¶ The xij fable is of the ſerpent
He Auctor that is to wete Eſope
reherceth to vs ſuche a fable of
two euyls / ſayeng that a ſerpent
entryd ſom tyme within the forge
of a ſmythe / for to ſerche ſomme
mete for her dyner / It happed / that ſhe fond a
fyle whiche ſhe beganne to gnawe with her
teethe / Thenne ſayd the fyle to her / yf thow
byte and gnawe me / yet ſhalt thow doo to me
no hurte / but bytynge and gnawyng on me /
thow ſhalt hurte thyn owne ſelf / For by my
ſtrengthe alle the yron is planed by me / And
therfore thow arte a foole to gnawe me / For
I telle the / that none euyll may hurte ne adommage another as euylle as he / Ne none wycked
may hurte another wycked / ne alſo the hard
ageynſt the hard ſhalle not breke eche other /
ne two enuyous men ſhal not both ryde vpon an
aſſe / wherfor the myghty and ſtronge muſt loue
hym whiche is as myghty and as ſtrong as hym
ſelf is
