Mythologia ethica, or, Three centuries of Æsopian fables in English prose done from Æsop, Phædrus, Camerarius, and all other eminent authors on this subject : illustrated with moral, philosophical, and political precepts : also with aphorisms and proverbs in several languages, and adorned with many curious sculptures cut on copper plates / by Philip Ayres, Esq.

FAB. LXXV. The Tanner and the Hunter.

TO a Tanner on a time, came a Hunter, offering to sell him a Bears Skin at a cheap rate, pro∣vided he might have the ready mony paid him down; and confessing that he had it not in his Cu∣stody as yet, but ingaged on the morrow to kill the Bear, and bring him the Skin. Next Morn∣ing the Tanner desirous to see the Sport, with him; climbed up into a Tree, whence he saw the Hunter go boldly to the Caves mouth, and thence with his Dogs rouse a terrible Bear; at whose comming out, the man missing his first thrust, the furious Beast came rushing violently upon the Hunter, and threw him along on the Ground. Now he knowing the Nature of this Creature, which is never to prey on dead Car∣casses, held his Breath, and counterfeited him∣self dead: The Bear smelling about his Face and Ears, and not perceiving him breath, went away. VVhen the Tanner saw the Bear gone, and all the danger over; he came down from the Tree, and bad the Hunter rise; who with the fright was almost dead indeed; But getting up and having recovered his Spirits, the Tanner laughing, asked him what the Bear had whisper∣ed in his Ear? He advised me, answered the Hunter, never for the future, to sell a Bears Skin, till I had first caught, and killed him.

We are not to account of uncertain things, as of things certain. Nor are we to Rejoyce and Sing,

as if we had Conquered, before the Victory be obtained, knowing the uncertainty of War; According to the Old Greek Proverb. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.