¶ The thyrdde fable is of the Foxe and of the gote
E whiche is wyſe and ſage ought
fyrſt to loke and behold the ende /
or he begynneth the werke or
dede / as hyer appiereth by this
fable / Of a foxe & of a gote /
that ſomtyme deſcended and wente doune in
to a depe welle / for to drynke. And Whanne
they had wel dronke / by cauſe that thei coude
not come vpward ageyne / the Foxe ſayd to the
gote in this maner / my frend yf thow wylt helpe
me / we ſhall ſone ben bothe oute of this welle /
For yf thow wylt ſette thy two feet ageynſte the
walle / I ſhal wel lepe vpon the / & vpon thy
homes And theune I ſhal lepe oute of this
welle / ¶ And whanne I ſhalle be oute of hit /
thow ſhalt take me by the handes / and I ſhal
plucke and drawe the oute of the welle / And
at this requeſt the gote / acorded and anſuerd /
I wylle wel / And thene the gote lyfte vp his
feet ageynſt the walle / and the foxe dyd ſo
moche by his malyce that he got out of the
welle / And whan he was oute / he began to
