Tale Fourth.
When that Good Friday was come the men of Gotham did cast their heads together what to do with their white herrings, red herrings, their sprats, and salt fish. Then one counselled with the other, and agreed that all such fish should be cast into the pond or pool, which was in the middle of the town, that the number of them might increase against the next year. Therefore every one that had got any fish left did cast them into the pond. Then one said—
“I have as yet gotten left so many red herrings.”
“Well,” said the other, “and I have left so many whitings.”
Another immediately cried out—
“I have as yet gotten so many sprats left.”
“And,” said the last, “I have got so many salt fishes. Let them all go together into the great pond without any distinction, and we may be sure to fare like lords the next year.”
At the beginning of the next Lent they immediately went about drawing the pond, imagining they should have the fish, but were much surprised to find nothing but a great eel.
“Ah!” said they, “a mischief on this eel, for he hath eaten up our fish.”
“What must we do with him?” said one to the other.
“Kill him!” said one to the other.
“Chop him into pieces,” said another.
“Nay, not so,” said the other, “but let us drown him.”
“Be it accordingly so,” replied they all.
So they immediately went to another pond, and did cast the eel into the water.
“Lie there,” said these wise men, “and shift for thyself, since you can expect no help from us.”
So they left the eel to be drowned.