Honesty is the best Policy.

FABLE VI. Of the two Thieves and the Butcher. A Couple of Sharpers went to a Butcher's Shop to buy

fome Meat; but while the Butcher was bufied with other Cuftomers, one of them ftole a piece of Beef and gave it to his Fellow, who put it under his Cloke.

The Butcher presently miffed the Meat, and charged

them with the Theft.

But he that stole it, swore by Jove, that he had none of it; and he that had it, fwore likewife, he did not take it away. To whom the Butcher replied, The Thief to me is unknown, tho' I believe it to be one of you; but he by whom you have both fworn, can tell and will reward you accordingly.

The Interpretation.

God Almighty is privy to all our Actions: and though we may for a while deceive Men, yet we cannot escape his all-feeing Eye, who will reward or punish us according as we deserve.

A Liar

A Liar is not to be believed, though he fpeak the Truth.

FABLE VII. Of the Shepherd's Boy and the Hufbandmen.

Sa Boy was looking after fome Sheep in a Meadow, he would oftentimes, in Jeft, cry out, that the Wolf was among them ; which made the neighbouring Husbandmen come out to his Affiftance, and then he would laugh at them, for being fuch Fools as to come when he did not want them.

At last the Wolf came in earneft; and the Boy began to cry out as ufual; but the Hufbandmen, thinking that he only wanted to delude them again, never troubled themselves about him, but let him cry on; and fo the Sheep became an eafy Prey to the Wolf, and were destroyed.

The Interpretation.

Some Men have fuch a Faculty of Festing, that the most important and facred Truths cannot escape them; others are as notorious for Lying; the Confequence of which is, a diflike to their Company, and a total Difregard to every Thing they say: For when once the Deceiver is known, his Credit is loft, and be is for ever derided in every Company».

Let

Let Envy alone and it will punish itself. FABLE VIII. Of the Dog and the Ox.

N ill-natur'd Dog, laid himself down in a Manger full of Hay.

AN

Prefently came an Ox to feed; but the Dog in a furly Manner bid him be gone.

Well, replied the Ox; Thou wilt neither eat the Hay thyfelf, nor fuffer others to eat it; therefore ftay there in this thy envious Humour, and keep away every. Ox, and then thy Envy will become thy Punishment.

The Dog did fo, and by that Means ftarved himself.

The Interpretation.

Envy torments both the Body and the Mind, and is defervedly own Punisher. Thus, we fee, fome Men are content to lose a Blefing themselves, that others may not enjoy it.

One

2

One good Turn deferves another.

FABLE IX. Of the Dove and the Bee.

A Thirty Bee came to a Fountain to drink; but being

too hafty, fell in.

A Dove in a neighbouring Tree feeing the Bee struggle for Life, fet herself upon a Branch that hung over the Fountain, and by her Weight, brought it to the Water, that the Bee might get upon it; and fo faved her Life.

Some fhort time after, a Snare was laid for the Dove; and while the Fowler was drawing the Net together, the Bee (who at that Inftant was flying over): feeing her Deliverer in fuch Danger, ftung the Fowler fo feverely, that he was obliged to let the Net go. again, by which Means the Dove escaped.

The Interpretation.

Be helpful to thy Friend; and always return Thanks to thofe who deferve them.

Evil

7

Evil be to them that Evil think. Alfo, Throw a
Cruft to a furly Dog and he will bite you.

FABLE X. Of the good-natur'd Man and the Adder.

A Good-natur'd Man being obliged to go

in

Weather; in his return home found an Adder almoft frozen to Death, which he brought with him, and laid before the Fire.

As foon as the Creature had received fresh Life by the Warmth, and was come to herfelf, he began to his, and fly about the Houfe, and at length kill'd one of the Children.

Well, fays the Man, If this is the beft Return that you can make for my kind Offices, you fhall e'en fhare in the fane Fate yourself; and fo kill'd her immediately.

The Interpretation.

Ingratitude is one of the blackeft Crimes that a Man can be guilty of: It is hateful both to God and Man, and frequently brings upon fuch a graceless Wretch all that Mischief, which be either did, or thought to do to another.

Lazy