Page:Fables of Aesop and other eminent mythologists.djvu/96

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42
Æſop's FABLES.

Fab. XXXIX.

A Bat and a Weazle.

A Weazle had ſeizd upon a Bat, and the Bat begg'd for Life. No, No, ſays the Weazle, I give No Quarter to Birds. Ay (ſays the Bat) but I'm a Mouſe you fee; look on my Body elſe: and ſo ſhe got off for That Bout. The ſame Bat had the Fortune to be Taken a While after by Another Weazle; and there the Poor Bat was forc'd to beg for Mercy once again. No, ſays the Weazle, No Mercy to a Mouſe. Well (fays 'Tother,) but you may ſee by my Wings that I'm a Bird; and ſo the Bat ſcap'd in Both Capacities, by Playing the Trimmer.


Fab. XL.

A Bat, Birds, and Beaſts.

UPon a Deſperate and a Doubtful Battel betwixt the Birds and the Beaſts, the Bat ſtood Neuter, 'till ſhe found that the Beaſts had the Better on't, and then went over to the Stronger ſide. But it came to paſs afterward (as the Chance of War is Various) that the Birds Rally'd their Broken Troups, and carry'd the Day; and away ſhe went Then to 'Tother Party, where ſhe was Try'd by a Councel of War as a Deſerter; Stript, Baniſh'd, and finally Condemn'd never to ſee Daylight again.


Fab. XLI.

An Estriche, Birds, and Beaſts.

THe Eſtriche is a Creature that paſſes in Common Reputation, for Half-Bird, Half-Beaſt. This Amphibious Wretch happen'd to be Taken Twice the ſame Day, in a Battel betwixt the Birds and the Beaſts, and as an Enemy to Both Parties. The Birds would have him to be a Beaſt, and the Beaſts Concluded him to be a Bird; but upon ſhewing his Feet to Prove that he was No Bird, and upon ſhewing his Wings, and his Beak, to prove that he

was