The fables of Aesop by William Caxton (Jacobs)/Vol. II/Liber Tertius/Fable 17

by Aesop

¶ The xvij fable is of the Ape and of the foxe.

 

F the poure and of the Ryche Esope reherceth suche a fable / Of an ape / whiche prayd the foxe to gyue hym somme of his grete taylle for to couere his buttokes therwith / sayenge thus to hym / what auaylleth to the soo long a taylle / hit doth but wagge / And that whiche letteth the / shalle be prouffitable and good for me / The foxe said to hym I wold that hit were yet lenger / For rather I wold see hit al to fowled and dagged / than hit shold here to yow suche honour / as to couere thy fowle buttoks therwith / And therfore gyue thou not that thynge of whiche thow hast nede of / to the ende that afterward thow myster not of hit