IV. The Eagle, the Cat, and the Sow

An Eagle built upon an oak

A Cat and kittens had bespoke

A hole about the middle bough;

And underneath a woodland

Sow Had placed her pigs upon the ground.

Then treach’rous Puss a method found

To overthrow, for her own good,

The peace of this chance neighbourhood

First to the Eagle she ascends—

“Perdition on your head impends,

And, far too probable, on mine;

For you observe that grubbing

Swine Still works the tree to overset,

Us and our young with ease to get.”

Thus having filled the Eagle’s pate

With consternation very great,

Down creeps she to the Sow below;

“The Eagle is your deadly foe,

And is determined not to spare

Your pigs, when you shall take the air.”

Here too a terror being spread,

By what this tattling gossip said,

She slily to her kittens stole,

And rested snug within her hole.

Sneaking from thence with silent tread

By night her family she fed,

But look’d out sharply all the day,

Affecting terror and dismay.

The Eagle lest the tree should fall,

Keeps to the boughs, nor stirs at all;

And anxious for her grunting race,

The Sow is loth to quit her place.

In short, they and their young ones starve,

And leave a prey for Puss to carve.

Hence warn’d ye credulous and young,

Be cautious of a double tongue.

Riley