Page:Three hundred Aesop's fables (Townshend).djvu/81

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The Fables of Æsop
75

being still fastened to the leg of the Mouse, was also carried off a prisoner, and was eaten by the Hawk.

Harm hatch, harm catch.


THE FISHERMAN AND HIS NETS.

A Fisherman, engaged in his calling, made a very successful cast, and captured a great haul of fish. He managed by a skilful handling of his net to retain all the large fish, and to draw them to the shore; but he could not prevent the smaller fish from falling back through the meshes of the net into the sea.


THE WOLF AND THE SHEEP.

A Wolf, sorely wounded and bitten by dogs, lay sick and maimed in his lair. Being in want of food, he called to a Sheep, who was passing, and asked him to fetch some water from a stream flowing close beside him. "For," he said, "if you will bring me drink, I will find means to provide myself with meat." "Yes," said the Sheep, "if I should bring you the draught, you would doubtless make me provide the meat also."

Hypocritical speeches are easily seen through.


THE OLD WOMAN AND THE WINE-JAR

An Old Woman found an empty jar which had lately been full of prime old wine, and which still retained the fragrant smell of its former contents. She greedily placed it several times to her nose, and drawing it backwards and forwards said, "O most delicious! How nice must the wine itself have been, when it leaves behind in the very vessel which contained it so sweet a perfume!"

The memory of a good deed lives.