. Æsop's fables, embellished with one hundred and eleven emblematical devices . ral a spirit, that heought to belooked upon as the vilest of creatureswho has no sense of it. It is, indeed, so very justand equitable a thing, and so much every mansduty, that, to speak of it properly, one should notmention it as any thing meritorious, or that mayclaim praise and admiration, any more than weshould say a man ought to be rewarded or com-mended for not killing his father, or forbearingto set fire to his neighbours house. The brightand shining piece of morality, therefore, whichis recommended to us in
. Æsop's fables, embellished with one hundred and eleven emblematical devices . ral a spirit, that heought to belooked upon as the vilest of creatureswho has no sense of it. It is, indeed, so very justand equitable a thing, and so much every mansduty, that, to speak of it properly, one should notmention it as any thing meritorious, or that mayclaim praise and admiration, any more than weshould say a man ought to be rewarded or com-mended for not killing his father, or forbearingto set fire to his neighbours house. The brightand shining piece of morality, therefore, whichis recommended to us in this fable, is set forthin this example of the Dove, who, without anyobligation or expectation, does a voluntary officeof charity to its fellow creature in distress. Theconstant uninterrupted practice of this virtue, isthe only thing in which we are capable of imi-tating the great Author of our being; whosebeloved Son, besides the many precepts he hasgiven to enforce this duty, used this expressionas a common saying, It is more blessed to givethan to receive. 256 FABLE THE MON IN LOVE. The Lion, by chance, saw a fair Maid, theforesters daughter, as she Avas tripping over ulawn, and fell in love with her. Nay, so violentwas his passion, that he could not live unless hemade her his owu; so that, without any moredelay, he broke his mind to the father, and de-manded the damsel for his wife. The man, asodd as the proposal seemed at first, yet soonrecollected, that by ct)inplying he might get theLion into his power; but, by refusing him,should only exasperate and provoke his he consented; but told him it nnist beupon these conditions: that, considering the girlwas young and tender, he must agree to let histeeth be plucked out, and his claws cut off, lesthe should hurt her, or at least frighten her, withthe apprehension of llieni. The l/ion was loo FABLE CIX. 257 much in love to hesitate; but was no soonerdeprived of liis teetii and claws, tLan the treach-erous
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Keywords: ., bookauthoraesop, bookcentury1800, bookdec, booksubjectfablesgreek
