock, having by chance heard the Proclamation as they were standing under a hedge, they came flying thither, but being not able to light upon a tree, the Goose and the cock stood at the bottom of the tree; which when the Eagle perceived, he came down to them, and all the birds sat round about upon the ground. Then the Goose began to speak in this manner. Albeit I am esteemed a cowardly bird, because when I go under a barn door I stoop down my head, yet I can speak much in my own behalf: for to begin with former times, I, only my gagling voice saved the Capitol of Rome, from being taken by the enemy, as I know your Eagleshippe hath read in histories; besides, if I come unto these times, how could the Lawyer●s Clarke or Scrivener make the poor countrymen pay for their Law, unless I lent them quills to write their bills and bonds. So that I think the Graygoose wing may be as much feared now, as in the old time when they headed their arrows with my feathers, for then many times they lost lives, and now their lands, while the sheep affords the parchment, and I afford the pen, with which the prodigal sets his hand to the seal, or mortgage of his whole Patrimony. Besides, I have a great many two legged kindred in the world, who yet scorn to acknwledge me, but the world knows them to be geese. And therefore considering how necessary I am, I hope you will give me pre-eminence above the other birds: After him the cock spoke as followeth.   

Coby the cock's speech.  
I Am Coby the cock, or the bird of Mars, I fight single combats, and from the Cockpit I bear away the bloody victory: I am the Country clock, and tell the maids when 'tis time to rise, I call up the labourer to his work, and proclaim daylight over the whole world. I am loving to my hens, respected of my Dame that keeps me, and fed with the best barley she can get, and in requital I tread her hens lustily, and make them lay eggs. To conclude, I am come of a generous kind, being the true emblem of valour, and so necessary that the world could not tell how to do for eggs at shrovetide if the cock should fail. And therefore if the matter might be decided by voices, I know the Country wives would desire to have me made King, for they do all love a good treading cock.   

The jackdaws Speech.  
THough I am last to take boldness to speak, yet I hope you will consider that I am an excellent Linguist, and have the knowledge of many Languages, so that when we jackdaws are got together about a steeple, we make a chattering noise like so many Welshmen. Besides, I have some rich treasure which lies hid in the crown of a tree, as namely, beads, tags of points, pewter spoons, and divers other things, which I meant to present unto your Eagleship, for it is my nature to hide whatsoever I find. Besides, for my Language (as I said before) I can speak Latin, Greek, Hebrew, French, Italian as easily as my mother tongue, but indeed few can understand me, and therefore I do lose that praise which I deserve. However, I hope you will consider my worthiness, and place me as your substitute, during the time that your Eagleship shall be absent in the desert of Arabia. And so ends jackdaw, praying for your long life, and to give you a taste of my Languages. Levat le Roy {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} foelicissimum.    

CHAP. iv.  
How the Eagle having heard the Birds several speeches did make a Speech to them again, and at last made his x Rapax the hawk Viceregent in his absence.  
THe Eagle like a wise King having all this while collected the chief matter of their speeches, he began to speak unto them in this manner. My loving subjects, I have heard what you have spoken in the behalf of yourselves. You Robert have pleaded well for yourself, and so have you Lady Philomela, and all the rest, whose names for brevity sake I omit. But yet you have not showed me any virtues worthy of royal dignity. For in that Philomela was a King's daughter, and Mavis the pie was sometime a King, yet these are but the fictions of Poets, and I had rather have you make it appear that your breasts are filled with justice, Temperance, magnanimity, Mercy, and such other virtues, which are required in a King. For to boast of Parentage, or gifts of Nature, as your fair white feathers, or of Art, as Languages, Learning, and the like, they may be esteemed ornaments to private men: but Princes should have Power to make them feared, and virtue to make them be beloved▪ but in none of you I find thief qualities: and therefore since you have all spoken your minds, I would fair know why my x Rapax the hawk hath sat mute all this while. The hawk hearing himself named by the Eagle, answered thus. May it please your highness. I know that my former offences, and bloody murders are so odious and hateful in the sight of the birds, that I dare not open my beak to pronounce a syllable in my own behalf. But yet might it please them to remit and forgive my former offences, and pardon what is past, I would promise (if so be your majesty should make me your Substitute) to rule over the Commonwealth of Birds, with justice, temperance, and equity, instéed of killing and slaying them with my Talents, I would protect them from the inuiry of owls and other blood suckers, who in the Winter evenings do pull the small birds out of the bushes, and so prey upon them Then they should spend their days peaceably, sleep securely, sing sweetly, feed plentifully, and live merrily. And besides, as I have power to sway the Empire, so I promise to rule over the Commonwealth of Birds, with justice and equity, and to give them the better assurance that I will not prove a Tyrant, I am willing to have my Talents pared off. Therefore if the birds do like of my offer, to show their consent thereunto let them clap their wings. Which was no sooner heard, but the Birds on condition that the hawks talents should be pared off, they all cried with one voice: Fiat Rex Rapax. Let the hawk be King.  

The moral.  
A Cunning dissembler will always cover his Vice with the death of virtue, as may be seen by the hawks speech, who promising to ride with justice amongst them, got so far into the opinion of the birds, that they were content to choose him King, to avoid farther strife amongst themselves. Take heed therefore of fair speeches, for all their words are mingled with dissimulation.    

CHAP. V.  
How Rapax the hawk had his talents pa●ed off, and how the Eagle had resigned his sceptre unto him, and made him King of the Birds.  
AFter the birds had consented to the hawks speech. The hawk, because they had no edge tools amongst them, put his talents into the cleft of a tree, and so never left pulling, till he had pulled them quite off, and yet the hope of sovereignty was so sweet unto him that he felt no pain therein Being thus unable to hurt The Eagle rose out of his seat, and caused the hawk to sit therein, and afterward delivered his sceptre unto him, and put his crown upon his head, and then charged him to remember his promise, which was, to have a care of his subjects, and be loving unto them; as also to hear their complaints, to redress their grievances, and to yield them relief. And this see you perform, as you tender or respect your own life; for if at my return from the Arabian desert. I find that you have wronged my subjects, you shall be sure to die for it. The hawk answered, that he hoped his majesty should commend him at his return, and not find any just cause of punishment, for though I have been heretofore counted cruel, and have plumed upon the carcase of many a small bird, as larks, and sparrows, and sometimes upon Doves, Partridges, quails, & the like, yet now your subjects shall find me full of mercy, for indeed I was then enforced to be cruel by necessity▪ At these words the Eagle took wing, so taking some few birds of note with him, he flew away, and when these birds had accompanied him some part of the way, he sent them back again, charging them to be careful to obey the hawk in all things. And so flew on to the desert of Arabia.  

The moral.  
THe nature of man is given to seek honour, which he thinks to be a sufficient reward for all his sufferings, as may appear by the hawk, who could endure to pluck off his own Talents, in hope to be made King.    

CHAP. VI.  
How the hawk behaved himself after the departure of the Eagle, and how he requited Cawwood the rook for teaching him to make away the Buzzard, as is showed in the first Chapter.  
THe Eagle being gone, the hawk behaved himself very lovingly for the first week; as Nero, the first five years of his reign was counted the best of Kings, but afterward he proved the worst of Tyrants: so the hawk dissembled his nature for a week or fortnight, but afterward he had a great desire to shed blood, and therefore he began to think how he might put Cawwood the rook to death, and requite him for his former kindness in betraying the Buzzard, and making him stand blind folded with a clout about his head, till one came by and shot him with a birding-piece. Now to bring this to pass, he called many of the little birds together, and told them, that what cruelty he had formerly committed, was by the encouragement of the rook, who made him believe, that seeing nature had allotted him no other food, it was lawful for him to prey upon all sorts of birds, and that now he was afraid lest he should put into his mind, the same bloody principles again, and therefore to avoid suspicion. My loving subjects saith he, if any of you can accuse him of any heinous crime, (as I know he is guilty of many) I will grant you a day of hearing against him, that so, if he cannot clear himself, he may suffer the punishment of death, which is due unto his deserts: no sooner had the hawk spoken these words, but presently they told his majesty, that they had every one cause to complain against him, and therefore if he were once summoned to the Court, they would be all ready to accuse him.  

The moral.  
THey who employ others in wickedness never love them any longer, until their own purpose is effected, as may appear by the hawk, who sought the life of the rook, after he had used his invention to make away the Buzzard. So that he which furthers a man's vice, is beloved while it is doing, but is hated when 'tis done.    

CHAP. VII.  
How Cawwood the rook was called to the Court to answer for himself, and how all the small birds brought in their accusations against him.  
THe hawk began now to make known his bloody nature, and therefore sent Corvino the Crow to summon the rook to appear at the Court of Sylvia, who accordingly came at the day appointed, not doubting to receive any injury from the hawk, being always his friend, and therefore not fearing that now being made King, he would use his power to his destruction, but it proved far otherwise, for no sooner was Cawwood come unto the hawks presence but the hawk commanded him to stand forth and answer to such matters as should be laid against him, for says he, friend Rook there are many complaints made against you, and I must do justice as I promised the Eagle at his departure. When the rook heard this, he began to change colour, and his feathers began to stand up on end, what thought he shall I be betrayed by a traitor, yet at last seeing no remedy, he was fain to stand to it, while the Birds gathered round about him, being all ready to complain against him; and first Rubert the Robert began his indictment.  

The moral.  
Tyrant's do always pretend an outward show of justice, as may be seen by the hawks' speech to Cawwood the rook, who being afraid thereof, does show that a guilty conscience is a thousand witnesses.    

CHAP. VIII.  
How Rubert the Robin complained against Cawwood the rook.  
I Am glad that we small Birds have now free liberty to show our wrongs and gréevances, which we have received from Cawwood the rook, who upon a time brought me in danger of my life, for one day as he and I were walking in a field by a hedge side, we chanced to come where there was a turf set up with two sticks, and a little hole digged underneath it; I began to ask him what it was. O says he do you not know what this is, than you have lost many a fair worm, for it is never without one or two, and therefore (Says he) if you hop into the bottom of it, you shall find my words true, but quoth I is there no danger in it? O no (Says he) I'll warrant you for danger, whereupon I beléeving him, leapt upon the forked stick, and no sooner was I lighted thereon, but presently the turf fell upon my head, so that I was made close prisoner in the Pitfall, and there I continued, till at last a waggish boy, who had made the Pitfall came and took me out, and with great joy carried me to his mother, but she telling him that it was ill luck to hurt a Robin, at last the boy was content only to cut of my tail and let me fly, whereby I escaped the danger that the rook had brought me into, and therefore I desire that we may have justice on him.  

The sparrows complaint.  
WIth the same malicious mind, though not in the same manner, Cawwood the rook brought me in danger and peril of my life. For one frosty morning there being a great many Limestrawes set on a dunghill, Cawwood the rook went amongst them and spying me upon the top of a barn, called me down unto him, and hid me come to him, for there were a great many wheat ears scattered on the ground, whereupon I being somewhat hungry, by reason of the could frosty weather came flying to him, and no sooner had I begun to peck on one of the ears, but straight the end of one of the limed straws caught me by the back, and another under the wing, so that I had much a do to get from thence, for when he that watched the straws saw me limed and taken, he came running out to catch me, but then with all the strength I had, I made towards a hedge, and having gotten into the bottom thereof escaped the fowler's hands. Thus I was betrayed by Cawwood the rook, and I think there is no Bird but hath some accusation against him.   

The Complaint of the woodcock.  
MAy it please you, I was once coming through a Wood with this Trayter Cawwood the rook, and as we went, there was two or three sticks set just cross the path, with one great bended stick, whereon was a noose of hair. And as we came to them I asked the rook what this meant, why says he it is a swing, whereon I am wont many times to stretch myself, at these words like a woodcock as I was, I went to take hold of the great stick, and thought to have swung upon it, but no sooner had I set my foot upon the Bridge but the Spring flew up, and caught me by one of the legs, so that there I lay upright, and looking every hour when the Fowler would come to fetch me, and if the hair noose had not broken, I had certainly long ere this been roasted, and served up to some rich man's Table. The woodcock had no sooner ended his complaint, but there came in a Thrush and a Starling like maimed soldiers hopping upon one leg, and seeing Cawwood the rook standing at the bar. The Thrush, because she was the better speaker began to tell their case; how that Cawwood the rook made them believe that a birding-piece was but a pipe which men used to play upon, whereupon one morning a Fowler coming towards us with a piece, we thinking to hear his pipe safe still, so that he taking his aim discharged against us, and shot me into the leg, and my brother Starling into the wing. Thus hath the rook with his craft deceived us many times, and many a bird hath he brought to untimely end by his cunning. We beseech the hawk therefore (who we hear is left substitute in the eagle's absence) that he would punish the cruelty of the rook.    

CHAP. ix..  
How Cawwood the rook, would have answered for himself, but that Rapax the hawk would not suffer him, but condemned him to perpetual banishment.  
WHen Rapax the hawk had heard these accusations against the rook, he was very glad thereof, And yet (as it is the nature of cunning treachery) he seemed to pity his calamity, and told him he was sorry to hear so many foul matters urged against him. I have always (Says he) had a good opinion of you, but I see how much we may be deceived. And I wish that some other might give judgement on your crimes and offences, but yet since it hath pleased the Eagle to give me all power, and to put the sceptre of justice into my talents, there shall no respect of friendship sway me, and therefore you must look for no more mercy at my hands, than justice will permit. For albeit you are my friend, yet I must prove myself a loyal subject to the Eagle, who hath put me in trust to see rewards and punishments equally distributed amongst his subjects, and this I take to be the true nature of justice. At these words the rook began to prepare himself, and would fain have answered the objection of his adversaries, beginning to show that it was not his craft, but their folly which brought them into danger; for (saith he) if Rubert the Robin will needs be peeping into a Pitfall, who can help it? or if the woodcock will take a Springs for a swing it ●s not my cunning but their simplicity which brings them into danger, which by escaping they have learned more wit, and so ought in justice to give me thanks, for now they know how to avoid the like perils hereafter. Besides all this, you that sit to condemn me, ought not to seek my life, but to save me from my enemies, for you know how for your sake I contrived an excellent device to make away Fliwell the Buzzard. But at that word the hawk commanded them to stop his mouth, and that with a noose of hair they should forthwith strangle him. When the rook saw there was no way but death, he began to entreat for mercy, whereupon the hawk considering better with himself, pronounced this sentence against him. In regard that thou Cawwood the rook hast highly transgressed and offended against the Commonwealth of Birds, by deceiving Philip the Sparrow, Rubert the Robin, and Longbill the woodcock, I do here banish thee out of the Country, and send thee to live for ever in the city. Since which time the city hath been always full of rooks. For no sooner was the sentence given but the Parliament of Birds broke up, and the rook flew away to the city, where he hath ever since remained, there being divers sorts of rooks, as for example, your cheating Gamester is a rook, and your fellows that cheat Countrymen are rooks, the Tapster that fills not his pot is a rook, and he that drinks with you and slips away when the reckoning comes to be paid is a rook. And to conclude there are so many sorts of rooks that I cannot reckon them, for sometimes your rook will be in the shape of a decayed gallant, sometimes in a threadbare cloak waiting at Bowling Allies, sometimes in a blue jerkin like a Countryman, and sometimes in the Market in the shape of a Cutpurse. And therefore I would have Countrymen buy this book, for though it be The History of the rook, yet it will not cost them so dear, as the acquaintance of these City Rook.  

The moral.  
CRafty fellows, albeit they scape a great while, yet at last are brought to ruin and disgrace, for if they come once to public trial, than all their enemies are ready to accuse them, as appeareth by the rook, who after all his cunning tricks was at last banished to live in the city; so that your rook is borne in the Country, and bred in the City, and this is the concluding moral of this Chapter.   
FINIS.