and in Publique Caſes as well as in Private; for there is Nothing more Frequent, then for People to take their Oppreſſors for their Protectors, and their Protectors for Oppreſſors: As the Bees here Spar'd the Thief and fell foul upon them Keeper. This is the very Humour of the Mobile when they Miſtake their Man.
Fab. CLXVII.
A Kingsfiſher.
THE Kingsfiſher is a Solitary Bird, that Wonts commonly by the Water-ſide, and Neſtles in Hollow Banks to be out of reach of the Fowlers. One of Theſe Birds happen’d to be forraging abroad for her Young Ones, and in This Interim, comes a Raging Torrent, that waſhes away Neſt, Birds and all. Upon her Return, finding how 'twas with her, ſhe brake out into This Exclamation: Unhappy Creature that I am! to fly from the bare Apprehenſion of One Enemy, into the Mouth of Another.
The MORAL.
REFLEXION.
MANY People apprehend Danger Where there’s None, and fancy themſelves to be Out of Danger where there’s moſt of All. As the Fellow gave God Thanks at Sea when the Ship Struck upon a Sand, for bringing him into Shallow Water again, where he could feel the Bottom. This is to Mind us, That there is No State of Life ſo Secure, as not to lie Open to a Thouſand Difficulties and Dangers; and that it is not Poſſible for the Wit of Man to Provide againſt All Contingencies. There’s No Fence againſt Inundations, Earth-quakes, Hurricanes, Peſtilential Vapours and the like; and therefore it is Our Part, and Duty, to Hope, and Endeavor the Beſt, and at the Same Time to provide for the Worſt that can Befall Us. That which cannot be Helpt, muſt be Born.
Fab. CLXVIII.
Fiſhing in Troubled Waters.
A Fiſher-man had Order’d his Net, for a Draught, and ſtill as he was Gathering it up, he Daſh’d the Water, to Fright the Fiſh into the Bag. Some of the Neighbourhood that look’don
