FABLES. 



235 



THE FOX AND THE GOAT. 



A Fox. having tumbled, by chance, into a well, 

 had been ineffectually endeavouring a long while 

 to get out again, when, at last, a Goat came to 

 the place, and wanting to drink, asked Reynard 

 whether the water was good: (rood! said he, aye, 

 so sweet, that I am afraid I have surfeited myself, I 

 have drank so abundantly. The Goat, upon this, 

 without more consideration, leapt in ; when the 

 Fox mounted upon his back, and taking the advan- 

 tage of his horns, bounded up in an instant, and 

 left the poor simple Goat at the bottom of the well 

 to shift for himself. Upon the Goat's reproaching 

 him for his perfidy, Ah, Master Goat, said he, you 

 have far more hairs in your beard than brains in 

 your head. 



