The Cock, the Cat, and the young Mouse.

A Mouse of no Experience Was almost nabb'd for want of Sence. Hear how the silly young one told Her strange Adventure to the old. I cross'd the Limits of our State, And ran as swift as any Rat; When suddenly I spy'd two Creatures Of very different Form and Features. The one look'd smiling, milde, and Civil, The other was a very Devil; He look'd so fierce, made such a rout, Then tore the Ground, then turn'd about; He ne'er stood still, upon his Head He wore a piece of Flesh that's red; A bunch of Tails with green and black Stood staring higher than his back. And thus describes the simple Mouse A Cock he had seen behind the House, As had it been some Beast of Prey Brought over from America. With insolence, says he, he strides, And beats with his broad Arms his sides; Then lifts his shrill and frightful Voice, And made so terrible a Noise, That tho' I can assure you, Mother, I've as much Courage as another, I trembled, and as I am here, Was forc'd to fly away for fear. I curs'd the Bully in my thought; For 'twas that strutting Ruffi'n's Fault; Or else that other Beast and I Had been acquainted presently. He sat so quiet with such Grace, So much good Nature in his Face, He's furr'd like we, and on his Back So purely streak'd with gray and black; He has a long Tail, shining Eye, Yet is all over Modesty. I believe he is a near Relation To our Allies the Rattish Nation: His Ears and Whiskers are the same With ours, I would have ask'd his Name, When with his harsh and horrid sound The other made me quit my Ground. Replies the Mother, well 'scap'd Son, You have been very near undone; That formal Piece of Modesty, That Mirror of Hypocrisy, Was a damn'd Cat of wicked Fame; My Heart akes at the very Name, The everlasting Foe to Mouse, Death and Destruction to our House. Whereas that other Animal Ne'er did us hurt, nor never will; But may, when he is dead and gone, Serve us one Day to dine upon. Then prithee son, whate'er you do, Take special Care of him, whom you For such an humble Creature took, And judge not People by their Look.