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Honefly 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 prefently milled the Meat, and charged them with the Theft.

But he that ftole it, fwore by Jove, that he had none of it; and he hat 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

Gol Almighty is privy to all our Actions: and though we meỹ verive Men, yet we cannot escape his all-feeing Eye, or punifh us according as we deferve.

A Liar is not to be believed, though he

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fpeak the Truth.

FABLE VII. Of the Shepherd's Boy and the

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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 Hufbandmen 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 Jefting, that the most important and facred Truths cannot escape them; others are as notorious for Lying; the Confequence of which is, a diflike ta their Company, and a total Difregard to every Thing they fa For when once the Deceiver is known, his Credit is lo be is for ever derided in every Company.

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

A

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

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 stay there in this thy envious Humour, and keep away every Qx, and then thy Envy will be come thy Punishment

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

The Interpretation.

Envy torments both the Body and the Mind, and is deferuedly ats on Punisher. That, we fee, fome Men are content to lose a ing themjelves, that others may not enjoy it.

One

One good Turn deferves another.

FABLE IX. Of the Dove and the Bee.

A

Thirsty Bee came to a Fountain to drink; but being too hafty, fell in.

ADove, in a neighbouring Tree, feeing the Bee ftruggle 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 short 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 those who deferve them.

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

FABLEX. Of the good-natur'd Man and the Adder.

A

Good-natur'd Man being obliged to go out in frosty 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 herself, fhe began to hifs, and fly about the Houfe; and at length kill'd one of the Children.

Well, fays the Man, If this is the best Return that you can make for my kind Offices, you fhall e'en fhare in the fame Fate youfelf; and fɔ kill'd her immediately.

The Interpretation.

Ingratitude is one of the blackest Crimes that a Man can be guilty of: It is buteful both to God and Men, and frequently brings upon fuch a graceless Wretch all that Mifchief, subit be either did, or thought to do to another,

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