FABLE XLVIII. The Mice in Consult:
Or, Impracticable Projects useless.
A crew of Mice, that in a Barn were bred,
Where they far'd high, and plentifully sed;
And, to avoid the injur'd Farmer's Sight,
Sculk'd all the Day, and Revell'd all the Night;
Were by a Cat made a continual Prey,
A Cat more watchful, and as quick as they:
For Puss cou'd in the Dark best use her Eyes,
And seiz'd the fearless Captives by Surprize.
This prompted their Contrivance, to avoid
The sudden Fate by which they were destroy'd.
The Council sate; a thinking Mouse arose,
And to the rest did thus his Sense propose:
Since, for our Safety, to find Ways and Means,
Is what this grave Assembly here convenes;
Because, in spite of all our baffled Cares,
Our Foe, Grimalkin, snaps us unawares:
To frustrate her Attempts, it may do well,
About her Neck to hang a Warning-Bell;
By whose shrill Sound, inform'd when Puss is nigh,
We may be caution'd, and from Danger flie.
This was approv'd, till a considerate Mouse,
That had been long the Mouth of all the House,
Reply'd; I much approve my Brother's Way:
But which of us shall make the bold Essay?
The MORAL.
‘Impracticable Projects useless are,
‘But to accomplish, is the Wise Man's Care:
‘Men may safe Methods easily advise;
‘But the main Stress, in Execution lies:
‘If then you cannot what you wou'd atchieve,
‘Will what you can, and you may hope to thrive.
