The Fox too Cunning for the Lyon.  
OR, 
The Fox's feast, wherein is expressed  
Many a witty but most true jest,  
Both old and young of it take a view,  
And by experience you'll say it's true.   
To the Tune of, the Three Cheators.  

 

A Den of Foxes on a day  
Met together as men say,  
Where they used to frequent,  
Into a hole then strait they went;  
Thus one unto the other said,   

the Fox's wills shall be obeyed.  
Where a Counsel they did hold  
Scorning for to be controlled;  
One more cunning than the rest  
In a Robe himself then dressed;  
Then give ear and understand   

there's many Foxes in this Land.  
One Robed like a Friar some say,  
Did imitate to Preach and Pray  
Unto the Géece like Nuns attired,  
For his heart by them was fired,  
Beloved sister than he said,   

draw near to me be not afraid.  
And although I am not tall  
I have longing bowels for you all.  
If they were Nuns he loved them dear  
But they were Géece it doth appear:  
He did seduce them by a wild,   

and every one of them beguiled,  
A mighty feast they then did hold,  
Of hollow fouls as I was told;  
And then went to the Lion's Cave  
Dear longing that to have  
A cunning plot by them was laid,   

which made the Lion sore afraid.  
And by their subtlety (as then)  
They forced the Lion from his den.  
Then by their subtlety and strength,  
The Lion then entrapped at length:  
Then cruelly they did him slay   

to have his den therein to play.  
The young Lions than did fly,  
(Not daring for to stay thereby)  
To seek more Lions in a Land  
The Fox's strength for to withstand;  
And intending to pursue,   

are returning with their crew.  
One Fox more subtle than the rest,  
Stood strutting up and did protest,  
That he and his young ones then  
Would have the dreadful Lion's den,  
With one consent perforce (they said)  
this Foxes will must be obeyed,    

The Second Part  
to the same Tune.  
 

ANd whilst within that he did stay  
He frighted all the rest away,  
The greedy Fox with Price of gore,  
Did feed on Plate and silver o'er:  
But having fed beyond his strength  
He fell sick and died at length.   

The firighted Foxes then returned  
But for the other never mourned,  
They drove the young whelp out of his den  
And possessed themselves again  
Of their former playing place,  
To the dead Foxes much disgrace.   

There was another Fox beside  
That in his tail did take such pride,  
So cruelly was he bend then,  
He fed upon poor wounded men;  
And now he's gone as I hear tell  
To fright the Devil out of Hell.   

Another he had gained such power  
That he held a mighty Tower,  
That no one durst him withstand,  
Of such power was his command,  
But the rest would not obey,  
But forced him for to run away.   

The was a fair kept in the West,  
And in a Booth they kept a feast,  
The Foxes hearing of such cheer  
Put the feasters in such fear,  
That for fear they ran away,  
And the Foxes had a gallant prey▪   

From the North came such a wind  
The Foxes feared their tails behind,  
They sent one then with all speed  
To beat them back if there be need:  
Afterwards they set him free,  
For of their Rump he must not be.   

Another Fox had but one eye,  
After him went a Hue and cry,  
'Cause out of sight and under shade,  
He did use the Cobbling trade:  
For killing many I have heard,  
He was hanged up in Paul's Churchyard   

Of Foxes we no number know,  
Because that they are Lambs in show.  
You that hunt Foxes have a care,  
Lest that it do your health impair,  
And of late to mind I call,  
I caught a Fox that made me fall.     

London, Printed for Charles Tyus on London Bridge.