1.Wootton jmv. P.Fourdrinier, sad. FABLE XXI. The RAT-CATCHER and CATS. HE rats by night fuch mischief did, TH Betty was ev'ry morning chid: They undermin'd whole fides of bacon, Her cheese was fapp'd, her tarts were taken, Her Her pasties, fenc'd with thickest paste, Were all demolish'd and laid waste. She curft the cat for want of duty, Who left her foes a constant booty. Engag'd to stop the growing ill. From room to room he now furveys Their haunts, their works, their fecret ways, And whence the nightly fally's made. An envious Cat, from place to place, Unseen, attends his filent pace, Again he fets the poyfon'd toils, What foe (to fruftrate my designs) My schemes thus nightly countermines? The wretch fhall bleed beneath my power. A victim to our lofs of trade. The captive Cat with piteous mews One int'reft is our common care. A A Cat, who faw the lifted knife, Thus fpoke, and fav'd her fifter's life, Two of a trade can ne'er agree, Each hates his neighbour for encroaching; Squire ftigmatizes fquire for poaching; Beauties with beauties are in arms, And scandal pelts each other's charms; Kings too their neighbour kings dethrone, Not war like beauties, kings and fquires, FABLE |