The Sallow and Axe. Fab. 58.
THe Sallow of all trees did first give way
To helve the Axe, so doth the fable say,
Who in requitall first of all did put
Her to the sword, and off her armes did cut
Wedges, wherewith shee might the sooner cleave:
The grieved Sallow doth the wrong perceive,
And thus in teares she doth her moane expresse;
To be hewne downe by man, I must confesse,
Doth not so much afflict mee, as to be
Mangled and torne by mine owne progenie,
And by those armes to whom I being gave,
This wounds my heart with griefe, and makes me rave.
Morall.
In adverse time, the injuries we find
From friends untrue, or done by kin unkind,
Doth more afflict us, than wrongs done by foes;
Doubly he falls whom his owne overthrowes.