093. THE FOX AND THE APE. Once upon a time, the beasts were so void of reason as to choose an ape for their king. He had danced and diverted them with playing antic tricks, and truly nothing would serve, but they must anoint him their sovereign. Accordingly crowned he was, and affected to look very wise and politic.
But the fox, vexed at his heart to see his fellow-brutes act so foolishly, was resolved, the first opportunity, to convince them of their sorry choice, and punish their jackanapes of a king for his presumption.
Soon after, spying a trap in a ditch, which was baited with a piece of flesh, he went and informed the ape of it, as a treasure, which, being found upon the waste, belonged to his majesty only. The ape, dreaming nothing of the matter, went very briskly to take possession; but had no sooner laid his paws upon the bait, than he was caught in the trap; where, betwixt shame and anger, he began to reproach the fox, calling him rebel and traitor, and threatening to be revenged of him; at all which Reynard laughed heartily; and going off, added with a sneer, “You a king, and not understand a trap.” [more info]
But the fox, vexed at his heart to see his fellow-brutes act so foolishly, was resolved, the first opportunity, to convince them of their sorry choice, and punish their jackanapes of a king for his presumption.
Soon after, spying a trap in a ditch, which was baited with a piece of flesh, he went and informed the ape of it, as a treasure, which, being found upon the waste, belonged to his majesty only. The ape, dreaming nothing of the matter, went very briskly to take possession; but had no sooner laid his paws upon the bait, than he was caught in the trap; where, betwixt shame and anger, he began to reproach the fox, calling him rebel and traitor, and threatening to be revenged of him; at all which Reynard laughed heartily; and going off, added with a sneer, “You a king, and not understand a trap.” [more info]
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