. Fables of Aesop and others. mekings and rulers of the people do, when they tell them, that theprojects which they have contrived with a separate view, andfor their own private interests, are laid for the benefit of all thatwill come to them. And to such the black-bird truly speaks,when he affirms, that erectors of such schemes will find but fewto stick by them at the long run. We exclaim against it, as something very base and dishonest,when those of a different nation, and even our enemies, breakthe faith which they have publicly plighted, and tricked us outof our properties. But what must w
. Fables of Aesop and others. mekings and rulers of the people do, when they tell them, that theprojects which they have contrived with a separate view, andfor their own private interests, are laid for the benefit of all thatwill come to them. And to such the black-bird truly speaks,when he affirms, that erectors of such schemes will find but fewto stick by them at the long run. We exclaim against it, as something very base and dishonest,when those of a different nation, and even our enemies, breakthe faith which they have publicly plighted, and tricked us outof our properties. But what must we call it, when governorsthemselves circumvent their own people, and contrary to theforms upon which they are admitted to govern, contrive trapsand gins to catch and ensnare them in? Such governors maysucceed in their plots the first time; but must not be surprised,if those who have once escaped their clutches, never have opin-ion enough of them to trust them for tlie future. ^SOPS FABLES. 166 FAB. LXXXVI. Jupiter and Once upon a time, the heathen gods had a mind toadopt each a particular free into their patronage andtuition. Jupiter chose the oak; Venus was pleased toname the myrtle: Apollo pitched upon the laurel;Cybele took the pine; and Hercules the poplar. Pallasbeing present, expressed her admiration at their fan-cy in making choice of trees that bore nothing. Ojsays Jupiter, the reason of that is plain enough, for wewould not be thought to dispense our favours withany mercenary view. You may do as you please, saysshe, but let the olive be my trre; and I declare thatmy reason for choosing it is, because it bears plentyof noble useful fruit. Upon which the thunderer,putting on a serious composed gravity, spoke thus tothe goddess:—Indeed, daughter, it is not without jus-tice that you are so celebrated for your wisdom: for,unless some benefit attends our actions, to perforiuthem only for the sake of glory is but a silly busineas. lea iESOPS APPLICATION.
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