¶ A school of wise Conceits, Wherein as every Conceit hath wit, so the most have much mirth, Set forth in common places by order of the Alphabet.  
Translated out of divers Greek and Latin Writers, by THOMAS BLAGE student, of the Queen's College in Cambridge.  
Printed at London, by Henry Binneman. Anno. 1572.  
CUM PRIVILEGIO.   

The names of the Authors used in this Book.  

LAurentius Abstemius.  
Aulus Gellius.  
Plinius Secundus Novocomensis.  
Nicolaus Gerbellius Phorcensis.  
Petrus Crinitus.  
Angelus Politianus.  
Aesopus.  
Gabrias.  
Guilielmus Goudanus.  
Anianus.  
joannes Antonius Campanus.  
Horatius.  
Gerardus Lew.  
Poggius.  
Bebelius.  
Brasitanus.  
Adrianus Barlandus.  
Erasmus Roterodamus.  
Hermannus.  
Rimitius.    

To the gentle Reader, in the commendation of Fables.  
AS I revolved in my mind the sundry kinds of writers, which for the profit of man have put in remembrance their imaginations, they that have writ Fables are to be accounted with the rest: for they have not only wonderfully delighted the hearts of men, but also have more alured them to do things both good and profitable with their Fables, than Philosophers with their precepts. For they with such a sweetness do so pierce the hearts of the Readers, and by similitudes do declare (which are of much force to move affection) what men aught to take, and what to refuse, that thereby they are compelled, against their wills to agreed unto them. For the mind is disdainful to hear, neither will it easily abide things profitable and honest, except they be powdered with some merry jest. Hereunto beareth witness a certain Orator of Athens, who on a time speaking to the Athenians, when he perceived them less attentive, required them that they would vouchsafe to hear a Fable: they were contented: then he began thus: Ceres, the Swallow and the Eagle sometime journeyed together, when they were come to a river, the Swallow slew over, and the Eel swum through the river: when he had so said he held his peace: then they asked him what Ceres did? Your Gods (quoth he) are offended at you which will not hear them that counsel you for your profit, but if they tell any tales ye hear them willingly. What force fables are of to move affection, I could declare by many examples, yet will I propound but three. The inhabitants of Samos would have put their ruler to death, whom Aesop dissuaded, saying: As a Fox passed over a river he was driven into a ditch where he stuck fast in the mud, that he could not escape, whom the Flies stinged, the hedgehog seeing him there, moved with compassion, asked him if he should drive the Flies from him. Not (quoth he) for these are full with my blood and can little trouble me, but if thou shouldest drive them away, other hunger starved flies will occupy their rooms, and suck out all the blood that is left within me. The like shall happen to you O Samians, for if ye slay your Ruler which is so wealthy, ye must needs choose others, which whiles they enrich themselves, shall poll you of all that this man hath left: wherewithal the Samians being moved, left off their purpose. By the like means was Tiberius Caesar persuaded, when he appointed for every day Magistrates, whereupon (as Josephus telleth) the country of Jury was governed by Cratus and Pilatus only by the space of twenty years. For (as Statius saith) he that ruleth but a little while, showeth small favour to the people. The Himerians sometime minded to choose Captain of their army, Phalaris the tyrant of Agrigentum, whom Stesichorus the Poet with this Fable discouraged from their purpose, saying. A horse fed alone in a meadow, at length came a Heart thither and spoiled it: whereupon the horse took the advise of man, by what mean he might be revenged, to whom the man said: If thou wilt take a bit in thy mouth and suffer me armed to get upon thy back, whose counsel he followed, and by his help put the heart to flight and become the conqueror, but from that time forth he could not rid his mouth from the bit nor the man from his back. Even so (said Stesichorus) the like shall happen to you, if ye chose Phalaris your captain, for your enemies ye shall subdue but ye shall be in bondage to this Tyrant for ever: with which words the Himerians being discouraged, forsook the counsel to choose such a captain. What time the people of Rome separated themselves from the Senators, because they paid tribute and were cumbered with warfares, did not Agrippa Minenius turn them from their purpose with this fable? Sometime (quoth he) ye romans, the members of man perceiving the belly to be slothful, fell at variance with her & determined to give her no longer any succour. It happened, that because they denied her nourishment, they become faint, whereupon they were at one again. In like manner the Senate and people of Rome are as the belly and members, which need one of another's help, and as by discord they perish, so by concord they are of strength: By which tale the people turned from their purpose and become friends again with the Senate. Therefore not without good cause both the Greek and Latin Poets, as Hesiodus and Horace, have mingled such Fables amongst their works, and also the chiefest and famous Philosophers, as Plato, Aristotle, and plutarch, with many more, have highly commended them, whose opinion was, that they much availed to the instruction of a moral and civil life: wherefore Leovicenus and Valla, of late writers the best learned, did translate Fables out of Greek into Latin, which they knew would be to their praise, and to the delight and profit of others: Neither were they deceived, for they are daily read of most learned men. I can not therefore perceive, why by translating these Fables, I should be defrauded of the praise due to me, which other have had, except we be so spiteful, that to us that is not lawful, which with great commendation to the Grecians and latinists is allowed. Farewell.   

¶ A Dialogue between the Author and the Printer.  Author. 
AS I did musing lie, with sundry thoughts oppressed,  
Seeking to salve my careful mind, of pain to be redressed:  
And pondering how my youth full idly I had spent,  
In silence only wrapped up, my mind it did torment.  
From darkness unto light I thought it best to call,  
By setting forth some little book which profit might us all.  
And that I did intend is brought now to effect.  
At idle hours I did it pen as time would me direct.  
The work you plainly see, friend Printer what it is,  
Declare if printing it deserve, and what there is amiss.  Printer. 
Your meaning I perceive, your purpose I allow,  
In that you are so diligent to prosecute your vow.  
And as in ages all, those have their praises due,  
Which painfully do run their race, and idleness eschew:  
So can I not mislike your noble enterprise:  
Which seek to help your countrymen, with this your fine devise.  
But shall I tell you plain, herein what is my mind?  
Me think this work was done before, and it in print I find:  
For Esope (as you know,) already englished is:  
And what doth yours, but taste of him? nought do I see but his.  Author. 
This briefly understand, that Esope is not last  
In this my book, nor only he alone doth stand aghast:  
But sundry writers else about him here do stand,  
Both witty, learned, eloquent. as hath been ta'en in hand.  
Besides, if well you mark, comparing that with mine,  
It is as near as East to West, and dross to Silver fine.  
Uncomely tales in that are found, and most absurd to read,  
Of reason void, of mirth bereft, to no good end they lead,  
No head nor foot in them is had, but set confusedly,  
On Esope falsely forged tales, what man can it deny?  
As in the life of Xanthus' wife, and others he doth writ  
So rudely, falsely, foolishly, how then should this delight?  
Of Esope that which I do writ, the Greek text doth allow,  
Dissenting clean from that you think, let this content you now.  
In common place it is reduced, applying as I might,  
So truly, unto every thing his proper place and right.  
From nineteen authors else, I have selected out,  
Their fine devise, their sayings wise, their pleasant deeds and stout.  
The truth hereof you hear, first try, than judgement give:  
If contrary you find to this than do not me believe.  Printer. 
I have compared since your doings unto his,  
And contrary to that I thought, I find that now it is:  
Besides uncomely tales, and falsely forged fables,  
Wherewith his book replenished is, perceive I many babbles.  
For yours and his do far in every case dissent,  
I see from whom you do derive, your doings and intents.  
To answer your demand full ready am I priest,  
And will hereafter when you list, accomplish your request.  
FINIS.   

THE TABLE.  

THe first Fable of the penance of the Wolf, the Fox, and the Ass. Fol. 1.  
The Spider & the Gout. Fol. 3.  
The Ass, the Trumpeter, & a Hare, the messenger. Fol. 6  
Of an old man eodem.  
An Eremite & a Soldier Fol. 7  
The Fox and Bramble. eod.  
The mice & the Frogs Fol. 8  
The Beasts & the Birds Fol. 9  
Peacock & Nightingale. eod.  
A young man that song at the burial of his mother Fol. 10  
A Lion in love with a countryman's daughter. eodem.  
The Gourd & Pine tree Fol. 11  
Of the Spider and the Swallow Fol. 12  
Of a Dog and a Wolf eod.  
Of an Ass and a Fox Fol. 13  
Of the Eagle and a Pye. eod.  
A Countryman that would pass over a River. Fol. 14  
Of a heart and a Vine. eod.  
Of an Ass that served an unkind master. Fol. 15  
Of a Husbandman pricked by a Bee eodem.  
Of the tree Abrotanum, and and the Hare Fol. 16  
The Crow and the Dog. eo.  
Of a Hunter and Partridge. Fol. 17  
The Dolphin & the Eel. eo.  
The Lioness & the Fox. Fol. 18  
Of an Astronomer & a traveler eodem.  
Of Scholars. eodem  
A boaster Fol. 19  
Of a Boaster. Fol. 20  
Of the Mole eodem  
The birth of Hills. Fol. 21  
The Frog and the Fox. eod.  
A Peacock spoiled of his feathers by a Soldier eod.  
The Kid and the Wolf. Fol. 22.  
The Sun and the North-east wind eodem  
Of a Fox and Women eating of a Hen Fol. 23  
A Dog and Wolves eodem  
Peacock and the Crane. Fol. 24  
A knight which had a brawling wife. eodem  
Arion and the Dolphin. Fol. 25  
A Kid and a wolf Fol. 27  
The Crab and the Fox Fol. 28  
The Apple tree, and the Pomegranate tree. eod.  
A Dog and his master. eod.  
Of the Turtle Fol. 22  
A scolding woman. eodem.  
The wolf and the Crane. Fol. 30  
A Fisher and a little Fish. Fol. 31  
Of a Fox that would kill a Hen sitting. eodem.  
The Frogs and their king. Fol. 32  
The Colyer & the Fuller. Fol. 33  
Of the Raven & Wolves. eo.  
A Father and his Sons. Fol. 34  
Of Bulls and a Lyon. eodem  
The Lion that begged of the wolf part of his prey. Fol. 35  
Of a Snail Fol. 36  
The heart and the Fox. eod.  
Of the Elm & the Osiar. Fol. 37  
heart and the Wolf. eodem  
Of a Feller of wood Fol. 38  
The Cock and the Fox Fol. 39  
Of a deceiver. Fol. 40  
Fox caught by a Dog whiles she feigned herself dead Fol. 41  
Of a Boy and a thief eod  
Of a thrush. Fol. 42  
Of the air and the Wind. eo.  
Of a traveler. Fol. 43  
Of a Woman & a Hen. eod.  
Of a covetous man eodem  
The Dog & the shadow. Fol. 44  
A covetous Ambassador Fol. 45  
The covetous man dying eo.  
Of a covetous man that eat withered apples. Fol. 46  
A lester and a Bishop Fol. 47  
Of a priest which buried his Dog eodem.  
Of the Owl. Fol. 48  
Of a Fox Fol. 49  
Of the Lion and the Goat. Fol. 50  
Of a Fox taken by a Countryman eodem  
Of a woman that would die for her husband Fol. 51  
The Lion being old. eodem  
Of the Hares & the Frogs. Fol. 52  
The Bee and jupiter. Fol. 53  
Of a heart and a Lyon. Fol. 54  
Of the Town dogs. eod.  
Of two Pots eod.  
Of the Swan singing at the point of death. Fol. 55  
An old man that set trees. eo.  
The Dog and the Cock Fol. 56  
Of a Friar, lay-man, & wolf. eo.  
Of a Parrot Fol. 57  
Of an Ass. Fol. 58  
Patient and Physician. eod.  
An Ass carried an image. Fol. 59  
Frogs and the Crab. eod.  
Leopard and Unicorn fighting with a Dragon. Fol. 60  
Envious dog & the Ox Fol. 61  
Of a young man. eodem  
Countryman and Pears. eo.  
Of a man that refused Clysters. Fol. 62  
Of a deceiver eodem  
Of the Cat and the mice. Fol. 63  
The Wolf and the Sheep. Fol. 64  
Of the sick Ass. eod.  
Of a Fox. eodem.  
A man that would kill a hog Fol. 65  
Of the Eagle that cited all manner of birds Fol. 66  
Satire and wayfaringman. eo.  
The Pie and Cuckoo Fol. 67  
Of a Serpent eod.  
The rule of women over their husbands. Fol. 68  
Of a Woman eodem  
The Boar & countryman Fol. 69  
Of a Gnat Fol. 70  
Of a nourisher of Bees. eod.  
Creeping worms & beasts. Fol. 71  
A bird called King's fisher. eo.  
The Hen and the Fox Fol. 72  
Two enemies eodem  
The Crow & the Raven Fol. 73  
The Wolf and the Fox. eod.  
The Covetous man, and the envious. Fol. 74  
Wolf and the Ass Fol. 74.75  
The Lion and the Wolf. Fol. 75  
The Cock and the Cat. Fol. 76  
Countryman & Serpent Fol. 77  
A Servant which cast his master's Ass from a rock. eod.  
The Bat, the Bramble, and the Cormorant Fol. 78  
Of a Worm. Fol. 79  
Of Cockles eodem.  
The Ass and the Fox eod.  
Dog and the Ass Fol. 80  
Wicked man & the devil. eo.  
Of a Camel. Fol. 81  
The Fox and Lyon. eod.  
Of the Eagle. Fol. 82  
A Dog fearing the rain. eo.  
Of a Cock eodem.  
A sick man and a physician. Fol. 83.  
A man and his two wives. eo.  
Of a Soldier. Fol. 84  
Of travailers. eodem.  
A Lion and a Bear. Fol. 85.  
Rich man and his servant. Fol. 86  
Of a Woman that bet her Husband. Fol. 87.  
Of Fishers Fol. 88  
A rich man & a poor. eod.  
Of a Physician Fol. 89  
Countryman & the mouse. eo.  
Of the Lion and the Hog. Fol. 90  
Dog that devoured sheep. eo.  
Of the Lark. Fol. 91  
Of the wild Ass eodem  
Of the Countryman and a counsellor eodem  
Of jupiter. Fol. 92  
Of Flies Fol. 93  
The Eagle and the Raven. eo.  
Two young men eodem  
Of Money. Fol. 94  
The Goat and the Vine Fol. 95  
Of the Ant eodem  
Of mice that would hung a bell about a Cat's neck. eod.  
Of Fishers. Fol. 96  
The wolf & the Sow. Fol. 97  
Of a Cat eodem  
A man that would try his wives mind eodem.  
The Cock & the Capon. Fol. 98  
A Fouler and a Lark. eod.  
Of a Goose. Fol. 99  
A woman and her Lover. eo.  
Of a Serpent and a Husbandman Fol. 100  
A man and a woman twice married. eodem  
Of the Countryman and the Horse Fol. 101  
Of the Fox that fell into a Well. Fol. 101.102.  
A Pig & his fathers wil eod.  
Cockatrice & Seawolf. Fol. 102.  
Of a Linnet Fol. 103  
The Mule eodem.  
Of a King and Apes. eodem  
Of Oxen. Fol. 104  
Of a Hog. Fol. 105  
A man which hide treasure. eo.  
The Pygard & the Eagle Fol. 106  
A man stoned eod.  
A Raven and a serpent. eod.  
A poor man. Fol. 107  
A learned man not esteemed. eo.  
Of a Physician. Fol. 108  
Of Dogs Fol. 109  
A sheep wasting corn. Fol. 110.  
The Owl and the Lark. eo.  
Of the Reed. Fol. 111.  
Of the Eel. eodem  
The Crow & the Sheep. eod.  
The Ape & the Fox. Fol. 112.  
The Frogs & the Sun. eod.  
A Wolf fallen into a pit. eod.  
Two Hogs. Fol. 113  
Of the Wolf that put on a sheeps skin eodem  
The Elephant Fol. 114  
Of an Ass eodem  
A Husbandman & a Poet. Fol. 115  
Of a rich man unlearned, and a poor man learned. Fol. 116.  
The Pike & the Tench. Fol. 117  
Of a jealous man. eod.  
Of a Liberal man Fol. 118  
A covetous man eod.  
The Dog and the Lyon. Fol. 119.  
Of the shepherd and the Husbandmen eodem.  
Of Mercurius. eod.  
An old man and his Son. Fol. 120:  
Of the Camel. Fol. 121  
Of the Ass, the Ape, and the Mole eodem.  
Of a rich man. eodem  
A mad man. Fol. 122  
A Priest and his Boy eod.  
A young man Fol. 123  
Of jupiter eodem  
Of the Wolf, and the Lamb Fol. 124  
Of a Swan eodem  
Of a Horseman and a Husbandman Fol. 125  
A man and his Dog eodem  
A Soldier & his horse Fol. 126  
The Kid and the Wolf. eod.  
A Philosopher. Fol. 127  
The Mouse and the Cat. eo.  
The Sow and the Dog. Fol. 128.  
A Lamb and a Wolf. eod.  
Of a Fly Fol. 129.  
The Ape and his two Sons eod.  
An old man that carried an Ass. eodem  
The Fir tree & Bush. Fol. 131  
The Sow and the Bitch. Fol. 132  
The Dogs and the Ass. eod.  
The Lion & the Fox. Fol. 133.  
Of the Wolf being hungry. eod.  
The Horse & the Hart. Fol. 134.  
Of the Ape and his young ones. Fol. 135.  
Of Mariners eodem  
Of the Owl Fol. 136  
A Fox and a Dog. eod.  
A Wolf & Porkupine. Fol. 137.  
An old man loath to die. Fol. 138.  
The Ass & the Lyon. eod.  
The Horse & the Ass. Fol. 139.  
jupiter and the Raven. Fol. 140.  
Of the Flea and the Lion. eo.  
Peacock & the Chough. Fol. 141.  
A man and his Dog. Fol. 142.  
Of a herdman. eodem.  
A man created Cardinal. Fol. 143  
The Field mice eodem  
Of a Flea Fol. 144  
Of a Fisher eodem  
Of the Currier and the hunter. Fol. 145  
A Wolf Fol. 146  
Of a Bear eodem  
Of the simple Countryman. Fol. 147  
The Mule & the Horse. eod.  
Of a Devil Fol. 148  
The Birds. Fol. 149  
Of the Ox and the Bullock eodem:  
Of a Boy that would not learn Fol. 150  
Of the Dove & the Crow. folio eodem.  
The Ass & the Calf. Fol. 151  
Of the Merchant and the Jew. eodem  
Of a Carter. Fol. 152  
An old Woman. eodem  
The nightingale and the Raven. Fol. 153  
Of the Dove & the Pye. Fol. 154  
Of the Ass and Frogs. eod.  
The Pelican Fol. 155  
Of the Smythe and his Dog eodem.  
Of the Bull & the Mouse. Fol. 156  
Of a Weasyll. eodem  
Of Hares. Fol. 157  
Of the Nut tree, the Ass, and the woman eodem  
The Bear and the Bee. eodem  
Of a Boy & his mother Fol. 158  
Of a Grammarian teaching an Ass. Fol. 159  
Of a man that would try his friends eodem  
Of a young man & an old. Fol. 160  
Of a Lion and a Bull Fol. 161  
Of a Lark eodem.  
Of an Ass. Fol. 163  
Of one that played the part of Christ Fol. 164  
Of the Heart eodem.  
Of the Countryman and of Hercules Fol. 165  
Of the Biting Dog. eodem.  
Of the Hog & the Horse. eod.  
Of the Swan & the crow. Fol. 166  
Of the thrush. eodem.  
The Lion & the Mouse. Fol. 167  
Of a River. eod.  
Of the Serpent. Fol. 168  
Of a man that broke an Image eodem  
Of an Ass & a Raven. Fol. 169  
Of a Dog eodem.  
The Nurse & the Wolf. eod.  
Of a woman that wept for her husband Fol. 170  
Of a woman beaten. eodem  
Of the Widow and the green Ass Fol. 171  
Of the Raven & the Fox. Fol. 172  
The Dog and the Sheep. eo.  
Of the Dog and the Butcher. Fol. 173  
Of the Heart and the Oxen. folio. eodem.  
The Hare and the Fox. Fol. 176.   
FINIS.   

¶ 〈…〉 nance of the Wolf, the Fox, and the Ass.  

Abuse of the simple.  

THe Wolf, the Fox, and the Ass sometime journeyed together towards Rome, to obtain remission of their sins: In the way (because they thought the Pope would be otherwise occupied, that he might not intend them) they agreed to be shriven one of an other, and to suffer penance at their discretion. The Wolf therefore made his confession to the Fox in this manner: That he saw a Sow which had twelve Pigs, the which walked alone in the fields, wallowing in fatness, and suffered her Pigs at home to starve: wherefore he devoured the sow, because of her heinous offence in forsaking her young ones: and after, being moved to pity, he killed also the pigs, to rid them out of their pain, and ate them up: This he told with tears, desiring to know what penance he should do therefore. In faith (quoth the Fox) thy fault is not great, say once a Pater noster, and then thou shalt be pardoned. Strait after, the Fox began his confession thus: A countryman had a Cock of the game, which bet and vanquished all other cocks near about, who with his shrill crowing, troubled in every quarter, not only the hole, but also the sick persons, especially those which had the headache, whose pride I could not well away with: as I found him therefore on a time abroad with the hens, I caught him, and carried him away to my hole, where I devoured him: for which deed the Hens kackled against me, and troubled me with their crying: I therefore to revenge the injury done unto me, tore many of them in pieces and ate them: herein I confess that I offended, therefore I require pardon. Hereunto the Wolf said: Thou didst well in qualifying the noise and pride of the Cock and Hens, and therefore it is but a small fault, yet will I join thee this penance, That the three fridays following thou eat no flesh, if thou canst get none: for I will show thee as much favour as thou didst to me. Well now Sir said they to the Ass, let us hear thy confession, who began thus: My moiling and drudging which I endure, is not unknown to you my Lords, as in carrying of corn sacks, stone, wood and water, yet once I offended, whereof I repent me full oft: For a servant of my Lords, appointed ruler over me, being once a cold, a straw appeared out of his shoe, which I snatched away from him, whereby he took great harm and cold of his feet. Therefore be merciful unto me, and join me some penance. But they said, what hast thou done thou thief? Marry fie on thee, by thy means that servant had such hurt of his feet, that we think he is dead thereof, whereby thy soul is damned, and therefore thy body ought not to escape scotte free: then they killed and devoured him.  
MOR. The mighty and rich men in like manner do pardon one another, but to the poor they are hard hearted and inexorable.    

Abundance sometime perilous.  

4 Of the Spider, and the Gout.  
A Spider nigh wearied with continual labour, ceased off his work and walked abroad for disport: whom the Gout met, and accompanied as fast as he could, though it were with much pain: when that days journey was nigh at a point, they approached near to a little Town called T●che, where they determined to seek fit logding for their purpose. The Spider took little heed but turned into the house of an exceeding rich man, where on every side he set up his streamers. Then were strait at hand, those like Devils in a play, which cast down his webs, and as fast as he set them up in any part of the house, they were swept down: he could not work so closely, but it was found out: such was his misery, that in a house of so much wealth and abundance, he only wanted and was thrust down. But the Gout went like a beggar, (which caused him to be the longer without lodging) at length he got him to the cottage of a poor man, where when he had laid him down to rest, it is not to be told what misery he endured: his supper was course bread, and a Cup of cold water to drink, when he was dry: his bed to rest his weary bones upon, was a hard board strewed without either boughs or grass, but thinly with a little straw. I need not show, how ill agreed so hard a bed and so rude an host, to so tender limbs, and to his skin as soft as silk. When the day star was scarce risen, the Gout and the Spider met again. Then the Spider first declared his nights ill rest, and how often he shifted his place: sometime upbraiding the Master with too much niceness, sometime with the double diligence of the swéepers. Ah (quoth the Gout) the poverty of mine host is incredible: for if I had leisure, I could show thee spots black and blue, that my bed as hard as the Adamant, hath imprinted in my soft skin. Then they took counsel thus once again, That the Spider should go to the poor man's cottage, and the Gout to the rich man's house, where unto they both agreed. When it waxed dark, they came near to a City, and the Gout remembering well his appointment, fair and softly went into an exceeding rich man's house, where he hide himself: whom when the Master had scarce seen, jesus God with what hearty good will, what kindness, and with what names did he entertain him: straightway he was laid upon beds of Down, his bolsters stuffed with soft Partridge feathers. I will not speak of the wines, as sweet and dark wines, wines of Lesbus and Campania, birds that feed on grapes, Pheasants, and party coloured birds: to conclude, there was no kind of pleasure that his fantasy lacked. The Spider went into a poor man's cottage and began his webs on every side, from wall to wall he hanged them up, he followed his business with hand and feet, he broke it down and set it up again, and that he began he ended: and to tell you at a word, he was Lord and King alone, craft and policy he feared none, for his building was so high, that he was without the reach of a broom. Not long after the Gout spoke with the Spider, to whom he magnified his pleasures, his happiness and riches: The Spider likewise wonderfully praised his kingdom and liberty in building: They concluded therefore, that whither so ever they journeyed, the Gout should lodge at the rich man's house, and the Spider at the poor man's cottage.  
MOR. Some sort of men speed better in some place than others, and rich men's houses are a mansion place for diseases: but where lest riches are, there is most liberty.    

Abjects.  

3 Of an Ass, the Trumpeter, and a Hare, the Messenger.  
THe Lion king of four footed beasts, having war with the Fowls, set his army in array, ready to join battle with them: whom the Bear asked what furtherance the sluggish Ass, or the fearful Hare would be, to win the field, because he saw them amongst the other soldiers. He answered him: The Ass with the sound of his Trumpet, shall encourage the Soldiers to fight: and the Hare, because of his swiftness, shall be a Messenger.  
MOR. None is so vile, but good for some thing.    

Abstinence.  

4 Of an old man.  
A Certain devout man counseled an old man to leave off the lusts of the flesh, whereunto he had been outrageously given. He answered him: Holly Father, I will obey your reverend and wholesome precepts, for I perceive that Venery doth much hurt me, neither am I able to follow that trade any longer.  
MOR. Many abstain from vices, wherein they are nuzzled, not for the love of God or goodness, but because of infirmity, and fear of punishment.    

Agreement perforce.  

5 Of an Hermit and a Soldier.  
A Certain Eremite, being a man of godly living, exhorted a Soldier to leave of the warfare in this world, which way very few without offending God and hurt of their soul, do walk in, and to give himself to quietness, and prepare for his soul's health. I will Father (quoth the Soldier) do as ye will me, but truth is, that in these days Soldiers may neither demand their wages, though it be very small, ne yet take any pray.  
MOR. Many forsake their wicked living, because they can use it no longer.    

Aid.  

6 Of the Fox and the Bramble.  
AS a Fox clymbed a hedge, his feet slipped, who (as he was falling) caught hold on a Bramble to stay him: wherefore when he had torn his feet with the pricks thereof, being in pain, he said to the Bramble: woe is me, for I came to thee for help, who hast hurt me worse: not so (quoth the Briar) thou wast deceived, for I catch every thing, and thinkest thou to lay hold on me?  
MOR. Some are so foolish as to require aid of those which naturally are bend to hurt.    

Ambition.  

7 Of the Mice and the Frogs.  
THe Mice on a time contended with the Frogs for the kingdom of the Marshes, whereupon they proclaimed open war. The battle being joined, at the first onset they behaved themselves so valiantly, that the victory was doubtful. The wily Mouse lurking in the grass, privily as it were out of an ambushment, assaulted the Frog. But the Frog being of strength more puissant, in courage and leaping more valiant, with open war provoked his enemy: Their spears were bulrushes. It happened, as they were fight, that a kite espied them a far off, who incontinently made speed unto them: but these noble warriors, being earnest in fight, and nothing regarding themselves, were snatched up, and torn in pieces by the Kite.  
MOR. The like happeneth to seditious Citizens, which being inflamed with the greedy lusts of bearing rule, whiles they strive either with other, who shall be head officer, do hazard their goods, and commonly their lives.    

Ambidexter.  

8 Of the beasts and the birds.  
THere was sometime a battle between the beasts and the birds, the victory was uncertain, for both hoped well, yet much fear and danger was on either party. The Bat thinking the birds to be the weaker side, left their company, & took part with their enemies. The birds by the conducting and government of the Eagle won the field. The Bat was condemned for a runaway, and banished the company of all birds, and that from thenceforth he should never fly by day light, and this was the only cause, that the Bats fly but by night.  
MOR. He that will not take part of the sour, shall not taste of that which is sweet.    

All things as God william.  

9 Of the Peacock and the Nightingale.  
THe Peacock complained to juno, Sister and wife to jupiter, because the Nightingale song so sweet, and she herself for her hoarseness, was a byword to all men. To whom juno said: Every one hath his proper gift of God: The Nightingale in singing, but thou in colours of feathers passest all other birds, every man must be content with his estate.  
MOR. What God sendeth, receive it thankfully, neither seek thou further, for god doth nothing unadvisedly.    

All things not decent.  

10 Of a young man that song at the burial of his mother.  
A Certain man wept and lamented for his wife being carried to burying, but his son did sing: whom his Father rebuked, as he had been mad that he would sing when his mother went to burial, whereas he aught with him to be heavy and lament. Why Father (quoth he) if thou have hired these Priests to sing, why art thou angry with me that sing for nothing? That is no part of thy office said his Father, but belongeth to the Priest.  
MOR. All things are not seemly for all men.    

Armed always.  

●1 Of a Lion in love with a countryman's daughter.  
A Lion enamoured with a countryman's daughter, desired her greatly, whereupon he requested her father to give her to him in marriage. What (quoth the man) should I marry my daughter to a beast? Then the Lion frowned and grinded his teeth at him, wherewith the countryman being afraid, went from his former talk, and said: I would gladly match my daughter with thee, so that thy teeth were out, and thy nails off, because the maid standeth in doubt thereof. The Lion being inflamed with love, did so, and then required the maid of him. The Countryman seeing him lack his teeth and hooves, took up a club wherewith he divers times basted him, and chased him from his house.  
MOR He that yieldeth himself to his enemies, is soon dispatched.    

Arrogancy.  

12 Of a gourd and a pine-tree.  
A Gourd sometime was sown near to a Pinetrée, which for greatness of body and breadth of boughs, passed. It happened that this Gourd (by much rain and temperature of weather) grew very rankly, and extended his boughs loftily: He sprung up about the pine-tree and wrapped him about his boughs and leaves, craking that he had greater leaves, hanging flowers, great fruit and fresh. At length he was so puffed with pride, that he durst speak thus to the pinetrée: Seest thou not (quoth he how far my leaves exceed thine, and how in flourishing I pass thee, and am now, even in thy top? The Pinetrée, in wisdom and strength excelling, nothing wondered at the loftiness of the gourd, but thus answered and said unto him: I have a long time wintered and sommered here, and have passed through the pikes, and yet remain as sound as a bell, but thou in thy first flourishing, what time thy leaves shall fall, thy courage will be calmed, and all thy force in the dust.  
MOR. In prosperity we aught not to be lofty.    

Attempt not above thy capacity.  

13 Of the Spider and the Swallow.  
A Spider offended with the swallow, because she devoured the flies which were his meat, hanged up his webs afore the hole, (from whence the Swallow should fly) to take her. The Swallow flew forth and carried away the web with the weaver. Then the Spider hanging in the air, and perceiving his death to be at hand, said: justly have I this deserved, which did think to catch great birds, when without great labour I could scarce get the smallest thing that flieth.  
MOR. Attempt nothing above thy capacity.    

Attendance.  

14 Of a Dog and a Wolf.  
AS a Dog slept in a court before the house of his Master, a Wolf came suddenly and caught him: whom, as he would have killed, the Dog besought, saying: Good master spare me now because I am lean and thin as thou seest, but if thou wilt tarry, there shall be within these few days a great marriage kept at my Lords, where I will so fill me and make me so fat, that then I shall do thee more good. The Wolf crediting his words, let him go. Shortly after the wolf came and found the dog sleeping upon the house top, to whom he called as he stood beneath, willing him to perform his promise: Nay verily (quoth the Dog) but if from henceforth thou find me sleeping without doors, tarry not at all, upon hope of any Marriage.  
MOR. The burnt hand ever after feareth the fire.    

Babblers.  

15 Of the Ass and the Fox.  
AN Ass put on a lions skin and walked abroad, putting all other beasts in fear, who on a time seeing a Fox, endeavoured to make him also afraid. But he (for by chance he heard him bray) said to him: Thou knowest well that I would have trembled at thee, if I had not herd thy braying.  
MOR. Some unlearned men which outwardly bear countenance, through their babbling are reproved.   

16 Of the Eagle and the Pie.  
THe Pie sometime desired the Eagle, to make him one of his friends of his household, because the beauty of his body deserved it, and also the readiness of his speech to do messages: I would so do, said the Eagle, but I fear lest that which I speak within doors, thou wouldst preach it abroad on the house tops.  
MOR. Keep no babblers nor teltales in thy house.   

17 Of a Countryman that would pass over a river.  
A Country man ready to pass a stream, which by chance was suddenly risen, with late rain that fell, sought the shallow. When he had assayed that part of the River which was calmest, he found it deeper than he supposed: again, where it was roughest, there he found it shallowest: then he bethought him whither he might commit his life to the calmest place of the water, or to the roughest.  
MOR. Dread those less which are full of words and threatenings, than those that say nothing.    

Benefactors.  

18 Of a heart and a Vine.  
A Harte escaping the Hunters, lay hid under a Vine. When they were a little past her, she supposing she lay safe, began to feed on she vine leaves, which being stirred, the Hunters returned: and judging (as it was in deed) some beast to lurk under the leaves, they with their arrows slew the heart: who as she lay a dying, said thus: Rightly am I served, for I aught not to have hurt that which saved me.  
MOR. They which do any wrong to their benefactors, are punished of God.    

Benefits ill rewarded.  

19 Of an Ass that served an unkind Master.  
AN Ass served a certain man many years, in which time he never offended him. It happened afterward, being heavy laden, that he stumbled in a rough way, and fell under his burden. Then his cruel master bet him sore, and in spite of his heart forced him to rise, calling him a slothful & sluggish beast: but this poor wretch thought thus with himself: Miserable is my estate, which have happened to so unkind a master, for though I have served him a long time without displeasing him, yet doth he not forgive me this one fault, in recompense of the good service I have done him.  
MOR. This Fable is against those, which forget the benefits that they have received, and grievously punish the lest offence of their benefactors toward them done.    

Benefits.  

20 Of a Husbandman pricked by a Bee.  
A Husbandman being stung by a be, marveled that out of the self same mouth so sweet juice proceeded, and so grievous a sting. The Bee answered, the more beneficial I am, the more I hate them that do me wrong.  
MOR. The more good men do, the less injury they endure.   

21 Of the tree Abrotanum, and the Hare.  
THe property of Abrotanum, is to draw out any thing that sticketh fast, with the help of Auxangia. Wherefore on a time came a Hare halting to him, for a thorn which stuck in his foot, and said: O Physician both of body and soul, take pity on me and help me, and forthwith showed his right foot. This tree being moved with compassion, put himself upon the wound, brought out the thorn, and healed it. Wherefore the Hare remembering this benefit, carried daily a flagon of water on his shoulders, and watered the root of the tree, whereby he caused it to continued fresh and green.  
MOR. Let us always gladly serve our benefactors.    

Benefits for advantage.  

22 Of the Crow and the Dog.  
AS the Crow was offering sacrifice to M●nerua, she bade the Dog to her▪ good cheer, but he answered her: Why dost thou bestow sacrifice to no purpose? For the Goddess so hateth thee, that she suffereth thee to have no credit in any divination. To whom the Crow said, for that cause the more do I sacrifice unto her, that I might get her favour again.  
MOR. Many for advantage, fear not to benefit their enemies.    

Betraying.  

23 Of a Hunter, and a partridge,  
A Hunter had caught a partridge, which as he would have killed, she besought him pardon for her life, and to set her at liberty, promising to bring to his net many Partridges: The Fouler answered her readily again, saying: I think that now thou art more worthy of death: because thou hast given thy word to betray thy friend.  
MOR. He which goeth about by deceit to undo his friend, runneth headlong into misery.    

Beware of enemies.  

24 Of the Dolphin and the Eel.  
A Certain Dolphin finding an Eel in the sea, pursued after her, whom when he had often caught, but could not hold, because of her slipperiness, he was wonderful sorry. But the Eel being disposed to mock him, and thereby to escape, spoke craftily to the Dolphin: I am sorry for thee, that thou art too much wearied and grieved with swimming after me, but thy labour is lost: for in the deep waters thou shalt never take me, but go with me into the mud, and thou shalt have me at thy pleasure. The foolish Dolphin being in a chafe, and also greedy of his prey, began to swim after her: intending utterly to destroy her: when the Eel had led the Dolphin into shallow places she wound herself into the mud, and said: Come up to me, for I shall be stayed by the roots of herbs, & thou shalt have thy desire of me. The Dolphin gave a skip to catch the Eel, but she skipte into the mud, and she stack fast on dry ground: In the mean time came a Fisher, and strake him through, whereof he died.  
MOR. He that goeth with his Foe, it is no marvel if he fall.   

25 Of a Lioness and the Fox.  
THe Fox oftentimes upbraided the Lioness that she had but one whelp at a time, truth it is (quoth she) but then that is a Lyon.  
MOR. Beauty consisteth not in plenty, but in virtue.    

Boasters.  

26 Of an Astronomer and a traveler.  
A Certain Astronomer diligently viewing the stars, unwittingly fell into a well, but a travailer by chance coming by, & seeing him sighing, said: Dost not thou see the earth, which gavest thy mind upward?  
MOR. Many boast that they know of things to come, not knowing what presently happeneth.   

27 Of Scholars.  
A Certain Wheel wright had been often deluded by Scholars, which were vagabonds, which came to him for alms, saying they had great skill in Magic, and that they could do many things: of which number, there came one a begging to his door, in the name of a Master of the seven liberal Arts, to whom he said: My friend, were not you here the last year? Not (quod the Scholar:) departed therefore (quoth he) and come no more here, for I will give thee nothing. The Scholar was offended, and asked why he spoke in the singular number to him, being a Master of the seven liberal Arts, and a Magician. He answered: I know much more than thou dost: for with one handy craft labour I find me, my wife and children, but thou with thy seven Arts canst not find thyself, but goest a begging. Wherefore thou oughtest to reverence me, and not I thee. When he had so said, the Scholar departed, well mocked.  
MOR. It is a folly to boast of any title, where as knowledge wanteth of that which is professed.   

28 Of a Boaster.  
A Certain ragged and ill favoured man came into a Lauerne, and because he was light●● regarded, began to boast of his nobility, ●●at he descended of an ancient house, to whom ●●e answered: Avaunt knave with thy nobility, our Miller's Ass is more noble than thou, for he goeth with a man waiting on him, but thou goest without.   

29 Of a Boaster.  
A Certain man, who having traveled far, returned into his country, and made great vaunts of his manly acts that he had done in many places, especially that he had danced a dance at Rhodes, that none of that place could: for proof whereof, he said, that he had to witness them which were there present, to whom one of them that stood by, answered: Sir, if this be true, what needeth witness, there stands Rhod●●, and there is thy dance.  
MOR. All talk is superfluous, except we have present proof.   

30 Of the Mole.  
THe Mole a blind braced, said sometime to her mother: I see a Mulberry tree, and straight after, I smell a great savour of Frankincense: but the third time she said, I hear the noise of the fall of an iron pellet: her mother answered: As far as I perceive, thou lackest not only thy sight, but also thy smelling and hearing.  
MOR. Some brag they can do things impossible, and in the lest are reproved.    

Boasting.  

31 Of the birth of Hills.  
THe talk was sometime that the Hills did travel, whereof men hearing, came thither, and stood gaping about, waiting for some monstrous thing, not without great fear. At length the hills were delivered, and brought forth a Mouse: whereat there fell such a laughter amongst them, that they were ready to sown.  
MOR. crackers will promise' great matters, but scarce perform the lest.   

32 Of the Frog and the Fox.  
A Frog came forth of the Marshes into the wood amongst wild beasts, and said, she was well seen in Physic, and that her cunning was as good as Hipocrates, or galen's: all beasts gave credit, only the Fox mocked her, saying: shall she be counted skilful in Physic, whose lips be so pale? Let her first heal herself. And thus the Fox mocked her. For the mouth of a Frog is of a sky colour.  
MOR. It is mere folly to profess that whereof thou hast no skill.   

33 Of a Peacock spoiled of his feathers by a Soldier.  
A Peacock boasted to a Soldier that had decked his hat with Ostrich feathers, that she had much fairer feathers: and to verify her saying, she spread abroad her tail: The Soldier therewith being enamoured, caught and spoiled her, wherewith to deck his helmet: Then the Peacock said to herself: woe is me wretch and fool, to show so precious a thing to a spoiler, which I aught to have kept close.  
MOR. By boasting of precious things many are stirred to become thieves.    

Boldness.  

34 Of the Kid and the Wolf.  
AS a Kid looked out of a window, he espied a wolf passing by, upon whom he railed: Ah ungracious person said the wolf, it is not thou that tauntest me, but thy safe hold.   

35 Of the Sun and the North-east wind.  
Sometime the Sun and the north-east wind contended, who was the stronger, whereupon they agreed to prove their strength on a wayfaring man, that he might have the victory which caused him to cast away his wallet. first the North-east wind with sharp storms & bitter blasts assayed him: He stayed not a whit therefore, but as he went he wrapped his clotheses double about him: When the Sun was come to his course, by little and little in spreading his beams, he calmed the wind, than was this man in such a heat & sweat, that he puffed and blowed exceedingly, and at length by the outrageousness thereof, being faint, he could go no further, but got him into the cool shadow, casting away his wallet, and sat him down under a thick wood: by which evident token the Sun was conqueror.  
MOR. Look afore thou leap, for though thou be strong, yet perhaps another is stronger than thou, if not stronger, yet craftier, with his policy to give thee the foil.   

36 Of a Fox, and women eating of a Hen.  
THe Fox passing by a farm house, espied a great rout of women eating Hens sumptuously prepared, but (God wots) there was no talk amongst them, to whom she said: what crying and barking of Dogs would be after me, if I should do as ye do? Thou wicked beast (quoth an old woman) we eat that is our own, but thou stealest from others.  
MOR. We may not be so bold with other men's goods, as the right owners.   

37 Of a Dog and Wolves.  
A Great barking Dog was a sore enemy to the Wolves, for when they would have entered the City, he kept them out: wherefore they also hated the Dog, whom they would fain have killed. At length they sent two Ambassadors to the Dog, desiring him to come abroad into the fields, and they would make him their king, because he was mighty and valiant. The foolish Cur consented, and went with them, whom they brought safely to the other wolves that tare him in pieces.  
MOR. He that will be hardy, let him keep himself in a sure defence.    

Bragging.  

38 Of the Peacock and the Crane.  
THe Peacock and the Crane sometime supped together, and amongst other talk, the Peacock bragged much of his fair tail, despising the Crane: he granted that she was a fair bird in that point, yet was he able with his stout flying, to enter amongst the clouds, when she could scarce fly to the house top.  
MOR. Let not one think scorn of another, every one hath his proper gift and virtue: for he that wanteth thy quality, perhaps hath that which thou lackest.    

Brawling women.  

39 Of a Knight that had a brawling wife.  
THere dwelled a Knight at Florence, descended of a noble blood, which had a wayward and brawling wife, that daily went to her ghostly Father, to whom she complained of her husbands demeanour: for which he much blamed the knight. It happened not long after, that she desired her ghostly father to set her and her husband at quiet, whereupon he called him to shrift, saying, that if he came, he doubted not but to make them Prendes again. The Knight agreeing, the other required him to make declaration of his faults. In faith (quoth the Knight) it shall not need, for I know that my wife hath often told thee all that ever I did, yea and more too.    

Brutus beasts kinder than men.  

40 Of Arion and the Dolphin.  
ARion was an ancient man, and came of a noble lineage: he could sing to the harp: he was borne in the City of Methimne, in the Isle of Leshos, whom Periander king of Corinthe loved for his cunnings sake, from whom he departed to see the famous country of Sicily and Italy When he was come thither, and had well delighted the ears, and contented the minds of most men in those parts, he gained greatly, and lived in pleasure and love of all men. afterward having gathered much substance, he minded to return to Corinth, whereupon he hired a Corinthian ship and mariners of that coast, because he hoped to find friendship at their hands. The Corinthians received him, and launched into the deep, who being greedy of this great prey of money, took counsel to kill Arion. He understanding of his destruction, gave them all the money that he had, praying them only to save his life. But being past hope and sore afraid, he requested that before his death, he might put on his apparel and take his Harp and sing a mourning song to comfort his heart withal: The Mariners (though they were hard hearted and cruel) desiring to hear him, granted his petition. He being clad as he was accustomed, standing in the hinder part of the ship, song with a loud voice, the song called Orithium. In the end of his song, as he stood with his Harp and in his clotheses, he cast himself into the Sea. The shipmen nothing doubting but that he was drowned, kept on their voyage. But a strange and wondered thing happened, for a Dolphin suddenly swum by and received him, carried him on his back above the water, and brought him safe and sound to Tenarus, in the land of Laconia: from whence Arion went strait to Corinthe, and showed himself to King Periander, and how he was carried of the Dolphin, declaring all that happened. The King little believed this, but commanded him safely to be kept, till the truth were tried. The Mariners were sought for, (and Arion sent out of the way) who being brought before the King, he demanded of them (making no semblant that he had knowledge of Arion) whither they heard any thing of him in the parties whence they came: They answered, that when they set forth he was in Italy, and lived well there, and was highly esteemed in the Cities: and also was exceeding rich. While they thus spoke, in came Arion with his Harp, having on the same apparel wherewith he leapt into the Sea, whereby the shipmen being amazed, and pricked in conscience could not deny it.  
MOR. In brute beasts we shall sometime find more friendship, than in covetous men, which care for nothing but riches, neither have any spark of humanity, but the only phisnomy.    

busy bodies.  

41 Of a Kid and a Wolf.  
A Kid straying from the flock, and being pursued by a Wolf, turned back to him and said: O Wolf, because I am persuaded that thou shalt eat me, play first on thy pipe that I may dance, lest I die in sorrow: As the Wolf was playing and the Kid dancing, the dogs heard it and chased the Wolf: who said to the Kid: I have well deserved this, for I aught not being a Cook, to counterfeit a Minstrel.  
MOR. They which regard not that whereunto they are naturally inclined, but assay that which to others belongeth, fall into adversity.   

42 Of the Crab and the Fox.  
A Crab fish came forth of the sea and fed, the Fox being hungry and seeing him, caught him: who being ready to be devoured, said: I am well served, which being a fish of the sea, would live on land.  
MOR. Those men are justly miserable, that forsaking their proper science, do meddle with that, which becometh them not.   

43 Of the Apple tree, and the pomegranate tree.  
THe pomegranate and the Apple tree contended about their beauty: When they had continued long in strife together, a bush, which was their neighbour, often hearing them, at length said: It is time friends to be at one.  
MOR. The vilest persons sometime will meddle in their betters matters.    

Causers of evil.  

44 Of a Dog and his Master.  
A Certain man had a Dog whom he always fed with his own hands, because he should love him the more, and when he was bound he loosed him: But yet he commanded his servant to tie him up, & beaten him, to the end the dog might perceive he loved him, & that his servant did not. The dog taking it grievously to be daily tied and beaten, ran away Whom when his master rebuked as a churl, and forgetful of all his benefits, that he would run away from him which loved him so, and fed him, whom he never bound nor ●ette. Ah sir (said the Dog) that your servant doth at your commandment, I count it done by you.  
MOR. Those are evil doers, which are causers of evil.    

Chastity.  

45 Of the Turtle.  
A Certain Turtle being a widow, lived in great heaviness for the death of her mate, but she remained chaste: whom other birds pitying desired her to abide with them, whereunto at length she consented: They made her the best cheer they could, but she seeing their abomination and whoredom, forsook them, and led the rest of her life in chaste widowhed.  
MOR. Who protesteth chastity, must set his mind on no worldly affairs.    

A charm for Scolds.  

46 Of a scolding Woman.  
A Certain man had a scold to his wife, which always brauled with him, what soever he did, which the more he bet her, the more fierce she was When he saw that stripes would not prevail, he attempted an other way, for as often as she chid, he played on a pair of Bag● pipes, whereof he had no skill. When he had s● done, she was more fierce: but at length he continuing his playing, she danced for anger, and in the end she struck the Bagpipe out of his hand. But he took it again, and played, wherewith she being chafed, ran out of the doors, saying, that she would not endure his wickedness and drunkenness. The next day she began her scolding a fresh, but her husband played as he was wont. Then the woman declared that she was overcome, and left of her cursing, promising her husband to become most gentle unto him, so that he would lay away his Bagpipe.  
MOR. malapert women by divers ways must be charmed.    

Churl.  

47 Of the Wolf and the Crane.  
THe Wolf sometime had killed a Sheep, which as he greedily devoured, by chance the bones stuck fast in his throat: he travailed far and near, seeking for help but found ●one, for all men judged him well served for his greediness. At length by fair flattering words, ●nd greater promises, he alured the Crane to thrust his long neck into his throat, and to pluck out the bone that stuck fast. When the ●rane had so done, he required a reward: But ●he wolf laughed him to scorn, saying: Be packing thou patch, canst thou not be content with thy life, thou art bound to thank me therefore: for had I list, I might have bitten off thy neck.  
MOR. All is lost that is put in a riven dish.    

Certainty.  

48 Of the Fisher and the little Fish.  
A Fisher cast his hooks into the water baited with flesh, wherewith he caught a little fish, the prisoner besought him to release him, now being so little, and to let him grow bigger, that hereafter he might have the more commodity of him: Nay said the Fisher, I will not buy the pig in the poke, for I use to take what presently I can get.  
MOR. Leave not the bird in the hand, for that in the bush.   

49 Of a Fox that would kill a Hen sitting.  
THe Fox being entered a countryman's house, found a Hen sitting on Eggs in the nest, which besought him, saying: I pray thee kill me not now being lean, tarry a while till my chickens be hatched, which thou mayst eat without any tootheake being young: Ah (quoth he) I were not worthy to be called a Fox, if now being hungry, I would forsake my pray that is ready, upon hope of Chickens which are not yet out of the shell: I have strong teeth, which are able to grinned the hardest flesh that is. And when he had so said, he devoured the Hen.  
MOR He is not wise, which upon uncertain hope of greater things, will let go that which he hath presently.    

Common people.  

50 Of the Frogs and their King.  
THe Frogs being free, besought jupiter to give them a king, he laughed at their foolish petition, nevertheless they continued their instant suit so long, that at the length they forced him thereunto. He cast them down a beam, which with the fall thereof made a great noise in the water. The Frogs being afraid held their peace, and did homage to their king, and approached by little & little nearer unto him. At length they boldly hopped up and down on him: and thus their foolish king become a laughing stock unto them. Then called they on jupiter again, desiring of him a valiant king. He sent them the Stork, who walked like a stout champion through the Marshes, kill & devouring as many Frogs as he met. At even when the Stork was gone to rest, they came forth of their holes, hoarsly crying, but to a dead man, for jupiter his will was, seeing they were not content with a merciful king, that they should be oppressed with a tyrant.  
MOR. The like happeneth to the common people, which having a merciful & gentle prince, judge him a dastard and slothful, and pray that they may have a stout prince. Again having a valiant prince, they dispraise his cruelty, praising the other's clemency. Either it is, that we are not contented with things present, or that is true, seldom cometh the better.    

Company.  

51 Of the Collier and the Fuller.  
A Colyer sometime desired a Fuller to devil with him in house together: Nay (said the Fuller) this neither pleaseth me, nor yet is for my profit. For I fear greatly lest that which I make clean, thou shouldest ray as black as a coal.  
MOR. We are hereby warned to keep company with those that be of a perfect honest life, and to shun the fellowship of lewd men, as a noisome plague.   

52 Of the Raven and Wolves.  
A Raven sometime followed Wolves over many high hills, wherefore he required to be partaker of their prey, because he had so far followed them, neither had left their company. The Wolves made light of him, because he followed not them, but their prey, & in that he would as soon devour the hearts of Wolves, if they ●hould be slain, as of any other beast.  
MOR. We must always mark not that we ●oo, but of what mind we are in doing.    

Concord.  

53 Of the father and his sons.  
A Husbandman had many young men to his sons, which were always at variance, whom he diligently endeavoured to unite in love together, and because he would plainly open to them the inconveniences of their discord, he brought a bundle of small sticks, which he commanded them to bind with a little cord, and then to break it in pieces: they being but young and weak, did their good will to break it, but could not prevail: Then their father loosed it, and gave every of them a little rod thereof, which every one according to his strength did easily break: and forthwith he said to them: Sons, if ye would agreed, and stick thus one to an other, no man were able to vanquish you: but if ye be eyger to hurt and pursue one an other with mortal hatred, ye shall soon be a prey for your enemy.  
MOR. By concord small things increase. By discord great things waste and consume.   

54 Of Bulls and a Lyon.  
THere were four Bulls which agreed to stick one to another aswell in wealth as in woe, whom the Lion perceived feeding together, and therefore was afraid to assail them though he were very hungry: but in the end he devised by some crafty way to sever them: whom after they were parted, he soon tore them in pieces.  
MOR. Nothing is surer than concord, and discord maketh the mighty weak.    

Consenting perforce.  

55 Of a Lion which begged of the Wolf part of his prey.  
THe Wolf and the Fox entered fellowship, and went a hunting, to whom, as they were dividing the heart which they had taken, the Lion came by chance, & challenged the third part of the pray, because he was king of four footed beasts: but the Wolf denied it: then the Lion being angry, laid hold on the wolf with his claws, and plucked the skin clean from his head, and made it red, whereby the wolf escaped scarce with his life. After the Lion turned to the Fox, and said: What sayest thou? Forsooth my lord the king (quoth he) I grant not only the third part, but also the whole heart unto you: What (quoth the Lion) hath any body taught thee to answer so wisely: Yea sir (said the Fox) the red hat which you put on my fellow the Wolf hath taught me.  
MOR. Better it is sometime to grant a part than to lose the whole.    

Content in thy state.  

56 Of a Snail and the Eagle.  
THe Snail being offended that he continually abode in moist and low places, desired the Eagle, (of whom he had heard, that she flew so high, that she might behold the greatest part of the Earth on every side) to carry him up on high, whereby he might at once behold both Hills and Valleys, the Fields and the Sea. Which thing when the Eagle had quickly done, she cast him down, whereby he fell on the ground, and was dashed in pieces.  
MOR. Let no man exalt himself higher than his state and nature doth require.   

57 Of the Hare and the Fox.  
THe Hare and the Fox made their petitions to jupiter, the one desired swiftness to his subtility, the other subtility to his swiftness: jupiter answered them: In the beginning of the world we gave every beast his proper gift bountifully: now if one should have had all, other had been wronged.  
MOR. God hath bestowed his gifts so indifferently upon every man, that we ought with our state to be satisfied.    

Contention with superiors.  

58 Of the Elm and the Osier.  
THere sprung up an Elm in the bank of a River, which mocked an Osier that grew next him, for his weakness, because that with the lest beating of the water he moved, but of his own strength and stoutness he boasted exceedingly, and how that he had continued there many years, not able to be shaken by the violence of the water. It happened on a time, that by force of the waves he was broken down, and carried away by the stream: Then the Osier mocked him, saying: Wither away neighbour, wilt thou now forsake me? Where is now thy strength become?  
MOR. Those men are wiser that give place to their betters, than they that do contend and have a foul overthrow.   

59 Of the Heart and the Wolf.  
A heart sometime accused a Sheep before the Wolf, that he aught him a bushel of wheat: The sheep in very deed knew nothing of this, yet for fear of the Wolf, promised payment. A day was set, which being come, the heart put the Sheep in remembrance thereof, she denied it, excusing that promise to be made for fear of the Wolves presence. Forced promises are not to be kept.  
MOR. It is a clause of the law, force must have the repulse by force. But thereof cometh a new sentence: It is lawful to pay craft with the like.   

60 Of a Feller of Wood.  
AS a Woodseller was cutting wood near a river side, he lost his axe, who being uncertain what to do, sat him down on the rivers bank and wept. But Mercurius understanding the cause, and moved with pity, dived under the water, brought up a golden Axe, and asked him, if that were it which he lost: He denied it to be his: then he dived again, and brought up one of Silver, the which he refused to be his: then he dived the third time, and took up his Axe, which he acknowledged to be his which he lost. Mercurius perceiving him to be a just man and a true, gave them all unto him, who forthwith came to his fellows, and showed them what had happened unto him. One of them because he would also tries it, came to the river, and cast in his Axe willingly: then sat him down and wept. Unto whom when Mercurius had appeared, and understood the cause, he likewise dived, and brought up a golden Axe, which he asked, if he had lost: He rejoicing, did affirm it to be his. Whose impudent & manifest falsehood Mercury perceiving, neither gave him the golden Axe, nor his own.  
MOR. How much God loveth the righteous, so much he hateth the unrighteous.   

61 Of the Cock and the Fox.  
THE Fox being sometime very hungry, thought by subtlety to get his prey amongst the Hens, which by the conduction of the Cock were flown into a higher tree than he could climb: whereupon he came to the Cock, whom he gently saluted, and said: What makest thou so high? Hast thou not heard the news of late, which are so good for us? Verily (quoth the Cock) I heard nothing: but I pray thee what are they? The Fox said: I am come hither to make thee privy of our joy: For there was lately a general Counsel held of all Beasts, wherein was concluded a continual peace between all Beasts: so that now without any manner of fear, molestation, or laying await of any, every one may walk where as he list in safety and quietness, therefore come down and let us keep holy this day. The Cock perceiving the subtlety and craft of the Fox, said to him: Thy tidings are very good, which also I do like well: and forthwith he stretched out his neck, and looked a far off, as though he saw some strange thing, whom the Fox asked, what he espied? The Cock answered, I see two Dogs coming amain with open mouth: the Fox therewith quaking for fear, bade them Adieu, for time it is for me to be gone, and forthwith took him to his feet: What sir (quoth the Cock) whither runnest thou? what fearest thou? thou needest doubt nothing, if this peace be concluded: verily (quoth the Fox) I can not tell whether these Dogs have heard of this decree or not. Whereby one craft was paid with the like.   

62 Of a deceiver.  
THere was a certain man who sowed lead and other trifles in a piece of leather, as though it had been some jewel, and in the sight of a rich merchant and other men, he privily threw it to the ground, & after took it up again, enquiring if any had lost it: This rich man being covetous, came & affirmed it to be his: to whom the Deceiver said: Is it a precious thing as it seemeth? The Merchant avouched it to be. Marry (quoth the other) thou shalt not have it it again except thou give me ten crowns for a reward, which he willingly gave, & forthwith departed and opened the leather, but he perceiving it to be a small trifle, went to the deceiver, alleging that he was beguiled, wherefore he threatened to hung him, except he restored the ten Crowns. Why (quoth the deceiver) didst thou craftily & falsely say it was thine? and he caught hold on his hand, and would have brought him before the Mayor to try their honesty, but the merchant plucked back his hand and ran away.   

63 Of a Fox caught by a Dog, whiles she feigned herself dead.  
A Fox counterfeiting that she was dead, to the end to entrap the birds which should come to her as to a dead carcase, being wallowed in dirt, did lie with her face upward in a field, waiting for Choughs and Ravens, and such like greedy birds, which she would devour. It happened a dog to come by, which snatched at her, and with his teeth tore her. Whereat she said: I am worthily served, for whiles I endeavour subtly to catch birds, myself am caught by an other.  
MOR. They which lie in wait for other, aught not to be grieved if they be entrapped themselves.   

64 Of a Boy and a Thief.  
A Boy sat weeping on the brink of a Well, whom a Thief demanded the cause thereof. Marry (quoth he) as I drew water my rope broke, and a pot of gold is fallen in. This thief believing him, put of his clotheses, & leapt into the well to seek it: which, because he found not, he came up again, where he could neither see the Boy nor his cote, for the Boy was gone with it.  
MOR. He that useth deceit, sometime is deceived.   

65 Of a Thrushe.  
THe thrush made his vaunts that he had won the friendship of the Swallow, to whom his mother said: Thou art a fool son, if thou think to live with her, seeing either of you desireth contrary places, for she abideth in hot places, but thou in cold.  
MOR. Make not those thy friends, whose living disagréeth from thine.   

66 Of the Air and the Wind.  
THe Air on a time cited the wind before the judge and maker of all things, and said: O Lord of all things, behold and take pity of me, ye have placed me Princelike enough, for which I give you thanks, because ye have appointed me to be the life of all living things, but herein I was deceived, for this Wind doth make me so cold and intemperate, therefore I say to him, if he presume from henceforth to blow upon me, I will choke him: to whom the Creator said: Air thou sayest ill, though the wind make thee cold and toss thee, yet he maketh thee wholesome and temperate. If the wind blue not on thee, thou shouldest be corrupt, loathsome, infected and hated of all men: wherefore thou oughtest to love him which preserveth thy health, wherewith the Air was at one with the Wind.  
MOR We aught to love, and patiently suffer them which correct us.    

Covetousness.  

67 Of a travailer.  
A wayfaring man having travailed far, vowed, if he found any thing to offer the half thereof to Mercurius. He found a bag full of Almonds and Dates, which he took and ease: but the Date stones and shells of the Almonds he laid upon an Altar, saying: Thou haste O Mercury, my vow, for with thee I partake both the outside and the inside of that I found.  
MOR. The Fable is against covetous men, which for covetousness deceived the Gods.   

68 Of a Woman and a Hen.  
A Certain Widow had a Hen, which day by day laid an egg, she supposing, if she gave her more Barley, that she would lay twice a day, did so: but the Hen being fat, could not lay once a day.  
MOR. Sometime they lose the present commodity, which through covetousness seek after more.   

69 Of a covetous man.  
A Covetous man having sold all his goods, made a wedge of gold, which in a certain place he buried together with his soul & mind, to which he daily went to see it: One of the work men watching him on a time, & perceiving what was done, digged up the wedge and carried it away: afterward he came, who seeing the place empty, began to lament and pluck himself by the hair. When one saw him thus weeping, and understood the cause thereof, he said: Friend be not sorry, for having gold, thou hadst it not, take therefore a stone, and hide it for thy gold: and suppose that it is gold, and it shall be all one to thee, for as I perceive, when it was gold, thou didst not occupy it.  
MOR. It availeth nothing to be endued with possessions, except we have the use thereof.   

70 Of the Dog and the shadow.  
AS a Dog by chance swum over the river, he carried in his jaws a piece of flesh. The Sun then shining, as commonly it happeneth, the shadow thereof appeared in the water: which when he had seen, supposing it to be another piece of flesh, snatched greedily thereat, and so lost that he had in his jaws. The Dog being strooken at the heart, both with the loss of his flesh, and also of his foolish hope, barked thus in his language: Ah wretch, which lackedst a measure in thy 'gree; edie desire. Thou hadst enough and too much, hadst thou not doted, now through thy folly thou hast nothing left thee.  
MOR We are warned of modesty and wisdom, in desiring and eschewing of things, and to use a mean in our desires.   

71 Of a covetous ambassador.  
A Certain covetous man being sent ambassador for his country to another City, there were strait at hand trumpeters to welcome him, and to delights his ears with music, hoping thereby to fill their purses with money. He sent them word, it was now no time to play, because his heart was heavy for the death of his mother: the Trumpeters deceived of their purpose, departed sorrowing. Then a friend of his hearing of his sorrow, came to see and comfort him, and asked him, how long it was since his mother died? Forty years (quoth he,) than his friend understanding the wily deceit of the ambassador, laughed exceedingly.  
MOR. This Fable belongeth to covetous men, which study all the ways to the wood to save their money.   

72 Of a Covetous man dying.  
AS a covetous man lay a dying, and understood that at length he should carry nothing with him, he turned him to his friends and neighbours whom he saw present, and said: Learn of me, which all my life time have endeavoured to gather goods, that ye travail not too much to heap up riches: for of so many Acres of land, of so much precious apparel which with so great sweeting, I have got, I shall have but a hole of five foot, and one sheet, wherewith being dead, I shall be covered.  
MOR. It is a foolish and miserable thing to bestow so much labour in gathering of goods, which (whether we will or not) we must quickly leave.   

92 Of a covetous man that eat withered Apples.  
A Covetous man had gathered many Apples and fair, such as the Poet's report to have been in the Gardens of Alcinous and the Hesperians: which he did so spare, that he durst eat none, except they began to perish. His son being very liberal, brought his fellows very often into the Apple lofts, saying: Take of these what ye will, but touch not them that are perished, for my father will have them served always after meat, which thing they willingly obeyed.  
MOR. Nothing is more miserable than a covetous man which keepeth for others that which God hath lent him to use.    

Covetous Prelates.  

73 Of a lester and a Bishop.  
A Certain jester came in the kalends of januarie to a Bishop, who was very rich, but covetous: Of whom he begged a piece of gold for a New years gift. This Prelate said that he was mad, in that he supposed to have so much money given him for a new years gift. Then the fellow begged a piece of silver, but he said that was too much. Again, he required of him the lest coin of Brass: but when he could not obtain that, he said: I pray thee yet (reverend father) at the least, bestow thy blessing on me instead of a present. Then said the Bishop: Kneel down son that I may bliss thee. Nay, then (quoth he) I care not for your blessing, if it be so good cheap, for if it had been worth a farthing, you would not have granted it to me.  
MOR This is against Bishops and Priests, which set more by riches than all holy mysteries of the Church.   

74 Of a Priest which buried his Dog.  
A Country Priest dwelling in Tuscia, who was very rich, had a little Dog whom he bearely loved: which, when it died, he buried in the Churchyard. Whereof the bishop of that Diocese being advertised, and being covetous, supposing thereby to get some great sum of money, there upon he summoned the Priest to appear before him. He knowing well the pretence of the bishop, took with him fifty pieces of Gold, and came to the Bishop, who laid sore to his charge the burying of his Dog, for which he commanded him to prisone. The Priest (as he was rich) so being witty withal, humbly answered him, saying: Reverend Father, if your holiness understood the singular wisdom of my Dog, ye would nothing marvel that he was buried amongst men: For his wit passed man's reason, as well in his life time as at the hour of his death. What is this (quoth the Bishop) that thou sayst? Forsooth (quoth the Priest) he made a Will at his latter end, and knowing your necessity, he bequeathed you fifty pieces of gold, which I have brought with me. The Bishop, when he had received the money (being well pleased) sent away the Priest unpunished.    

Counsel.  

75 Of the Owl.  
SOmetime the most part of birds went to the Owl, and desired her no longer to abide in holes of houses, but rather in the boughs of trees where is sweeter singing. And incontinently they showed her a young Oak new sprung up, small and tender, where she might sit very softly, and build her nest: she would not agree thereto, but gave them counsel not to credit the young plant, for it would bear in time to come, birdelime, which would be their destruction. They being a light kind of birds and often flitting, despised the good counsel of the Owl: but when the Oak was grown, it was broad & full of boughs: then the Birds together did fly amongst the boughs, there they took their pleasure, hopped up and down, played and sung together. In the mean time the Oak brought forth bird-lime. Then the small birds all too late repented, that they refused that wholesome counsel: and this is the cause (men say) why all birds, assoon as they see the Owl, come clustering about her, follow her, sit about her and fly with her, for they remembering that counsel, account her wise, and come about her by flocks, that they might learn wisdom and knowledge of her.  
MOR Despise not the counsel of him that giveth it a right.    

Counsel for private gain.  

76 Of a Fox.  
A Fox being caught in a snare, when she had escaped with her tail cut off, was ashamed of her life, whereupon she pretended to persuade other Foxes thereto, so as by a common mischief she might cover her own shame: When she had assembled them all together, she counseled them to cut off their tails, alleging that they were not only uncomely, but also a superfluous burden: One of the Foxes answered her: Truly sister, if this thing were not only for thy profit, thou wouldst not counsel us thereto.  
MOR Wicked men give counsel to their neighbours for no good will, but for their own advantage.    

Crafty men.  

77 Of the Lion and the Goat.  
A Lion by chance espied a Goat upon an high rock, whom he counseled rather to come down and feed in the green meadow: so would I said the goat, if thou were thence, for thou géevest me counsel, not for my pleasure, but to slake thy hunger.  
MOR. Credit not every man's talk, for some counsel not to profit thee, but themselves.    

Crafty men.  

78 Of a Fox taken by a Countryman.  
A Fox being taken by a countryman, of whose Hens he had killed many, with flattering words besought him to set him at liberty, swearing devoutly that thenceforth he would never do him harm. The Countryman answered, I would willingly forgive thee, and let thee go safe and sound, but that I know thee to be crafty, and a promiss breaker, and I certainly know, that thou canst not hinder me being dead, but I mistrust thee being alive.  
MOR. We must give no credit to false and crafty men.    

Craft of women.  

79 Of a Woman that would die for her Husband.  
A Certain chaste Matron that loved her husband well, was grieved at the heart for the sickness of him, weeping and mourning much: and because her hearty good will might appear the more, she besought death, if needs he would have her Husband, rather too take her and to excuse him: whiles she thus spoke, she espied death with his loathsome looks approaching, wherewith she being aghast, and already repenting, said: I am not that body which thou seekest, he lieth in the bed whom thou camest to slay.  
MOR. No man loveth his friend so well, but he loveth himself better: Near is my coat, but nearer is my skin.    

Cruelty requited.  

80 Of a Lion being old.  
there was a Lion which in his youth through his fierceness had purchased the displeasure of many: whereof in his old age he received just punishment. Every beast in recompense of their hurt requited his quarrel: The Boar with his Tusk, the Bull strake him with his bornes, and especially the Ass, being inflamed to cast off the name of a coward) with chiding and kicking, courageously did beat him. The Lion then wailing lamentably said: Those whom sometime I have hurt, pay me again with the same measure, and not without a cause: Again, those to whom sometime I have done good, requited not now my goodness, but rather unjustly are my foes: great was my folly when I made so many my enemies, but greater, in that I trusted false friends.  
MOR. When thou art in prosperous estate, be not lofty nor fierce, if fortune once frown or look awry, they whom thou hast hurt, shall revenge their quarrel: if thou have friends, put a difference between them, some are friends not to thee, but to thy table, and to thy fortune, which as the wind▪ turneth, will turn, and happy shalt thou be if they be not thy foes. As Ovid complaineth not without cause.  
When prosperous winds did drive my sails,  
of Friends I had good store,  
But all were gone, when raging Seas  
by blustering winds did roar.    

Courage.  

81 Of the Hares and the Frogs.  
IT happened that Hares hearing a strange roaring in the wood, all trembling began swiftly to run away: In running they stayed at a marsh, being in doubt what to do, seeing danger on every side: and to increase their fear, they espied Frogs there drowned. Than one wiser than the rest, said: Wherefore are we so fond afraid? Let us take a good heart, for swiftness in running we lack not, but only a courageous stomach, as for this hurly burly we need not fear, but set it light.  
MOR. In all things take a good heart: strength without courage is but dead: for the chief head of strength is hardiness.    

Cursing.  

82 Of the Bee and jupiter.  
THe be which as men think, was the first maker of Wax, came sometime to sacrifice to the Gods, whose oblation to jupiter, was a house of Honey, wherewith jupiter rejoicing, commanded her petition whatsoever it were, to be granted. Then the be asked thus: most puissant God of all Gods, I beseech thee grant to thy handmaid, that who so ever cometh to the hive, to steal away her Honey, may forthwith die as I have pricked him. jupiter being abashed at her request, because he loved mankind far above all other, at length said to her: Be thou content if thou sting him that steateth thy honey, that thou mayst lose thy sting and forthwith die, and that in thy sting thy life may lie.  
MOR. We curse our enemies, but it commonly lighteth on our own heads.    

Danger.  

83 Of a heart and a Lyon.  
A Harte escaping Hunters, entered a cave, where he chanced on a Lion, by whom he was taken: As he was dying, he said: Woe is me, that fleeing from men, have happened on the cruelest of all beasts.  
MOR. Many men avoiding small dangers, run into great.   

84 Of the Town Dogs.  
A Great rout of Town dogs coursed sore a Country dog which ran away, and durst not resist: at the last he turned again, and showed his teeth to them, than they all stood still, and durst not come near him, where as the Captain general of the host was present, who turned to his soldiers, and said: Fellows, this sight warneth us not to flee, seeing we see more danger to them that run away, than to those that resist.    

Dealing.  

85 Of two Pots.  
TWo Pots stood together on a bank, the one was of earth, the other of Brass, which both were suddenly caught by the force of the streams, the earthen Pot fearing to be broken went swiftliest, whom the Brazen pot comforted, willing him to fear nothing: for he could take heed enough, that they should not knock together. Nay (said the other) I know well enough, whether the River beat thee against me, or me against thee, I shall be in hazard on every side. Therefore have I determined to keep no company with thee.  
MOR. Better it is to deal with thy fellow, than with thy better, for the mightier man can sooner hurt thee, than thou him.    

Death.  

86 Of the Swan singing at the point of death.  
A Swan being near at the point of death, was asked of the Stork, why he song sweeter, being nigh his death, (which all other beasts do so much hate) than in all his life time before, seeing at that time he aught to be sorry: the Swan answered: Because from henceforth I shall not be troubled with seeking for meat, neither shall I need to fear the fowlers gin.  
MOR. We are warned hereby not to fear death, being by that bereft from all miseries.   

87 Of an Old man which set trees.  
A Man of very old age, was mocked of a young man, because he planted trees, whereof he should never see fruit: The old man answered: Neither thou perhaps shalt gather fruit of those which thou goest about to set. Shortly after the young man fell out of a tree, which he climbed to gather heries, and broke his neck.  
MOR. Death spareth no age.    

Deceit.  

88 Of the Dog and the Cock.  
THe Dog and the Cock entered friendship and journeyed together: when night drew near, the Cock flew up into a tree, and rested, but the dog slept at the root of the hollow tree. It happened that the Cock, as he was wont, crowed in the night season, whom the Fox hearing, ran toward him, and as he stood on the ground, he prayed the Cock to come down, because he greatly desired to embrace so trim a singing bird: the Cock bade him that he should first wake the porter, which slept at the root of the tree, and that when he had opened he would come down: as the Fox sought means too call him up, the Dog start up and tore him in pieces.  
MOR. Wise men will by policy sand their enemies to mightier than themselves.    

Deceitful persons.  

89 Of a Friar, a lay-man and the Wolf.  
A Certain religions man of the order of S. Anthony, begged of a Husbandman a portion of corn, for which he promised to warrant all that he had, especially that his sheep that year should be safe. The countryman giving credit to his promises, let his sheep stray abroad where they list, whereof the greatest number a Wolf destroyed: the Farmer therewith chafing, when the next year the gatherer came for corn, did not only deny him his alms, but also blamed him for his foolish promises. Why what is the matter (quoth he?) The other answered, his sheep were destroyed by the wolf. What the Wolf? (said he) surely that is a naughty beast, trust him not, but beware of him: for he would not only deceive S. Anthony but also Chryst himself, if he could. It is therefore folly to credit those whose mark that they shoot at is only to deceive.    

Deserts rewarded.  

90 Of a Parate.  
A Parate being brought out of the East parts into the West, where no such Birds are wont to breed, marveled that he was more esteemed there, than in his native country: for he was kept in a Cage of ivory wrought with Silver wire, fed with most sweet meat, which thing happened not to other birds of the West parts, which in beauty and speaking as far excelled. Then the Turtle being shut up in the same cage, said: this is not marvel worthy, for no man in his own country is rewarded as he deserveth.    

Desire of new things.  

91 Of an Ass  
Sometime an Ass served a Gardener, of whose cruelty he complained to jupiter, beseeching him to have a new master. jupiter granted his request, and put him to a Tyler, whom because he laded him with much heavier burdens, he misliked: He therefore prayed jupiter yet once again, to shifted his service from him to a gentler Master. The God smiled at his folly, yet the Ass continued so long an earnest suitor, that he forced him thereto. Then he served a Currier, whose trade when the Ass had well perceived, he repented, saying: Ah wretch that I am, which can be contented with no master, for now I have got such a one, which as I suppose, will also curry my skin.  
MOR. Things present we never allow, but seek for new.    

Diet.  

92 Of a Patient and a Physician.  
A Physician took upon him to cure a Patient, who at length died: then said he to the patients kinsfolk: this man cast himself away for lack of good diet.  
MOR. He that useth quaffing and liveth inordinately, shall never be old, or else shall have a very short life.    

Dignity.  

93 Of an Ass carrying an Image.  
AN Ass carried an Image of silver on his shoulders, which every one that met it, did worship: wherewith being insolent, he would no longer be an Ass: then was it told him that he was no God, but carried an Idol.  
MOR. They that are placed in dignity aught to know that they are men.   

94 Of the Frog and the Crab.  
A Frog seeing a Crab swimming by the water side, said: What is he so ill favoured and foul, that dare trouble my water? seeing I am mighty and strong, I will put him to flight. When he had so said, he leapt upon the Crab, saying: why wast not thou ashamed O wretch, to enter into my resting place? didst not thou blush being so foul and so black, to defile the clear water? The Crab, as his manner is, began to go back and said: I pray thee sister say not so, for I would be at one with thee, therefore come not thus upon me. The Frog seeing him go back, supposed that he did it for fear of him, whereby he waxed more fierce against him, saying: Draw not back thou filth, for thou mayest not escape, this day will I give thy flesh to the fish, & incontinent he skipped upon him to kill him. The Crab seeing the present danger turned about, and with his claws bit the Frog and tore him in pieces.  
MOR. Every man, as much as in him lieth, let him study to avoid war and discord.   

95 Of a leopard and an Unicorn fight with a Dragon.  
THe Leopard sometime fought with a Dragon, against whom (because he could not prevail) he besought the Unicorn to aid him, and said: Thou art a godly beast, expert in fight and valiant, wherefore I pray thee help me. The Unicorn hearing this commendation of himself, answered: Thou sayest truth, for I have skill in fight, and therefore I will valiantly defend thee, for when the Dragon shall open his mouth, I will thrust him into the throat with my horn. When they were both come to the Dragon, the leopard gave the onset, trusting to the strength of the Unicorn, but the Dragon fought with them and spit fire at them. The Unicorn seeing him open his mouth, ran hastily to thrust him through, but he cast his head at one ●●de, whereby the Unicorn missing him, smote his horn fast into the ground and died.  
MOR He that will fight for another, seeketh his own destruction.    

Despite.  

96 Of the envious Dog and the Ox.  
A Dog lay sleeping in a rack full of hay, thither came an Ox to feed. The Dog seeing him coming, barked & forbade him. To whom the Ox said: the Devil choke thee with this thy despite, which neither canst eat hey thyself, nor yet will suffer me.  
MOR Many are of that disposition, that they will grudge others that, which they for lack of wit can not attain unto.    

Despise nothing. 97 Of a young man.  
A Certain young man espied an old man going crooked like a bend bow, whom he asked if he would cell a bow? hast thou (quoth he) any need to lose thy money? If thou live till my age, nature shall give thee a bow without money.  
MOR. The faults of age are not to be laughed at, because no man, if he live, can escape it.   

98 Of a Countryman and Pears.  
A Certain gluttonous man took his journey to go to a wedding whereunto he was bidden. By the way he found an heap of pears, but none of them he touched, albeit he was exceeding hungry, which in contempt he made water on, for he thought scorn of such meat, going to so good cheer. But as he passed on his way, he came to a stream lately risen with rain, which without danger of life he could not pass over, therefore he returned home again: and by the way he was so hungry (because of his long fasting) that if he had not eaten the pears that he pissed on, seeing there was nothing else, he had famished.  
MOR. Despise nothing, for what is so vile or base, that will not at one time or another serve for some purpose?   

dispraisers of Physic.  

99 Of a man that refused Clysters.  
A Certain rich Germane fell sick, to whom came many Physicians to cure him, (for to honey come flies by heaps) amongst whom one held opinion that he must take a Clyster, if he would recover his health: the Patient hearing this (because he had never taken any such medicine) was wood angry, and commanded all the Physicians to be put out of doors, saying that they were mad, which would minister to his tail, when his head ached.  
MOR. All wholesome things seem tedious to them which neveh assayed them.    

Dissemblers.  

100 Of a Deceiver.  
A Certain poor man being sick, vowed to the Gods, if he might recover his health, an hundred Oxen in sacrifice: the Gods (because they would try him) made him whole. When he was well, because he had no Oxen, he made an hundred Oxen of paste, which on the Altar he sacrificed. The God's meaning to punish him therefore, appeared to him in a dream, and said: Go to the sea shore in such a place and there thou shalt find an hundred talents of gold. This fellow when he awaked, rejoicing greatly, went to the place that was showed him and sought for it, where he was taken by Pirates, whom he prayed for his liberty, promising them a M. talents of gold, but to him they gave no credit, but carried him away & sold him for a M. groats.  
MOR. God hateth dissemblers and liars.    

Dissimulation.  

101 Of a Cat and mice.  
A Cat hearing that there were many Mice in a certain house, came thither: of which, those that she caught she devoured: The mice seeing themselves daily diminished, agreed together to come down no more, lest they should all be destroyed: for if the Cat come not hither (said they) we shall be safe. The Cat perceiving the mice descended not, thought by deceit to take them, and climbed up on a beam, whereon she hanged herself, feigning to be dead, whom one of the Mice, as he looked downward espied, & said to him: verily my friend, though I knew thou were dead, yet would I not come down.  
MOR. A wise man once deceived through the falsehood of a wicked man, will never after credit his dissimulation.   

102 Of the Wolf and the Sheep.  
A Wolf being bitten by Dogs, and evil entreated, lay prostrate along: he lacking meat, espied a Sheep, whom he desired to bring him some of the running water to drink, saying: If thou wilt give me drink, I will provide meat myself: she answered: if I give thee drink, thou wilt eat me.  
MOR. This Fable is against an evil body, which by dissimulation lieth in wait.   

103 Of the sick Ass.  
THe report was, that the Ass lay sick, nigh at the point of death, there came both the wolves & Dogs to visit him, and demanded of his Son, how his Father did, he answered (looking through the chinks of the door) better than ye would.  
MOR. This Fable speaketh of them that feign to take heavily the death of other, where as they wish them dead long before.   

140 Of a Fox.  
A Fox came into a vineyard where he espied fair clusters of Grapes which were ripe, of them fain would he eat, and because they were past his reach, he thought to found some shift to get them: but perceiving his labour to be lost, and that by no means he could satisfy his desire, he turned his sorrow into joy, saying: Those Clusters be yet to sour to eat, for they would set my teeth on edge.  
MOR. It is wisdom to dissemble that he careth not for that which he knoweth he can not get.   

105 Of a man that would kill a Hog.  
IT was a custom in a certain City of Picene in Italy, that he which killed a Hog in Winter, should bid his neighbours to supper. Now there was one which minded to kill a Hog, but loath he was to be at any charges, whereupon he asked the advise of his Godfather, how he might thifte off the expenses. Tell abroad (quoth he) to morrow, that this night there was a Hog stolen from thee. It happened the same night, (he nothing mistrusting it) that one verily conveyed a Hog from him. In the morning when he rose, he looked for his hogs, whereof missing one, he went incontinent to his Godfather, and cried aloud, that one of his Hogs were stolen. Well done (quoth he) thou playest the wise fellow, for so I taught thee to speak: the other swore by all the Gods he did not lie. I con thee thank (said his Godfather) thou followest well my counsel. The other for all that did swear and stare the more that it was true. Thou art to be commended (quoth he) for I forewarned thee so to say, & my counsel was good. The other seeing himself thus flouted, departed heavily.    

Disobedience.  

106 Of the Eagle that cited all manner of birds.  
THe Eagle called together all manner of wildfowl: which being assembled, as he corrected certain faults, there came Hunters which set abroad their nets to catch the birds. The Eagle seeing the present danger, made proclamation by his criers, that all should follow the banner of the Eagle, and fly with her, if they would escape: then as many as flew with her escaped, but some gluttonous & disobedient, who beholding the prey & coveting it, flew into the nets, wherein being entangled, they cried piteously.  
MOR. He that will not obey, falleth into mischief.    

Double tongued.  

107 Of a Satire and a wayfaring man.  
A satire, which in old time was counted God of the woods, walking abroad, found a wayfaring man covered with snow and nigh dead with cold: on whom taking pity, he brought him into his den, and made a fire & cherished him. It happened that the satire espied him breathing on his hands, whereof demanding the cause, he answered: to heat his hands. And being set down to meat, the traveler blowed on fried barley that was on his trencher. He asked again, why he did so? to cool it (quoth he.) Then the satire drove him out of his den, and told him that he would harbour none that had so variable a mouth.  
MOR Deal not with that man, which hath a double heart, or is unstable in his words.    

Doubt the worst.  

108 Of a Pie and a Cuckoo.  
A Pie espying a Cuckoo lurking amongst the boughs of a tree, supposed it to be a Hawk, wherewith being moved, flew away: which thing other Birds near at hand beholding, mocked the Pie, that in stead of a Hawk, she flew from the Cuckoo, she answered: I had rather be mocked of you, than my friends should weep for me,  
MOR. It is better to minister occasion for our foes to laugh at, than our friends to weep at.    

Dredfulnesse.  

109 Of a Serpent.  
A Serpent being trodden upon by many, made his moan to jupiter, but he said to him: If thou hadst stinged him which first kicked thee, the next would never have attempted it.  
MOR. They which withstand their assaulters, become a terror to others.    

Dread without need.  

110 Of the rule of women of their husbands.  
A Certain man carried about through the whole world a pair of boots, which he would give that man who feared not his wife. He could find none a great while, which would take them. But at length a countryman received them, to whom he said: Soft let me put them in thy bosom and wipe them. But the countryman (because his shirt was new & white) said: I dare not jest my wife taunt me for blacking my shirt: then he took away the boots & bet him therewith, saying: Get thee hence in the devils name, because thou dreadest thy wife for a little trifle, thou didst mean to deceive me of my boots, and he straightway departed. But I think he hath not yet bestowed them justly of any man.    

Drunkenness.  

111 Of a woman.  
A Certain woman had a drunkard to her husband, from which vice (because she would rid him) she used this policy: She watched him when he was drunken heavy asleep, and like a dead man without feeling, & took him on her shoulders, carried him into the churchyard, laid him in a grave and departed. When she supposed that he was sober, she knocked at the head of the tomb, who asked who knocketh at the door: his wife answered, I am here, and have brought meat for the dead. Ah (quoth he) bring me rather some drink than meat, thou dost trouble me in speaking of meat & no drink. The good woman struck her breast & said, woe is me wretch, for my craft will do no good: thou my husband art nothing mended, but become worse, so that this disease hath got an habit in thee.  
MOR. We must not continued in evil deeds, for custom sometime creepeth on a man.    

Dulspirited.  

112 Of the Boar and the Countryman.  
THere was a Boar which routed up the corn, whose ear a countryman cut off. It chanced he came the second time, than he cut off his other ear. When he came yet again, he caught him & carried him into the city & gave it his Attorney to make merry withal. At the feast when he was broken up, his heart was not found. Then his master was wroth with the cook therefore. Sir (quoth the countryman) it is no marvel that his heart is not here, for I think the foolish Boar had no heart, for if he had had any, he would not have come so often into my corn to his cost. Then all the gests laughest exceedingly at his foolishness.  
MOR. Many live so without spirit or boldness, that it is doubtful whether they have a heart or not.    

Education of youth.  

113 Of a Gnat.  
A Gnat in the Winter season, supposing that he should die for hunger and cold, came to a Hive of Bees, of whom he desired meat and lodging, promising (if they would grant it him) to teach their children the art of Music. Then one of the Bees answered: I had rather my children learned some trade which can keep them from hunger and cold.  
MOR. We are warned to bring up our children in those sciences, whereby they may be able to get their living.    

Enemy.  

114 Of a nourisher of Bees.  
A Certain man, when the Owner was absent, came to the place where honey was made, & stole away an honey comb: the owner at his return seeing the hives empty, stood up & sought if aught were left. The Bees returning fro feeding, and finding him there, pricked him with their stings, and handled him very ill. Then he said to them: O vile beasts, which have let escape unhurt him which hath stolen your hony-combs, and strike me which take care over you.  
MOR. Some men through folly can not beware of their enemies, and drive back their friends, as such that lay await to deceive.   

115 Of many creeping Worms and Beasts.  
MAny creeping beasts sat sunning, amongst whom the cockatrice was, who cried aloud, Who so dare fight with me, let him come forth. The Snail came forth to sight with her: as they were together striving, the Cockatrice would have bit the Snail, and poisoned him, but he drew his head into his shell that she could not touch him, afterward the Snail came forth and bit the serpent, whereby she was overcome. Not long after, she being again encoraged, excused herself, that she was not valiantly overthrown: wherefore she said: If there were any other warrior amongst them, she would revenge herself, and make him run away. The Hedgehog hearing this came forth, who was full of prickles, whom the Serpent assaulted, but the Hedgehog, pricked her sore, and wounded her, whereof she was ashamed: but a Frog willing to be revenged of the Serpent, went on her, & would have slain her, but she though weary, hardened her heart, and took the Frog, and devoured him.  
MOR. He is a fool which being unarmed, will assault his enemy.   

116 Of the King's fisher.  
THe king's fisher is a solitary bird, always living in the sea, which as is said, taketh heed of men's huntings, & therefore buildeth her nest upon the rocks in the sea, who on a time being ready to breed, did make her nest: As she was gone out to her pastime, it chanced the sea to arise (being stirred with a boisterous wind) above her nest, which being drowned, her young ones perished. She at her return, seeing what had happened, said: Woe is me wretch, which fearing to be betrayed on land, have run to this which is more deceitful.  
MOR. Some men taking heed of their foes, do unwittingly happen upon friends who are much crueler than their enemies.   

117 Of the Hen and the Fox.  
A Fox entered into a pultrie house, where he saw a Hen on her nest being sick, whom he asked, how she did: Ah (quoth the Hen) I should do much better (sister) were thou gone.  
MOR. The presence of our enemies doth much hurt us.   

118 Of two enemies.  
TWo men hating one another deadly, sailed together in one ship, whereof the one sat in the forepart of the ship, the other in the hinder part thereof, suddenly there arose a tempest, which put the ship in hazard: them he that sat in the stern asked the master which part of the ship should first be drowned, the stern (quoth he) them he said: My death shall nothing green me, if I may see mine enemy die before me.  
MOR. Many men care not what harm they have, so that they may see their enemies before them hurt.   

119 Of the Crow and the Raven.  
THe Crow envied the Raven, because by him men took divination, for which he was supposed to forshew things to come: whereupon espying travailers by, she flew up into a tree, where she stood and cried like a Raven: They at her crying turning aside and wondering, at the last understanding the truth, one of them said: Let us be going fellows, it was the Crow that cried, and she hath no soothsaying.  
MOR. Those men which strive with their betters, besides that they are never able too match them, deserve to be laughed at.    

Envy.  

120 Of the Wolf and the Fox.  
THe Wolf having much provision of meat, lived at ease, to whom the Fox came and demanded the cause of his ease: the Wolf perceiving that he envied his good fare, feigned sickness to be the cause thereof, and he prayed the Fox, to beseech the Gods for his health: The Fox being grieved that his purpose would not prospero, went to a Shepherd, and willed him to go to the Wolves den, where suddenly he might take his enemy that lived voided of care: the shepherd assaulted the Wolf, & slew him, the Fox possessed his den with all the good cheer, but he enjoyed it no long time, for the same shepherd caught him likewise.  
MOR. Envy is a lothseome thing, & he that is the cause thereof commonly maketh a rod for himself. Horace in his .1. book of Epistles writeth.  
The envious man doth grudge to see  
his neighbours goods arise,  
The Sicil tyrants could not well  
a greater plague devise.   

121 Of the Covetous man and the Envious.  
Two men made their prayer to jupiter, a Covetous man and an envious, who sent Apollo to them to satisfy their desires, he gave them free liberty to desire, upon this condition, that what soever the one required, the other should receive double. The covetous man was long in doubt: because he thought nothing was enough: at length he asked no small thing, his companion received double so much. The Envious man requested one of his own eyes to be put out, greatly rejoicing that his fellow should loose both.  
MOR. Covetousness never saith ho: as for Envy, nothing is more mad, which wisheth himself mischief to hurt an other withal.   

122 Of the Wolf and the Ass.  
THe Wolf and the Ass were sawyers together, but the Ass wrought above, & the wolf beneath, who sought occasion to slay his fellow, wherefore he said: Ah wretched Ass, why dost thou cast dust into mine eyes? Forsooth (quoth he) I do not, but rule it after my knowledge: if it please thee to saw above, I will beneath. Tush (quoth the Wolf) I see what thou dost, if thou cast any more into my eyes I will pluck out thine: when he had thus said the Wolf blew hard, that the dust might fly up into his fellows eyes, but the timber staying it, it fell into his own: wherewith being sore troubled, he swore, that he would overthrow the porters, but suddenly it fell, and killed the the Wolf.  
MOR. Mischief commonly lighteth upon the pate of the Author.   

123 Of the Lion and the Wolf.  
THe Lion being stricken in age fell sick, and lay in his den, all beasts save only the Fox came to visit their King: Whereupon the Wolf having opportunity, accused the Fox unto the Lion, as one that set nought by him being their Lord, for which cause he came not to see him. By chance the Fox came in, and heard the latter end of the Wolves tale. Then the Lion roared against the Fox, who incontinent craving space to make answer, said: which of all those that are here present, hath done so much good as I, which have travailed far and near to seek a remedy for thee of the Physician, which I have learned: Then the Lion commanding him forthwith to tell the medicine, he said: The Wolves skin being yet alive, to be plucked from his back and put warm about thee, is the medicine and only remedy. As the wolf lay along, the Fox laughed at him, saying: It becometh not thee to provoke thy Lord to wrath, but to favour and good william.  
MOR. He which continually diggeth pits, at length turneth himself therein.    

Evil men.  

124 Of the Cock and the Cat.  
A Cat sometime being hungry, came to devour a Cock, whom because she had no just cause to hurt, laid to his charge his great notses that he was wont to make, because that with his shrill crowing, he did let men of their rest in the night: the Cock replied that he was thereof guiltless, seeing by that means he raised up men to their daily travel: It is but lost labour (said the Cat) to pled thus: for thou treadest thy mother, neither art thou so content, but thou meddlest with thy sister: the Cock being ready to purge himself of that fault, the Cat waxed more eager against him, saying: thou strivest against the stream, for this day I will be thy priest.  
MOR. If any man would beaten a dog, he shall soon find a staff. The evil man by hook or by crook, if he list, will throw thee down.    

Evil for good.  

125 Of the Countryman, and the Serpent.  
AS a Countryman walked about his grounds, he found a Serpent in the snow nigh dead with cold, which he pitying much, brought home, and laid him by the fires side. The serpent by reason of the fire come again to his strength and venom, could no longer endure the heat, but filled all the cottage with his hissing. The Countryman got up a stake, and ran at him, wherewith he struck him, and then took him up for that displeasure, saying: Will't thou thus recompense my courtesy? Goest thou about to destroy him that saved thy life?  
MOR. It chanceth often, if a man save a thief from the gallows, he will soon seek his death, and on whom men bestow most labour, of him they shall reap lest good.    

From evil to worse.  

126 Of a Servant which cast his Master's Ass from a Rock.  
A Certain husbandmannes' Servant, threw down his masters Ass headlong from an high Rock, that he might not daily be forced to drive him too and fro, but he told his master, that he fell down himself: wherefore his master did 'cause him to bear all things on his shoulders, which the Ass was wont before to carry. The which thing the evil servant marking, said: I was not well advised when I slew my innocent fellow, which eased me of so great travail, I am thus worthily served.  
MOR. Whiles fools would avoid any evil, they fall into worse.    

Exercise.  

127 Of the Bat, the Bramble, and the Cormorant.  
THe Bat, the Bramble, and the Cormoraunte entered friendship together, and determined to live like merchants, whereupon the Bat borrowed money, and shipped it, the Bramble took garments, & the Cormorant Brass, and sailed together. It chanced a great storm to arise, that the ship was drowned, & all their goods lost, and they escaped to land: since which time the Cormorante sitteth on the sea shore, to see if the sea will cast up the Brass any where. The Bat fearing his creditors, showeth not his head by day light, but goeth to feed by night. And the Bramble doth catch hold of the garments of such as are passers by, seeking if he can find his own.  
MOR. Whereunto we do apply ourselves, in time to come we follow the same.    

Experience.  

128 Of the Worm.  
THe Worm that lurketh in the dirt, went abroad upon land, and said to all beasts, that she was as learned a physician for medicines as ever was Poeen physician to the Gods: Why (quoth the Fox) canst thou cure others, and canst not heal thyself of thy lameness?  
MOR. All talk is in vain, except experience have been had before.   

129 Of Cockels.  
A countryman's son roasted Cockles, whom as he heard hissing, he said: O evil beasts which when your housen be burnt do sing.  
MOR. All things done out of due order, are to be discommended.    

Falsehood in fellowship.  

130 Of the Ass and the Fox.  
THe Ass and the Fox being entered friendship: went forth a hunting, whom a Lion meeting, the Fox seeing the present danger, went to the Lion & promised to deliver the Ass into his hands, so that she might scape scotfree: the Lion agreed: then she led the Ass, and caused him to be trapped in a net: but the Lion seeing him so fast, that he might not escape, first laid hold on the Fox, and after he served the Ass likewise.  
MOR. They which betray their fellows undo themselves unawares.    

False witness.  

131 Of the Dog and the Ass.  
A Bandog (which is able to vanquish not only Wolves, but also Bears) did journey a long way with an Ass which carried a sack full of bread. As they went on their way, a tempest arose, than the Ass happened on a meadow, where with good grass he filled his belly full: but the Dog desired the Ass to give him a little piece of bread lest he starved: he not only denied him that, but also scottingly counseled him to feed on grass with him. In the mean time the Ass espying the Wolf coming, besought the dog to aid him. Nay (quoth he) thou didst counsel me to feed on grass to slake my hunger, so I will thee to defend thyself with thy iron heels against the Wolf.  
MOR. They which aid not them which need help, are wont to be destitute of the succour of others in the time of need.    

Faults punished.  

132 Of a wicked man and the Devil.  
A Wicked man having committed many heinous offences, for which he was often apprehended and committed to prison, where he was kept very straightly, besought the help of a Devil, which often had aided and delivered him out of trouble. At length he was taken again, who (as he wonted) required succour of the Devil: who came to him, carrying a great bundle of shoes on his shoulders and said, friend, I can help thee no longer, for I have trotted to so many places for thy deliverance, that I have worn out all these shoes, and I have no money left me to buy any more, wherefore thou must needs perish.  
MOR. Let us not believe always to scape scotfree with our faults.    

Familiarity.  

133 Of a Camel.  
WHat time the Camel was first seen, he was much dreaded, and because of his hugeness, men fled from him. But in process of time, his tameness being known, they took a good heart & came to him: afterward understanding the beasts courage, they so far forth despised him, that they put a bit in his mouth, and delivered him to be driven by boys.  
MOR. Custom and daily company, make terrible things to be little set by.   

134 Of the Fox and the Lyon.  
THere was a Fox which had not been used to the sight of the Lion, whom when he saw by chance once or twice, he quaked for fear & fled away: As he met him the third time, he stood nothing in doubt, but approached & saluted him.  
MOR. Familiar conversation maketh men bold, even with those whom they were afraid afore to look on.    

Fear.  

135 Of the Eagle  
THe Eagle for his beauty preferred himself before all other birds, which thing all did affirm that it was true, but the peacock said to himself: the feathers make thee not beautiful, but thy bill and thy talandes, because none of us dare contend with thee about their beauty for fear of them.  
MOR. mightier men's affairs are praised of many, more for fear than truth.   

136 Of a Dog fearing the Rain.  
A Certain Dog as oft as it rained, durst not come forth of the house, and being demanded of an other Dog why he did so, answered: because sometime I was scalded with hot water.  
MOR. They which have tasted of great evils. are afraid of the smallest.   

137 Of a Cock.  
A Cock being taken by a Fox, escaped from him very hardly. Not long after, he saw a Fox's skin, wherewith being sore afraid, ran away, whom other birds mocked that he was afraid of nothing. Ah (quoth he) if ye had been in the Fox's gripes as I have been, ye would be afraid of his foot steps, how much more his skin.  
MOR. They which have escaped great dangers, dread the lest.    

Flattery.  

138 Of a sick man and a Physician.  
A Sick man being demanded of the Physician how he did, answered: that he sweet more than needed. Well (quoth the Physician) that is good. The second time being asked, how he did said: I shiver and quake sore: that is good (quod the other.) The third time he demanded his patient as before, who answered, that he had the dropsy: that is also good said the Physician. Then one of the houhold asked him how he did: in faith (quoth he) through so many good things I perish.  
MOR. We aught chief to abhor them which only speak to delight the ear.    

Fellowship of Women.  

139 Of a man and his two wives.  
A Certain man of middle age being daintily brought up, whose hair was half black half grey, married two wives at once in the spring time whereof the one was young, the other old, which both dwelled together in one house: the elder because she would allure him only to love her, daily kemmed his head, & plucked out the black hairs. The younger likewise (because she would entice him to her, from the old woman's company) plucked out his white hairs. At length between them, they had plucked off so much hair, that he become bald and a common mocking stock.  
MOR. Nothing is better for old men, than to leave the company of women, especially those that be young, except he will be cloyed.    

Flying of danger.  

140 Of a Soldier.  
A Certain Soldier being bidden of his fellows, to help them at a certain City of Italy, which fell away from the king of France, answered them: If the right Lord of the soil shall besiege the City, who shall bring us help? They said: The king of France. Then the Souldioure climbed up on a Tomb & cried thrice with loud voice, O king of France, but when no answer was given him, he turned to them that bade him, saying: I will not come thither, when he that should help me can not hear me requiring aid. The other which went thither, were besieged of the Lord of the town, which being won, they were taken and killed.  
MOR. They are fools which like Harebrain's put themselves in danger.    

Fellowship.  

141 Of travailers.  
TWo men iourneid together, whereof the one found an Axe, the other warned him that he should not say, I have found, but we have found. Strait after, as they came together to those which had lost it, he which had the Axe, following his fellow which journeyed with him, said: we are undone, nay (quoth the other) say I am undone not we: for when thou foundest the Axe, thou didst say, I have found, not we.  
MOR. They which were no partners in prosperity, are no sure friends in misery.    

Fight.  

142 Of the Lion and a Bear.  
A Lion and a Bear having got a Hindcalfe did fight together for him. When they had long fought and were giddy & weary, they lay down to rest. But the Fox went about them, and seeing them laid flat with the Hindcalfe in the midst, ran between them and took away the Calf, they might see him, but could not arise, wherefore they said: what fools are we to labour for the Fox?  
MOR. Fools lay the pools, but wise men have the fishes.    

Follie.  

143 Of a rich man and his servant.  
A Rich man had a dullhead to his servant, whom he used to call the king of fools: He being often offended with his words, thought he would be even with his master, and on a time he turned again to him and said: I would I were King of fools, then in all the world there were no greater kingdom than mine, yea and thou also shouldest be in subjection to me.  
MOR. All things are full of folly.    

Fools.  

144 Of a woman that bet her Husband.  
A Certain Woman of a manly courage, had shrewdly beaten her husband, which was a coward and dolt, because the Kite had stolen one of the chickens, which she going forth left him to tend: wherefore when his Wife was absent again, he tied all the chickens to one thread, and kept them more diligently, lest the Kite should snatch any of them which he was put in trust to keep: but the Kite coming suddenly, caught one in his claws, which as he would have carried away, he drew up all the rest together into the Air. This wretched husband remembering that for one chicken lost he was ill handled of his wife, was afraid of more mischief to come, and thought it therefore better to die than to try his wives fury again. Now this witty woman had put certain figs into a little pot, well dressed with honey and sweet spices, whereof she warned her wise husband, whose lickerousnesse she feared, that he should not taste thereof, because present poison was in them. Her husband willing to die, did▪ eat up all the figs, supposing that to be the best way to die and to escape his wives anger. When the woman came home & knew that the Kite had snatched away all her chickens, she took up a staff and determined to beat her husband, because he kept the chickens so ill: to whom her foolish husband said: I pray thee wife beat me not now being ready to die, for I have eaten up all the poison in the glass, to punish myself for my fault. Then the woman turning her anger into laughter, forgave her husband, which for keeping her chickens ill, otherwise contented her.  
MOR There is no fit remedy against fools.   

145 Of Fishers.  
Sometime Fishers went a fishing: wherewith being weary and had caught nothing, they were very sorry and minded to departed, forthwith a Tuny being chased by an other great fish, skipped into their boat, whom they took and departed merrily.  
MOR. Fortune commonly giveth that, which by cunning can not be got.    

Fortune frowneth on the poor.  

146 Of a rich man and a poor.  
A Certain man being marvelous weary of the great abundance of his riches, offered a beggar an .100. crowns if he would go to Fortune (which dwelled in the furthest parts of the world) and beseech her in his name to bestow no more goods upon him. The poor man being aghast because of the travail of so long a journey, refused at the first, but afterward changing his mind, & promising that he would go, the rich man said he would give but .90. The poor man supposing it to be a small reward for so great pains, first would not agree thereunto, but after requiring .90. the rich man could hardly be persuaded to give him .80. The beggar refusing that sum, and after requiring it, the other rebated always ten from the number which he offered, till it came but to ten pieces. At length the beggar, which refused .100. Crowns, being forced by poverty, took the .10. Crowns, and went unto Fortune, whom with many prayers he besought to give no more goods to the rich man, but rather that she would be bountiful to him, which from his tender age had lived in continual poverty, whom fortune answered: I have determined to double yea & triple the rich man's goods which sent thee, wh●ther he will or not, but thee will I make to live continually in poverty: besides that, thou shouldest never have had the .10. Crowns which thou rceivedst, had I not been very fast asleep.  
MOR. Against a miserable person Fortune always frowneth, but to a fortunate person she is continually beneficial even against his wil    

Friends.  

147 Of a Physician.  
A Physician having the cure of a sick man, whose chance was to die, said to them which carried the corpse, this man if he had refrained wine and taken clysters, had been alive at this day: then one of them that were by answered: Sir your advise should have been showed when it might have done good, and not now when it is to late to call him back.  
MOR. Friends should help in time of need.   

148 Of the Countryman and the Mouse.  
THere was a Countryman very poor, but yet so merry conceited, that in his most misery he forgot not his natural pleasantness. It happened that his ferme house by chance was set on fire, which burned so sore, that he mistrusted the quenching, which with heavy cheer he beheld. In the mean time he espied a Mouse running out of the farm, which made haste to escape burning. The Countryman forgetting his loss, ran after the mouse, & caught him, slong him into the midst of the fire, saying: Thou unthankful beast, in time of my prosperity thou dwelledst with me, now because Fortune is changed, thou hast left my house.  
MOR. Those are no true friends which cleave to thee like a burr in thy felicity, but in adversity swiftly run away.   

149 Of the Lion and the Hog.  
THe Lion intended to get him a companion, whereupon many beasts desired to be matched with him, yea and instantly required it, but he set light by them, & chose only the Hog into his fellowship, whereof being demanded the cause, answered, this beast is so faithful that he never forsaketh his friends or fellows in the greatest danger that can be.  
MOR. We seek the friendship of those men which in time of need cleave to us, and not those which give us the slip.    

Friendship feigned.  

150 Of the Dog that devoured the sheep.  
A Certain shepherd gave his Dog charge over his sheep to look to them, for which he fed him with the best meat. Nevertheless the Dog often killed a sheep & devoured him, which when the shepherd had espied, caught the Dog and would have killed him. Why (quoth the dog) wouldst thou destroy me? I am one of thy household, slay the wolf rather which continually lieth in wait to destroy thy sheep. Nay (quoth the shepherd) I think thee ratherworthy of death than the Wolf, for he is mine open enemy, but thou under the colour of friendship, dost daily decrease my flock.  
MOR. They are more grievously to be punished which under the pretence of friendship do hurt us, than those which show themselves to be our open enemies.    

gain.  

151 Of the Lark.  
A Lark being caught in a net, wept and said: Woe is me wretch and unhappy bird, for I have taken from no man either gold, silver, or any other thing, but for a grain of corn I die.  
MOR. This fable is against those which for a trifling gain put themselves in danger.   

152 Of a wild Ass.  
A Wild Ass seeing a tame Ass in a funny place, went to him & accounted him blissed, because he had good feeding & was in good liking: afterward seeing him bear burdens, & the horsekéeper follow, striking him with a staff, he said, I think thee now no more happy, for I see that with much sorrow thou enjoyest this felicity.  
MOR Gain full of misery and danger, is not to be followed.    

Gifts.  

153 Of a Countryman and a Counsellor.  
A Certain Countryman being in law up to the ears, came to a Counsellor, to the end that by his help he might wind himself out of the law. But his Counsellor being otherwise occupied, sent him word that he had no leisure to talk with him now, praying him to return an other time. The Countryman accounting him for his sure friend, came often, but could not speak with him. At length he returned again and brought with him a young sucking Kid and fat, with which he stood at the Lawyer's gate, and often plucked him to make him bleat: the Porter (whom his master commanded to open the gates to them that brought presents) hearing the voice of the Kid, straight way opened the gate, and had him come in: Then the Countryman turned to the Kid, & said: I thank thee my little Kid, for thou art the cause that I come in so lightly.  
MOR. Nothing is so hard but with gifts it is mollified.   

154 Of jupiter.  
WHat time that jupiter made a feast at a marriage, all beasts brought in their presents, every one after his ability, among whom the Serpent was with a rose in his mouth, which he offered: jupiter seeing him, said aloud, every man's benevolence I willingly accept, but thine in no wise I will receive.  
MOR The wise man may well guess that the wicked offer nothing without a crafty pretence.    

Gluttony.  

155 Of Flies.  
FLies flew into a hole full of honey, whereof they did eat: their feet stuck fast therein, that they could not escape, who being nigh choked, said: Ah wretches, which for a little meat do perish.  
MOR. Gluttonye is the cause of much evil to many.    

Glorying.  

156 Of the Eagle and the Raven.  
AN Egle came down from an high rock and light one a Lambs back, which thing the Raven seeing, desired to counterfeit him in his doings, and descended upon a Ram, where because he stuck fast, he was caught and cast out to play withal.  
MOR. Let no man accounted of himself by an other man's manhood, but by his own power. Cut thy rote after thy cloth.    

God knoweth all.  

157 Of two young men.  
TWo young men came into a Cook's shop as though they would have bought meat, the Cook being occupied, the one stole a piece of meat out of the basket, and gave it his fellow to hide under his garment: the Cook perceiving that a piece of flesh was gone, accused them both of theft: then he that took it, swore by jupiter, he had it not: the other that had it, swore that he took it not. Well (quoth the Cook) the thief I know not, but he that you have sworn by, both saw and knoweth the thief.  
MOR. If we have aught offended, men know it not strait way, but God that rideth on the heavens & beholdeth the depths of the sea, seeth all things: if men would remember this, they would offend less.    

Goods evil gotten.  

158 Of Mony.  
Sometime Money being demanded of virtue, why she rather went to the evil than the good, answered: because good men brought up in thy school never learned to lie and forswear, & to occupy usury, & to rob others, for these things are wont to draw me unto them: forsooth (quoth virtue) I had rather that my scholars lived in poverty, than they should defile themselves with these vices, for both of them have a short end: the good leaving everlasting glory upon earth, fly up to the kingdom of heaven: but the evil with slander enough, leaving their riches, shall go down to the bottom of Hell.  
MOR. Gather riches after no ill way, for it will not only bring in this life an evil report, but also after death perpetual torment.   

159 Of a Goat and a Vine.  
THe Vine said to the Goat, thou hurtest me by shearing my leaves: thou knowest I am no grass, but though thou do me this harm, I will provide great plenty of Wine to sacrifice thee to the Gods.  
MOR. Commonly a man helpeth him, to whom he would do some mischief.    

Good turns.  

160 Of the Ant.  
AN Ant being thirsty came to a well to drink, wherein by mischance he fell, which a Dove a far off espying, cast down a bough from an high tree, and holp him: the Ant climbed up thereon, and escaped. Immediately after, a Fouler set up his nets to catch the Dove: then the Ant for to recompense his benefactoure, came softly stealing on the Fouler, & bitten his foot, whereby the Dove flew away.  
MOR. We must requited a good turn with the like.    

Great talkers.  

161 Of Mice that Would hung a bell about a Ca●s neck.  
THe Mice assembled together & took counsel by what policy or cunning they might escape the cats wiles: them one which in age & experience passed the rest, said: I have found a way which shall save us harmless from so great dangers, if ye will be ruled by me: let us hung a Bell about her neck, by the sound whereof, we shall know and perceive the coming of the Cat: then all with one voice commended his counsel as good, and said, they must so do. Then an other elder than the rest start up, commanding silence, and said: I also allow this opinion, but who will be so hardy, that dare hung the Bell about the cats neck? but when every one refused to do it, their talk was in vain.  
MOR. Many commend those things that aught to be done, but few are found to execute the same.    

Grief for sudden chance.  

162 Of Fishers  
ON a time Fishers drew their nets out of the sea, which they perceiving to be heavy, rejoiced greatly, supposing they had a great multitude of Fishes, but when they drew the net to land and found a great stone but few Fishes, they waxed heavy, not for the small number, but because it fell otherwise out than they judged: them one of the company being an ancient man said: let us not be grieved, for sorrow waiteth upon pleasure, & therefore we aught to be sorry in some thing, because we rejoiced so much before.  
MOR. We aught not to be grieved, being defeated of our purpose.    

Hastiness.  

163 Of the Wolf and the Sow.  
AS a Sow was ready to farrow, the Wolf came unto her, promising to be safeguard to her young Pigs: she answered, of thy service I have no need, but if thou wilt be accounted religious, or show me any pleasure, I pray thee departed further from me, for with thine absence thy service shall stand me in better steed than with thy presence.  
MOR. All men deserve no credit in all things: for many promise their endeavour not for thy sake, but for their own commodity.   

164 Of a Cat.  
A Certain man had a great Cheese in a coffer, which a Mouse had tasted, therefore by the counsel of a friend of his, he shut in the Cat there, which after she had killed the Mouse, devoured the whole Cheese.  
MOR. Those aught to be no keepers, which can no less hurt us than our enemies.    

Hasty credit.  

165 Of a Man that would try his wives mind.  
A Certain crafty man desirous to understand his wives mind, because she had often said that so dearly she loved him that if she might wish she would redeem his life with her death, he willingly let fall upon both their feet a burning stick. Then the woman being in pain, and forgetting the love she bore to her husband, did shake off the burning stick from her feet only.  
MOR. Credit not women when they say they love their husbands better than themselves.   

166 Of the Cock and the Capon.  
A Cock & a Capon dwelled together in a poultry house, but the cock was lord of the Hens, and the Capon fed amongst them: It happened that a Fox caught this Cock, and devoured him, and his comb he touched not, but kept it safe & brought it to the Capon, saying: O brother capon, thy fellow is dead, wherefore I have brought thee his comb even for pure love which I bear to thee, now if it please thee to come down, I will crown thee, that thou mayst take the regiment of the hens as the cock did: the Capon being ambitious and greedy of promotion, flew down from his roost, and came to the Fox, who rejoicing thereof, caught the Capon incontinent, and killed him.  
MOR. Take heed how thou credit all men.   

167 Of the Fouler and the Lark.  
A Fowler set his nets for birds, whom the Lark a far off espying, asked him what he did, he answered, that he built a City, than he went a good way back, and hid himself: the lark crediting his words came to the net & was taken: to it the Fouler ran, to whom the Lark said: Friend if thou build such a City, thou shalt found few dwellers therein.  
MOR. Houses and Cities then chief become desolate, when the Rulers are busy bodies.    

Hast maketh waste.  

168 Of Goose.  
THere was a Goose which day by day laid a golden Egg: her master desirous in all the haste to be rich, killed the Goose, hoping that there was some hidden treasure within her: and then finding her empty, the wretch was amazed and after mourned and sighed, that he had lost both his hope and substance.  
MOR. We must measure our affections and that we be not to hasty, for haste maketh waste, & he that all would have, sometime looseth all.    

Harlots.  

169 Of a woman and her Lover.  
A Lewd woman wept bitterly for her lover ready to depart from her, whom she had near polled of all that he had: whereupon her neighbour demanded the cause why she wept so comfortless, forsooth (quoth she) his departing doth not grieve me, but the cloak which I left him to put on.  
MOR. Harlots love not their lovers, but their Money.    

Hatred.  

170 Of a Serpent and a Husbandman.  
A Serpent lurking in the entry of a husbandman's house, slew his boy, for whom his parents mourned much, but his father for sorrow took an axe, went out and would have killed the Serpent, the husbandman seeing him look up, made haste to strike him, but he miss him, for he struck the mouth of his hole: when the serpent was gone in and the husbandman thinking that he had forgot the wrong, he came and set bread and salt before the hole, but the Serpent softly hissing, said: Hereafter neither trust or friendship shall be between us as long as I see a stone and thou thy sons grave.  
MOR. None forgetteth hatred or vengeance as long as he seeth the cause of his grief.   

171 Of a man and a woman twice married.  
A Certain man having buried his wife, which he loved well, and married a widow which daily laid in his dish the manliness of her former husband: he because he would be even with her, dashed in her teeth his other wives honest behaviour and chafed living. It happened on a time, when she was angry, a beggar came to the door and asked their alms, to whom she gave a piece of Capon which she for her own supper and her husband's boiled, saying: I give thee this for the soul of my first husband: Her good man hearing that, called the poor man and gave him the rest of the Capon, saying: I give thee this for the soul of my wife that is dead: by which means either spiting other, at length had nothing for their supper.  
MOR. We must not fight with those that can revenge their quarrel.    

Help in need.  

172 Of the Countryman and the Horse.  
A Countryman drove by the way a spare horse, and an Ass sore laden with packs, the Ass being weary with travailing, prayed the Horse if he would save his life, to ease him somewhat of his burden, the Horse thought scorn & denied his help: It happened as they travailed on in their journey, the Ass being overladen, fell under his burden & died, than his master laid all the Asses burden and eke the skin upon the horse, wherewithal his back began to crack: Ah wretch that I am, said the Horse, I am thus justly served, because that lately I refused to help the poor labouring Ass.  
MOR. We must help our friends that are in misery, for part of our rising our country claimeth, and part our friends.    

Heritage.  

173 Of a Pig and his fathers wil  
A Pig wept bitterly for the death of his parents, but when he had read his will and found that a great heap of Acorns & many bushels of meal were left him, he held his peace: and being asked why he wept no more, answered: the meal and the Acorns hath stopped my mouth.  
MOR A great heritage causeth the heirs quickly to leave their mourning.    

Hypocrisy.  

174 Of the Cockatrice and Seawolfe.  
THe Cockatrice on a time went to the sea side in the clothing of a Monk, & called to him the Wolf, saying: O brother, since thou wast marked with the sign of the cross, thou art become a perfect Christian, I pray thee therefore come unto me, and instruct me in the faith of Christ, that I may be baptised, & thereby escape everlasting judgement, and have fruition of eternal joy. The Wolf fish marking him well and knowing what he was, said: O thou hypocrite, a cowl maketh not a friar, thy words are full of wickedness and craft, neither intendest thou to be baptised of me, but rather thou wouldst beguile & poison me: therefore I will not hear thee, and forthwith he swum away, & left him all ashamed.  
MOR. Beware of those which come in sheeps clothing outwardly, but inwardly are ravening Wolves.    

Hunger.  

175 Of a linnet.  
A Certain Linnet was kept up daintily by a rich man, who much delighted in his singing. It happened in time of dearth, that many poor birds came to the Linnet and asked his alms, but nothing would he give them, save of the fragments and broken meat that was left, which he cared not for, but the birds rejoicing thereof, eat it up sweetly.  
MOR. It is an ill dish, which a man will refuse when he is hungry.    

honour.  

176 Of a Mule.  
A Mule being fat and pricked with provender, cried aloud and said: My father is a swift running horse, & I am altogether like him, but once when he should needs run, and in running stayed, he strait way remembered that he was an Asses foal.  
MOR. Though time bring a man to promotion, yet aught he not to forget his estate, for this life is unstable.   

177 Of a king and Apes.  
A Certain King of Egypt appointed Apes to be taught to dance, which as no beast is of liker favour to a man, so none counterfeiteth better or willinglier a man in his doings. They having learned very quickly the art of dancing, on a day appointed they began to dance, and were clad in the richest purple. Their dancing delighted the company a long time, until a merry conceited fellow cast down amongst them nuts, which he privily had carried in his bosom: the Apes had no sooner seen the nuts, but forgetting the dance, become as they were afore time, of dancers, Apes, biting and tearing their clotheses in pieces, and fight together for their nuts, not without great laughter of the beholders.  
MOR. The gifts of Fortune change not a man's disposition.    

Hope.  

178 Of Oxen.  
A herdman entered the stable and saw the Oxen skipping for joy, he therefore asked them the cause of their joy, they answered: Our hope is to spend this day in the good leysnes Why (quoth he) what thing hath brought you to this hope? We dreamt said they, it should be so: Ah (quoth he) give no credit to such dreams, which you are like to found untrue, for I dreamt that ye should plough to day, and men's dreams are wont to be truer than beasts.  
MOR. Nothing is so soon beguiled, as the hope of men.   

179 Of a Hog.  
A Hog was blamed of a sheep that he yielded no profit to his master, of whom he was so digently fed: seeing they gave him milk, wool, and lambs. He answered: when I am dead my fruit cometh in, for he feedeth me for a purpose.  
MOR None will take pains without hope of reward.   

180 Of a man which hide a treasure.  
A Certain rich man hid a treasure in the wood, whereof none knew but his Godfather, whom he greatly trusted. But when he came with in few days after to see it: he found that it was digged up and carried away: he therefore judged (as it was in deed) that his Godfather had taken it away: he went & spoke with him, saying: Godfather, I will also hide a 1000 crowns more where my treasure is. He being desirous to gain more, brought again the treasure and laid it where it was, when the true owner came shortly after thither and found it, he took it home with him and went to his Godfather and said: Thou promiss breaker, bestow no more labour in vain to go to the treasure, for thou shalt found it no more.  
MOR. It is an easy thing to deceive a covetous man with hope of more money.    

Humility  

181 Of the Pigarde and the Eagle  
THe Pigarde sometime being pursued by a Hawk, flyed to the Eagle for safeguard, saying: Thou art great and merciful, therefore came I to thee for aid and succour, which am small & weak, craving that I may be under the shadow of thy wings, to defend me from the fury of my enemy. The Eagle moved with pity & compassion, said: Because of thy lowliness and imbecillicie abide with me, and fear nothing as long as thou art in my company.  
MOR. They that are mighty, aught to defend the meek and lowly.    

Heart.  

182 Of a man stoned.  
A Certain man being stoned to death of the people, rose again: who being asked of one what did most grieve him in that stoning, said: Nothing so much as the stone which one did throw whom I supposed to be my friend, although it touched me not.  
MOR. The hurt done by our friends doth more grieve, than that which our enemies do.    

Hurtful gain.  

183 Of a Raven and a Serpent.  
A Raven lacking meat, see a Serpent sleeping on a sunny bank, at whom he flew down and caught him up: who turned again and bit him: the Raven therewith nigh dead said: Ah wretch that I am, which have found such gain whereof I perish.  
MOR. This fable is against him, which by finding a treasure, hath put him in danger of his life.    

Hurtful things.  

184 Of a poor man.  
A Certain poor man had nothing but a house underset with shores, which was like to fall. It happened on a time as he returned from the fields, he found it fallen, and because he had not wherewith to set it up again, he was so much troubled in his mind, that he fell to mourning & weeping out of measure. But as this poor man thus made moan, he espied a brazen pot, which many years had been hidden in the wall, lying among the stones and rubbish, which when he had taken up and opened, he found it full of gold, wherewith his heart hopping for joy, he left off his weeping.  
MOR. Sometime that we think hurtful, turneth to our great profit and commodity.    

Jesting.  

185 Of a learned man not esteemed.  
A Certain learned man being bidden to the feast of a Prince, and commanded to sit down in the nethermost rooms, when the other guests had great fishes set before them, but to him very small ones, he did eat none, but put them one after an other to his mouth, then to his ears, as though he would demand something of them, and after laid them down whole and untouched in the dishes again: whom the master of the feast asked why he did so? he answered, two year ago in these parties my father through shipwreck was cast away, and what become of his body I could not afterwardrs know, I did therefore demand of these little fishes if they could tell any tidings of him, but they answered that time they were not bred: wherefore I must ask the greater fishes. The Prince hearing so merry a saying, commanded of the greater fishes to be set before him, & ever after he placed him among his chiefest guests.  
MOR. Among unlearned men, learning is not so profitable as to the learned is pleasant and merry talk.    

Ignorance.  

186 Of a Physician.  
AN old Woman being troubled with pain of her eyes, bargained with a Physician for a certain sum of money to pay him if he healed her: if not, he should have nothing. The physician went about his cure, who daily came and anointed her eyes, but she (that hour he dressed her) could see nothing, than he at his departure, carried some thing out of the house. The old woman see her stuff daily decrease, so that when she was healed, scarce any thing was left, to whom when the Physician came and required his bargain, because she could see clearly, and thereof brought witnesses, she said: Truly I rather see less than before, for when I was blind I could see much stuf in my house, but now that I can see as thou sayst, I perceive nothing of that which I had.  
MOR. Wicked persons not knowing what they do, speak often against themselves.   

187 Of a Dog.  
A Certain man had two Dogs, whereof the one he taught to hunt, the other to keep his house, if it chanced the hound to catch any thing, he which kept within was partaker thereof, the other being offended, cast often in his fellows teeth that he daily took pains, and the other did nothing, and yet he was fed with his travail: his fellow answered and said: Blame not me but my Master, which never taught me to labour but to eat that an other hath sweat for.  
MOR. Young men which know nothing, are not to be blamed, seeing their Parents brought them up so.    

immoderateness.  

188 Of Sheep wasting Corne.  
A Husbandman complained that the sheep destroyed all his Corn, whereupon jupiter commanded the sheep to feed temperately, and because they obeyed not his will, the Wolf was appointed to afflict them moderately. But when the shepherd complained that all his flock was killed by the Wolf, jupiter was offended, & bade the Hunter kill the Wolf, which thing he quickly did.  
MOR. Not immoderate thing is continual.    

Impossible promises.  

189 Of the Owl and the Lark.  
THe Lark came to the Owl and said: Dear sister, I pray thee bear me company to morrow at noon, for my lover desireth to see me by Sun light: Now if I be matched with thee, I shall seem more beautiful. The Owl promised to be there, for he was ashamed to stick with her for so small a trifle. When day was up & the Sun did shine very clear, the Lark waited for him, but the Owl durst not appear by Sun light, because she could not see, and therefore came not, wherewith the lark being offended, always after abhorred & pursued her: wherefore the Owl flieth not by day for fear of the lark, but seeketh his meat by night.  
MOR. None aught to promise' that which he can not perform.   

190 Of the Reed.  
THe Reed was displeased that not only all other trees, but sometime grass did bear a nest, and he only of that honour was deprived: he therefore prayed a little bird to build her nest upon him, so would I (quoth she) but I mistrust thy inconstancy, for I will not build my children's house upon so ticklish a foundation.  
MOR. We ought not to commit ourselves or our children to inconstant persons.   

191 Of the Eel.  
THe Eel said to the Serpent, why do men pursue me rather than thee, seeing we are so near kin and so like? Marry (quoth he) If they hunt me, they seldom escape scotfree.  
MOR They are lest hurt, which use to revenge their injuries.    

innocency.  

192 Of the Crow and the Sheep.  
A Crow lighted on a sheeps back & made a great noise, than said the sheep: If thou shouldest do so to a dog, thou mightest chance catch copper. Yea (said the Crow) I know with whom I deal, for I am to the patient grievous, and to the angry pleasant.  
MOR The wicked strive continually with the feeble and simple folk: the innocent is trodden under foot, but no man gainesayeth the ungodly, if he be stout.    

Enough hath none.  

193 Of the Ape and the Fox.  
THe Ape prayed the Fox to give him a piece of his tail to cover his buttocks withal, because that to him was a burden, would stand him in good steed and do him much worship. The Fox answered and said, that she had nothing too much, and she had rather swéep the ground therewith, than it should cover the Ape's buttocks.  
MOR. Some have great scarcity, and some have great plenty, yet few rich men are so well bend as to help the poor with any thing of their excess and superfluity.    

Vain joy.  

194 Of the Frogs and the Sun.  
THe Frogs rejoiced at the marriage of the Sun, to whom one said: O wretched kind, if we only fear the Sun beams, who will abide him if he get children?  
MOR. This fable is against those, which ignorantly rejoice at their own harm.   

195 Of a Wolf fallen into a pit.  
A Fox espying a Wolf fallen into a hole, did laugh, & rejoicing skipped about the brinks of the Pit, calling him foolish beast, which would not beware of men's deceits. As he thus wanton scoffed, the earth failed, and carried him head, long in also: whom the Wolf seeing to fall said: I shall now carry a great comfort of my death to hell, because I see the Fox (which mocked me) perish with me.  
MOR. We aught not rejoice at another's misery, seeing we may fall into the same likewise.   

196 Of two Hogs.  
A Certain man had two Hogs which bore so mortal hatred one toward an other, that daily they tore each other with their teeth: but when their Master killed one of them, the other was wondered glad, seeing his enemy should die incontinent: within few days after, when he himself was drawn to death, he tormented himself, saying: Woe is me wretch, why did I so rejoice over my enemies death, whom so soon I follow to the same end?  
MOR. None aught to rejoice, not not over the death of his enemy, seeing it is evident that all must die.    

Judging outwardly.  

197 Of a Wolf that put on a sheeps skin.  
A Wolf put on a sheep's skin, and was conversant amongst the Sheep, of whom he daily devoured one, which thing when the shepherd had espied, he hanged him up in an high tree, them other shepherds asked him why he hung up a Sheep: Ah (quoth he) the skin as ye see is a sheep, but in his deeds he was a Wolf.  
MOR. Men must not be esteemed after their apparel, but after their works, for many are under sheeps skins ravening wolves.   

198 Of the Elephant.  
AS the Lion passed by the wild beasts through the desert, they made their obeisance to him as King of beasts, only the Elephant bowed not his knee, because he could not: but some beasts envying him, reported ill of him to the Lion, he sent for him forthwith, and said: Why art thou so stubborn, that thou dost not thy duty as the rest? My Lord, according to my power I honour thee, but I can not kneel because I lack knees. The Lion said, if thou do it in thy heart, it sufficeth: wherefore he condemned his accusers, and promoted the Elephant.  
MOR. We aught to give no judgement, before the truth be tried.    

Labour.  

199 Of an Ass.  
THe Ass in the winter season was much troubled for the extreme cold that he suffered, and that he lived only by straw, whereupon he wished for the spring tide, that he might feed of the sweet grass. When the spring w● come, his master being a potter, compelled hy● to carry clay into the workhouse, and wood to t●● furnace, and thence to carry brick & tile into divers places: wherewith being annoyed, he long●● for summer, hoping then to take his ease whe● his master was busy in his harvest: but then h● carried wheat into the barn, and from then●● home, and had no rest: wherefore he thought 〈◊〉 Autumn were once come, to have an end of hi● travel: but he could not yet be eased of his travel, but as then carried wine, fruit and wood: the● he desired for frost and snow again, that at th● last he might have some ease of his travel.  
MOR. In this life there is no time void of continual labour.    

Learning.  

200 Of a Husbandman and a Poet.  
A Certain Husbandman came to a Poet, whose grounds he tilled, whom because he found alone sitting amongst his Books, asked him by what means he could live so solitary? Marry (quoth he) I was not alone afore thou camest here.  
MOR. Learned men which daily are in company of such as they are, be never alone, but when they are amongst the unlearned.   

201 Of a Rich man unlearned, and a Poor man learned.  
A Certain man being rich but unlearned, mocked a learned man which was poor, because that he himself with his own travail had ●athered much goods, but he which was so learned ●as in great penury: No marvel (quoth he) ●icause thou hast studied to gather riches, but I ●aue endeavoured to get learning, which doth far excel riches. Hereupon fell a contention between ●he rich man and the learned, whither learning or riches were more excellent, which could not ●e ended seeing both had many favourers, but the rich man had most: At length by this means it was known that learning excelled riches, through civil discord being both compelled to live in banishment, when they could carry nothing away with them of their substance they, went away into an other city, where the learned man was hired to teach for a great stipend, and had in honour and estimation: but he which was rich through poverty being fain to beg his bread from door to door, confessed that in his opinion he had erred.  
MOR. The gifts of Fortune, because they pass to and fro, are far subject to the gifts of the mind, which are proper and everlasting.    

Learn by others.  

202 Of the Pike and the Tench.  
AS a certain Fisher angled, he so baited h●● hooks that the Fishes could not perceive them, which the Pike and the Tench seeing, were very desirous of it: but the Pike b●ing subtle said to the Tench: This bait seemeth to be good and delicate, yet I think it is laid t● deceive fishes withal, therefore let us forsake 〈◊〉 lest we perish through the lusts of gluttony In faith (quoth the Tench) it were a folly t● leave so good a morsel for fear of nothing: I wi● first try it and make merry with it, and look● thou what will hap. As he swallowed the bayte● he felt the deceit of the hook and would fayn● have retired, but the Fisher first plucked him up then the Pike swum away & said: Let us learn● by our fellows mischance, lest we perish.  
MOR. Happy is he, whom other men's harms do make to beware.    

lewdness of women.  

203 Of a jealous man.  
A Certain jealous man married a Wife, whom he knew unhonest, whereupon he delivered her to a trusty friend of his to keep, promising him a great reward, if he kept her so safely, that by no means the bond of wedlock were broken▪ When he had tried her a few days and perceived that she might hardly be kept safe, because through her subtlety he was nigh overcome, went to her husband and told him that he should not take so great charge upon him, seeing ●●at Argus himself, with an hundred eyes, were ●ot able to keep her by constraint: he said moreover, if he might be put to choice, he had rather ●y the space of one whole year, daily carry into ●he fields a sack full of fleas, and turn them ●ll to grass, and bring them home again at evening, than one day too have the charge of a ●eude woman.  
MOR. No keeper be he never so diligent, can ●éepe safely a wanton minion.    

Liberality.  

204 Of a Liberal man.  
A Frank and Liberal man toward all men, traveling far, fell amongst thieves, who standing about him, and ready to stay him, one of ●hem cried out: kill not this man which hath much holpen me, for sometime he did not only ●eceyue me gently into his house, but also nourished me being sick, and caused a Physician too ●ooke unto me, with which words his fellows relenting, suffered him to departed unhurt.  
MOR. As far as we may, we should do good to all men.    

Liberty.  

205 Of the Dog and the Lyon.  
A Dog by chance met with a Lion, to whom he said merrily, what wanderest thou (O miser) through woods and deserts nigh pined for hunger? Mark how fat and trim I am: I never take pains for it, but get it idly. Truth it is (said the Lion) that thou farest well, yet thou (O fool) art in bondage, serve thou which canst serve, for I am free and will not serve.  
MOR. In every thing liberty far excelleth.    

Liars.  

206 Of the Shepherd and the Husband men.  
A Boy kept sheep in a great Pasture, who three or four times did cry in jest that the Wolf was come: which thing caused the Husbandmen (out of every quarter of the Countries) to assemble there. It chanced verily, that the Wolf came at length, and the Boy called for help as before, but they being often deluded, would not once stir out of their doors, whereby the sheep were all destroyed.  
MOR. He that useth lying, though he chance once to tell a truth, shall not soon be credited.   

207 Of Mercurius.  
IVpiter commanded Mercurius to bestow amongst crafts men the medicine to make them lie, which when he had well stamped & measured, he poured it equally upon every one The shoemaker only remained, on whom (because much of the medicine was left) he poured all in the mortar: whereof it came to pass, that all crafts men are liars, but most of all shoemakers.  
MOR. This fable is against lying workmen.    

Like to like.  

208 Of an old man and his Son.  
A Certain old man being thrust out of doors by his Son, lived in an Hospital. On a time he espied his Son travailing that way, whom he prayed, that at the lest he would sand him two towels of all his linen, for which he had sweat full sore▪ who being at length moved with his Father's prayers, commanded a little Boy his son, to fetch his Grandfather the linen that he required. The Boy being witty and worthy of such a father, brought but one, whom his Father rebuked because he brought not two as he was bidden: forsooth (quoth he) I keep the other for thee, that when thou art old and livest in an Hospital, I might send it to thee.  
MOR. Look what love we bear towards our Parents, the same will our children bear toward us.    

Live in thy vocation.  

209 Of a Camel.  
A Camel being weary of his estate, complained that the Bulls had goodly horns, but he himself had no defence to resist other beasts He therefore besought jupiter to give him horns also: Who laughed at his foolish request, whereof not only he was denied, but also had his ears cropped.  
MOR. Let every man be content with his calling, for as some hunt after better Fortune, they happen to worse.   

210 Of the Ass, the Ape, and the Mole.  
THe Ass complained that he lacked horns, and the Ape that he wanted a tail. Peace fools (quoth the Mole) for I am blind also.  
MOR. Some are not content with their estate, but if they weighed well other men's misfortunes, they would quietlier endure their own.    

Love of money.  

211 Of a rich man.  
A Rich man had two daughters, whereof the one died, at whose burial he hired women to lament: the other said: What wretches are we, for to us this mourning belongeth, but we can not skill thereof, and they which have nothing to do therewith, how pitifully do they wail? To whom her mother said: Marvel not daughter if they lament so, for they do it because of money.  
MOR. Some men for love of money, fear not to pick advantage from an other's misery.    

Madness.  

212 Of a mad man.  
A Certain mad Man wandering through Cities, cried aloud that he had wisdom to cell, than one offered money and required it, to whom he lent a blow & gave him a long thread, saying: Thou shalt be wise if thou keep thee as far from mad men, as this is long.  
MOR. We must have nothing to do with mad men.    

Mad servants.  

213 Of a Priest and his Boy.  
A Priest given to belly good cheer, delivered to his Boy ten fat thrushes upon a Spit to be roasted, saying that he should eat them all at a bit, if he let them fall into the ashes. Within a short while after, when he returned (for he was gone out to do certain business) he found the boy crying, who being demanded why he wept, answered, because he could eat but nine when they fell into the ashes, requesting that he might not be forced to eat the tenth, because he was full swollen more than enough. The priest being offended, as well with the madness of the boy, as because he saw that he had lost his supper, led the boy without the threshold of the door, and showed him three ways, saying: Choose which of these thou wilt, for here thou shalt not lodge this night.  
MOR. We aught not to keep mad servants in our house.    

Marriage.  

214 Of a young man.  
A Certain young man which should marry a wife, being demanded whither he would have her, turned to his friends and neighbours present, saying: Why stand ye like dumb men, why do ye not pray God to help me this day? for if we pray God to help them which néeze, where no danger is, how much more aught ye now to pray for me to whom so great danger is at hand?  
MOR. They which marry enter into great danger.    

Mean life.  

215 Of jupiter.  
IVpiter celebrating a marriage, received all beasts unto the feast, only the Snail made slow haste, the cause whereof he marveling at, asked him why he came not to the feast? he answered: My house is dear to me and excellent: whereat jupiter being angry, gave sentence that he should carry his house about him.  
MOR. Some men had rather live hardly at home, than daintily abroad.    

Might.  

216 Of the Wolf and the Lamb.  
AS a Wolf was drinking at the head of a spring, he espied a Lamb far beneath also drinking of the same spring, whereat grudging ran hastily to the Lamb & roughly rebuked him for troubling the spring. The Lamb trembling besought him to show compassion on him, being thereof guiltless, alleging that because he drank far beneath him, by no means he could trouble his drinking, neither yet meant it. The Wolf having determined even at the first sight, the death of the Lamb, threatened him most rigorously, saying: Thy labour is in vain to ask pardon, for thou art always my enemy, thy father, thy mother, and all thy cursed kindred are willingly my foes: but this day I will be revenged of thee.  
MOR. The mighty if he be disposed to hurt, easily findeth occasion thereto. A small is a great fault, if a man deal with his Superiors.    

Music.  

217 Of a Swan.  
A Rich man brought up a Swan and a Goose together, but not both to one purpose, for the one should serve to sing, the other for the table. When the time was come that the Goose should do that for which he was kept up, it chanced to be night, so that one could not be known from the other, and the Swan was carried away instead of the Goose, who song a song at the beginning of her death, by which she showed her nature, and by her sweet singing escaped death.  
MOR. Commonly Music prolongeth life.    

Necessity.  

218 Of a Horseman and a Husbandman.  
A Horseman required a Husbandman to catch a Hare, which he took in his hands and asked the price, and forthwith set spurs to his horse: but the Husbandman said: Make no haste, for I will give it thee for a present.  
MOR This fable toucheth those which refuse their own upon necessity.    

Negligence of servants.  

219 Of a Man and his Dog.  
A Certain man having forgot to shut the door where the Hens roosted: when he arose in the morning, found that they were all killed and carried away by the Fox: He was wroth therefore with the Dog, because he had not well tended his goods, & bet him sore. Why, (quoth he) if thou hast been negligent in shutting the door, for whom the Hens laid Eggs, and hatched Chickens, is it any marvel if I being in a dead sleep, and have no profit by them, did not perceive the Fox coming?  
MOR. We must never hope to have diligent servants, where the master is negligent.    

New things best.  

220 Of a Soldier and his Horse.  
THere was a Soldier which had a passing fine horse, and bought an other in goodness nothing like unto him, whom more nicely he kept than the first: Then said he to his fellow, why doth my Master keep me passingly above thee, seeing I am not to be compared to thee, neither in comeliness, strength, nor swiftness? He answered him: This is the course of the world, that new guests are best welcome.  
MOR. Such is the madness of men, that they prefer new things afore old, though they be worser.    

Obedience.  

221 Of the Kid and the Wolf.  
A Goat going abroad to feed, shut up her young Kid at home, charging him not to open the door till her return: The Wolf by chance hearing that, after her departure knocked at the door, feigning the voice of the Goat, and bade him open it. The Kid perceiving his pretence, denied to open the door, saying: Though thy voice be like a Goats, yet I see a wolf through the chinks.  
MOR. It is good for children to obey their Parents, young men to be ruled by age.    

Offences unpunished.  

222 Of a Philosopher.  
A Philosopher of the sect of Cynicus in chiding being stricken, was not only therewith contented, but also rewarded him that strake, with a piece of silver: Which thing when all that were present marveled at, and said that he was worthy to be beaten again, ah (quoth he) ye know not what I have done now, but hereafter ye shall know: not long after as that striker would have beaten an other (for he hoped to gain somewhat,) he received his deaths wound, and feeling death to come upon him, he said▪ how much better had it been for me to have been stricken again of the Philosopher, than to be rewarded with a silver penny?  
MOR. When offenders escape scot free, it doth them sometime more hurt than punishment.    

Over hastiness.  

223 Of the Mouse and the Cat.  
A Flock of mice had their abiding in a hollow wall, where out by chance peeping, they espied a Cat, which sat in a chamber looking grimly, and hanging down her head. Then said one of them: This beast seemeth very gentle and simple, for her countenance pretendeth holiness, I will therefore go speak with her, and contract a perfect league of friendship with her that shall never be broken. When he had so said, he came nearer unto her, whom the Cat caught & tore in pieces: the other seeing that, said: Verily, verily, we must not credit smooth looks.  
MOR. We must not judge any man by his countenance, but by his good works: for in a sheep's skin often are wrapped ravening Wolves.    

Patience for gain.  

224 Of the Sow and the Dog.  
A Sow mocked a Spaniel, because he used to faun on his master, which so often had beaten him, and plucked him by the ears, to teach him to hunt. Thou mad body (quoth the Dog) thou know'st not what I have gained by these stripes, for hereby do I eat the sweet Partridges and quails.  
MOR. We must not be grieved if our Master beat us, for thereof issueth plentiful goodness.    

Patience perforce.  

225 Of a Lamb and a Wolf.  
A Lamb standing in an high place, railed on the Wolf as he passed by beneath, calling him naughty beast and ravening, to whom the Wolf turning said: Thou dost not taunt me, but the tour whereon thou standest.  
MOR. Some suffer wrong of vile persons, for fear of greater men.   

226 Of a Flie.  
A Fly by chance fell into a flesh pot, wherein being nigh choked, said to himself, behold I have eat and drunk so much, and so well washed me, that now being so full, I am content to die.  
MOR. A wise man will stoutly bear out that which by no means can be avoided.    

Parents.  

227 Of the Ape and his two sons.  
THe report is, that if the Ape chance to have a twin, she loveth the one, and hateth the other: It came to pass, that she had two at a clap, who by chance being put in fear, because she would escape the present danger, carried that she loved in her arms, which as she ran headlong, she dashed against a rock, and slew it, the other which she hated, sat on her rough back, & went scot free.  
MOR It chanceth commonly that parents bring that child to naught, whom they make wanton, and whom less they cocker, to prove a valiant and good man.    

Please every body.  

228 Of an old man which carried an Ass  
IT was talked sometime amongst the Pope's Secretaries, that those men which framed their life after the opinion of the common people, were in a miserable bondage, because it was impossible to please every one, seeing they are of sundry judgements. To which opinion one told, that there was an old man which went to market, with his son to cell an Ass, which he drove unladen before him. As he passed on his way, there were men labouring by in the fields, which blamed the old man, because that neither he nor his son did ride on the Ass which went empty, seeing the one for his age, the other for his infancy had need to be carried. Then the old man set his son on the Ass, and himself went by on foot, which thing other seeing, said that he doted for letting his son ride which was stronger, and he being old would follow on foot: forthwith he changed his mind, and set off his son, and rid himself. When he had ridden a little further, other met him, who blamed him, that he had no regard to the age of his little son, but would let him follow him as a drudge, and himself being his Father, did ride on the Ass: wherewith he being moved, set his son also on the Ass. Not long after he was asked by other, whose the Ass was: Marry (quoth he) it is mine: then they rebuked him that he had no pity on his poor Ass, but to set two on him, seeing one was sufficient. Then the man being troubled with so sundry opinions, and seeing he could not be in quiet, but still wa● checked, he bound the Asses four feet together and on a staff carried him on his own shoulder and his sons to market: whereat all m●nn wondering, laughed exceedingly, blaming both their follies, especially the fathers. The old ma● therewith chared, went to the rivers ●ide, an● cast his Ass bound into the water, and so soft● him and returned home: by which means th● silly old man desirous to content every body could please none, but lost his Ass.    

Pleasure.  

229 Of a Fir tree and the Bush.  
THe report was sometime, that the Fir tree despised the Bushes, and boasted of his own tall stature, that he was placed in houses, and to bear a sail in the Ships: but they low, vile, and good for nothing: then they framed him this answer: thou boastest much (O Fir tree) of thy goodness, and scornest our evils, besides this thou concealest thy mischief, and passest over our good fortune, but when thou shalt be cut down with the axe, how gladly wouldest thou be like unto us which are void of care?  
MOR. Felicity hath evils to accompany her, as misery hath good things. In sum, this is safe & ●ide of care, the other is never out of fear, nor ●ide of danger.    

Perfection.  

230 Of the Sow and the Bitch.  
THe Sow and the Bitch contended about their nobility: The Bitch alleged that of all four footed beasts she was the fruteful●est. The Sow quickly replied, saying: Seeing ●hou sayst so, know thou, that thy Whelps be ●orne blind.  
MOR. Things are not judged by quick speed, ●ut by full perfection.    

perseverance in his vocation.  

231 Of the Dog and the Ass.  
WHen the Dog fauned on his Lord or the servant, they stroked him with their hands, and made much of him: which thing the Ass marking well, sighed deeply, being weary of his estate, yea and he thought it unjustly appointed that the Dog should so be beloved of all men, as to be fed at his masters table, & there unto to attain with ease and play: contrariwise, himself to carry packs, to be whipped, to labour without ceasing, and yet nevertheless to be hated of all men: Seeing these things come to pass by fawning, he purposed to follow that trade of living being so profitable: and watching a convenient time, when his Lord returned home, because he would put the thing in trial, he ran afore t● meet him: incontinently he leapt on him & knocked at him with his heels. Then his master cried out for help, which thing his servants hearing, ran speedily to him: and the foolish Ass● which thought himself civil and courteous, was well beaten with a staff.  
MOR. All men can not do all things, neither all things become all men. Let no man meddle above his capacity, nor go about that, which he is most untowardly in.    

Policy.  

232 Of a Lion and a Fox.  
A Lion being taken in a snare, endeavoured with all his force to break the bands: the harder he plucked, the straighter he was held. The Fox having an errand that way, and seeing this, said: O King, by no strength master thou escape hence, but by policy, for the snare must be let out and loosed, and not drawn in. Which when the Lion had done, he straightway loosed the snare wherewith he was bound, and escaped free.  
MOR. Policy is far better than strength.    

Poor and rich.  

233 Of a Wolf being hungry.  
A Wolf in his old age not able any more to hunt, was sore a hungered, neither could he ●inde any kinsman or friend which would help him with meat. As he therefore wandered through a great wood heavily, he chanced upon a dead carcase of an Ox, which he had scarce begun to tear, but a company of other wolves, ravens, & crows came thither and prayed him to receive them as his friends to partake of his prey: Then the Wolf said to himself: behold me whom lately my brethren and sons regarded not, now strange beasts reverence, & desire my friendship, but they do not this honour to me, but to the Ox.  
MOR. A poor man is hated of all men, but the rich are honoured.    

poverty praised.  

234 Of the Horse and the Heart.  
THe Horsie kept war with the Heart, and being often driven from his meat, and put to the worst, he lamentably desired the aid of men, with whom he came into the field: then he that afore had the overthrow, become conqueror: but his enemy being overcome, and subdued he himself become bond too man, feign to carry him on his back, and a bit in his mouth. Of this fable writeth Horace.  
A heart in fight excelling much  
the horse, from meat him drove,  
The strife was long, but horse was feign,  
the help of man to crave.  
The bit he took with merry cheer,  
strait vanquished was his foe,  
His Rider yet he durst not cast,  
nor yet his but forego,  
So he that dreadeth poverty,  
and can not use a mean,  
Shall lead his life in servitude,  
and lose his freedom clean.    

Praise not thyself.  

235 Of the Ape and his young ones.  
IVpiter sent out a precept, commanding all living things to appear before him, that he might give judgement whose offspring were the best favoured: the beasts came running, the birds flying, and the Fishes swimming thither. last of all came the Ape, and with him his young one, at whose ill favoured buttocks every one laughed. Tush (quoth the Ape) whom pleaseth God jupiter shall have the victory, yet in my judgement this my child is fair, & therefore of right before all other to be preferred: whereat jupiter also smiled.  
MOR. We and ours seem good in our own eyes, but of us and our doings, let other judge.    

Prayer.  

236 Of Mariners.  
IT happened as many Mariners were sailing on the sea, that there arose a great tempest suddenly: hen every one prayed to his God for help, but one amongst the rest, said: You know not what ye pray, for before these gods can go to the Lord for our succour, we shall perish through this storm: therefore I do think it best to pray unto that God, which without the help of any other, can deliver us from this present danger: Then they cried to almighty God for help, and strait way the storm ceased.  
MOR. We must not seek for help at the foot, when we may go to the head.    

Praise of our own.  

237 Of the Owl.  
IN the assembly of birds, the Eagle said that he would choose the young ones of other birds to serve in his court: and when every one strove to prefer his own, the Owl said: I pray thee (O Queen) receive mine, which in beauty pass all the rest: why (quoth the Eagle) what beauty are thy sons of? The Owl answered: Of the same that I myself am. Then all the Birds laughed exceedingly.  
MOR. No child is so deformed, which to his parents seemeth not fair.    

Praise another for advantage.  

238 Of a Fox and a Dog.  
A Fox being coursed by a Dog, and even at the point to be caught, having no way to shift him, said: why wouldest thou destroy me thou dog, seeing my flesh thou canst not eat? Go catch rather that Hare (for there was one then hard by) whose flesh men judge to be the sweetest: the dog hearkened to the counsel of the Fox, and let him go free, pursuing the Hare, whom because of his wonderful swiftness he could not overtake. Not long after, the Hare met with the Fox, blaming him for setting the Dog at him. The Fox answered him: I marvel what thou meanest to accuse me, which praised thee so greatly: what wouldst thou have said, if I had dispraised thee?  
MOR. Many under the colour of praising, devise utter undoing to some men.    

Preparation.  

239 Of the Wolf and the Porkupine.  
ON a time the Wolf being hungry had a fancy to devour a Porkupine, whom because of his sharp pricks he durst not assail, but invented a crafty wile to trap him in, counseling him not to trouble his back with so many weapons in time of peace, seeing that other Archers carried none with them but when they go to warfare: Nay (quoth the Porkupine) we must suppose that there is no time void of war against a Wolf.  
MOR. A wise man aught always to be armed against the assaults of his enemies.    

Preparation to die.  

240 Of an old man loath to die.  
A Certain old man desired death which came to take his life from him, to spare him till he might make his will, and provide all other necessaries fit for such a journey: whom Death answered: Why hast not thou prepared thyself being so oft warned by me? Marry (quoth he) I never saw thee afore? Why (quoth Death) when I daily took, not only those which were of like years to thine (of which number very few remain) but also young men, children and babes, was it not sufficient warning that thou art mortal? When thy eyes waxed dim, thy hearing thick, other senses daily decaying, and thy body being worse and worse, did I not tell thee that I was near at hand? and yet thou sayest thou hast no warning: wherefore I will no longer prolong the time.  
MOR. We must direct our life, as though death were always before our eyes.    

Presumption.  

241 Of the Ass and the Lyon.  
THe Cock sometime fed with an Ass, to whom as the Lion was coming, the Cock crowed out aloud, and the Lion straightway fled (for men say) he is afeard at the crowing of the Cock. The Ass supposing that he ran away because of him, went strait after the lion, whom when he had so far pursued that they were without the hearing of the Cocks crowing, the lion returned & devoured him, who as he was dying cried out: Ah wretch & mad body that I am, for I am borne of none that were warriors, and wherefore have I rushed into the host?  
MOR. Many men assail their enemies which upon set purpose do humble themselves, by the which means they are slain.    

Pride.  

242 Of the Horse and the Ass.  
Sometime a Horse decked with fair trappers and a saddle, greatly neighing, ran through a high way, whose running an Ass laden by chance did let, he all raging and chewing his bit for anger, said: Ah lither lurdeyn, why withstandest thou the Horse? Give place or I will tread thee down: the Ass durst not once bray, but quietly avoided. It happened as the Horse ran his race, his hoof broke, who then being paste running or making any show, was spoiled of his ornaments, and after sold to a Tanner. The Ass seeing him coming with a Tanner, said unto him: What good sir, how happeneth this kind of weed? where is thy gilt saddle, thy studded trappers, and glittering bridle? Thus it is fit my friend to happen to every one that is proud.  
MOR. Many men in their prosperity are so puffed up with pride, that they clean forget themselves, and all modesty, but for their presumption they soon suffer adversity.    

Proud of an others purse.  

243 Of jupiter and the Raven.  
ON a time jupiter minding to created a king of the Fowls, appointed a day of assembly, to the end that he which was comeliest should be appointed king. The Raven hearing thereof, and knowing his own deformity, gathered together divers feathers and decked himself, that he was goodliest of all. When the day appointed was come, the Fowls assembled together: then jupiter would have made the Raven king because of his gayness, whereat the other disdaining, plucked every one his feathers from him, whereof he being spoiled was a Raven as before time.  
MOR. He that hangeth on another man's sleeve, if he chance to fall from him, all the world shall know what he is.    

Falls of pride.  

244 Of a Flea and a Lyon.  
THe Flea came to the Lion and said: Neither fear I thee, neither art thou stronger than I, but I pray thee what is thy strength? thou scratchest with thy nails, and with thy teeth thou bitest, so doth a woman fighting with her husband: but in strength I far exceed thee, and if thou wilt, let us go fight. The Trumpet being blown, the Flea stuck fast about his nostrils, biting: but the Lion with his own nails tore himself till he was chafed: The Flea having overcome the Lion, sounded the Trumpet, and rejoiced: but as he flew away, he was entangled in a Cobweb: and being ready to be devoured, he lamented that he strove with the greatest Beasts, and now to be killed by a vile Spider.  
MOR. This Fable is against those which vanquish great men, and are vanquished by mean persons.    

Princes.  

245 Of the Peacock and the Chough.  
WHen the Birds would make them a king, the Peacock prayed them to choose him for his beauty: when they so minded, the Chough began to say: if in thy reign the Eagle pursue us, how wilt thou help us?  
MOR. Princes must be chosen, not only for their beauty, but also for their strength and wisdom.    

Promise.  

246 Of a man and a Dog.  
A Certain man had prepared a Supper, to which he had certain of his friends, whose Dog likewise desired an other Dog, saying: Friend, come and sup with me. Which Dog being come in at the doors, and seeing such great cheer toward, rejoiced greatly, and said to himself: O what joy hath happened me of late, for I shall fill my belly so full, that I shall not be hungry to morrow: and as he wagged his tail for joy, because he trusted in his friend, the Cook seeing him thus do, caught him by the legs and cast him out of the window: when the Dog was fallen, he rose up quickly and ran howling away: As he went another Dog met him, and asked him what good cheer he had to supper, he answered: I was so out of measure drunk, that I knew not the way whereout I came.  
MOR. We must not trust in those which promise' us a good turn of another man's gift.   

247 Of a herdman.  
AS a herdman kept a Herd of Bulls, he lost a Calf, whom in every desert he sought a long time, but when he could not find him, he prayed to jupiter, promising if he would show him the Thief which stole his Calf, to offer a Goat in sacrifice to him. It happened as he walked in a grove of Okes, he found that his calf was devoured by the Lion, whereat trembling for fear, he cast up his hands to heaven and said: God jupiter I promised to give thee a kid if I found the Thief, now if I escape his hands, I will undertake to give thee a Bull.  
MOR. This Fable is against unlucky men, that lacking aught, pray to find it, which having found, they seek to avoid.    

Promotion.  

248 Of a man created Cardinal.  
A Certain merry conceited fellow, hearing his friend to be created Cardinal, came to greet him for his promotion: he lofty and swelling with pride, counterfeiting that he knew not his old friend, asked who he was: the other being ready in his merry answer, said: I pity thee and others that come to such promotion, for as soon as ye have got such honours, ye lose so your fight, feeling and other senses, that ye clean forget your old friends.  
MOR. Some being promoted to dignity, despise their old acquaintance.   

249 Of Field Miso.  
A Flock of field Myse appointed to gnaw down an Oak full of mast that they might have their meat the readier, so as they need not so oft run up and down for it. Than one wiser than the rest forbade them, saying: If we destroy our nourisher, who shall give food to us and our seed in time to come?  
MOR. A wise man aught not only to behold things present, but also things to come.    

Punishment of vices.  

250 Of a Flea  
AS a Flea was biting a man, he was taken, who asked what he was, seeing he fed of him: answered, he was of that kind of beasts, which as nature ordained, lived by that means, praying him not to kill him, because he could not do much harm, whereat the man laughed, saying: I will therefore the sooner kill thee, because it is not lawful to hurt any, either much or little.  
MOR. We must not favour the wicked, whither their trespass be small or great.    

Rashness.  

251 Of a Fisher.  
A Certain Fisher being but a novice in that art, took his pipes and his nets, and went to the Sea, and standing on a rock, played first with his pipe, supposing that by his sweet melody the fishes would dance: but when he had long tried that way, & could not prospero, he laid down his pipe and took up his net, which he cast into the Sea, wherein he drew many fishes. When he had emptied his net and saw them skipping, he said: O wicked Creatures, when I piped, ye would not dance, and now I have left off, ye begin to skip.  
MOR. This fable is against those which do any thing without advisement, and out of time.   

252 Of a Currier and a Hunter.  
ON a time a Currier came to a Hunter to buy a bears skin, for which he drew money to have paid. In faith (quoth the Hunter) presently I have none, but to morrow I will go a hunting, & if I chance to kill a Bear, thou shalt have his skin. The currier (to refresh his spirits) went into the forest with him, and because he would the better behold the pastime between the Hunter & the Bear, he climbed into an exceeding high tree. The Hunter went boldly to the bears Den, who put in his Dogs and roused him. It happened that the Bear shunned his blow, and forthwith strake the Hunter to the ground: who knowing the nature of the beast to be, to take pity of a carcase: held his breath and feigned himself to be dead. The Bear smelled at him every where, and perceiving by no means any life in him, departed away. When the Currier saw that the beast was gone, and that there was no danger, he came down out of the tree and went to the Hunter, whom he had arise, and afterward demanded what the Bear said in his ear? He warned me (quoth he) that hereafter I cell not a bears skin before I have caught him.  
MOR. We aught not account that we have not, as sure as that we have.    

Religious men.  

253 Of a Wolf.  
A Wolf being old and not able any longer to hunt, gave himself to religion, put upon him a Monk's attire, and begged meat from door to door▪ & being rebuked by another wolf said: What wouldst thou I should do? My se●th are cute, and run I can not, wherefore I mistrust otherwise how to live.  
MOR. Many addict themselves to Religion because they can not otherwise live.    

Repentance to laic.  

254 Of a Bear.  
AS a Bear scolded by chance with his wife he thrust out her eyes, but after repenting, he was so graved therewith, that he bit off his nails. And when in talking he said, that for the love he bore to her he had cast away his best defence: what good (quoth his wife) doth this to me? Thou shouldest have done this before thou scratchedst out my eyes.  
MOR. After harm done it is too late to repent, seeing that which is done, can not be undone.   

255 Of a simple Countryman.  
TThere was a Countryman which as he came from market, heard two Cuckoos answering one an other out of two sundry woods. And when the Cuckoo of the other wood had near put to silence his country cuckoo, he lighted off his horse and climbed a tree, and as well as he could, he holp his country cuckoo with his crying. In the mean time a Wolf devoured his horse: then was he fayne to go home on foot, where he complained to his neighbours, how for the honour of his country he had holp his Cuckoo, whereby he had suffeyned great loss. Then they all with one accord paid his damages, supposing that it was not fit that any should receive hindrance, which had traveled for their common wealth.   

256 Of the Mule and the Horse.  
A Mule espied a horse gorgeously decked with a gilt bit, a fair saddle, & purple trappers, at whose Fortune he envied much, supposing him to be happy, because he always fared well, and went gaily: contrariwise, his own estate in comparison of his to be miserable. For (quoth he) I am overladen with the packsaddle, and I am a daily drudge to carry burdens. But shortly after, he espied the Horse returning from battle sore wounded, than he accounted his own estate better than the Horses, saying: I had rather get my living hardly with my daily labour, and to be clad in vile array, than after such fair and trim apparel to be in danger of my life.  
MOR. We must not envy Kings and Princes because of their wealth and substance, seeing they are subject to many more perils than poor men are.   

257 Of a Devil.  
A Devil wandering through the world (as his manner is) marked a certain young man rejoicing at the death of his parents, whereat he was very glad: but going a little further he wept, seeing an other very heavy at his Father's burial, who being demanded the cause of so divers affections, answered: The laughing of the son for the death of his parents, declareth that those being rich are dead, of which number very few escape our hands: but the weeping is a token of the father's poverty: and the kingdom of Heaven, for the most part, is wont to belong to those which are poor.  
MOR. Too much riches do carry a man down to Hell.    

Rich enemies.  

258 Of the Birds.  
THe Birds were greatly afraid lest the Dorres should kill them with shooting of Balls, because they heard that they had rolled together a great heap of balls. Fear not said the Sparrow, for how shall they shoot balls at us that fly in the air, when they can not carry them on earth but with much toil?  
MOR. We need not fear the riches of our foes, when we see they lack wit.    

Riottousnesse.  

259 Of an Ox and a Bullock.  
AN Ox being well stricken in age, daily went to plow. It happened that a young Heifer which never had laboured, fetched his frisks in the pastures not far off, and scorned the toiling of the elder, boasting much of his own liberty, that he had tasted neither yoke nor chain, but the others neck was worn bore with labour. The Ox presently answered nothing: not long after he espied this roister led to be sacrificed, than he said thus to him: What end hath now thy easy life? Thy careless living at heart's ease hath brought thee to the axe, I think now thou wilt rather counsel me to labour than to tolenesse, which is the cause of thy death.  
MOR. To lead an honest life there needeth travel: the Sluggard and he that is bend to riotous living, shall come to that which he would be loath.   

260 Of a Boy that would not learn.  
A Boy which hated learning, being brought by his Father into a School, could not be enticed by any fair means of his Master, to speak the  letter of the alphabet: Then said his Master, open thy mouth, for that this Letter requireth, but he gaped and spoke not. The Master seeing his labour lost, had him sit amongst his fellows, warning them to persuade him to speak only this Letter: then his schoolefellows exhorted him in the best manner that they could, saying: Is it such a pain to say A? Nay (quoth the Boy) but if I speak that, he would make me learn B and so the rest. But neither my master nor my father shall have the power to make me learn.  
MOR. They which are unwilling to learn, can never be forced to it.    

Servants.  

261 Of the Dove and the Crow.  
A Dove being fed in a dove house was excceeding proud of her fertility: The Crow hearing thereof, said to her: Friend, brag no more thereof, for the more thou breedest, the more care thou heapest.  
MOR. Amongst servants, those are most miserable, which in time of their bondage get many children.   

262 Of the Ass and the Calf.  
AN Ass and a Calf fed together in one pasture, by chance they heard the found of a bell, which they supposed to be a sign that their enemies were at hand, to whom the Calf said: Let us be packing hence fellow, lest our enemies take us prisoners. Nay, flee thou hence rather (quoth the Ass) whom they use to kill & eat, for I care not, I know this, where soever I become my life shall be to carry burdens.  
MOR Let not servants fear much to change their masters, lest the last be worser than the first.    

Shifies.  

263 Of a Merchant and a jewe.  
A Certain prodigal fellow having wasted all his Father's goods, applied his mind to practise deceit. It happened on a time, that he wrapped a piece of ordure in a clout and brought it into the market, saying that he had a precious thing which was of such force, that if any man tasted the lest crumb thereof, he should have fulfilled whatsoever he thought of. But a jew, whose manner is privily to mark all things, thought if he did buy it, that he would have o● his mind many towns and lordships when he tasted of it (because he would be exceeding rich) he came therefore secretly unto him and asked the price, whereunto this prodigal fellow said: Avaunt, thou shalt not buy it, for thy clotheses declare, that thou art not able. The jew said to him, how knowest thou? tel me the price: he answered .700. crowns: the jew paid him the money, upon condition, that if he had said true, he should enjoy it: but when he had tasted it, he spit it out, and said it was ordure. Then the seller having performed his promise, pleaded the cause before the Mayor, and enjoyed the money.    

Sick folk.  

264 Of a Carter.  
A Certain Carter asked his waggon, why that wheel which was worst made so much creaking, seeing none of the rest did so? The wagon answered: Sick folks are wayward, and always complaining.  
MOR. Diseases cause men to complain.    

Sinners.  

265 Of an old Woman.  
MEn commonly will (if through their folly any mischance happen to them) lay the blame to Fortune or the Devil, to excuse themselves, they do so much follow their appetites: wherewith the Devil not contented, when by chance he espied an old woman climbing a tree, whence he perceived she was like to fall, and then the fault would be laid on his neck, he called for witnesses, to whom he said: Behold; that same old woman hath climbed that tree without my consent, where I see she will fall: bear witness therefore with me, that I counseled her not to go up. Immediately she fell: then being demanded why she climbed that tree, answered, the Devil forced me: then he brought forth his witnesses, and proved that she did that without his advise.  
MOR. Those men deserve no pardon, which voluntarily sinning, blame Fortune or the Devil therefore.    

Singing.  

266 Of the Nightingale and the Raven.  
ON a solemn feast day the Eagle had the birds to dinner: after it was done, the Eagle called forth the nightingale, whom he had to sing some melody to lighten their hearts withal. She forthwith song sweetly, that it delighted the hearers. In the mean time a Raven passing by, and hearing this, said: I will also sing with the Nightingale, for I have a base voice which shall be heard far off, and he began to croak very loathsomely, which caused the nightinggale to hold her peace. The other birds were offended with the Raven for troubling the feast: then the Eagle commanded him either to depart, or to hold his peace: but he answered, that he would sing, and for her he would not stir an inch. The Eagle commanded him again to avoid, which because he stubbornly disobeyed, was commanded to be slain.  
MOR. It is vain to sing, where the hearers are unwilling.    

Simplicity.  

267 Of the Dove and the Pye.  
THe Pie asked the Dove what was the cause that she always built in one place where her chickens were always taken away: she answered, simplicity.  
MOR. Good men are easily beguiled.    

Slothfulness.  

268 Of an Ass and Frogs.  
AS an Ass laden with wood passed through a marsh, by chance he slipped and fell, who not being able to arise, lamented & sighed, but the Frogs which were in the marsh, hearing him sighing; said: What wouldst thou do sirrah, if thou hadst continued here so long as we have, which for so small a time dost so mourn?.  
MOR This talk may any man use to a slothful persons, which for a little pains is troubled, being able easily to overcome great affairs.   

269 Of a Pelican.  
THe Goose and the Duck made sometime a great feast, to the which they had all tame Fowls, but to set out their Supper, they went into the wilderness and found the Pelican, whom they brought with them to their banquet, When the feast was done, they all besought the Pelican to abide with them, and not to live so solitarily in such penury, who at length being somewhat persuaded, continued a few days with them, and made great banquets: But when he would have prayed, he was interrupted with their chattering: wherefore he left their company, and lived the rest of his life in solitarynesse.  
MOR Who so will serve God truly, must do it alone quietly.    

Sluggards.  

170 Of a Smith and his Dog.  
A Certain Smyth had a whelp, which all the while he struck on his iron, did sleep: but when he went to meat, the Dog would straightewaye arise, and eat the crumbs that fell from the Table, or bones, or any thing else. Which thing the Smith marking well, said to his Dog: Thou wretch, I can not tell how to ●andle thee, for whiles I am busy in my work, thou liest snorting and sleeping: But when my teeth go, thou startest up and waggest to me thy tail.  
MOR. Idle sluggards which live of an other man's sweat, must be punished according to the rigour of the law.    

Strength.  

271 Of the Bull and the Mouse.  
A Mouse did bite a Bull by the foot, & strait way ran into his hole: the Bul shaked his horns & sought for his enemy, but see him he could not: then the mouse laughed him to scorn, saying: Because of thy strength despise not every body, for now a silly Mouse hath hurt thee, and scaped free.  
MOR. Let no man regard his enemy.    

Strife.  

272 Of a Weasel.  
A Weasel came into a Smith's shop, and licked ●n a file which lay there, wherewith her tongue being torn, bled very much: She rejoiced greatly, supposing to carry away something from the iron, until her tongue altogether was worn away.  
MOR. This fable is against those which in strife hurt themselves.   

273 Of Hares.  
THe Hares sometime holding war with the Eagles, required aid of the Foxes: but they answered, we would help you, but that we know what ye are, and with whom ye fight.  
MOR. They which strive with their betters, set little by their own health.    

Stripes.  

274 Of the Nut tree, the Ass, and the Woman.  
A Certain Woman questioned with a Nut tree growing by the high way side, which was always pelted with stones by passengers, why he was so mad, that the more he were beaten, the more increase he yielded, the Walnut answered: Remember you not the old Proverb? The Nut tree, the Ass, and the Woman, are all under one law: which three will do nothing well without great store of stripes.  
MOR. Some men make a rod oftentimes for their own tail.    

Suffering wrong.  

275 Of the Bear and the Bee.  
A Bear sometime stinged of a be, was so wood angry thereat, that with his nails he tore in pieces the hives where the Bees made honey: the Bees seeing their hives plucked down, their food carried away, & their young ones slain, rushing all at once, assailed the Bear, and nigh stung him to death. He hardly scaping from them, said to himself: how much better had it been for me, patiently to have suffered the stinging of one Bee, than to provoke so many enemies against me?  
MOR. Sometime it is far better to suffer wrong done by one, than in requiting it to procure many foes.    

Thefie.  

276 Of a Boy and his mother.  
A Boy stole his fellows Book out of the School, which he brought to his mother: she corrected him not therefore, but rather made much of him: Who waxing elder, stole greater things: and at a time being taken with the manner, he was strait way led to execution, whom his mother followed and lamented: but he prayed the Hangman that he might talk a word or two in his mother's ear, who strait way laid her ear to his mouth, which he with his teeth bit off: divers rebuked him that he had not only played the thief, but also used such villainy to his mother. She (said he) is the cause of my undoing: for if she had chastised me when I stole the Book, I had not now been led to hanging.  
MOR. Faults which are not at the first corrected, do increase greater.    

Time.  

277 Of a Grammarian teaching an Ass.  
A Certain Grammarian boasted that he was so passing tine in his art, that if he might have a sufficient reward, he would take upon him to teach not only children, but also asses. The Prince hearing of the man's rashness, asked him whither he thought he could teach an Ass within ten years, if he gave him .50. Crowns. The shameless man answered, that he would not refuse to be slain of him, if in that space the Ass could not writ and read. His friends hearing of this, marveled and rebuked him, because he had promised to do a thing, not only hard, but also impossible: and they did fear, lest when the time had been expired, he should be slain of the King: whom he answered: Before this time be come out, either the Prince, the Ass, or I shall die.  
MOR. Delay of time is commonly wont to be a help, for those which stand in danger.    

Trying of friends.  

278 Of a man that would try his friends.  
THere was a certain man very rich and liberal, which had many friends whom often times he had did to supper, to the which willingly they came, & because he might that better know whether they would be trusty in time of need, he assembled them together and told them that he had foes lately upstart, which he meaned to destroy, praying them therefore to arm themselves and come with him to revenge his quarrel: then every one began to excuse himself saving two, which he accounted for his friends, and afterward loved them dearly, but the other he rejected.  
MOR. The best trier of friends is adversity.    

Try all ways.  

279 Of a young man and an old.  
A Certain old man espied a young man gathering of his fruit, whom he gently entreated to come down from the tree, and not to purloin his goods: but he spoke to the wind, for he lightly regarded his age and his words. Ah (quoth the old man) I have heard, that not only in words, but also in herbs force consisteth, whereupon he began to pluck the leaves and cast them at him. The young man seeing him do so, laughed out of measure, supposing that he doted, to drive him down with leaves. The old man willing to assay him by gentle means, when he perceived that he could nothing prevail, said: I will prove what stones will do, for in them men say, there is virtue: & forthwith filled his lap with stones which he cast at the young man, and perforce made him come down and depart.  
MOR. A wise man aught to assay all manner ways, before he take any weapon in hand.    

Trouble.  

280 Of the Lion and the Bull.  
A Bull being afraid of a Lion, fled away, and by chance met with a Goat, who with frowning countenance threatened to strike him with his horns, to whom the Bull full of wrath, said: It is not the knitting of thy brows feareth me, but that the fierce Lion is so near at my heels, thou shouldest feel what it were to meddle with a Bull, and to renew his wound.  
MOR. To the sorrowful aught no more misery be added, who that hath been once in trouble, hath tasted sorrow enough.    

Trust in thyself.  

281 Of a Lark.  
A Certain Lark by chance builded her nest in a piece of wheat, that was somewhat riper than other: whence her young ones were not able to fly when the corn was yellow. As she was going forth to seek meat, she warned them if any novelty happened to be done or said, to mark it well, and at her return to certify her thereof: after her departure, the owner of the corn came thither, and said to a young man his son: Seest ●●●t thou, that this corn is ripe and needeth labourers? to morrow therefore by break of day. ●o to my friends, desire them to help me in with my harvest: when he had so said, he departed. When the Lark returned to her young ones, they ●ame fluttering about her, and prayed her out of hand to haste and carry them away, for the owner had sent to his friends, willing them to come the next morning to reap his corn: She had them be of good cheer & fear nothing, for if the Lord of the ground have remitted the matter to his friends, to morrow it shall not be cut down: the next day she flew a broad again for meat, the lord waited for his bidden friends, the sun waxed hot, but nothing was done, neither any friend of his came. Then said be to his son, I see well that these my friends for the most part are loiterers, let us therefore entreat our kinsfolks and neighbours to morrow betimes to come: her Chickens were then afraid and told it to their mother: she had them to leave off fear and care, for none of alliance would be so obedient as to come at a beck, especially to labour. The next morning she went abroad as before, his kinsfolks left the work undone: The owner seeing that, said to his son: Adieu both friends and Cousins, bring thou to morrow at the break of day two sickles, one for me, another for thee, and we with our own hands will reap it. When her young ones told her this, she said: It is time to be packing, for that he said with out do● shall come to pass: for on him that aught it, th● labour is turned, not where it was required: an● thus the Lark shifted her nest, and the corn wa● reaped. Hereof Ennius writeth these tw● verses.  
This sentence in thy mind,  
bear thou in any wise:  
Look for no help of friends,  
where thy help may suffice.    

Trusting mortal things.  

282 Of an Ass.  
A Certain poor man which had nothing but 〈◊〉 barrel of Wine and an Ass, had married hi● only daughter to a certain young man, promising him somewhat in frank marriage which he thought to gather of his Wine and th● Ass (for he had determined to cell them) but th● next night after that the bridal was kept, th● Ass died, who as he was dying, broke the vessel with his heels, and spilt the Wine.  
MOR. We must put no trust in transitory things.    

Truth hateth jesting.  

283 Of one that played the part of Christ.  
A Certain Countryman playing the part of Christ in a play, was beaten and evil entreated of the jews, wherefore he flung way the cross and said: The Devil be your God, for I will not. Then a Baker ●ooke his part, ●home the jews likewise did h●●d●e opprobriously: which thing the patient suffered, but an ●ther said to him, Meal stealer: then the Baker answered, hold thy tongue, or else & will overthrow thee with my cross.  
MOR. Truth can abide no jesting, neither ●enne that are guilty willingly hear of any ie●ting of their doings.    

Vain desires.  

284 Of the Heart.  
A heart beholding himself in a clear water, allowed much his fair forehead and bread horns, but the smallness of his legs he condemned. As he was thus viewing and judging, there came a Hunter upon him: the heart fled away very swiftly, the Dogs pursued him: but being entered into a thick wood, his horns were wrapped fast in the boughs: then he praised his legs and dispraised his horns, which caused him to be taken.  
MOR. Things which do hurt we do hunt after, but good things we despise.   

285 Of a Countryman and Hercules.  
A Countryman's Cart stuck fast in a deep mire: strait way he besought help of Hercules. To him an answer was given: Thou dolt whip on thy horse, and lift thou forward thy wheels, and then call on Hercules, and he will be ready at hand.  
MOR. Vain requests do not avail, which God will not hear, help thyself, and then god will help forward.    

Vainglory.  

286 Of a biting Dog.  
A Certain man had a Dog which often times had bit many, whereupon he tied a clog on his neck, that men might take heed of him. The Dog supposing that to be given him for a commendation of his courage, despised his companions: than one of them told him of his blindness, that he wore that clog with shame, and not with honour.  
MOR A vainglorious fool sometime counteth that to be his praise, which is utterly to his shame.    

Valiant death.  

287 Of the Hog and the Horse.  
A Hog espied a barded Horse, which was set out to warfare well appointed, to whom he said: Whether makest thou such hast thou fool, perhaps thou shalt be slain in battle: The Horse answered him, though thou do nothing worthy of praise, but being fat liest wallowing in the mire, yet a little knife thy life shall dispatch, whereas great renown after my death I have.  
MOR. It is better to die valiantly, than to prolong thy life led wickedly.    

Undefiled life.  

288 Of the Swan and the Crow  
THe Raven envied the Swan for his whiteness, whom with all policy he endeavoured to defile and make black: and because he could not work his will whiles the Swan waked, he practised it when she slept. Wherefore he came in a night the Swan sleeping on her nest, and with his blackness polluted her and made her black. When day was up and the Swan awaked, who saw herself thus painted, she washed herself continually, till she become fair.  
MOR. Who so will be blissed, let him keep himself undefiled.    

Undoing himself.  

289 Of a Thrush.  
A Thrush being caught with bird-lime of a fouler, did torment herself, saying: The pangs of death grieve me not so much, as that my own things are my destruction: for men say, that bird-lime is made of Thrushes dung.  
MOR. Then are men most grieved, when their own doings do slay them.    

Unequal marriage.  

209 Of the Lion and the Mouse.  
A Lion sometime caught in a snare, was so entangled: that he could not wind out himself, whereupon he desired the Mouse to gnaw asunder the gin, promising a recompen●e for his good turn. Which thing when the Mouse had quickly done, he required the Lion to give him his daughter in marriage: the Lion (to requited his benefactor) granted her unto him When the new married wife was come unto her Husband, by chance not seeing him, trod on him, and burst him all to pieces.  
MOR. All marriages and matches unequally made, are not to be allowed.    

unthankfulness.  

291 Of river.  
A Certain river checked his headspring, as being a standing water, neither having any fishes: but himself he highly commended, because he bred goodly fishes, and pleasantly ran through the valleys. The headspring fretting at the unthankfulness of the river, ceased his wonted course, whereby the River wanting both his fishes and his pleasant noise, dried up.  
MOR. Some claim as their own, whatsoever they do, robbing God of his honour, from whom all goodness doth proceed.    

A wise Ape.  

292 Of a Serpent.  
A Serpent being overwhelmed with a great stone, desired a man that traveled that way, to roll off the burden from him, promising to give him a great treasure if he would do it. Which when the gentle fellow had done, the Serpent did not only break his promiss, but also said the man was worthy to die. As they thus strove, it happened that the ape passed that way, who being chosen judge between them, said: I can not end so great strife between you, except I see first how the serpent stood under the stone. When the man had laid the st●ne upon the Serpent, he said: I think that unthankful beast aught to remain under the stone.  
MOR. Unthankful men are worthy of no good turn.   

293 Of a man that broke an Image.  
A Certain man had a wooden Image, whom he prayed to bestow some benefit on him, but the more he prayed, the more he lived in poverty: Wherewith he being angry, caught his Image by the legs, and sloong him against a wall, wherewith his head being broken, great abundance of gold came out, which as he gathered, he said: thou art froward as I think for whiles I did reverence thee, thou didst me no good, but when thou wast well beaten, thou has● yielded much riches.  
MOR. A naughty man will do much more good by beating than by honouring him.   

294 Of an Ass and a Raven.  
AN Ass having a galled back, fed in a meadow, on whom a Raven did sit and picked at his sore, whereat the Ass brayed and skipped▪ The horskéeper standing a far off, laughed thereat▪ whom as a Wolf passing by espied, he said▪ Alas, if we poor wretches should do so much, we should be pursued, but at him they laugh.  
MOR Wicked men only peeping abroad ar● forthwith known.   

295 Of a Dog.  
A Certain rich man, much given to hunting, did keep many dogs, whereof one bitten his son that he died: Their master being wroth, commanded to slay not only the man killer, but also all the rest: then said one of them, one hath offended, but all are punished.  
MOR. The wickedness of one, often hurteth many.   

296 Of the Nurse and the Wolf.  
A Woman sometime had a child to nurse, whom she threatened to cast to the wolf except ●e left his crying. It happened that the Wolf ●assing that way, heard what she said: where●ppon being in good hope, he waited still at the ●oore. The child at length being stilled, fell a sleep, the wolf returned fasting into the covert with a Flea in his ear. The she Wolf asked ●or his prey. Marry (quoth he sighing) I was deceived, a Nurse promised to cast me a boy that cried, ●ut she did not.  
MOR. No credit is to be had in a woman.   

297 Of a Woman that wept for her husband.  
THere was a young Woman whose husband lay at the point of death, whom with these ●ords her father comforted, saying: Daughter, ●exe not so much thyself, for I have provided thee a husband, much fairer than he is, which ●hall soon drive away thy longing for this: but ●his woman would not hearken to her father's talk, ●ut blamed him for making mention so hastily: yet when her husband was dead, she asked her father, weeping, if the young man were near, which he said should be her husband.  
MOR. The love which women have to their husbands soon, weareth away, after they be dead.   

298 Of a Woman beaten.  
A Certain Woman sore beaten of her husband, feigned herself dead, to make him afraid, for she held her breath, and lay with her face upward, not once stirring: This wise man knowing well the fetches of women, said: The dead beast must be flayde, and he caught up a knife, and began to flay the skin from her feet: she perceiving the end of her dissimulation, plucked back her feet, and strait way arose.  
MOR. women's wiles are practised in vain against wise men.   

299 Of the Widow and the green Ass.  
A Certain Widow being weary of leading a single life, desired to marry, but she durst not, because she feared the mocking of the people, which reported evil of those that were twice married: but her godmother showed her by this policy, how lightly rumours are to be regarded: she commanded her to take the white Ass she had, and 'cause him to be painted green, and then to lead him through every street, which thing at the first sight was so wondered at, that not only children, but also old men, moved with this strange Wonder, followed the Ass, to behold him, which being daily led through the city, they ceased too wonder at. Then said her godmother, the like shall happen to thee, for if thou marry, thou shalt for a few days be a byword to the people, but within a while after, there shall not be a word spoken of it.  
MOR. Nothing is so wonderful, that in continuance of time will not cease to be wondered at.   

300 Of the Raven and the Fox.  
A Raven sometime having got his prey, made a great noise in the boughs, whom the Fox seeing thus rejoice, ran unto her, and said: I greet you with all my heart, I have often heard reports to be untrue, but now in deed I find it: ●or as I passed by this way, by chance I espied ●hee in a tree, I am therefore come unto thee, being offended with report: for they say that thou art blacker than pitch, but in my sight thou art whiter than snow. In my judgement thou passest the Swan, thou art fairer than white ivy: If thy voice were agreeable to thy beauty, I would sooner accounted thee the Queen of all birds. The Raven alured with this smooth tale, prepared himself to sing. In the mean while, the pray ●ell out of his bill, which the Fox caught up, laughing exceedingly, whereof the silly Raven, being ashamed, repented his folly.  
MOR. Eschew vainglory, and that venomous sect of Flatterers may easily be avoided: but if thou covet to be magnified, master Parasite will wait on you at an inch.   

301 Of the Dog and the Sheep.  
A Dog brought an action against a Sheep for a loaf of bread which he aught him, the sheep denied it, whereupon they joined issue, than the Dog brought in the Kite, the Wolf, and the Raven to bear witness to the debt, who affirmed it for truth: the Sheep was condemned, whom the Dog caught, and pulled the skin from his back.  
MOR. It is well known, that by false witness many are oppressed and overcome.   

302 Of a Dog and a Butcher.  
SOmetime a Dog had stolen a piece of flesh from a Butcher in the market, and straight ran away: the Butcher being cold at the heart with the loss of the thing, first held his peace: then remembering himself, cried out after him, saying: O vile thief, for this time run safely, thou goest scotfree for thy swiftness, but hereafter I will watch thee narrowlier.  
MOR. The burnt hand feareth the fire.    

Escaping of dangers hard.  

303 Of the Heart and the Oxen.  
A Harte being pursued of a hunter, ran into an Ox stall, praying the Oxen to hide him in the rack: they told him that there was no safe harboring, for both their master & his servants would come thither: He answered that he was safe enough so that they would not bewray him: the servants came in, and mistrusting nothing to be hid in the hey, departed: the heart was exceedingly glad, and feared nothing. Then one of the Oxen older and wiser than the rest, said to him: It is an easy matter to deceive him that is as blind as a Mole, but if thou escape our master, which hath an hundred eyes, I will warrant thee: Straight after came in the master to redress his servants negligence, looked round about, and groping in the rack, felt the horns of the heart, and cried out for his servants, who straightway came, took the beast and slew him.  
MOR. When one is in peril, it is hard to find a place to hide him in, either it is that Fortune tosseth the oppressed, or that being afraid, and uncertain what to do, through folly they betray themselves.    

Wisdom.  

Of the Hare and the Fox.  
THe Hare judged himself worthy to be preferred before the Fox, because in swift running he far passed him: the fox answered, I have a more excellent wit, whereby I do oftener beguile the Dogs, than thou with thy swiftness.  
MOR. Wisdom far passeth strength or swiftness.    
FINIS.