Part 19 (1/2)

While a Hawk was sitting in a Nightingale's nest, on the watch for a Hare, he found there some young ones. The Mother, alarmed at the danger of her offspring, flew up, and suppliantly entreated him to spare her young ones. ”I will do what you wish,” he replied, ”if you will sing me a tuneful song with a clear voice.” On this, much as her heart failed her, still, through fear, she obeyed, and being compelled, full of grief she sang. The Hawk, who had seized the prey, {then} said: ”You have not sung your best;” and, seizing one of the young ones with his claws, began to devour it. A Fowler approaches from another direction, and stealthily extending his reed,[5] touches the perfidious {creature} with bird-lime, and drags him to the ground.

Whoever lays crafty stratagems for others, ought to beware that he himself be not entrapped by cunning.

[Footnote AF.5: _Extending his reed_)--Ver. 13. From this it would appear, that fowlers stood behind trees, and used reeds tipped with birdlime, for the purpose of taking birds.]

FABLE XX.

THE WOLF, THE FOX, AND THE SHEPHERD.

A Wolf, in the course of time, had collected a store in his den, that he might have food, which he might enjoy at his ease for many months.

A Fox, on learning this, went to the Wolf's den, and {said} with tremulous voice: ”Is all right, brother? For not having seen you on the look-out for prey in your woods, life has been saddened every day.” The Wolf, when he perceived the envy of his rival, {replied}: ”You have not come hither from any anxiety on my account, but that you may get a share. I know what is your deceitful aim.” The Fox enraged, comes to a Shepherd, {and} says: ”Shepherd, will you return me thanks, if to-day I deliver up to you the enemy of your flock, so that you need have no more anxiety?” The Shepherd {replied}: ”I will serve you, and will with pleasure give you anything you like.” She points out the Wolf's den to the Shepherd, who shuts him in, despatches him immediately with a spear, and gladly gratifies his rival with the property of another. When, however, the Fox had fallen into the Hunter's hands, being caught and mangled by the Dogs, she said: ”Hardly have I done an injury to another, ere I am now punished {myself}.”

Whoever ventures to injure another, ought to beware lest a greater evil befall himself.

FABLE XXI.

THE SHEEP AND THE WOLVES.

When the Sheep and the Wolves[6] engaged in battle, the former, safe under the protection of the dogs, were victorious. The Wolves sent amba.s.sadors, and demanded a peace, ratified on oath, on these terms; that the Sheep should give up the Dogs, and receive as hostages the whelps of the Wolves. The Sheep, hoping that lasting concord would be thus secured, did as the Wolves demanded. Shortly after, when the whelps began to howl, the Wolves, alleging as a pretext, that their young ones were being murdered, and that the peace had been broken by the Sheep, made a simultaneous rush on every side, and attacked the latter {thus} deprived of protectors; {and} so a late repentance condemned their folly in putting faith in their enemies.

If a person gives up to others the safeguard under which he has previously lived in security, he will afterwards wish it back, but in vain.

[Footnote AF.6: _The Sheep and the Wolves_)--Ver. 1.

Demosthenes is said to have related this Fable to the Athenians, when dissuading them from surrendering the Orators to Alexander.]

FABLE XXII.

THE APE AND THE FOX.

An Ape asked a Fox to spare him some part of her exceeding length of tail, with which he might be enabled to cover his most unseemly hinder parts. ”For of what use,” said he, ”is a tail of such extraordinary length? For what purpose do you drag such a vast weight along the ground?” The Fox {answered}: ”Even if it were longer, and much bulkier, I would rather drag it along the ground and through mud and thorns, than give you a part; that you might not appear more comely through what covers me.”

Greedy and rich {man}, this Fable has a lesson for you, who, though you have a superabundance, still give nothing to the poor.

FABLE XXIII.

THE WOLF, THE SHEPHERD, AND THE HUNTSMAN.

A Wolf, flying from the Huntsman's close pursuit, was seen by a Shepherd, {who noticed} which way he fled, and in what spot he concealed himself. ”Herdsman,” {said} the terrified fugitive, ”by all your hopes, do not, I do adjure you by the great G.o.ds, betray an innocent being, who has done you no injury.”

”Don't fear,” the Shepherd replied; ”I'll point in another direction.”

Soon after, the Huntsman comes up in haste: ”Shepherd, have you not seen a Wolf come this way? Which way did he run?” The Shepherd replied, in a loud voice: ”He certainly did come, but he fled to the left,” but he secretly motioned with his eyes towards the right. The other did not understand him, and went on in haste. Then {said} the Shepherd to the Wolf: ”What thanks will you give me for having concealed you?” ”To your tongue, I give especial ones,” said the Wolf, ”but on your deceitful eyes I pray that the darkness of eternal night may fall.”

He who, courteous in his words, conceals deceit in his heart, may understand that he is himself described in this Fable.