claimed, "O wretched me! that those whom I cheer with my fruit should repay me with these painful requitals!"
There are many thoughtless people, who return only evil for good.
(Fable 188 Halm; Townsend's translation.)
THE THIEVES AND THE COCK
SOME Thieves broke into a house, and found nothing but a Cock, whom they stole, and got off as fast as they could. On arriving at home they proceeded to kill the Cock, who thus pleaded for his life: "Pray spare me; I am very serviceable to men. I wake them up in the night to their work." "That is the very reason why we must the more kill you," replied the Thieves; "for when you wake your neighbours, you entirely put an end to our business."
The safeguards of virtue are hateful to the evil-disposed.
(Fable 195 Halm; Townsend's translation.)
THE THIEF AND THE INNKEEPER
A THIEF hired a room in a tavern, and stayed some days, in the hope of stealing something which should enable him to pay his reckoning. When he had waited some days in vain, he saw the Innkeeper dressed in a new and handsome coat, and sitting before his door. The Thief sat down beside him, and talked with him. As the conversation began to flag, the Thief yawned terribly, and at the same time howled like a Wolf. The Innkeeper said, "Why do you howl so fearfully?" "I will tell you," said the Thief: "but first let me ask you to hold my clothes, for I wish to leave them in
