Page:The Fables of Bidpai (Panchatantra).djvu/115

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THE PROLOGUE.
19

will go fetch company to helpe me home withall, and they shall beare the burden, I will onely pay them, and take mine ease, tush I haue at will to content them: and thus in one day I come home and finde my Cofers filled. With this minde resolued forth he goeth and calleth men togithers, bringing them with him to this Golden masse of coyne, where he giueth eche man his burden, anb byddeth them hye them to his house. These bearers now departing with their burdens, ouercome with desire of the money, and greedy of this praie, in steade of going to the house of this foolishe and unluckie man, they went euery one to his owne house. The husbandman after their departure commeth leysurel home without any burden, lyke a man of welth, as one that thought himselfe a Lorde at home, meening to haue founde his richesse there. But when he was entered his house, and hearde nothing of the goodes nor bearers: then all to late he knew his lack and folly, commending their iudgements that with the burden of theire shoulders had made themselues riche. 5o that for treasure he enioyed sorowe. For hee that might haue beene Lorde of all, discreetly gouerning that which good hap had layde on him, deseruedly