Part 17 (2/2)

This Fable teaches that no one should hurt those of more humble condition.

While a Lion was asleep in a wood, where some Field-Mice were sporting about, one of them by chance leaped upon the Lion as he lay. The Lion awoke and seized the wretched {creature} with a sudden spring. The captive implored pardon {and} suppliantly confessed his crime, a sin of imprudence. The Monarch, not deeming it a glorious thing to exact vengeance for this, pardoned him and let him go. A few days after, the Lion, while roaming by night, fell into a trap. When he perceived that he was caught in the snare, he began to roar with his loudest voice. At this tremendous noise the Mouse instantly ran to his a.s.sistance, and exclaimed: ”You have no need to fear; I will make an adequate return for your great kindness.” Immediately he began to survey all the knots and the fastenings of the knots; and gnawing the strings after he had examined them, loosened the snare. Thus did the Mouse restore the captured Lion to the woods.

FABLE V.

THE MAN AND THE TREES.

Those perish, who give a.s.sistance to their foes.

A certain Man, having made an axe, besought the Trees to afford him a handle from their wood that would prove firm: they all desired that a piece of Olive-tree should be given. He accepted the offer, and, fitting on the handle, set to work with the axe to hew down the huge trunks.

While he was selecting such as he thought fit, the Oak is reported thus to have said to the Ash: ”We richly deserve to be cut down.”

FABLE VI.

THE MOUSE AND THE FROG.

A Mouse, in order that he might pa.s.s over a river with greater ease, sought the aid of a Frog. She tied the fore leg of the Mouse to her hinder thigh. Hardly had they swum to the middle of the river, when the Frog dived suddenly, trying to reach the bottom, that she might perfidiously deprive the Mouse of life. While he struggled with all his might not to sink, a Kite that was flying near at hand, beheld the prey, and seizing the floundering Mouse in his talons, at the same time bore off the Frog that was fastened to him.

Thus do men often perish while meditating the destruction others.

FABLE VII.

THE TWO c.o.c.kS AND THE HAWK.

A c.o.c.k who had often fought with {another} c.o.c.k, and been beaten, requested a Hawk {to act as} umpire in the contest. The latter conceived hopes, if both should come, of devouring him who should first present himself. Shortly after, when he saw that they had come to plead their cause, he seized the one who first brought his case into court. The victim clamorously exclaimed: ”'Tis not I that should be punished, but the one who took to flight;” the Bird {replied}: ”Do not suppose that you can this day escape my talons; it is just that you should now yourself endure the treacheries you were planning for another.”[2]

He who often cogitates upon the death of others, little knows what sad Fate he may be preparing for himself.

[Footnote AF.2: _Planning for another_)--Ver. 10. The nature of the reason a.s.signed by the Hawk is not very clear. Perhaps the writer did not care that he should give even so much as a specious reason.]

FABLE VIII.

THE SNAIL AND THE APE.

A Snail, smitten with admiration of a Mirror which she had found, began to climb its s.h.i.+ning face, and lick it, fancying she could confer no greater favour upon it, than to stain its brightness with her slime. An Ape, when he saw the Mirror {thus} defiled, remarked: ”He who allows himself to be trodden by such {beings}, deserves to suffer such a disgrace.”

This Fable is written for those Women who unite themselves to ignorant and foolish Men.

FABLE IX.

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