Sidebilder
PDF
ePub

It is pleasant to outshoot a man with his own bow. He that playeth a wily trick beguileth himself. The event is often different to the intent.

Defeating our intent and expectation—

In strange reverse of that we think to see-
When certain most, we find ourselves mistaken,
And he is caught who would the catcher be.

Oh, what a tangled web we weave,
When first we practise to deceive!

[graphic]

THE HUSBANDMAN AND THE STORK.

THE Husbandman set a net in his fields to take the cranes and geese which came to feed upon the new-sown barley. He succeeded in taking several, both cranes and geese, and among them a Stork, who pleaded hard for his life, and, among other apologies which he made, alleged that he was neither goose nor crane, but a poor harmless Stork, who performed his duty to his parents to all intents and purposes, feeding them when they were old, and, as occasion required, carrying them from place to place upon his back. "All this may be true," replies the Husbandman; "but, as I have taken you in bad company, and

in the same crime, you must expect to suffer the same punishment."

MORAL. Evil companions are dangerous.

APPLICATION. He who excuses himself, accuses. Among the temptations incident to youth, none is more common than evil companionship. The choice of friends is a matter of the greatest consequence, and' it is to be remembered that they who are most worth knowing are the most shy and reserved in admitting new acquaintances to their intimacy. It is better to be alone than in bad company. Be careful, then, in making friends. He who touches pitch will be defiled; and he who is found among thieves must not be surprised if he is taken for a thief. Ill company proves more than fair professions. Tell me where you go, and I will tell what you do. Birds of a

feather flock together.

you

Who friendship with a knave has made,
Is judged a partner in the trade.

K

[graphic]

THE CAT AND THE COCK.

THE Cat, having determined in his mind to make a meal of the Cock, seized him one morning by surprise, and asked him what he could say for himself, why slaughter should not pass upon him. The Cock replied, that he was serviceable to mankind by crowing in the morning, and calling them up to their daily labour. "Ah, villain," says the Cat, "that is the very objection that I have against you; you make such a shrill, impertinent noise, that people cannot sleep for you. Such interruptions to quiet people's slumbers are not to be borne. Your own confessions declare that you are no longer fit to live."

MORAL. To a mind bent on evil, any excuse will

serve.

APPLICATION. The Cat in this fable is by no means an amiable character; and yet it is no want of charity to say that its counterpart is to be found among men. There are some persons so given over to their passions, that they hesitate at no wrong to secure their indulgence; and if a neighbour or friend stand in their way, will sacrifice them without scruple. An old adage says, When we have determined to beat a dog, the first hedge we come to will furnish a stake for the purpose. To that saying this fable corresponds, and shows that when a man is determined to do evil, any opportunity will provide him with a sufficient excuse.

Who most would act according to his will,
Requires most to be restrained from ill.

Precedents still abound, where magistrates would judge ill : Who seeks to beat the hound, can always find the cudgel.

« ForrigeFortsett »