We append a few of these couplets, the first line being a proverb and the second the comment of Davies upon it. Anything more feeble and pointless than the latter could scarcely be imagined.
"A Mouse may in time bite in two a cable—
That may she at once if she be able."
"No more can we have of the fox but his skin;
Yes, Bones to make dice, which now is no sin."
"Three may keep counsell if two be away,
And so may all three if nothing they say."
"A dead Bee will make no Hony,
But from dead Bees it's had for money."
"Ill newes are commonly true,
Not if a lyer made them new."
"The Cat would eat fish but for wetting her feete,
To eat ere she wash is fowle and unsweete."
"Throw no Guift at the Giver againe;
Yes: if he give me a blow Ile thanke him with twaine."
"A scabb'd Sheepe will marre a whole flocke,
Faith, then the Shepherd's a Knave or a Block."
"Who is worse Shood than the Shoomaker's wife?
Faith, Geese, that never wore Shoes in their life."