Council held by the Rats.

A Cat, whose Sirname pretty hard was, One Captain Felis Rodilardus Had made so terrible a slaughter Among the Rats; that little after There's hardly one to shew his head, Most part of 'em were maim'd or dead. The few that yet had 'scap'd the Grave, Liv'd in a subterranean Cave, Where they sat thinking mighty dull, With Bellies less than quarter full, Not daring to stir out for fear Of Rodilard, who's ev'ry where. They tried a hundred ways to sun him: But finding they could never shun him, The Wretches look upon him, that He's more a Devil than a Cat. Once, when our am'rous Spark was gone A hunting Wenches up and down, The poor remainder to improve The time their Enemy made love, Assembl'd, and employ'd their Cares About the straits of their Affairs. Their President, a Man of Sence, Told 'em, by long experience; I know, the Captain used to come In Ambush without beat of Drum. Methinks, that if we could but hear him We need not half so much to fear him: And therefore, th' only way's to take A Bell, and tie't about his Neck; And then let him be ne'er so arch He'll advertise us of his march. His Council took, and every one } Was of the same Opinion; } Sure nothing better could be done. } But pray, says one, who is to tie it; For I desire not to be nigh it. How! cries another, tie the Bell, I dare draw all his Teeth as well. A third, a fourth, all say the same, And so they parted as they came.

The Moral. Thus Cits advise what's to be done, This way they should attack the Town; Now here, then there, why don't they come? So, often in a Coffee-room, Where prudently they rule the Nation, I've heard some Men of Reputation Propose things which they dare as well Perform, as Rats to tie the Bell.