Whereupon the Cock replied, “Sir, I shall not dishonour myself by such a treacherous act.” “We shall see,” replied the Fox. He then proceeded to draw up another proclamation. SECOND PROCLAMATION. “Citizens, while you were asleep you were being betrayed, but friends were watching for you. Too long had we bowed our heads without murmuring; the time had come for us to assert our dignity. The traitors who governed and sold you breathe no more! The records of our nation will teach the world how the animal kingdom redresses its wrongs. During this hour justice has been executed, the work is finished, the culprits have paid with their lives the penalty of their guilt—they have been hanged! “_N.B._—Out of sacred regard for our ancestors who suffered the extreme penalty of the law, they have been hanged on new gibbets. “THE FOX.” The Cock listened unmoved to the reading of this second document. “But,” said the Monkey, “my lord, we are not hanged.” “Are you really thinking of hanging us?” cried the Parroquet, weeping at the prospect. {232} “No,” replied the Fox, “it is a proceeding I do not care to carry out, only you must appear to have been hanged.” The shouts of the populace outside could be plainly heard, demanding the heads of the editors. “Patience,” replied the Fox, addressing the people from time to time—“patience, if you are wise. You shall have some medals to commemorate this event. [_Aside._] To refuse nothing, and to give nothing, is the way to govern wisely and well.” [Illustration] The shouts, “Death to the tyrants!” “Death to the editors!” redoubled. “You hear, gentlemen,” said the Fox. “It is necessary to do something for the people; yet,” he added, “if you can find means to deceive them by preserving your lives, you may do so.” “Means!” screamed the Monkey; “I have found them,” and in his joy he turned three somersaults. Mr. Monkey had got possession of the stuffed body of an ancestor, {233} no doubt with the intention of honouring his race. He at once produced the relic, and it was decided that this defunct relative should figure on the gibbet in place of his erring descendant. To better deceive the multitude, before sending the mummy to martyrdom the Monkey attired it in his coat and well-known cap; this he did, not without tokens of genuine grief. “Now, my dear sir,” continued the Fox, “you must seek retirement for fifteen days, after which I think you may venture to show yourself again. There is no dead man or monkey who in Belle France has not the right to come to life audaciously at the end of a fortnight. The people are the most magnanimous of enemies—they forget everything.” “They are also the most fickle friends,” replied the Ape; then, casting a last fond look on his boxes, his table, and his office, he vanished.