102
LIBER
¶ The second fable is of the auncyent wesel and of the rat
Ytte is better than force or ſtrengthe /
As reherceth to vs this fable of
an old weſel / the whiche myghte
no more take no rats / wherfore
ſhe was ofte ſore hongry and bethought
her that ſhe ſhold hyde her ſelf withynne
the flowre for to take the rats whiche came
there for to ete hit. And as the rats came to the
floure / ſhe took and ete them eche one after
other / And as the oldeſt rat of all perceyued
& knewe her malyce / he ſayd thus in hym
ſelf / Certaynly I ſhalle kepe me wel fro the /
For I knowe alle thy malyce & falſhede ¶ And
therfore he is wyſe that ſcapeth the wytte and
malyce of eyylle[errata 1] folke / by wytte and not by
force
