Esops eables [sic] translated grammatically, and also in propriety of our English phrase; and, euery way, in such sort as may bee most profitable for the grammar-schoole

* * The fables of Esop . r r tales or 〈◊〉 deuises . Foolish contempt of learning . Esops Fables .

1 * * Of a cocke le●ding ben● : or of a dunghill cocke . Gallinaceus ] signifyeth , belonging to a cock or a hen , or hennish , seeming to be added only to distinguish the word from Gallus signifying a French man . Of a Cocke . [ This fable setteth out the foolish contempt of learning and wisedome . ]

* * Whilst a cook &c. WHen on a time a cock * * turned ouer a dunghill viz. scratching in it turned it vp by little and little . scratched in a dunghill , hee found a precious stone ▪ r r what quoth he . saying , what , doe I finde * * a thing so bright or shining . so gay a thing ? If a * * a lapidary or one that trimmeth and sell●th pretious stones . Ieweller had found [ it ] * * no thing . none * * could be . could haue beene more * * merry o● , ioyfull . iocund than hee , r r because hee knew the worth of it . as who knew the price [ of it . ] [ But ] * * truly . in truth r r it will serue ●e for no purpose . it is * * to me or for me to no vse . of no vse to mee , neither doe I * * esteeme , or recken it of a great [ price ] or value . r r make any reckening of it . greatly esteem it : yea * * I in truth . I in very deed * * malim , ● . ● . magis ve●m , will or would rather haue had rather haue r r a barly corne . a graine of barley , than r r all the precious stones in the world all precious stones .

r r The morall sense ▪ or the meaning ▪ vse and application of this fable for the framing & ordering of our manners . The Moral . ] r r You must vnderstand . Vnderstand by the precious stone , r r learning & knowledge . art & wisedome . * * vnderstand by the &c. By the cocke a foolish man r r sensuall or giuen ouer to pleasure . giuen to pleasure . * * Neither foolish men doe loue . Neither fooles loue r r good learning . liberall arts , sith they knowe not the vse of them : nor r r a voluptuous man . a man giuen ouer to pleasure , r r because . as * * to whom alone , or one , pleasure can please . whom onely pleasure doth delight .

2 Of a Wolfe and a Lamb [ shewing the nature of cruell oppressors , Tyranny . that they can easily take any occasion to prey vpon & spoyle the poore . ]

A Wolfe drinking at the r r top . head of a * * fountaine . spring , seeeth a lambe drinking r r a far off or a great way beneath . farre beneath . Hee * * runneth to [ him ] runneth to [ and ] r r chideth or blameth . rateth the lamb , * * because . for that hee * * troubled the fountaine . viz. muddied the water . marred the spring . The lambe * * trepidare for trepidabat . Euallage . trembled , besought [ him , ] that hee would spare [ him ] beeing innocent .

* * Himselfe neither indeed to haue beene able to trouble . That hee neither could indeed marre the drinke of the wolfe , sith hee dranke farre beneath , nor yet * * to haue been willing . would . The wolfe r r on the other side . contrarily r r speaketh veheme●tly or railes against the lambe . thundereth : [ saying , ] Thou r r wretch church robber , r r this is nothing thou sayst . thou doest nothing : thou alwaies * * hurtest [ me ] alwayes . hurtest [ mee : ] [ thy ] father , mother , all thy * * en●ed . odious r r stocke or kinred . kinde is against me * * diligently or alwayes . by all meanes . * * Thou shalt-giue punishment to me to day . Thou shalt r r abye . smart for it this day .

Mor. ] It is an olde saying : * * a staffe to be found easi●y , that you may be 〈◊〉 a dog . that It is an easie matter to finde a st●ffe to beate a dogge . A mighty man easily taketh an * * a cause . occasion of hurting , if r r he please . hee list to hurt . Hee hath r r committed fault enough . offended sufficiently who * * could not resist or withstand . cannot resist .

3 Of a mouse and a frog , [ setting Discord . out the fruit of discord . ]

A Mouse r r warred or waged battel . made war with a frogge . * * It was striuen . The contention was concerning the r r gouernment , ●ule or soueraignty . empire of the r r ●rish ground . fenne . The r r ●ght . battell was r r very sore . vehement & doubtfull . The crafty mouse r r oft lying hid or l●ding himself lurking vnder the * * he●bs ; viz. wild herbs , or grasse . weeds , sets vpon the frog by * * deceipts , or lying in waite . policy . The frogge r r mo●e strong . beeing better in strength , * * able . pu●lant in breast and in * * leaping vpon . bouncing , r r chalengeth . prouokes the r r mouse . enemy * * by open Mars . Mars the God of warre ▪ for wa●e . in open warre . r r They had either of them a buliush for their speare . A bulrush was the speare to either of them , which * * strift . battell being seene farre off , the * * glead , or puttoc●e . kite maketh haste vnto [ them : ] and whilst neither [ of them ] * * bewareth , or looketh to . taketh heed to * * herselfe . themselues , for the * * study . earnestnesse of the battell , the 〈◊〉 away , and teareth in peeces * * 〈◊〉 of the warriours , al. either warriour . both the warriours .

Mor. ] It is wont * * to happen , or betide after the same manner . euen so to fal out to factious citizens , who being * * kindled o● set on fire . inflamed with a * * lust . desire of bearing rule , whilst they * * striue . contend amongst themselues r r for magistracy , or to be gouerners . to bee made magistrate● , doe put their * * riches . weal●h and also their life * * for most part also their life . very oft in danger .

4 Of a dogge and a shadow , [ war●ing Vnsatiable greedinesse . to beware of too much greedinesse . ]

A Dogge swimming ouer a riuer carried * * flesh . a peece of flesh in [ his ] * * grinning mouth . chap. The sunne shining , * * so as it cometh to passe , or hapneth . as it fell out , the shadowe of the flesh shined in the waters : which r r he catching at greedily so soon as he saw . being seene hee greedily catching at , lost that which was in his r r cheeks , or chaps . iawes . Therefore being r r astonied . sore smitten with the losse both of the r r flesh . thing and also of his hope , first , hee was r r astonished . amazed , * * and then receiuing againe cour●ge . afterwardes getting heart againe , hee * * barked out . howled out thus : O wretch * * a measure was wanting , or thou wast too greedy . there wanted a measure to thy * * cou●tousnesse . greedinesse . r r Thou hadst enough and too much . The● was enough , & more than enough , * * vnlesse thou hadst doated , o● but that thou doated . if thou hadst not doated : * * lesse than nothing is now to thee by thy foolishnesse . now thou hast lesse than nothing by thy foolishnesse .

Mor. ] Wee are * * admonished of modesty , or to bee modest . put in minde of modesty by this fable , wee are put in minde of wisedome , that there be a measure * * to our co●tousnesse . in our desire ; lest wee lose certain things for vncertain . Surely that * * Te●entian Sa●nio . San●io in Terence [ speaks ] * * sub●lly , 〈◊〉 . wittily : I , quoth he , will not buy hope * * with a price . so deare .

5 Vnfaithfull dealing of great men towards their 〈◊〉 . Of a lion and certaine other beasts , [ teaching that it is the safest to deale with our equalls . ]

A Lion had * * couenanted . made an agreement with a sheep and with certain other [ beast , ] * * a common , or generall hunting to be . that there should bee a common hun●ing . * * It is gone . They goe to hunt . * * A ha●t or stag is catched . there is a Hart taken . They diuide * * the hart . [ him ] * * Euery one , one by one . Euery Al. They diuide the seueral parts to euery one . one [ of them . ] Beginning to take vp their * * singular parts , o● one by one . seuerall parts , * * had been agreed . as it was agreed , the lion roared out : Saying one part is mine , because I am the worthiest . r r And. Also another part is mine , because I am r r the strongest . most excelling in strength . Furthermore , I chalenge a third part , because I haue sweat more in * * taking . catching the Hart. And lastly , vnlesse you will grant me a fourth part , * * it is done , [ or there is an end ] farewell * This being heard , his fellows do depart . friendship . * * concerning friendship . His fellows hauing heard this , doe depart empty and * * holding their peace : or quiet , or silent . still , not * * daring . being so bolde as to mutter against the lion .

Mor. ] * * fidelity , or faithfulnesse hath been rare euer , or seldome found . Faithfull dealing hath been euer rare , it is more rare * * at this age , or at this day . in this age : [ but ] it is and hath been alwaies most rare amongst r r men of might , or great men . mighty men . Wherefore it is better [ that ] you liue with your r r match . equall . For he that liueth with a mightier [ man ] * * hath it necessary , or of necessity . must necessarily * * grant . depart oft times from his owne right . * * There shall be equal right to thee You shall haue r r equity . equall right with your equall .

6 Of a wolfe and a crane , [ teaching Scor●efull ingratitude . what it is , to doe good to a● vnthankefull body . ]

A Wolf deuouring a sheep , * * the boanes by chance haue stucke r r as it happened . bechance the boanes stucke in his r r gulle● . throate . Hee r r went about . goeth about , desireth help , [ but ] no man r r did help him , or afford him any help . helpeth [ him . ] * * All [ men ] say often . All say , * * him to haue borne . that he had got * * the price , or hire . a iust reward of his * * deuouring , or greedinesse . rauening . At length he r r perswadeth . induceth a crane by many r r faire words flatteries and moe promises , that her * * longest , or most long . Al. that she would pluck out the boane fastned in , with her most long neck thrust into his throat . Al. ; But he mocked [ her ] asking [ her ] reward . long necke beeing thrust into his throat , shee would pluck out the boane fastened [ in it . ] But [ shee ] asking [ her ] rewarde , hee mocked [ her . ] * * ●●ou foolish crane . Thou foole , quoth he , * * go , or get thee gone . goe thy way : r r Art thou not well that thou scapest with thy life . Hast thou not enough that thou liuest ? * * Thou owest thy life vnto me . Thou owest mee [ thy ] life . * * If it had listed me . If I had listed , * * It hath been lawfull [ for me ] or I might . it was in my power to bite off thy neck

Mor. ] It is an * * a worne , or ●mon [ saying ] [ that thing ] to perish which thou dost to an vnthankfull [ man . ] olde [ prouerbe ] that all is lost which thou doest to an vnthankfull [ body . ]

7 Of a countrie man and of * * a land snake , or a wood snake . a Mischieuous requiting good with euill . snake , [ shewing also the thanks to bee looked for from a wicked man . ]

A Countrie man brought home * * cast him to . a snake found in the snow almost killed with colde . Hee * * bearing , or not able to abide . layed him to the fire . The snake receiuing strength from the fire , and poyson , and afterwardes not * * the heat of the fire induring the flame , r r molested , or indangered to poyson . infected all the * * poore house , or cottage . shed with hissing . The countrie man runneth vnto [ him . ] [ and ] * * ● hedgest●ke , [ or cudgill ] being s●atched , or catched vp . snatching vp a stake , r r he demandeth . or debateth with him concerning the wrong ●lateth the iniury with him , with wordes and * * stripes , or blows . strokes , Whether r r he thus requite him . hee requite this thanke ? whether r r he will take away . hee be about to take away life * * to him . from him , * * who gaue life to him . who gaue him [ his ] life .

Mor. ] * * It is done . It commeth to passe sometimes , that they will doe you an * * may be against you . ill turne , to * * whom you haue profited . whom you haue done good , and that they * * deserue . will r r requite , or vse you vnkindly . deserue euilly of you , r r to whom you haue done good . of whom you haue deserued well .

8 Of a boare and an asse ; teaching Contempt of iniuries . to contemne iniuries offered from base persons .

* * whilst . r r As a dull asse . AS on a time a sluggish asse r r 〈◊〉 at . mocked a boar , hee disdayning , r r whetted his tushes . gnashed [ his ] teeth , [ saying ; ] O most sluggish asse , truely thou hadst deserued euill , but al though r r thou badst deserued to bee plagued thou haddest beene worthie of punishment , yet I am * * vnworthy . vnmeet * * which may take punishment of thee that I should be reuenged of thee . Mocke * * being safe . safely , * * it is lawfull for thee vnpunished . or without punishment , or danger . thou maiest freely , for thou art safe for thy sluggishnesse .

Mor. ] Let vs * * giue our diligence . doe our indeauour that when wee heare or suffer things * * vnworthy of vs . vnbefitting vs , we speake not , not doe things * * vnworthy of vs . vnbeseeming vs : for r r naughty . euill men & * * lost , or desperately euill . past hope , * * for most part do reioyce . doe for most part reioyce , if * * [ any man ] of good men . any good man resist them . * * They way it of great worth . They highly esteeme of it , * * themselues to be accounted worthy reuenge . that they should bee accounted worthie r r for others to seek to be reuenged of . to be reuenged of .

Mor. ] Let vs imitate horses and great beasts , which passe by little dogges barking at them , with contempt [ of them . ]

9 Of a citie mouse and a countrie Bitternesse in riches , and the feares and dangers wherein rich men line . mouse , [ shewing the feares and dangers that rich men are alwaies in . And that therfore a little with safety , is better than abundance with continuall feare and danger . ]

IT pleased a city mouse to walke into the countrey . A countrie mouse saw * * this mouse . him , inuiteth [ him , ] * * it is prepared . preparation is made , * * it is gone to sup . they goe to supper . The countrie mouse fetcheth forth whatsoeuer hee had laid vp against winter , and * * draweth out . bringeth out all his * * victuals , or prouision . store , that hee might * * fulfill , or fill . satisfie the daintinesse of so great a guest . r r neuerthelesse . Yet notwithstanding , the city mouse * * wrinkling his forehead . frowning , condemneth the r r pouerty . scarsity of the countrey , r r and afterward . and then praiseth the r r abundance . plenty of the citie . [ And ] going back , he leadeth the countries mouse with him into the city , that hee might * * giue proofe and experience of that to him . approoue in deede , that which hee had bragged of in words . They goe to the banquet which the city mouse * * had prepared gayly , or richly , excellently . had gorgeously prepared . * * Betweene to feast , or [ their ] feasting . As they were at the banquet , the noyse of a key is heard in the lock . * * They [ began ] to tremble exceedingly , and in flying , often to fly away . They trembled , & running fled away . The countrey mouse both vnaccustomed , and ignorant of the place , * * to defend himselfe hardly , or grieuously . hardly saued himselfe . The seruant departing , the citie mouse returneth vnto the table , calleth the country mouse . * * He , his 〈◊〉 ●ing scarcely layed away at length . Hee , scarsely at length hauing put away his feare , creepeth out : [ And ] asketh the ci●y mouse * * inuiting him to the pots . drinking vnto him , whether this r r danger . perill bee often . Hee answered , * * it to be daily to one to be con●emned . that it was daily , that it ought to be contemned . Then the * * country mouse said , or replied . countrie mouse , daily quoth hee ? * * As Hercules shall help me . In good sooth , your dainties sauour more of gall than of hony . I in truth * * will rather , or desire . had rather haue my scarsity with security , than this abundance with such * * anxiety , or care , doubtfulnesse , or fearefulnes●e . feare .

Mor. ] Riches * * indeed do beare before themselues [ or make a shew of ] pleasure . haue indeed a shew of pleasure , but if you looke within [ them ] they haue r r dangers . perils and bitternesse . There was one Eutrapilus , who when hee would hurt his enemies most of all , made them rich , * * saying est . saying that he would * * rereuenge them , [ or take vengeance of them ] to . reuenge himselfe of them , for that * * them to receiue . they should receiue with their riches * * a very great , or huge fardle . a great packe of r r troubles . cares .

10 Of an eagle and a iack-daw : Crafty and coso●ing counsell . warning vs to beware of whom and what counsell we take .

AN eagle hauing gotten a cockle , could not * * pull forth . pluck out the fish by force , or by art . A iackdawe comming vnto [ her ] giues [ her ] counsell . [ Shee ] perswadeth [ her ] r r to mount on by . to fly aloft , and * * to cast downe headlong . to hurle downe the cockle * * from an high place . from an high , vpon the stones : * * for so it to be , [ or to come to pa●le ] that . For that it would so come to passe , that the shell would be broken . The iackdawe tarieth vpon the ground , that shee may wait for the fall . The eagle * east●th it downe headlong . * * the cockle may be b●oken . throweth [ it ] downe , the shell is broken , the fish is r r catched vp . snatched away by the iackdawe , the eagle being deluded * * it grieueth her . grieueth .

Mor. ] Doe not * * ●aue faith , or ●rust : viz. trust not . giue credite * * whosoeuer . to euery one , and * * make , or take heed . see [ that ] you looke into the counsell which you shall receiue of others . For many beeing * * asked counsell of consulted with , doe not r r consult , or aduise . giue counsell * * to their consultours . for them who aske counsell of them , but for themselues .

11 Of a crow and a fox cub , [ aduising Greedinesse of praise vs to take ●eed of beeing ouer greedy of praise .

A Crowe hauing gotten a prey , maketh a noyse in the boughes [ of a tree . ] A foxe-cubbe seeth [ him ] * * gesturing , or i●tting , or triumphing vaunting , runneth vnto [ him . ] The fox ( quoth [ she ] ) * * doth impart , [ or greet ] the crow with very much salutation . viz. hardly saluteth the crow , or sendeth hearty commendations to the crow . doth very kindly greet the crowe . I * * had heard . haue heard very often r r that fame is a lyer fame to be a lyer , now * * I proue it by experience in the thing it selfe . I finde it in very deed . For as bechance I passe by this way , * * beholding , or seeing thee . spying you in a tr● , I * * flee vnto thee . come running vnto you , blaming r r report . fame . For the fame is , * * thee to be blacker . that you are blacker than pitch , and I see [ you ] whiter than snow . Tru●ly in my iudgement you * * ouercome . viz. goest beyond . surpasse the swans , and are fairer than the white iuy . If so bee that * * you excell so also in voyc● , as you do in feathers . as [ you excell ] in feathers , you so excell also in voyce , in trueth , * * I might haue called you ▪ or haue sayd you to be the queene . I will call you the queene of all the birds . The crowe beeing * * entiled . allured by this * * little flattery . pretty flattery , prepares [ himselfe ] to sing . But the cheese falleth our of [ his ] r r beake . bil , * * to him preparing as hee was preparing [ to sing , ] which beeing snatched vp , the fox-cub taketh vp * * a laughter as if he were tickled . Al. and shame being mixed to the los●e of the thing he grieueth . a lowd laughter . Then at length it shames the miserable crow , and ●rketh him of himselfe , and the losse of the thing beeing mixed with shame it grieueth [ him . ]

Mor. ] Some are so r r desirou● . greedy of praise , that they loue a flatterer with their owne reproach and losse . Such * * dwa●fes . silly men are [ made ] a prey to parasites . If so be that you will r r shun . auoid boasting , you may ●sily * * thou shalt shun , or escape easily . escape [ that ] pestilent kinde of flatterers . If you will bee Thraso , * * Gnato shall neuer be wanting vnto thee , or thou shalt neuer want a Gnatho if thou wilt be a Thraso . you shall neuer want a Gnato .

12 Of a lion spent with olde age ; The iust reward of cruelty . admonishing vs euer to beware of cruelty , or beeing ouer fierce in prosperity . r render him like recompence .

A Lion which had made very many [ his ] enemies by his r r cruelty . fierceness in [ his ] youth , * * paid punishment paid for it in [ his ] old age . The boar * * seeked [ him , or smiteth at him . ] setteth on him with his * * tooth . ●ush , the bull * * seeketh [ him , or setteth on him ] with his horne . * * with his hornes . Especially , * In the first place , ●r aboue all . the olde asse desiring to * * abolish . put out vtterly the olde name of sluggishnesse , * * insulteth , or leape●h on him , or flingeth at him . layeth at him r r Iustily . stoutly with words and with [ his ] heeles . Then the lion * * mourning exceedingly , or lamenting . sighing deeply [ said , ] these whom I haue hurt in times past , hurt [ mee ] now againe , and * * deseruedly . worthily . But they whom I haue r r heretofore . sometimes * * profited . done good vnto , doe not now * * profit [ me . ] doe mee good * * by course . again , * * yea also . yea they also * * are against me . hurt mee without cause . * * I haue bene fool●sh who haue made many enimies . I was a foole that made [ me ] many enemies , [ but ] more foolish * * who haue trusted . that trusted false friends .

Mor. ] * * Thou maiest not ▪ ●e lift vp in second [ or prosperous ] things , thou maist not be fierce or cruell . Be not lift vp in prosperity , bee not fierce . For if fortune r r shall alter , or frowne . shal change [ her ] countenance , they whom you haue hurt will r r be r●uenged . auenge [ themselues . ] And see that you * * haue viz. put . make a difference amongst [ your ] friends . For there are * * certaine . som that are not * * friends of thee ▪ but [ friends ] of thy table and fortun● your friends , but of your table & estate . Which * * fortune . estate in very deed * * as soone as . so soone as euer it shall be changed , they also will be changed : * * it shall be done well with thee if they shall not be en●mies . it shall goe very well with you if they bee not enemies . Ouid complaineth * * worthily . iustly .

* * Behould . Lo , I sometimes [ was ] * * fortified , fensed , or inuironed . guarded * * not with a few friends . with no small company of friends ,

Whilst * * a prosperous wind hath blowen to my sailes , or a prosperous gale of wind . the winde blowed prosperously to my sailes :

But after that the r r cruell viz. raging . fierce seas * * haue swelled . began to swell with the r r tempestuous wind . stormy winde ,

* * my ship being torne I am left in the middle waters . I am left in the midst of the waters , r r with my ship all torne . my ship being all torne .

13 Of a dog and an asse , [ shewing Foolish imitation . the foolishnesse of them , who will attempt any thing against nature . ]

* * Whilst that . WHenas of a time a dogge * * did flatter . flattered [ his ] master and the r r household . family , [ both ] the master and the family r r made much of or stroked . cherished the dogge . The * * little asse . asse seeing that , r r mour●eth , or sigheth . groaneth * * more deeply very deeply . It began to r r repent him . i●ke him of his * * lot . condition : hee thinks it * * [ to be ] ordered vnequally , or appointed . vnequally dealt , * * the dog to be acceptable to all . that the dogge should bewelcome to all , and bee fed from his masters table , and also r r obtaine , or get . attaine that by idlenesse and play , r r and that he himself should contrarily bea●e &c. and contrarily himselfe to carry * * packsadles . packs , be r r whipped : to be neuer idle , or neuer to rest . beaten with a whip , r neuer to bee idle , and yet [ to bee ] odious to all . If these things * * be done . be gotten by * * flatteries . flatteries , hee determineth to follow that art which * * may be . is so profitable . Therfore * * [ his ] master returning home at a certaine time . at a certaine time [ his ] master returning home , hee about to try the matter , runs forth to meet [ him ▪ ] hee leapes [ vpon him ] beares [ him ] with [ his ] * * feet . hooues . [ His ] master crying out , the seruants ran vnto [ him , ] and the foolish asse , which * * belieued . thought himselfe ciuill is beaten with a * * staffe , or cudgill . club .

Mor. ] All [ of ] vs cannot doe all things , as Virgil saith in [ his ] Bucolicks , neither doe all things become all men . * * Euery one may will that . Let euery one desire that , let him r r assay , or make triall of . try that which hee is able . For wee knowe that which is spoken more significantly in Greek , * * An asse of the harpes , or of the harpe . An asse to the harpe : So also Boetius , An asse * * put . set to the harpe . Nature resisting , our labor is in vaine . * * Thou shalt do or say nothing Minerua [ or nature ] being vnwilling , or against it . You shall neither do nor say any thing , if r r Minerua the goddesse of wisedome and of all good arts and sciences , fained to be borne of ●upiters braine without any mother , here taken for nature . Minerua be vnwilling , * * Horace being witnesse . as Horace saith .

14 Of a lion and a mouse , [ teaching Clementy towards inferiours . great men to deale kindly with the meanest . ]

A Lion beeing weary with heate and with running , rested in the shadowe vpon * * a greene leafe . greene leaues : * * but. and a flock of mise running ouer his back , hee awaking catched * * one of many of them . one of them . The captiue beseecheth him , cryeth * * him to be vnworthy whom the lion should be angry at . that hee was not worthy that the lion should bee angry at him . Hee * * thinking seriously bethinking him selfe * * no praise to be i● the death of so very small a little ●east . that there was no praise in the death of such a silly little beast , le ts goe the * * captiue or mouse being taken . prisoner .

* * Neither truly so much after . And not very to long after , as the lion bechance runnes through the laund , hee falles into net● , * * it is lawfull to roare , it is not lawfull to goe out . he may roare , but hee cannot gette forth . The mouse heareth the lion roaring miserably , acknowledgeth [ his ] voyce , creepeth into the holes , seeketh the kno●s of the nets , * * hauing sought them findeth thé , and hauing found them gnaweth them , wherby the lion escapeth out of the nets . findeth them being sought , gnaweth them being found , the lion escapeth out of the nets .

Mor. ] This fable perswadeth r r great men to be curteous towards the poore . clemency to mighty men . For as humane things are vnstable , [ so ] mighty men sometimes need the helpe of the baser . Wherefore a wise man although hee may , will bee affraid to hurt any * * euen any of men . man whosoeuer . But hee that feareth not to hurt another , * * doateth greatly . doth exceeding foolishly . Why so ? Because although , * * inioying , or relying vpon his owne power . trusting in his owne power , hee feareth no man , * * it will be peraduenture in time to come . it will peraduenture come to passe in time that hee may feare . For it is euident that it hath happened to famous and great kings , that they haue either r r stood i● need of . needed the fauour * * vile dwa●fes , or men of no reputation . of base men , or r r been afraid of their displeasure . feared their anger .

15 Of a sicke kite , [ shewing what Sacrilege , or the miserable state of sacrilegious persons & pro●ane contemners of God . sacrilegious and wicked persons can expect from God in their miseries . ]

A Kite * * lay downe . lay sick in [ his ] bed ▪ now * * almost dying . ready to die . He intreates his mother to go to pray to the gods . [ His ] mother answered , that there was no help to bee hoped for from the gods , whose holy things and alters he had so oft violated with his rapines .

Mor. ] It becommeth [ vs ] to reuerence the gods . For they helpe the godly , * * are against . are enemies to the vngodly , being neglected in * * felicity . prosperity they * * do not . will not heare vs in [ our ] misery . Wherefore r r remember them . be mindefull of them in prosperity , that they may bee present beeing * * called . called vpon * * in aduerse things or in troubles . in [ our ] aduersitie .

16 Of a swallowe and other little Want of consideration for preuenting dangers , and despising counsell . birds , [ teaching to vse all ad● and to preuent dangers in time . ]

AS soone as r r line . flaxe began to bee sowen , the swallowe perswadeth the little birds to hinder the seednesse , telling them often , that there was * * trecheries to be made to them , or prepared for them . a conspiracy against them . They laugh at her , calling the swallow a foolish prophet . The flaxe * * rising vp . growing vp and waxing green , hee admonisheth them againe to pluck vppe that which was sowen . They laugh at her again . The flaxe waxeth ripe , she exhorts them to d●stroy * * the flax yet standing . the croppe . When they would not heare her aduising , no not then indeed , the swallowe * * the comp●ny of birds being left . leauing the company of the birds , gets vnto her selfe the friendshippe of man , * * enters . makes a league with him , dwels together [ with him ] ch●ereth him with singing . Nettes and snares are made for r r the rest of the birds . the other birds , of the flax .

Mor. ] Many * * neither know themselues . neither know to * * consult wisely to themselues . aduise well for themselues , * * nor do heare a man giuing them cou●sell well . nor will heare him who aduiseth them well . But when they are in perils & losses , then r r onely . at length they begin to be wise , and to condemne their owne slothfulnesse . * * Now is there enough and ouermuch counsell . Now are they wise enough . This say they , & that * * to be done . Prometheus wise before . ought to haue been done . But it is better Epimetheus wise after . to be Prometheus than Epimetheus . These * * hau● bene . were brethren . r r They are Greeke names . The names are Greek . * * Counsell hath bene to one [ of them ] before the thing , to ●he other after the thing . One of them took counsell before the thing [ to be done , ] the other after it : which the interpretation of [ their ] names doth declare .

17 Of frogs and * * the king of them . their king , [ ●arning Discontēt●dnes with our present estate . vs to be content with our present estate . ]

WHen the nation of * * it made supplication to Iupiter a king to be giuen them . the frogges was free , * they besought Iupiter to giue them a king . Iupiter ridere pr● ridebat ; Enallage . laughed [ at ] the r r wishes , prayers , or requests . desires of the frogs . They notwithstanding , were r r very importunate . instant againe & againe , vntill they inforced [ him . ] * * He cast downe a blocke [ to them ] Hee castes [ them ] downe r r a beame . a block . That vaste weight r r sh●kes vehemently . shakes the * * riuer , flood , or fen water with a huge crash . The frogs beeing r r affrighted . terrified r r are b●sh . are silent . They * * 〈◊〉 , worship , or honour . adore [ their ] king : [ And ] come nearer * * foot by foot . by little and little : at length * * feare being cast aw●y . casting away fear , they * * leape . bounce vpon [ him , ] and down again [ from him . ] The r r blockish . sluggish king * * 〈◊〉 ● spo●t . is made a scorne and a contempt . They * * prouoke , or instantly beseech . importune Iupiter againe , they * * they pray . beseech him * * a king to be giuen [ them ] to giue them a king , which may be stout : Iupiter giues them a stork . Hee walking through the r r marsh , or marish ground . fenne very stoutly , deuoureth * * whatso●uer of frogs . what frogs soeuer * * i● before him , or in hi● way . hee meeteth with . * * Therefore the fr●gs &c. The frogs then complayned all in vaine of the cruelty of this [ king : ] Iupiter * * doth not heare . heareth [ them ] not . For * * they complaine also as yet to d●y . they as yet complaine euen at this day . For the stork going to bed at euening , they * * g●n forth , or going forth . comming forth * * out of their holes . of their dens doe * * murmure . secretly complain with a hoarse * * howling , or crying . croking , but they sing * * to one deafe , or God Iupiter being deafe . to a deafe man . For * * Iupiter will , [ or Iupiters pleasure is ] Iupiter wil haue it so , that they * * which refused by supplication , o● or turned away by intreaty . which prayed against a r r mild . gentle king , should now endure * * should bear now . one mercilesse .

Mor. ] It is wont to r r 〈◊〉 , o●happen . fall * [ a king ] voyd of compassion , or pity out to the common people euen as to the frogs . Who i● * * it hath . they haue a king * * a little more ge●tle . somewhat more milde , * * it alleageth . they charge him to be sluggish and r r without valour , or courage . cowardly , and * * it wisheth sometimes a m●n to happen vnto them . wish that at length * * to fall out vnto them . they may haue r r a man of worth , or of spirit . a man . [ And ] contrarily if at any time * * it , viz. the people hath gotten they get a stout king , * * it condemneth . they condemne * * the cruelty of this . his cruelty , [ and ] praise the clemency of the former , whether for that * * it alwaies repenteth vs of things present . we alwaies mislike our present estate ; or * * that it is . because it is a true worde , * * New things to be better than old . That new things are better than olde .

18 Of pigeons and the glead , [ shewing what commonly followeth Discontentednesse with our present estate . discontentednesse with our estate . ]

* * Doues . PIgeons on a time made warre with the kite : whom that they might * * vanquish . conquere , they r r did chuse . chose the r r goshawke . hauk * * a king to them . [ for ] their king . Hee being made * * doth . their king * playeth the r r tyran● . enemie , not a king . Hee * * snatcheth . plucketh and teareth them in peeces , * * no slo●hfuller , or slower . no lesse greedily than the kite . It repenteth the pigeons of [ their ] enterprise , thinking it * * to h●ue been . had beene better [ for them ] to * * suffer . endure the warres of the kite , than the tyranny of the hawk .

Mor. ] Let it irke no man too much of his owne * * lot . condition : [ for ] ( * * Flaccus , viz. Horace being witnes , nothing is blessed on euery part , or on all parts . as Horace saith ) no●hing is euery way blessed . r r I in truth . I in very deed * * may not . would not wish my r r estate , or condi● . lot to be changed , so that it be tolerable . Many * * a new lot being gotten . hauing gotten a new r r condition . lot , haue wished the old againe . * * All for the most part , [ or the most of vs all ] are 〈◊〉 i● 〈◊〉 [ or disposition ] that it repents ou● selues of vs . That is the nature almost of vs all , that we are discontent with our estate .

19 Of a theefe and a dogg● , [ teaching Flattery & deceipt . to beware of flatterers . ]

* * A dog answered sometimes a thiefe reaching bread [ to him ] that he may be silent . A Theefe of a time reaching bread to a dog , that hee would holde his peace , the dogge answered , * * I haue knowen thy lyings in wait . I know thy treachery . Thou giuest [ mee ] bread * * wherby I may cease to barke that I should leaue off barking . But I hate thy gift : because if I shall take [ thy ] bread thou wilt carry away all things * * from these roofes of the houses , or from vnder these roofes . out of these houses .

Mor. ] * * Take heed thou lose . Beware you lose [ not ] a great commodity * * for the cause of a little commodity . for a small commodities sake . Take heed * * you haue trust to euery one whom you please . you trust not euery man . For there are men who * * do not speake bountifully , but also do bountifully will not onely speake curteously , but also deale kindly , * * by deceipt , or in craft . onely with purpose to deceiue .

20 Of a wolfe , and a young sow , Too much officio●snesse . [ teaching vs to beware of them a sow . who are too officioiu . ]

A Young sowe was about to r r farrow . pigge . A wolfe promi●eth * * himself to be . that hee will bee the r r tender . keeper of [ her ] r r 〈◊〉 . young . The * * Puerpera signifying a woman travelling or in child-bed , here put for a sow pigging . sow answered , that * * herself not to ne●d the pl●antness [ or att●ndance . ] she had no need of the s●ruice of the wolfe : If hee * * will be . would be accounted * * godly , or curteou● . deuout , [ and ] * * it 〈◊〉 c●uet to do an 〈◊〉 thing or a pleasure . if hee desire to doe her a kindenesse , * * th●t he go away fu●ther . that he would get him further off . * * f●r the ●ffice o● 〈◊〉 of the wolf to 〈◊〉 . For that the kindeness of the wolfe should consist not in [ his ] presence , but in [ his ] absence .

Mor. ] * * A●l 〈◊〉 g● are not to be credited to all men . Wee are not to giue credite to all things which euery one saith . * * M●ny doc 〈◊〉〈◊〉 diligence not by , or for the loue of you , 〈◊〉 o● 〈◊〉 Many will promise their help , not for the loue of you , but of themselues : seeking their owne commodity , * * not your [ commodity . ] not yours .

21 Of the bringing forth of the Boasting and vaine feare . mountaines [ teaching to beware of foolish boasting and vaine feares . ]

IN time past there was a rumour * * the mountaines to be about to bring forth , or to be in trauell . that the mountains brought forth . Men run vnto them , stand ●ound about , exspecting some monster not without feare . At length the mountaines bring forth , a mouse * * goeth forth . creepeth out . Then all [ the beholders ] * * all to dy with laughter . did almost die with laughter .

Mor. ] Horace toucheth emori , pro emoriebantur ; ●all . this * * little . pretty fable . The mountaines * * a●e about to bring forth . are in trauell quoth hee , * * a mouse to lau●hed at . a ridiculous mouse will bee r r borne . bred . But hee noteth boasting . For boasters when they profess and * * boast of . make ostentation of great matters , scarsly * * do little things . performe small . Wherefore those * * vaine glorious boasters , such as Thraso . Thrasocs are * * by right . iustly a matter of ●est & * * scofts . scorne . This fable doth also forbid vaine feares . For the feare of the r r danger . perill is for the most part greater than the p●ll [ it selfe , ] yea it is [ oft ] ridiculous which wee feare .

22 Of ● * * a hunting dog . a hound * * a greyhound . despised of his Ingratitude . master , [ snewing the nature of ingratitude , and that nothing is loued but that which bri●eth ● which is contemned of his master . commodity . ]

A Master hastens on [ his ] hound , which * * now had waxen old . was now waxen olde . He * * exhorts him calls on him in vaine . [ His ] feet are sl●we , hee * * hasteth not . maketh no haste . Hee had * * catched , or laied hould on . caught a wilde beast , the beast slips away from r r the dog [ or his mouth ] being toothlesse . [ him ] being toothlesse . His master * * rebukes , or c●ides him . rates him with * * a stroke , or stripe strokes and with * * a word . words . The dogge answered * * it to owe to be pardoned to him by right . that he ought of right to be pardoned ; that now he was becomne olde , * * but being yong to haue been stout . but that hee had beene stout when he was young . But as I see , quoth hee , nothing pleaseth without * * fruit . commodity . You * * haue loued me . loued [ me ] being young ; * * you haue hated me . you * * catching preyes . hate me now becomne olde . You loued mee * * kinde . bringing in preies , you hate mee [ now ] slowe & toothlesse . But if you were r r once , or sometimes . thankful , whom you loued rin times past , being yong * * for the cause of thrift , or of [ your ] commodity . for [ your ] commodity sake you would loue [ now ] ●eeing olde for the cause of his * * fruitfull . profitable youth .

Mor. ] The dogge [ said ] well . For * * N●so , or Ouid being witnesse . 〈◊〉 Ouid saith : Nothing i● * * dea●e . loued but that which * * profits . brings commodity . Beholde , take away from a greedy minde the hope of commodity , no bodie * * will be to be required . will be sought for . There is no remembrance of a commodity past , and the fauor of a future [ commodity ] not great , the chiefest [ thankfulnes ] is * * of . for a present commodity . Indeed it i● * * a filthy thing . a shame to bee spoken , but if wee confesse the truth , The common sorte doth approoue * * friendships . friendship by [ their ] commodity .

23 Of hares and frogs , [ setting Timerousnesse . forth the folly of timerousnesse and the necessity of courage in perils . ]

A Woode * * bellowing . roaring [ on a time ] with an * * vnwonted . vnaccustomed r r storme . whirle-winde , the trembling hares beginne to r r run away . flee away r r speedily . swiftly . But as they were fleeing , * * when a fen , or marish ground hindered them . whenas there was a fe●ne in their way , they stood doubtfull , * * comprehended . inclosed with perills on both sides . And which was a * * incitement , or cause . prouocation of greater feare , they see frogs drowned in the fenne . Then one of the hares wiser & more eloquent than the rest , * * what , quoth he do we feare . said , why doe we feare * * vainely . without cause , wee haue need of a * * a minde . courage : * * nimblenesse of body is indeed to vs , but a courage is wanting . wee haue indeed nimblenesse of body , but wee want heart . This danger of the whirle-winde [ is ] not to be fled , * * but [ it is ] to be contemned . but to be contemned .

Mor. ] There is need of courage in euery matter . Vertue without r r bouldnesse , or courage . confidence * * lyeth downe lyeth vnder foote , for confidence is the * * captaine , or guide . leader and queen of vertue .

24 Of a kid and a wolfe , [ teaching Obedience to parents children to obey their parents . ]

WHenas on a time , a goate was * * about to goe . to goe r r to pasture . to feed , shee shut vp her kid at home , warning * * it to be opened him to open to no body vntill she herselfe returned . The wolfe which * * had heard . heard that a farre off , * * beates on the dores after the dep●rture of his mother . after his dam was gone knockes at the doores , r r cryes like the goat . imitates the goate in voyce , commanding [ the doores ] to be * * vnshut . opened . The kid * * forevnderstanding . perceiuing the * * deceipt , or guile . treacheatie , * * said , I do not open . I will not open them quoth hee : for although the voyce * * imitate the goats be the goates voyce , yet indeed I see a wolfe thorough the r r clifts . chinks .

Mor. ] [ For ] children to obey their parents , is profitable to themselues , and it becommeth a young man to * * obey an old [ man . ] harken to an old .

25 Of * * a hart . asta● and a sheep , [ shewing Extorted promises not to be kept . that extorted promises are not to be kept . ]

A Stagge * * made guilty . accused a sheep before a wolfe , * * crying out , [ or complaining clamorously ] her to o●ve . clamoring [ against her ] that shee ought him * * it is also taken for half a bushell , or a pecke and a halfe , or somewhat less ▪ than a pecke . a bushell of wheate . * * The sheep indeed , or was indeed vnknowing . But the sheepe was ignorant of the debt . Yet neuerthelesse , * * promiseth herself to g●ue it for the presence of the wolf . for the presence of the wolfe , promiseth that shee would giue it . * * A day is spoken , [ or appointed ] to payment . There is a day appointed for payment ; * * it is present . it comes . The stagge * * w●tnes the sheep . puts the sheepe in minde [ of the debt . ] Shee denyeth it . * * for she exculeth that thing [ to haue been ] done for feare , which she had promised . For what [ she ] had promised , she exculeth it done by feare , and for the presence of the wolfe : [ and ] r r 〈◊〉 , or vow wrested from any one . * * an extorted vow rot to be kept . that an extorted promise was not to be kept .

Mor. ] The sentence of the lawe is ; It is lawfull to * * driue back . repell * * force by force . violence by violence . From this little fable a certain new sentence doth arise . [ That ] it is lawfull to r r refute , or confute refell deceit by deceit .

26 Of a countrie-man and a snake , Giuing credit againe to them who haue deceiued vs . [ teaching vs to learne wit , by that which is past . ]

A Certaine countrie-man had * * nou●ished , or brought vp . bred vppe a snake . [ And ] being angry of a time , smit * * the beast . him with [ his ] hatchet . He escapeth away not without a wound . Afterwards the coū trie-man * * falling . comming to pouerty , supposed that r r mishap . misfortune * * to fall . or chance vnto him to betide him for the iniury * * of the snake . done to the snake . * * Therefore he beseecheth . He therefore beseecheth the snake , that he * * may returne . would returne . Hee saith * * himselfe to pardon it , but to be vnwilling to returne . that he would pardon it , but that hee would not returne : * * neither to b● safe . al. when as there was to the country-man &c. neither that hee could be secure with the countrie-man , * * to whom there was so great a hatchet at home . who had at home such a great hatchet . The blewnesse of the wound to haue ceased , yet the remembrance to remaine , or be left . * That the blewnesse of the wound was gone , yet the remembrance still remained .

Mor. ] It is scarce safe * * to haue trust , or to trust . to giue credit to him againe , who * * hath loosed his faith , or fidelity once . hath once broken [ his ] credite . Indeed to pardon an iniury , * * is truly of mercy . is verely a point of mercy . But * * to beware to himself . to looke to a mans selfe * * doth become . is both befitting , and * * is of wisedome . a point of wisedome .

27 Of a fox-cub and a storke , [ teaing The reward of deceipt . that deceit deserues to be rewarded with deceit . ]

A Fox ▪ cub [ of a time ] * * called . inuited a storke to supper . Shee poureth out the meate vpon the table : the which , * * whenas liquid . whereas it was thin , the stork assaying in vaine with her * * beake , or nib . bill , the * * fox-cub . cubbe licketh vp [ all . ] The bird goeth away deluded , it both shameth and irketh her * * of the. for the iniury . After * * somewhat more of daies . a few daies * * the storke returneth . shee returneth , inuiteth the cub . There was set a glasse * * vessell . viall full of meate ; which viall whereas it was of a narrowe throat , the * * it was lawfull for the fox to see &c. fox might see the meate , and also hunger , but shee might not taste . [ But ] the stork easily drew vp all with her bill .

Mor. ] * * laughter . Mocking [ deserues ] mocking , iest [ deserues ] iest , * * deceipt [ deserues ] deceipt . deceit , deceit , and fraud deserues fraud .

28 Of a wolfe and a painted head , Outward 〈◊〉 without inward beauty . [ shewing the vanity of outward fairenesse without inward beautie . ]

[ OF a time ] a wolfe r r turned about oft . turned oft [ vp and down ] a man● head * * being found in the shop of a grauer , [ or caruer ] which hee found in a caruers shop , wonders at [ it , ] thinking that which was [ indeed ] * * it to haue no sense . that it had no sense . O faire head , quoth he , * * there is much art [ skill , or cunning ] in thee . thou hast * * much of art . much art in thee , * * nothing of sense . but no sense .

Mor. ] * * Externall fairenesse is acceptable . Outward beauty i● pleasing , if the * * inward beauty . inward hee present * * to it . with it . But if * * we must want . wee are to want either of them , it is better that you want the * * outward beauty . outward than the inward ; for , that without this doth somtime * * bring , or get hatred . incurre hatred , that a fool * * is more odious by so much , by how much he is fa●rer . is somuch more odious the fairer he is .

29 Of a Cornish chough , [ shewing Foolish pride 〈◊〉 those things which are none of ours . how foolish it is to be proude of oth●r bodies feathers . ]

AChough [ of a tim● ] tricked vp himsel●e with the feathers of a peacock . And then s●eming to himself * * somewhat faire , or a faire one . very gay , * * his owne kinde , [ or stocke ] 〈◊〉 disdained . disdaining his owne kinde , hee betooke himselfe to the * * st●cke or kinde . company of the peacocks . They at length * * the ●eceipt being vnderstood . vnderstanding the deceit , * * made naked . stript the foolish bird of [ his ] colours , and * * affected him strokes , or bet him . whipped him . * * Horac● shewes this little ●able of a iackd●w in his first booke of &c. Horace in ●is first book of Epistles reports this little fable of a iackdaw . Hee saith that of a time , a iackdaw beeing * * adorned , or tricked vp . trimmed with feathers * * ●athered together . which she had gathered together , which had fallen from [ other ] birds , after that euery one of the birds pluckt againe her owne feather , * * to haue bene ridiculous . became ridiculou● . Lest if perchance the flock of birds shall come * * in time to come . hereafter , to fetch againe their owne feathers , * * the daw made naked of [ her ] stolen colours moue . [ o● prouoke ] laugh●er . the ●ackdaw moue l●ughter , beeing stript of [ her ] stollen colours .

Mor. ] This fable * * noteth . raxeth them , who beare themselues more loftily than is meet : who liue with them who are both richer and more noble . * * wherefore . Whereupon they are oft-times poore * * and are a scorne [ or mocking stock ] and a scorne . 〈◊〉 admonisheth well ; This sentence descended from heauen 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , that is , Know thy selfe .

30 Of a fly and an * * pismite . ant , [ teaching The quiet life to be preferred . vs to vse good language to all , and to preferre the quiet kind of life .

AFly [ of a time ] r r contended . wrangled with an ant , [ bragging ] * * ●herself to be noble . that shee was noble , * * her ignoble . the other base , that shee did fly , [ the ant ] crept , that shee vsed to bee in kings houses : the other to lie hid in holes , to gnaw corn , to drink water : shee bragged * * herself to slee , [ her ] or the plsmire to creep . that shee fared daintily , and yet notwithstanding , that she got these things by idlenesse . * * her self to be conuersant in the roofes , viz. the houses of kings . Of the other side , the ant [ gloried ] that she was not * * herself to banket gorgeoully , and yet to get these things by idlenesse . base , but content with her owne * * Contrarily . degree , * * ignoble . that * graines of corne . the fly was a vagarant , she her * the streame to 〈◊〉 to the ant that which pasties and wine to the fly . selfe was * * stocke or pedegree . abiding in a place , * * the fly to be wandring . and that corne and * * stable . running water did taste as well to the ant , as pasties and wine to the fly , * * and to get thesé things . and that shee got these things not by sluggish idlenesse , but by r r ●usty , or painefull diligence . stout labour . Moreouer , * * the ant to be merry and 〈◊〉 . that the ant was merry and safe , * * deare to all . beloued of all , and to conclude an example of labour : * * the fly to be doubtfull with perill . that the fly was fearfull , alwaies in perill , troublesome to all , enu●ed * * to all . of all , and finally , an example of slothfulnesse . r r That the ant did thinke of winter aforehand , and layed vp food against it ; but that the fly had prouision but for the present , either to be ready to clam in winter , o● certainely to dy The ant beeing mindefull of winter to lay vp foode [ afore hand , ] the fly to liue for a day , either to be continually hungry , or certainely to die in winter .

Mor. ] Hee that r r goeth on . proceeds to say what hee will , shall heare what hee will not . If the fly had spoken well , she had heard well . But I consent to the ant. For an obscure life with security , seemeth to be more to be wished , than a * * shining , or glittering . glorious life with perill .

31 Of a frog and an ox● [ shewing Foolish emulation . the fruit of foolish emulation . ]

A Frog being desirous * * of matching an oxe . to match an oxe , stretched out herselfe . [ r r The yong frog perswaded the dam Her ] son exhorted [ his ] mother to desist from her enterprize , for * * a frog to be nothing to an oxe . that a frog was nothing to an oxe . Shee swelled the second time , [ her ] son * * cryeth often , or cryeth out . crieth [ vnto her , ] Mother * * although you cracke . you may burst , [ but ] you shall neuer ouercome the oxe . And when [ shee ] had swelled the third time , she burst .

Mor. ] Euery one hath * His owne gift is to euery one . his owne gift . This man [ excels ] in beauty , r r another . he in strength : this in riches , he excels in friends . It becommeth euery man to be content with his owne proper [ gift . ] He * * preuailes in body , thou in wit . is able of body , thou in wit . Wherefore let euery one * * take counsell of himself , or consider himself . aduise with himselfe : [ and ] let him neither enuy [ his ] superiour , * * which thing is miserable . which is miserable , nor let him * * wish . desire to striue [ with him ] which is [ * * the property of foolishnesse , or foliy . a part ] of foolishnesse .

32 Of a horse and a lion , [ teaching Counterfet friendship , with the reward of subtilty . that an enemy r r pretending , or making a shew of . counterfe●ting friendship , is most dangerous : and that crafty dealing is vsusually requited with craft .

A Lion [ of a time came to ca●e a horse : but wanting strength * * for his old age . by reason of his age , hee began to * * meditate art deuise [ some ] cunning : hee professeth himselfe a physician ; * * states , o● 〈◊〉 , or drawes on the horse . holdes the horse with a * * circumlocution of words , or with many faire words . long circumstance of words . * * He. r r vseth deceipt against deceipt The horse opposeth deceit to deceit , & * * art . cunning to cunning . Hee faineth * * himselfe to haue pricked his foot lately in a thorny place . that hee had lately pricked [ his ] foot in a thorny place , intreateth that r r the horse being so good a physici●n . the physician looking into it * * may draw , or pull out . would drawe out the thorne . The lion * * obeyeth [ him . ] yeeldeth vnto him . But the horse * * with how great might he could , or was able . with all the might hee could * * dasht his heele to the lion . smit at the lion with his heele , and * * cast himself forthwith vnto his feet . forthwith betooke himselfe to his feet . The lion very hardly comming to himselfe againe at length , ( for he * * had bene . was almost * * astonished , or amazed , or swooned almost . in a swoone by the blowe ) ● * * beare , or haue . beare away ( quoth hee ) a [ iust ] reward for [ my ] foolishnesse , and he is * * by right . rightly fled away . For hee hath reuenged deceit with deceit .

Mor. ] * * dissimulation , or 〈◊〉 . Dissembling is worthy hatred , and to bee catched with dissembling . An enemy is not to be feared which * * shew● before himself . shewes himselfe an enemy . But hee that faines good will whenas he is an enemy , is * * at leng●h is . indeed to be feared , and most worthy hatred .

32 Of a horse and an ●sse , [ shewing Insol●ncy of proud men in their prosperity . how it commonly falls out with them who are too insolent in their prosperity . ]

A Horse [ of a time ] * * trimmed , or set out . adorned with trappings , and with a saddle , ran by the way with a very great r r whinnying . neying . But by chance * * 〈◊〉 a●e being loaden stood against [ him ] [ or in his way ] 〈◊〉 . a loaden asse hindred him as hee was running . The horse r r 〈◊〉 , or storming . raging with anger , and * * being fierce biting on the ●roathing bridles . fiercely chewing [ his ] foaming bridle , What quoth hee , thou slowe , thou sluggish [ asse , ] doest thou * * stand against the horse , or stand in the horses wa● . hinder the horse ? r r depart . Giue place , I say , or * * I do tread vpon thee . I will trample thee with my feet . The asse contrarily not daring to bray , * * departs , or yeel●s stilly , or being 〈◊〉 giues place . giues place quietly . But * * the horse flying forward . as the horse was swiftly fleeing * the part of the belly about the sheath . forward and speeding his pase [ his ] groine burst . 〈◊〉〈◊〉 * * vnprofitable . 〈◊〉 for running and shew , hee i● * * spoyled . stript of [ his ] * * ornaments . furniture , and afterwards is sould to a r r 〈◊〉 . carman . Afterwards the * * 〈◊〉 asse . asse seeth him r r drawing in a car , comming with a r r or a cart . carre and speakes vnto him : Hoe good sir , what fine furniture is there ? where is your golden saddle , [ your ] * * bossed . studded girth ? where [ is ] your * * 〈◊〉 , or fine . glittering bridle ? Oh friend it must needs so fall out to [ you ] being [ so ] proude .

Mor. ] Most men are li●t vp in prosperity , neither r r remembring mindefull of themselues nor of modesty . But because they waxe insolent in prosperity , they run into ad●ersity . I * * would haue admonished . would admonish them to be r r heedy . wary who seeme [ to themselues ] to be * * happy . in prosperity . For if the wheele of fortune shall be turned about , they shall * * fe●le it . perceiue it a most miserable kinde of mi●fortune , to haue 〈◊〉 * * happy . in prospeity . That mischiefe also

* * cometh . is added vnto the heape of their vnhappinesse , that they shall bee contemned of th●se , whom * * they themselues . they haue contemned and those will mock them whom they themselues haue r r mocked . laughed at .

34 Of the birds and foure footed Treacherous ●orsaking of friends . beasts , [ shewing wh●t it is to leaue our friends in aduersitie . ]

* * A battel was to the birds , or the birds fought . THe birds of a time had a battell with the four-footed beasts . [ There was ] hope on both ●ides , * * 〈◊〉 [ was ] on ●oth sides . feare on both sides , [ and ] danger was on both sides . But the bat * * [ his ] fellows be● left leauing his fellowes * * 〈◊〉 , o● falleth away . fals off to the enemy : The birds ouercome , * * the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 their 〈◊〉 &c. hauing the eagle for their captaine and * * ●outh s●yer . leader . And they * * condenine . adiudge the * * flyer to the enimy or 〈◊〉 . traytorlike bat * * that there should not be euer a returning [ for her ] vnto the birds . that shee 〈◊〉 neuer returne vnto the birds , that * * th●t be no flying [ to her ] in the light . she should neuer fly in the day time . * * This is the caus● to the bat that she doth not fly but in the night This is the cause that the bat neuer flyeth but in the night .

Mor. ] Hee that refuseth to be partaker of aduersitie and perils with his fellowes , shall bee r r without part of prosperity and health [ with them ] without prosperity and safety [ with them . ]

35 Of a wolfe and a fox , [ declaring The reward of enuy . the fruit of enuy . ]

WHen-as of a time a wolfe had r r pre● enough . sufficient prey , hee liued r r idlely . in idlenesse . The r r fox . fox-cub commeth vnto him , r r 〈◊〉 . demandeth of him r r why hee was idle . the cause of his idlenesse . The wolfe perceiued * * deceipts [ or layings in 〈◊〉 ] to be made to his . that there was a plot laid for his * * 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 , * * fairneth , or dissembleth a disease to &c. pretendeth sicknes ●o be the cause , intreates the fox to goe * * to 〈◊〉 e●rnestly , or 〈◊〉 the Gods for pardon . to pray vnto the gods for him . Shee grieuing * * her wile [ or craft ] not to succeed . that her wile had no better successe , goeth vnto a shepheard , * * admonisheth him [ or puts him in mind ] the dens of the wolf to ly open . tells him that the den of the wolfe was open , * * for the enimy being secure to be able to be oppressed [ or ouercomne ] not thinking of it . and that the enemy beeing secure might easily be r r surprized . taken vnawares . The shepheard * sets vpon the wolfe , kils him . Shee obtaines [ both ] the den and the prey . But * * there was but a short ioy to her of her wickednesse . shee had r comes vpon , or inuades the wolf of a sudden . but a short ioy of her wickednesse , for * * not so much after not very long after , the same shepheard catcheth r r the fox ●lso . her also .

Mor. ] Enuy is a r r a foule matter . filthy thing , and sometimes r r mischieuous . pernicious euen to the author himselfe . * * Flaccus . Horace in his first booke of Epistles .

An enuions [ man ] * * waxeth leane pineth away at the * * fat things , or plenty . prosperity of * * another man another .

The Sicilian tyrants found not a greater torment than enuy .

36 Of r r ● hart . a stag , [ shewing that wee Desire of things hurtfull . commonly desire such things as are most hurtfull for vs . ]

A Stag [ of a time ] * * beholding . viewing himselfe in a very cleare r r spring , or water . fountaine , approues * * the tall [ or long ] and branched hornes of his forehead . his high & branching horns , but condemnes the smaleness of his * * legs . shankes . Bechaunce * * whilst ●e beholds whilst he iudgeth . as hee is viewing and iudging himselfe , the hunter * * comes betweene . comes in the meane time : * * The stag flyeth away Hee fleeth more * * swift . swiftly than darts , * * and more swift than the East wind . and the Eastwind driuing the * * great rain , or stormes . shoures . The dogges * * earnestly follow , or chase . pursue [ him ] fleeing . But whenas hee * * had entered . entered into a very thick wood , [ his ] hornes are * * wrapped . intangled in the r r branches . boughes , and then r r at last . at length hee praised his r r shanks . legs , and condemned [ his ] hornes , which * * made that he should be [ or was ] caused him to becom a prey vnto the dogs .

Mor. ] We desire things to bee * * fled . auoided , and wee r r shun . flee the things which are to bee desired . [ Those things ] please [ vs ] which hurt [ vs , ] and those things displease [ vs ] which * * profit . doe vs good . Wee * * couet . desire blessednesse , before wee vnderstand where it is . Wee seek the excellency of riches , and the r r statelinesse . loftinesse of honours ▪ wee thinke blessednesse * * to be set . to consist in these things , in which , notwithstanding , there is much labour and griefe . That our * * Poet making songs to be sung to the harpe . harping Poet r r expresseth . signifieth * * fairely . no●ably .

The r r great . huge pine tree * * is tossed more often . is more often tossed with the windes , and the r r high , or stately lofty towers fall downe with the greater fall .

* * And the lightnings , or thunderbolts . The lightnings also smite the highest mountaines .

37 Of a viper and a file , [ teaching Foolish opposition against them who are too hard for vs . vs to meddle with our match . ]

A Viper [ of a time ] finding a file in a r r workehouse . shop , began to gnawe [ it . ] The file smiled , * * what , quoth it , thou foole ? saying , What foole ? what doest thou ? Thou * * shalt weare thy teeth to thee . mayest weare out thy teeth , before thou canst weare mee , which am wont to bite vpon the hardnesse of brasse .

Mor. ] See * * againe & againe . carefully , with whom * * the matter is to you . you haue to doe . If you * * sharpen . wh●t your teeth against * * a strongerman a stronger , you shall not hurt him , but your selfe .

38 Of wolues and lambs , [ teaching Foolish depriuing our selues of the meanes of our safety , so laying our selues open to the enimy . vs to beware how wee trust our enemies , deliuering out of our ●ands the meanes of our safety . ]

THere * * hath bene . was [ * * sometimes . of a time ] a r r truce . league * * to the wolues & lambs . between the wolues and lambs , * * to which there is discord by nature . which naturally doe disagree , * * pledges in wa● hostages beeing giuen on both sides . The wolues gaue their r r yong ones . whelps , r r the sheep [ gaue ] the band . the sheep the company of their dogges . The sheep beeing quiet & feeding , the * * little wolues . young wolues * * vtter howlings howle out for the desire of [ their ] * * mothers . 〈◊〉 . Then the r r old wolues . wolues rushing in [ vpon them ] * * cryed out oftentimes [ their ] fidelity and the league to be dissolued cried out , complayning that they had broken [ their ] fidelity and the * * couenant of peace . league , and teare in peeces the sheep , beeing left destitute of the r r garriso● , or defence . aide of [ their ] dogges .

Mor. ] * * If you deliuer your garrisons to the enimy in a league , it is vnskilfulnesse , or folly . It is a foolishnes if in a truce you deliuer the meanes of your safety to the enemy . For hee that hath been an enemy , hath not yet perchance left off to bee an enemy : yea peraduenture hee will take an * * cause . occasion , * * wherfore he may com vpon you of a sudden being naked , [ or destitute ] of aid [ or defence ] that hee may set vpon you beeing destitute of succour .

39 Of a wood and a countrie-man , [ teaching vs to beware wherein Gratifying our enimies to our hurt . and how wee gratifie our enemies . ]

AT what time * * their owne [ or proper ] speech was to the trees . the trees spake , a countrie-man came vnto a woode , desiring * * that it may be lawfull to take . that he might take a r r halme , or stoale . helue for his hatchet . The woode * * noddeth vnto it assenteth vnto [ him . ] The countrie-man * * his hatchet being fitted . hauing fitted his hatchet , beganne to cut downe the trees . Then r r but. and indeed too late it repented the wood of her r r readinesse to yeeld , or be intreated . facility . It grieued her to * * be . haue beene the cause of her own destruction .

Mor. ] r r Take heed . See , of whom you deserue well . There haue beene many , who * * a benefit being receiued . hauing receiued a benefit , haue abused it * * vnto . to the destruction of the r r giuer . authour .

40 Of the * * members or parts of the body , or ioynts . limmes and the belly , Necessity of friendship , and gratifying others . [ declaring the necessity of gratifying others . ]

THe foote and hand of a time accused the belly , for that their gaines were deuoured by it * * being idle . liuing in idlenesse . They command that it labour , or that it * * require . seeke not to bee nourished . It beseecheth them * * once and againe . once , or twice : yet notwithstanding , the hands deny * * nourishment [ or reliefe ] vnto it . to relieue it . The belly being * * ●pent . consumed r r by famine or hunger . thorough lacke of foode , when all the limmes began to * * fayle . faint , then at length the hands would be * * dutifull or officious . kinde : but that too late . For the belly beeing * * weake . feeble thorough * * disuse lacke of vse , * * bet or put backe , or refused . repelled [ all ] meate : so whilst all the limmes enuy the belly , they perish * * with the belly perishing . together with the belly .

Mor. ] * * Humane society hath it self so , euen as it is in the society of &c. It is euen so in humane society , like as in the society of the members . * * A member needeth a member . One member needs another , [ and ] a friend needeth a friend . Wherefore wee must vse r r duties of one another . mutuall kindnesses , [ and ] mutuall r r good turnes workes ; [ for ] neither riches , nor the * * tops of dignities , honours , or preferments . highest dignities * * do defend a man sufficiently . can sufficiently defend a man . The onely and chiefe * * garrison , or ayde . stay is the friendship of * * very many men . very many .

41 Of an ape and a fox-cub [ teaching Miserablenesse in the rich , who cannot part with ought to the poore . that the rich had rather hurt themselues with too much , than to part with ought to the poore . ]

AN ape intreates a foxecub , that shee would giue her a part of her tayle , to couer [ her ] buttocks : * * for [ that thing ] to be a burden to her [ viz. the cub ] which would be a vse and an honour to herself . for that , that was a burthen to her , which would bee of vse and an honour to her selfe . * * She answereth . The cubbe answereth , * * there to be nothing too much . that she had nothing too much , and * * herself to will rather . that shee had rather haue the ground to be r r brushed . swept with her tayle , r r than to couer the ape● buttocks with it . than the buttocks of the ape to bee couered .

Mor. ] There are which need , there are others * * to whom it doth abound who haue too much , yet notwithstanding , * * that fashion is to none of the rich , that he may blesse the needy with his superstuous matter [ or goods ] it is not the manner of any of the rich , to blesse the needy with their superfluity .

42 Of a * * hart . stag and oxen , [ teaching Difficulty of preseruing our selues in perill . the difficulty of preseruing our selues in extreame perill . ]

A Stagge [ of a time ] * * fleeing the hunter . flying from the hunter , * * cast himselfe into a stall [ or stable . ] betooke himselfe into an oxe-house ; hee * * prayeth , or beseecheth . entreates the oxen that * * it may be lawfull to ly hid in the stall or cratch he might hide himselfe in the cribbe . The oxen * * denyit to be safe . tell him , that it cannot be safe ; for * * both the master and the seruants to be about to be present . that the master and seruants would be present by and by : hee saith , that he should bee safe ; so that they betray him not : The seruant entereth in , seeth him not , being hidde in the hay , goeth out . The stagge [ began ] * * to ges●ore , or skip for ioy . to bee proude , and to feare nothing now . Then one of the oxen beeing r r sage . graue both in age and counsell , * * said , it It was an easie thing ( quoth hee ) to deceiue was an easy thing to deceiue &c. him which is a * * molewarpe , or want , as blinde as a molewarpe . mole , but that thou shouldest lie hid from the master , who is * * Argu● , w●om the Poets f●ne to haue had an hundreth eyes . as quicke sighted as Argus , this is the worke , [ and ] this is the labour . * * S●ight way afterwards . By and by after , the master entreth in : * * who viewing [ or marking ] ●ll things &c. to the end that he may amend . who that hee may correct the negligence of his seruant , viewing all things with his eyes , and * * trying the crib . groping in the crib with his hand , catcheth holde of the hornes of the stag vnder the hay ; he r r cals out vnto cries out vnto [ his ] seruants , they run vnto [ him ] * * compasse in [ or inclose ] the wild beast . shut in the stag [ and ] * * catch . take him .

Mor. ] r r Places of harbour or succour . Hiding places are hard to bee found * * in aduerse thing● . in aduersity and dangers : either for that fortune doth still * * tosse , or ve● . pursue * * miserable [ men . ] men in misery as it hath begunne , or else because they beeing hindered by feare , & void of counsel , do betray themselues through their * * want of wisdome or foresight , or by their owne folly or indiscretion . lacke of heed .

43 Of a lion & a foxcub : [ warning Belieuing faire words . vs to beware of faire words and how we trust our enemie ; to coniecture of wordes by former deeds . ]

A Lion was sick , the * * liuing creatures came to see [ his ] beast● visited him , the fox-cub alone deferring [ his ] * * homage , or seruice . dutie . The lion sends an embassage vnto [ * * this fox . her , ] with * * an epistle which admonisheth her to come . a letter admonishing her to come . [ Saying ] * * the presence of her onely to be a most acceptable thing to [ him ] being sicke . that the presence of her onely would be most acceptable [ to him ] being sick . * * nor any thing of danger to be . Neither that there would be any danger wherfore the fox should feare . For * * first indeed the lion to be most friendly &c. that first of all the lion was indeed most friendly to the foxe , and therfore * * to desire . desired earnestly * * the speech of her [ or conference with her ] to haue speech with her . Moreouer , * * to be sicke and to ly downe . that he was now sicke , and kept his bedde , that although hee * * will . would doe that which was not [ intended ] yet he * * cannot . could not hurt [ her . ] The fox writeth backe , * * herself to wish . that she wisheth that the lion may recouer his health againe , and * * herself to intreat the Gods that thing . that she would pray for that of the God● , but yet * * not to visit [ him ] that shee would not come to see [ him . ] * * herself to be terrified . That shee was terrified with the footsteppes ; * * which steps indeed when as all are turned towards . which indeed sith they were all towards the den of the lion and none turning back , * * that thing to be a token many indeed of the liuing creatures to haue entred in , but none to haue gone forth . that it was a token that many beasts had entered in , but that none had come forth . Horace ;

I will * * relate [ or returne ] that , viz. that answere . returne that , which * * in time past , or sometime . once the wily foxe answered the sick lion , because the footsteps terrifie [ me ] ,

All of them looking towards thee , none back again .

Mor. ] Take heed [ how ] you trust words , vnlesse you * * for that all the footsteps looking towards thee , non● backe againe , do terrify me . take good heed , * * shall beware you * words shall be given you of●time shall r r be deceiued oft times . oft haue words [ only ] giuen you . * * A coniecture is to be taken or made . Wee are to take a coniecture both of words and of deeds , and r r we are to iudge of mens words by their deeds . those are to be iudged * * of these . by these .

44 Of * * a fox-cub . a foxe and a weesill , Discontent with a meane estate . [ teaching vs to be content with a meane estate , rather than by prosperity to endanger our selues . ]

[ OF a time ] a fox beeing * * thin or 〈◊〉 . slender with long r r hunger , or scarcity of victuals . lack of meate , crept bechance into a corne chamber through * * a more narrow cleft , chinke or 〈◊〉 . a very straight hole . In which when she had r r well fed herself . b●n well fed , * * her belly being ouer filled hindered her afterwards : 〈◊〉 to goe forth againe . and afterward trying to goe forth againe , her belly beeing ouermuch stretched out hindered her . A weesill * * beholding her a far off wrastling [ or striuing ] to get out . farre off seeing [ her ] * * admonisheth . struggling , at length * aduiseth [ her ] [ that ] if she desire to goe out , that shee returne to the hole being * * leane , or thin . empty , at which she entered in when she was empty .

Mor. ] You may see very many to be merry and cheerefull in * * mediocrity . a meane estate , void of cares , r r free from . without [ all ] troubles of minde . But if these shall * * be made rich . become rich , you shall see them to goe * * sad or sorrowfull heauily , neuer * * to stretch out their forehead to looke cheerefully , [ but ] full of care , [ and ] ouerwhelmed with r r griefes . troubles of minde . Horace * * sings or sets out in verse . sets out this fable thus ;

Bechance a * * slender or thin . gaunt fox had crept thorough a narrowe * * cleft or hole . cranny into * * a chamber of corn● a corn chamber , and being fedde * * stretched herselfe or indeuoured assayed in vaine to goe * * abroad . forth againe * * with a full body , or her body being full . when her belly was full .

To whom a weesill [ seeing her ] a farre off said , if thou wilt escape thence .

* * see that thou seek againe [ or goe againe ] leane [ or empty ] to the streight hole . Seek to goe againe beeing leane [ thorough ] the narrowe cranny , which thou * * wentest vnder . wentest in at when thou wast leane .

45 Of a horse and a stag , [ teaching Losing liberty for anoyding pouerty . vs to take heed that for escaping pouerty , we lose not liberty . ]

A Hors● [ of a time ] * * made w●r , or waged battell , or warred . fought with a stagge . But being at length driuen forth of the pastures , he earnestly intreats the help of man . * * He returneth Returnes with the man , goeth downe into the * * field . pasture , [ so ] he that was conquered before r r becomes now . is now made the conquerour . But yet neuerthelesse , the enemy being ouercomn & * * sent vnder the yoke . brought vnder , * * it is necessary that the conqueror himself se●ue the man . the conquerour himselfe must needs serue the man . [ Whereupon ] he beares the horseman on his back , & the bridle in his mouth .

Mor. ] Many * * fight . striue against pouerty , r r which pouerty . which beeing ouercomne thorough [ good ] fortune and industry , * * oft times the liberty of the conquerour perisheth or is lost ] they oft-times lose their liberty . For , beeing indeed Lords and conquerours of pouerty , they begin to serue riches , are driuen with the whips of couerousnesse , [ and ] are curbed in with the bridles of * * ouermuch sparing . niggardlinesse , neither yet doe they keepe [ any ] measure in * * of seeking [ riches ] seeking ; neither yet indeed dare they vse the things which they haue gotten , * * by the iust [ or thorow the &c. for a iust punishment of their couetousnesse . Horace [ saith ] concerning this matter .

* * A stag being better in fight droue away a horse from the common herbs [ or grasse ] A stag [ of a time ] being too hard for a horse in fight , draue him form the common pasture , vntill [ the horse ] being * * lesse in long flrift or contention . too weak in that long fight ,

* * earnestly besought . Implored the * * helps . helpe of man , and receiued the bridle [ of that condition . ]

* * the horse hauing now gotten the conquest . So after that , r r But. the violent conquerour departed from r r the stag . the enemy ,

Hee r r reiected , or cast off . repelled not the horse-man from [ his ] back , * * nor [ put away or remoued ] the bridle . nor the bridle from his mouth .

So the * * vnhappy , or foolish man . poor cayti●e , who fearing * * wants . pouerty , loseth liberty , better than * * metalls . gould , shall carry [ his ] master .

And he * * shall serue , o● be a seru●nt . shall be a slaue for euer who r r cannot tell . wil not know [ how ] r r to be content with . to vse a little .

FINIS .