Of the Fox.
* 1.1IN subtilty and craft the Fox exceedeth all other Beasts: When in the chase the Dogs are at his heels, he berays and bepisses his tail, and swings it in the face and eyes of the Dogs that follow him, and so blinding them, in the mean time gets ground of them. To fetch the Hens down from their pearch, he hath this device; he shakes and swings his tail upwards and downwards, as if he meant to throw it at them; which they fearing tumble down, and he takes up one of them for his prey. His wariness when he passeth over a River that is frozen, is wonderful; for he goes softly to the bank, and lays his ear to listen, if he can hear the noise of the Water running under the Ice.* 1.2 For, if he can, back he goes, and will not venture to pass over. The knowledg of which thing he could never meerly by his subtilty and craft attain unto, but that of necessity he must have some faculty of reasoning joyned with it; which by discourse, and by proving one thing by another,* 1.3 arrives at this Conclusion: Whatsoever is liquid and maketh a noise, is in motion; what∣soever liquid is in motion, is not concrete and frozen; that which is not concrete and frozen, is li∣quid; whatsoever is liquid, will not bear a heavier body; whatsoever will not bear a heavier body, cannot with safety be adventured on; and therefore back again must I go, and not pass over this River.