Woollen mv. P. Fourdrinier, sail. T FABLE XXI. The RAT-CATCHER and CATS. HE rats by night fuch mischief did, Betty was ev'ry morning chid: They undermin'd whole fides of bacon, Her Her pafties, fenc'd with thickest paste, Were all demolish'd and laid wafte. She curft the cat for want of duty, Who left her foes a conftant booty. An Engineer, of noted skill, Engag'd to stop the growing ill. From room to room he now furveys Their haunts, their works, their fecret ways, Finds where they 'fcape an ambuscade, And whence the nightly fally's made. An envious Cat, from place to place, Again he fets the poyfon'd toils, And pufs again the labour foils. What foe (to fruftrate my defigns) My schemes thus nightly countermines? A victim to our lofs of trade. The captive Cat with piteous mews One int'reft is our common care. A Cat, who faw the lifted knife, Thus fpoke, and fav'd her fifter's life. In ev'ry age and clime we fee, Two of a trade can ne'er agree, Each hates his neighbour for encroaching; Squire ftigmatizes squire for poaching; And scandal pelts each other's charms; Not war like beauties, kings and fquires, For though we both one prey pursue, There's game enough for us and you. |