The fables of Pilpay, a famous Indian phylosopher containing many useful rules for the conduct of humane life / made English and address'd to His Highness the Duke of Gloucester.

The Fable of the Derwich, the Falcon, and the Raven.

A Derwich, passing through a Wood, and considering the Wonders of God and Nature, spy'd a Falcon that held a Peice of Flesh in his Beak, and which hovering about a Nest, tore the Flesh into Bits, and gave it a young Raven that lay bald and Featherless in the Nest. The Derwich admiring the Bounty of Gods Providence, in a Rapture of Admi∣ration, Behold this poor Bird, said He, that is not able to see out Sustenance for himself, is not however forsaken of God, who spreads the whole World like a Table, where all Creatures, Friends and Foes have still their Food and Sub∣sistence ready provided for 'em. He extends his Liberality so far, that the Griffin also finds wherewith to Liye upon the Moun∣tain of Caf. Why then am I so greedy, and wherefore do I ran to the ends of the Earth, and Plough up the Ocean for Bread? Is it not bet∣ter that I should hence forward confine my self in repose to a little Corner, and abandon my self to Fortune. Upon this he retir'd to his Cell, where without putting himself to any farther Trouble for any thing in this World, he re∣main'd three Days and three Nights without Victuals. At last, Servant of Mine, said God to him, Know thou, that all things in this World have their Causes: And tho' my Provi∣dence can never be limited, my Wisdom however requires, that Men shall make use of the Means that I have ordain'd 'em. If thou

wouldst imitate any one of the Birds, imitate the Falcon that feeds the Raven, and not the Raven that lies a sluggard in his Nest, and ex∣pects his Food from another.

This Example shews us, that we are not to lead Idle and Lazy Lives under the Pretence of Providence. Then the second Son taking upon him to speak, Sir, said He to his Father, you advise us to Labour, and get Estates and Riches, but when we have heap'd up a great deal of Wealth, what shall we do with it? 'Tis easie to acquire Wealth, reply'd the Father, but a difficult thing to expend it well, and to pre∣serve it. Riches many times prove very fatal, as may be seen by the following Fable.