Page:Fables of Aesop and other eminent mythologists.djvu/119

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Æſop's FABLES.
65


Fab. LXVI.

A Fowler and a Pigeon.

AS a Country Fellow was making a Shoot at a Pigeon, he trod upon a Snake that bit him by the Leg. The Surprize Startled him, and away flew the Bird.

The Moral.

We are to Diſtinguiſh betwixt the Benefits of Good Will, and thoſe of Providence: For the Latter are immediately from Heaven, where no Human Intention Intervenes.

REFLEXION.

The Miſchicf that we Meditate to Others, falls commonly upon our Own Heads, and Ends in a Judgment, as well as a Diſappointment. Take it Another Way, and it may ſerve to Mind us how Happily People are Diverted Many Times from the Execution of a Malicious Deſign, by the Grace and Goodneſs of a Preventing Providence. A Piſtol’s not taking Fire may ſave the Life of a Good Man; and the Innocent Pigeon had Dy’d, if the Spiteful Snake had not Broken the Fowler's Aim: That is to ſay; Good may be drawn out of Evil, and a Body's Life may be Sav'd without having any Obligation to his Preſerver.



Fab. LXVII.

A Trumpeter taken Priſoner.

UPon the Rout of an Army there was a Trumpeter made a Pris'ner, and as the Soldiers were about to Cut his Throat; Gentlemen (ſays he) Why ſhould You Kill a Man that Kills No Body? You ſhall Die the rather for That, cries one of the Company, for being ſo Mean a Raſcal, as to ſet other People together by the Ears, without Fighting your ſelf.

The Moral.

He that Provokes and Incites Miſchief, is the Doer of it. 'Tis the Man that Kills Me, the Bullet is only a Paſſive Inſtrument to ſerve his End that Directs it.

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