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1. A Raven having got a prey, croaked amongst the boughs.
2. A Fox saw her hopping to and fro, he runs to her.
3. The Fox, quoth he, bids the Raven many good morrows.
4▪ I had often heard, that Hear-say was a lier, and now I find it to be so indeed.
5. For as I came this way by chance espied you in the tree, I make hast towards you and blame the rumour.
6. For the report goeth; that you are as black as pitch, and I see you are whither than Snow.
7. In mine opinion truly you out-strip the Swans, and are fairer than the pale Ivy.
8. And if you excell in your voice, as you do in your feathers, truly I would say, yet were the Queen of Birds.
9. The Raven, being allured with this flattering tale, makes her ready to sing.
10. But the Cheese f••ll out of her bill as she made her ready, which when he had snatcht up, the Fox sets up a laughter.
11. Then the poor Raven was asham'd and vext at her self, and was grieved for the loss of the thing, blushing at it withall.
12. Mor. Some are so greedy of commendation, that they love a flatterer to their shame and loss; such men are a prey to flatterers.
13. But if you will avoid boasting, you may easily avoid that plaguy kind of flatterers.
14. If thou wilt be Thraso, thou shalt not want a Gnatho.