The Cat and Fox, when saints were all the rage Together went upon pilgrimage. Our Pilgrims, as a thing of course, Disputed till their throats were hoarse. Then, dropping to a lower tone, They talk'd of this, and talk'd of that, Till Reynard whisper'd to the Cat, "You think yourself a knowing one: How many cunning tricks have you? For I've a hundred, old and new, All ready in my haversack." The Cat replied, "I do not lack, Though with but one provided; And, truth to honour, for that matter, I hold it than a thousand better." In fresh dispute they sided; And loudly were they at it, when Approach'd a mob of dogs and men. "Now," said the Cat, "your tricks ransack, And put your cunning brains to rack, One life to save; I'll show you mine-- A trick, you see, for saving nine." With that, she climb'd a lofty pine. The Fox his hundred ruses tried, And yet no safety found. A hundred times he falsified. The nose of every hound Was here, and there, and everywhere, Above, and under ground; But yet to stop he did not dare, Pent in a hole, it was no joke, To meet the terriers or the smoke. So, leaping into upper air, He met two dogs, that choked him there. _Expedients may be too many, Consuming time to choose and try. On one, but that as good as any, 'Tis best in danger to rely._ The City Rat and the Country Rat A city Rat, one night Did with a civil stoop A Country Rat invite To end a turtle soup. Upon a Turkey carpet They found the table spread, And sure I need not harp it How well the fellows fed. The entertainment was A truly noble one; But some unlucky cause Disturbed it when begun It was a slight rat-tat, That put their Joys to rout; Out ran the City Rat; His guest, too, scampered out. Our rats but fairly quit, The fearful knocking ceased, "Return we," said the cit, "To finish there our feast." "No," said the Rustic Rat; "To-morrow dine with me. I'm not offended at Your feast so grand and free, "For I've no fare resembling; But then I eat at leisure, And would not swap for pleasure So mixed with fear and trembling." The Ploughman and His Sons