The door of a stable. Prov. to shut (lock, etc.) the stable door when the horse is stolen, to take preventive measures too late.
13[?]. Sir Beues, 2152. At stable dore to him ȝhe sede [etc.].
1848. Thackeray, Van. Fair, xxxii. Isidor watched the stable-door constantly.
1390. Gower, Conf., II. 32. For whan the grete Stiede Is stole, thanne he [Negligence] taketh hiede, And makth the stable dore fast.
c. 1450. Lat. & Eng. Prov. (MS. Douce 52), lf. 16. When þe hors is stole steke þe stabull dore.
1509. Watson, Ship of Fools, xii. (1517), D iv. The foole … shytteth the stable doore whan the horse is stolen.
1523. Skelton, Garl. Laurel, 1435. When the stede is stolyn, sparr the stable dur.
1719. De Foe, Crusoe, II. (Globe), 387. It was only shutting the Stable Door after the Stead was stoln.
1887. D. C. Murray, Old Blazer’s Hero, iv. To lock the stable-door when the mare is stolen.
