A liar is not to be believed though he speak the truth. FABLE VII. OF THE SHEPHERD'S BOY AND THE S a boy was looking after some sheep in a meadow, he would oftentimes, in jest, cry out, that the wolf was among them; which made the neighbouring husbandmen come out to his assistance, and then he would laugh at them, for being such fools as to come when he did not want them. At last the wolf came in earnest; and the boy began to cry out as usual; but the husbandmen, thinking that he only wanted to delude them again, never troubled themselves about him, but let him cry on; and so the sheep became an easy prey to the wolf, and were destroyed. The interpretation. Some men have such a faculty of jesting, that the most important and sacred truths cannot escape them; others are as notorious for lying; the consequence of which is, a dislike to their company, and a total disregard to every thing they say; for when once the deceiver is known, his credit is lost and he is for ever derided in every company. N ill hay Presen manner, E Well, self, uor s thy envion envy will The do Envy to edly its ow to lose a b FABLE VIII. OF THE DOG AND THE OX, ll-natured dog laid himself down in a manger full of ay. ently came an ox to feed; but the dog, in a surly bid him be gone. replied the ox, Thou wilt neither eat the hay thy- suffer others to eat it; therefore stay there in this ious humour, and keep away every ox, and then thy ill become thy punishment. dog did so, and by that means starved himself. The interpretation. - torments both the body and the mind, and is deservown punisher. Thus, we see, some men are content a blessing themselves, that others may not enjoy it. M2 Evil be a cru A FABLE IX. OF THE DOVE AND THE BEE. THIRSTY bee came to a fountain to drink; but being A dove, in a neighbouring tree, seeing the bee struggle for life, set 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 so saved her life. Some short time after, a snare was laid for the dove; and while the fowler was drawing his net together, the bee (who at that instant was flying over) seeing her deliverer in such danger, stung the fowler so severely, 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 those who deserve them. FABLS X. A GOC weat frozen to de the fire. As soon warmth, an about the h Well, sa make for m fate yoursel Ingratitu be guilty of quently brin which he eit e to them that evil think. Also -Throw rust to a surly dog and he will bite you. X. OF THE GOOD NATURED MAN AND THE ADDER. OOD natured man being obliged to go out in frosty eather; in his return home found an adder almost death, which he brought with him, and laid before on as the creature had received fresh life by the and was come to herself, she began to hiss, and fly he house; and at length killed one of the children. says the man, if this is the best return that you can r my kind offices, you shall e'en share in the same Erself, and so killed her immediately. titude is one of the blackest crimes that a man can y of: it is hateful both to God and man, and frebrings upon such a graceless wretch all that mischief, e either did or thought to do to another. Lazy folks take the most pains. Also-Give a man his bread and cheese when he has earned it. A bird FABLE XI. OF THE OLD WOMAN AND HER MAIDS. CERTAIN old woman, having about her a parcel of idle maids, would oblige them to rise every morning at the cock crowing. A But the maids looking on this as an hardship, resolved to put a stop to this growing evil, and so cut off the cock's head; thinking that they might then lie a-bed securely, and indulge themselves in their laziness. But the careful mistress soon frustrated their designs, and ordered a bell to be brought to her, with which she ever after rung them up at midnight. It is good to be industrious; for laziness is commonly punished with want: and drowsiness, saith Solomon, will cover a man with rags. |