<h3>BOOK I.</h3>
<h4>THE PROLOGUE.</h4>
<p><span class="firstword">The</span> matter which Æsop, the inventor
<i>of Fables</i>, has provided, I have polished in Iambic verse.
The advantages of <i>this</i> little work are twofold—that it
excites laughter, and by counsel guides the life <i>of man</i>. But if
any one shall think fit to cavil, because not only wild beasts, but even
trees speak, let him remember that we are disporting in fables.</p>
<hr class="tiny">
<h4 class="smallcaps"><SPAN name="riley_I_I" id="riley_I_I">
Fable I.</SPAN><br/>
THE WOLF AND THE LAMB.</h4>
<p>Driven by thirst, a Wolf and a Lamb had come to the same stream; the
Wolf stood above, and the Lamb at a distance below. Then, the spoiler,
prompted by a ravenous maw, alleged a pretext for a quarrel. “Why,” said
he, “have you made the water muddy for me <i>while I am</i> drinking?”
The Fleece-bearer, trembling, <i>answered</i>: “Prithee, Wolf, how can I
do what you complain of? The water is flowing downwards from you to
where I am drinking.” The other, disconcerted by the force of truth,
<i>exclaimed</i>: “Six months ago, you slandered me.” “Indeed<ins class="correction" title="text has ’ for ”">,” </ins>answered
the Lamb, “I was not born <i>then</i>.” “By Hercules,” said <i>the
Wolf</i>, “<i>then ’twas</i> your father slandered me;” and so,
snatching him up, he tore him to pieces, killing him unjustly.</p>
<p>This Fable is applicable to those men who, under false pretences,
oppress the innocent.</p>
<h4 class="smallcaps"><SPAN name="riley_I_II" id="riley_I_II">
Fable II.</SPAN><br/>
THE FROGS ASKING FOR A KING.</h4>
<p>When Athens was flourishing under just laws, liberty grown wanton
embroiled the city, and license relaxed the reins of ancient discipline.
Upon this, the partisans of factions conspiring, Pisistratus the
Tyrantseized the citadel. When the Athenians were lamenting
their sad servitude (not that he was cruel, but because every burden is
grievous to those who are unused to it), and began to complain, Æsop
related a Fable to the following effect:—</p>
<p>“The Frogs, roaming at large in their marshy fens, with loud clamour
demanded of Jupiter a king, who, by <i>his</i> authority, might check
their dissolute manners. The Father of the Gods smiled, and gave them a
little Log, which, on being thrown <i>among them</i> startled the
timorous race by the noise and sudden commotion in the bog. When it had
lain for some time immersed in the mud, one <i>of them</i> by chance
silently lifted his head above the water, and having taken a peep at the
king, called up all the rest. Having got the better of their fears,
vying with each other, they swim towards him, and the insolent mob leap
upon the Log. After defiling it with every kind of insult, they sent to
Jupiter, requesting another king, because the one that had been given
them was useless. Upon this, he sent them a Water Snake, who with
his sharp teeth began to gobble them up one after another. Helpless they
strive in vain to escape death; terror deprives them of voice. By
stealth, therefore, they send through Mercury a request to Jupiter, to
succour them in their distress. Then said the God in reply: ‘Since you
would not be content with your good fortune, continue to endure your bad
fortune<ins class="correction" title="single quote missing">.’”</ins></p>
<p>“Do you also, O fellow-citizens,” said <i>Æsop</i>, “submit to the
present evil, lest a greater one befall you.”</p>
<h4 class="smallcaps"><SPAN name="riley_I_III" id="riley_I_III">
Fable III.</SPAN><br/>
THE VAIN JACKDAW AND THE PEACOCK.</h4>
<p>That one ought not to plume oneself on the merits which belong to
another, but ought rather to pass his life in his own proper guise, Æsop
has given us this illustration:—</p>
<p>A Jackdaw, swelling with empty pride, picked up some feathers
which had fallen from a Peacock, and decked himself out
<i>therewith</i>; upon which, despising his own <i>kind</i>, he mingled
with a beauteous flock of Peacocks. They tore his feathers from off the
impudent bird, and put him to flight with their beaks. The Jackdaw,
<i>thus</i> roughly handled, in grief hastened to return to his own
kind; repulsed by whom, he had to submit to sad disgrace. Then said one
of those whom he had formerly despised: “If you had been content with
our station, and had been ready to put up with what nature had given,
you would neither have experienced the former affront, nor would your
ill fortune have had to feel <i>the additional pang</i> of this
repulse.” </p>
<h4 class="smallcaps"><SPAN name="riley_I_IV" id="riley_I_IV">
Fable IV.</SPAN><br/>
THE DOG CARRYING SOME MEAT ACROSS A RIVER.</h4>
<p>He who covets what belongs to another, deservedly loses his own.</p>
<p>As a Dog, swimming through a river, was carrying a piece of meat, he
saw his own shadow in the watery mirror; and, thinking that it was
another booty carried by another <i>dog</i>, attempted to snatch it
away; but his greediness <i>was</i> disappointed, he both dropped the
food which he was holding in his mouth, and was after all unable to
reach that at which he grasped.</p>
<h4 class="smallcaps"><SPAN name="riley_I_V" id="riley_I_V">
Fable V.</SPAN><br/>
THE COW, THE SHE-GOAT, THE SHEEP, AND THE LION.</h4>
<p>An alliance with the powerful is never to be relied upon: the present
Fable testifies the truth of my maxim.</p>
<p>A Cow, a She-Goat, and a Sheep patient under injuries, were partners
in the forests with a Lion. When they had captured a Stag of vast bulk,
thus spoke the Lion, after it had been divided into shares: “Because my
name is Lion, I take the first; the second you will yield to me
because I am courageous; then, because I am the strongest, the third
will
fall to my lot; if anyone touches the fourth, woe betide him.” <!-- is
that “him” the cow, “him” the female goat, or “him” the sheep? --></p>
<p>Thus did unscrupulousness seize upon the whole prey for itself.</p>
<h4 class="smallcaps"><SPAN name="riley_I_VI" id="riley_I_VI">
Fable VI.</SPAN><br/>
THE FROGS’ COMPLAINT AGAINST THE SUN.</h4>
<p>Æsop, on seeing the pompous wedding of a thief, who was his
neighbour, immediately began to relate the following story:</p>
<p>Once on a time, when the Sun was thinking of taking a wife, the Frogs
sent forth their clamour to the stars. Disturbed by their croakings,
Jupiter asked the cause of their complaints. Then <i>said</i> one of the
inhabitants of the pool: “As it is, by himself he parches up all the
standing waters, and compels us unfortunates to languish and die in
<i>our</i> scorched abode. What is to become of us, if he beget
children?”</p>
<h4 class="smallcaps"><SPAN name="riley_I_VII" id="riley_I_VII">
Fable VII.</SPAN><br/>
THE FOX AND THE TRAGIC MASK.</h4>
<p>A Fox, by chance, casting his eyes on a Tragic Mask: “Ah,” said she,
“great as is its beauty, still it has no brains.”</p>
<p>This is meant for those to whom fortune has granted honor and renown,
leaving them void of common sense.</p>
<h4 class="smallcaps"><SPAN name="riley_I_VIII" id="riley_I_VIII">
Fable VIII.</SPAN><br/>
THE WOLF AND THE CRANE.</h4>
<p>He who expects a recompense for his services from the dishonest
commits a twofold mistake; first, because he assists the undeserving,
and in the next place, because he cannot be gone while he is yet
safe.</p>
<p>A bone that he had swallowed stuck in the jaws of a Wolf. Thereupon,
overcome by extreme pain, he began to tempt all and sundry by great
rewards to extract the cause of misery. At length, on his taking an
oath, a Crane was prevailed on, and, trusting the length of her
neck to his throat, she wrought, with danger to herself, a cure for
the Wolf. When she demanded the promised reward for this <i>service</i>,
“You are an ungrateful one,” replied <i>the Wolf</i>, “to have taken
your head in safety out of my mouth, and <i>then</i> to ask for a
reward.”</p>
<h4 class="smallcaps"><SPAN name="riley_I_IX" id="riley_I_IX">
Fable IX.</SPAN><br/>
THE SPARROW AND THE HARE.</h4>
<p>Let us show, in a few lines, that it is unwise to be heedless of
ourselves, while we are giving advice to others.</p>
<p>A Sparrow upbraided a Hare that had been pounced upon by an Eagle,
and was sending forth piercing cries. “Where now,” said he, “is that
fleetness for which you are so remarkable? Why were your feet
<i>thus</i> tardy?” While he was speaking, a Hawk seizes him
unawares, and kills him, shrieking aloud with vain complaints. The Hare,
almost dead, as a consolation in his agony, <i>exclaimed</i>: “You, who
so lately, free from care, were ridiculing my misfortunes, have now to
deplore your own fate with as woful cause.”</p>
<h4 class="smallcaps"><SPAN name="riley_I_X" id="riley_I_X">
Fable X.</SPAN><br/>
THE WOLF, THE FOX, AND THE APE.</h4>
<p>Whoever has once become notorious by base fraud, even if he speaks
the truth, gains no belief. To this, a short Fable of Æsop bears
witness.</p>
<p>A Wolf indicted a Fox upon a charge of theft; the latter denied that
she was amenable to the charge. Upon this, the Ape sat as judge between
them; and when each of them had pleaded his cause, the Ape is said to
have pronounced <i>this</i> sentence: “You, <i>Wolf</i>, appear not to
have lost what you demand; I believe that you, <i>Fox</i>, have
stolen what you so speciously deny<ins class="correction" title="close quote missing">.” </ins></p>
<h4 class="smallcaps"><SPAN name="riley_I_XI" id="riley_I_XI">
Fable XI.</SPAN><br/>
THE ASS AND THE LION HUNTING.</h4>
<p>A dastard, who in his talk brags of his prowess, and is devoid of
courage, imposes upon strangers, but is the jest of all who
know him.</p>
<p>A Lion having resolved to hunt in company with an Ass, concealed him
in a thicket, and at the same time enjoined him to frighten the wild
beasts with his voice, to which they were unused, while he himself was
to catch them as they fled. Upon this, Long-ears, with all his might,
suddenly raised a cry, and terrified the beasts with <i>this</i> new
cause of astonishment. While, in their alarm, they are flying to
the well-known outlets, they are overpowered by the dread onset of the
Lion; who, after he was wearied with slaughter, called forth the Ass
<i>from his retreat</i>, and bade him cease his clamour. On this the
other, in his insolence, <i>inquired</i>: “What think you of the
assistance given by my voice?” “Excellent!” said <i>the Lion</i>, “so
much so, that if I had not been acquainted with your spirit and your
race, I should have fled in alarm like <i>the rest</i><ins class="correction" title="close quote missing">.” </ins></p>
<h4 class="smallcaps"><SPAN name="riley_I_XII" id="riley_I_XII">
Fable XII.</SPAN><br/>
THE STAG AT THE STREAM.</h4>
<p>This story shows that what you contemn is often found of more utility
than what you load with praises.</p>
<p>A Stag, when he had drunk at a stream, stood still, and gazed upon
his likeness in the water. While there, in admiration, he was praising
his branching horns, and finding fault with the extreme thinness of his
legs, suddenly roused by the cries of the huntsmen, he took to flight
over the plain, and with nimble course escaped the dogs. Then a wood
received the beast; in which, being entangled and caught by his horns,
the dogs began to tear him to pieces with savage bites. While dying, he
is said to have uttered these words: “Oh, how unhappy am I, who now too
late find out how useful to me were the things that I despised; and what
sorrow the things I used to praise, have caused me.”</p>
<h4 class="smallcaps"><SPAN name="riley_I_XIII" id="riley_I_XIII">
Fable XIII.</SPAN><br/>
THE FOX AND THE RAVEN.</h4>
<p>He who is delighted at being flattered with artful words,
<i>generally</i> pays the ignominious penalty of a late repentance.</p>
<p>As a Raven, perched in a lofty tree, was about to eat a piece of
cheese, stolen from a window, a Fox espied him, <i>and</i>
thereupon began thus to speak: “O Raven, what a glossiness there is
upon those feathers of yours! What grace you carry in your shape and
air! If you had a voice, no bird whatever would be superior to you.” On
this, the other, while, in his folly, attempting to show off his voice,
let fall the cheese from his mouth, which the crafty Fox with greedy
teeth instantly snatched up. Then, too late, the Raven, thus, in his
stupidity overreached, heaved a bitter sigh.</p>
<p>By this story it is shown, how much ingenuity avails, <i>and</i>
how wisdom is always an overmatch for strength.</p>
<h4 class="smallcaps"><SPAN name="riley_I_XIV" id="riley_I_XIV">
Fable XIV.</SPAN><br/>
THE COBBLER TURNED PHYSICIAN.</h4>
<p>A bungling Cobbler, broken down by want, having begun to practise
physic in a strange place, and selling his antidote under a feigned
name, gained some reputation for himself by his delusive speeches.</p>
<p>Upon this, the King of the city, who lay ill, being afflicted with a
severe malady, asked for a cup, for the purpose of trying him; and then
pouring water into it, and pretending that he was mixing poison with the
fellow’s antidote, ordered him to drink it off, <i>in consideration
of</i> a stated <ins class="correction" title="d. invisible">reward.</ins> Through fear of death, the cobbler then
confessed that not by any skill in the medical art, but through the
stupidity of the public, he had gained his reputation. The King, having
summoned a council, thus remarked: “What think you of the extent of your
madness, when you do not hesitate to trust your lives to one to
whom no one would trust his feet to be fitted with shoes?”</p>
<p>This, I should say with good reason, is aimed at those through whose
folly impudence makes a profit.</p>
<h4 class="smallcaps"><SPAN name="riley_I_XV" id="riley_I_XV">
Fable XV.</SPAN><br/>
THE ASS AND THE OLD SHEPHERD.</h4>
<p>In a change of government, the poor change nothing beyond the name of
their master. That this is the fact this little Fable shows.</p>
<p>A timorous Old Man was feeding an Ass <ins class="correction" title="i invisible">in</ins> a meadow. Frightened by a sudden alarm of
the enemy, he tried to persuade the Ass to fly, lest they should be
taken prisoners. But he leisurely replied: “Pray, do you suppose that
the conqueror will place double panniers upon me?” The Old Man said,
“No.” “Then what matters it to me, so long as I have to carry my
panniers, whom I serve?”</p>
<h4 class="smallcaps"><SPAN name="riley_I_XVI" id="riley_I_XVI">
Fable XVI.</SPAN><br/>
THE STAG, THE SHEEP, AND THE WOLF.</h4>
<p>When a rogue offers his name as surety in a doubtful case, he has no
design to act straight-forwardly, but is looking to mischief.</p>
<p>A Stag asked a Sheep for a measure of wheat, a Wolf being
his surety. The other, however, suspecting fraud, <i>replied</i>: “The
Wolf has always been in the habit of plundering and absconding; you, of
rushing out of sight with rapid flight: where am I to look for you both
when the day comes?”</p>
<h4 class="smallcaps"><SPAN name="riley_I_XVII" id="riley_I_XVII">
Fable XVII.</SPAN><br/>
THE SHEEP, THE DOG, AND THE WOLF.</h4>
<p>Liars generally pay the penalty of their guilt.</p>
<p>A Dog, who was a false accuser, having demanded of a Sheep a loaf of
bread, which he affirmed he had entrusted to her charge; a Wolf,
summoned as a witness, affirmed that not only one was owing but ten.
Condemned on false testimony, the Sheep had to pay what she did not owe.
A few days after, the Sheep saw the Wolf lying in a pit. “This,”
said she, “is the reward of <ins class="correction" title="not an error">villany</ins>, sent by the Gods.”</p>
<h4 class="smallcaps"><SPAN name="riley_I_XVIII" id="riley_I_XVIII">
Fable XVIII.</SPAN><br/>
THE WOMAN IN LABOUR.</h4>
<p>No one returns with good will to the place which has done him a
mischief.</p>
<p>Her months completed, a Woman in labour lay upon the ground,
uttering woful moans. Her Husband entreated her to lay her body on the
bed, where she might with more ease deposit her ripe burden.
“I feel far from confident,” said she, “that my pains can end in
the place where they originated.”</p>
<h4 class="smallcaps"><SPAN name="riley_I_XIX" id="riley_I_XIX">
Fable XIX.</SPAN><br/>
THE BITCH AND HER WHELPS.</h4>
<p>The fair words of a wicked man are fraught with treachery, and the
subjoined lines warn us to shun them.</p>
<p>A Bitch, ready to whelp, having entreated another that she
might give birth to her offspring in her kennel, easily obtained the
favour. Afterwards, on the other asking for her place back again, she
renewed her entreaties, earnestly begging for a short time, until she
might be enabled to lead forth her whelps when they had gained
sufficient strength. This time being also expired, <i>the other</i>
began more urgently to press for her abode: “If” said <i>the tenant</i>,
“you can be a match for me and my litter, I will depart from the
place.”</p>
<h4 class="smallcaps"><SPAN name="riley_I_XX" id="riley_I_XX">
Fable XX.</SPAN><br/>
THE HUNGRY DOGS.</h4>
<p>An ill-judged project is not only without effect, but also lures
mortals to their destruction.</p>
<p>Some Dogs espied a raw hide sunk in a river. In order that they might
more easily get it out and devour it, they fell to drinking up the
water; they burst, however, and perished before they could reach what
they sought.</p>
<h4 class="smallcaps"><SPAN name="riley_I_XXI" id="riley_I_XXI">
Fable XXI.</SPAN><br/>
THE AGED LION, THE WILD BOAR, THE BULL, AND THE ASS.</h4>
<p>Whoever has fallen from a previous high estate, is in his calamity
the butt even of cowards.</p>
<p>As a Lion, worn out with years, and deserted by his strength, lay
drawing his last breath, a Wild Boar came up to him, with flashing
tusks, and with a blow revenged an old affront. Next, with
hostile horns, a Bull pierced the body of his foe. An Ass, on
seeing the wild beast maltreated with impunity, tore up his forehead
with his heels. On this, expiring, he <i>said</i>: “I have borne,
with indignation, the insults of the brave; but in being inevitably
forced to bear with you, disgrace to nature! I seem to die a double
death.”</p>
<h4 class="smallcaps"><SPAN name="riley_I_XXII" id="riley_I_XXII">
Fable XXII.</SPAN><br/>
THE MAN AND THE WEASEL.</h4>
<p>A Weasel, on being caught by a Man, wishing to escape impending
death: “Pray,” said she, “do spare me, for ’tis I who keep your house
clear of troublesome mice.” The Man made answer: “If you did so for my
sake, it would be a reason for thanking you, <i>and</i> I should have
granted you the pardon you entreat. But, inasmuch as you do your best
that you may enjoy the scraps which they would have gnawed, and devour
the mice as well, don’t think of placing your pretended services to my
account;” and so saying, he put the wicked <i>creature</i> to death.</p>
<p>Those persons ought to recognize this as applicable to themselves,
whose object is private advantage, and who boast to the unthinking of an
unreal merit.</p>
<h4 class="smallcaps"><SPAN name="riley_I_XXIII" id="riley_I_XXIII">
Fable XXIII.</SPAN><br/>
THE FAITHFUL DOG.</h4>
<p>The man who becomes liberal all of a sudden, gratifies the foolish,
but for the wary spreads his toils in vain.</p>
<p>A Thief one night threw a crust of bread to a Dog, to try whether he
could be gained by the proffered victuals: “Hark you,” said the Dog, “do
you think to stop my tongue so that I may not bark for my master’s
property? You are greatly mistaken. For this sudden liberality bids me
be on the watch, that you may not profit by my neglect<ins class="correction" title="close quote missing">.” </ins></p>
<h4 class="smallcaps"><SPAN name="riley_I_XXIV" id="riley_I_XXIV">
Fable XXIV.</SPAN><br/>
THE FROG AND THE OX.</h4>
<p>The needy man, while affecting to imitate the powerful, comes to
ruin.</p>
<p>Once on a time, a Frog espied an Ox in a meadow, and moved with envy
at his vast bulk, puffed out her wrinkled skin, <i>and</i> then asked
her young ones whether she was bigger than the Ox. They said “No.”
Again, with still greater efforts, she distended her skin, and in like
manner enquired which was the bigger: they said: “The Ox.” At last,
while, full of indignation, she tried, with all her might, to puff
herself out, she burst her body on the spot.</p>
<h4 class="smallcaps"><SPAN name="riley_I_XXV" id="riley_I_XXV">
Fable XXV.</SPAN><br/>
THE DOG AND THE CROCODILE.</h4>
<p>Those who give bad advice to discreet persons, both lose their pains,
and are laughed to scorn.</p>
<p>It has been related, that Dogs drink at the river Nile running
along, that they may not be seized by the Crocodiles. Accordingly,
a Dog having begun to drink while running along, a Crocodile
thus addressed him: “Lap as leisurely as you like; drink on; come
nearer, and don’t be afraid,” said he. The other <i>replied</i>: “Egad,
I would do so with all my heart, did I not know that you are eager
for my flesh.”</p>
<h4 class="smallcaps"><SPAN name="riley_I_XXVI" id="riley_I_XXVI">
Fable XXVI.</SPAN><br/>
THE FOX AND THE STORK.</h4>
<p>Harm should be done to no man; but if any one do an injury, this
Fable shows that he may be visited with a like return.</p>
<p>A Fox is said to have given a Stork the first invitation to a
banquet, and to have placed before her some thin broth in a flat dish,
of which the hungry Stork could in no way get a taste. Having invited
the Fox in return, she set <i>before him</i> a narrow-mouthed jar, full of minced meat: and, thrusting her
beak into it, satisfied herself, <i>while</i> she tormented her guest
with hunger; who, after having in vain licked the neck of the jar, as we
have heard, thus addressed the foreign bird: “Every one is bound
to bear patiently the results of his own example.”</p>
<h4 class="smallcaps"><SPAN name="riley_I_XXVII" id="riley_I_XXVII">
Fable XXVII.</SPAN><br/>
THE DOG, THE TREASURE, AND THE VULTURE.</h4>
<p>This Fable may be applied to the avaricious, and to those, who, born
to a humble lot, affect to be called rich.</p>
<p>Grubbing up human bones, a Dog met with a Treasure; and,
because he had offended the Gods the Manes, a desire for
riches was inspired in him, that so he might pay the penalty <i>due</i>
to the holy character of the place. Accordingly, while he was watching
over the gold, forgetful of food, he was starved to death; on which a
Vulture, standing over him, is reported to have said: “O Dog, you
justly meet your death, who, begotten at a cross-road, and bred up on a
dunghill, have suddenly coveted regal wealth<ins class="correction"
title="close quote missing">.” </ins></p>
<h4 class="smallcaps"><SPAN name="riley_I_XXVIII" id="riley_I_XXVIII">
Fable XXVIII.</SPAN><br/>
THE FOX AND THE EAGLE.</h4>
<p>Men, however high in station, ought to be on their guard against the
lowly; because, to ready address, revenge lies near at hand.</p>
<p>An Eagle one day carried off the whelps of a Fox, and placed them in
<i>her</i> nest before her young ones, for them to tear in pieces as
food. The mother, following her, began to entreat that she would not
cause such sorrow to her miserable <i>suppliant</i>. The other despised
her, as being safe in the very situation of the spot. The Fox snatched
from an altar a burning torch, and surrounded the whole tree with
flames, intending to mingle anguish to her foe with the loss
of her offspring. The Eagle, that she might rescue her young ones from
the peril of death, in a suppliant manner restored to the Fox her whelps
in safety.</p>
<h4 class="smallcaps"><SPAN name="riley_I_XXIX" id="riley_I_XXIX">
Fable XXIX.</SPAN><br/>
THE ASS DERIDING THE BOAR.</h4>
<p>Fools often, while trying to raise a silly laugh, provoke others by
gross affronts, and cause serious danger to themselves.</p>
<p>An Ass meeting a Boar: “Good morrow to you, brother,” says he. The
other indignantly rejects the salutation, and enquires why he thinks
proper to utter such an untruth. The Ass, with legs crouching down,
replies: “If you deny that you are like me, at all events I have
something very like your snout.” The Boar, just on the point of making a
fierce attack, suppressed his rage, and <i>said</i>: “Revenge were easy
for me, but I decline to be defiled with <i>such</i> dastardly blood<ins
class="correction" title="close quote missing">.” </ins></p>
<h4 class="smallcaps"><SPAN name="riley_I_XXX" id="riley_I_XXX">
Fable XXX.</SPAN><br/>
THE FROGS FRIGHTENED AT THE BATTLE OF THE BULLS.</h4>
<p>When the powerful are at variance, the lowly are the
sufferers.</p>
<p>A Frog, viewing from a marsh, a combat of some Bulls: “Alas!” said
she, “what terrible destruction is threatening us.” Being asked by
another why she said so, as the Bulls were contending for the
sovereignty of the herd, and passed their lives afar from them: “Their
habitation is at a distance,” <i>said she</i>,<ins class="correction"
title="open quote missing"> “</ins>and they are of a different
kind; still, he who <i>is</i> expelled from the sovereignty of the
meadow, will take
to flight, <i>and</i> come to the secret hiding-places in the fens, and
trample and crush us with his hard hoof. Thus does their fury concern
our safety.”</p>
<h4 class="smallcaps"><SPAN name="riley_I_XXXI" id="riley_I_XXXI">
Fable XXXI.</SPAN><br/>
THE KITE AND THE PIGEONS.</h4>
<p>He who entrusts himself to the protection of a wicked man, while he
seeks assistance, meets with destruction.</p>
<p>Some Pigeons, having often escaped from a Kite, and by their
swiftness of wing avoided death, the spoiler had recourse to stratagem,
and by a crafty device of this nature, deceived the harmless race. “Why
do you prefer to live a life of anxiety, rather than conclude a treaty,
and make me <i>your</i> king, who can ensure your safety from every
injury?” They, putting confidence in him, entrusted themselves to the
Kite, who, on obtaining the sovereignty, began to devour them one by
one, and to exercise authority with his cruel talons. Then said one of
those that were left: “Deservedly are we smitten.”</p>
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