Fables of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists/Fable CXLV
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Fab. CXLV.
A Lark in a Net.
A Poor Lark Enter'd into a Miserable Expostulation with a Bird-Catcher, that had Taken her in his Net, and was just about to put her to Death. Alas (says she) What am I to Dye for now? I am no Thief; I have Stoln neither Gold, nor Silver; but for Making Bold with One Pityful Grain of Corn am I now to Suffer.
The Moral.
'Tis to no Purpose to stand Reasoning where the Adversary is both Party and Judge.
REFLEXION.
‘Tis a Folly, says the Old Moral, for People to run Great Hazard for small Advantage. And why may it not as well Reflet upon the Cruelty of taking away the Life of a Poor Innocent Creature for making bold with One Miferable Grain of Corn, when she was Hungry. But This is All Fore'd, and in Truth, it is a Dry Fable with Little or Nothing in't,
Or to Turn it Another Way yet, Here’s the Life of a Poor Creature in Question, and the Lark Expostulates, and Pleades Not Guilty, but the Belly has No Eares, and the Bird-Catcher is so Intent upon his Interest, and Appetite, that he gives no Heed at all to the Equity of the Plea, which is but according to the Course of the World, when people Measure Right or Wrong by the Rule of their Own Profit or Loss. 'Tis Passion and Partiality that Govern in All These Cases.