36. Of the Eagle, and the dung-Beetle.
1. AN Eagle pursued an Hare; the Hare not knowing what to do, seeing a Beetle, which the opportunity offered her, besought help of it: to whom the Beetle promised safety, and its protection.
2. Afterwards, when the beetle saw the Eagle drawing near, it in∣treats her, that she would not take us servant away from it by force.
3. But the Eagle scorning the beetle's littleness, devoured the hare be∣fore its face.
4. But the beetle remembring the wrong done it, minded where the Eagle built.
5. Lo, the Eagle layeth her eggs, the beetle being carried aloft with its wings, flies to the Eagle's nest, and rowling out the eggs, threw them down to the ground.
6. The eagle being grieved for the loss of her eggs, flew to Jupiter (for she is a bird consecrated to that god) and desired him, that she might have a safe place granted to lay her eggs in.
7. Jupiter gave her leave, that when the time comes, she should lay her eggs in his lap.
8. The beetle foreseeing this, made a ball of dung, and flying up on high, let it fall upon Jupiters lap.
9. Jupiter being desirous to shake the ball out of his lap, shak'd out the Eagles eggs also with it.
10. From that time to this, they say, the eagle never layeth whilst the beetles are in being.
Mor. This fable signifieth, that no man surely is to be despised; be∣cause there is no body that receiveth a wrong, but may seek to revenge himself when time serveth.