FAB. I. The Cock and the Precious Stone.
[illustration]
A Dunghil Cock scratching in a Heap of Dirt, espyed a Precious Stone, on which casting a scornful Eye, What a glittering thing, said he,
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.
About this Item
- Title
- 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.
- Author
- Ayres, Philip, 1638-1712.
- Publication
- London :: Printed for Thomas Hawkins,
- 1689.
- Rights/Permissions
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- Subject terms
- Fables.
- Cite this Item
-
"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." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A26524.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 15, 2024.
Pages
Page 2
art thou? Had a Jeweller, who knew thy value, been so happy to find thee, he would have re∣joyced, for thou mightest have made him rich: But since thou art of no Benefit to me, I despise thee, and should rather have found a Grain of Barly, than all the Sparkling Gemms of the World.
By this Precious Stone may be meant Wisdom and Arts, and by the Dunghil Cock an Ignorant man, who has no Love for Knowledge, because he un∣derstands not its Value. Again, The Cock may also signifie the Covetous and the Luxurious man, both which spend their Lives scratching amongst the Dirt of the World: The former in a search after Riches, the latter in satisfying his Brutish Lusts: And tho they have opportunities of acqui∣ring Wisdom, are yet of so depraved a Nature, that they had rather gratifie their sordid Appe∣tites, than be possessors of that inestimable Iewel. But 'tis probable the Author of this Fable might more particularly allude to those who scorn this kind of Learning, which in former Ages has been held in great esteem. Such men know not the va∣lue of these Precious Gemms, but raking in the Dunghil of unprofitable Books, had rather find some piece of Filthy Debauchery, than suck the Honey out of these fragrant Flowers. Optima saepè despecta: The best things are commonly despised.