Page:Batrachomyomachia, or, the wonderfull and bloudy Battell betweene Frogs and Mice.djvu/28

You simple Frogs live in the running mayne,
In brookes, in ditches, and the watry Fen.
Vpon the dry land we brave Mice remaine,
Where we enjoy the company of men:
We feed upon their dainties at our ease,
Eate up their bread and victuals when we please;
We passe not for their locks, nor strength of place,
"Both locks and strength doth policie deface.

Yet though when hunger moves an appetite,
We sometimes skirmish with the Kitchins store,
And here and there a little morsell bite,
And where we finde it fatter, eate the more:
For I have heard my father ^[1]say of old,
Which as a maxime we Mice doe hold,
Fetter the better (sure 'tis worth repeating)
A fat sweet modicum deserves the eating.

And though sometimes (too seldome I confesse)
We light upon a Capon by the way,
Or fortune with a Rabbit doth us blesse,
Which is a dainty morsell at this day;
Or other pretty juncate which we finde,
And eate some part according to our kinde:
Yet are we not so greedy, as some say,
Which blame brave Mice, yet take the meat away.

1. A good Axiome.

For