ordeth excellent matter of learning."]

No. 134. [STEELE.

From _Tuesday, Feb. 14_, to _Thursday, Feb. 16, 1709-10_.

----Quis talia fando
Myrmidonum, Dolopumve, aut duri miles Ulixi,
Temperet a lachrimis!--VIRG., AEn. ii. 6.

* * * * *

_Sheer Lane, February 15._

I was awakened very early this morning by the distant crowing of a cock,
which I thought had the finest pipe I ever heard. He seemed to me to
strain his voice more than ordinary, as if he designed to make himself
heard to the remotest corner of this lane. Having entertained myself a
little before I went to bed with a discourse on the transmigration of
men into other animals, I could not but fancy that this was the soul of
some drowsy bellman who used to sleep upon his post, for which he was
condemned to do penance in feathers, and distinguish the several watches
of the night under the outside of a cock. While I was thinking of the
condition of this poor bellman in masquerade, I heard a great knocking
at my door, and was soon after told by my maid, that my worthy friend
the tall black gentleman, who frequents the coffee-houses hereabouts,
desired to speak with me. This ancient Pythagorean, who has as much
honesty as any man living, but good nature to an excess, brought me the
following petition, which I am apt to believe he penned himself, the
petitioner not being able to express his mind in paper under his present
form, however famous he might have been for writing verses when he was
in his original shape.

"_To Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq., Censor of Great Britain._

"The humble petition of Job Chanticleer, in behalf of himself, and
many other poor sufferers in the same condition;

"SHEWETH,

"That whereas your petitioner is truly descended of the ancient
family of the Chanticleers at Cock Hall near Romford in Essex, it
has been his misfortune to come into the mercenary hands of a
certain ill-disposed person, commonly called a 'higgler,' who,
under the close confinement of a pannier, has conveyed him and many
others up to London; but hearing by chance of your worship's great
humanity towards robin-redbreasts and tom-tits,[95] he is
emboldened to beseech you to take his deplorable condition into
your tender consideration, who otherwise must suffer (with many
thous