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 Fox and the Hen.

SIR, Pursu'd Damna, there was a certain Fox in a Wood who was eagerly searching about for somthing to appease his Hunger, and at length he spy'd a Hen, that was busily scratching the Earth and picking up the Worms at the Foot of a Tree. Upon the same Tree also hung a Drum which made a Noise every time the Branches, being mov'd by the Violence of the Wind, beat upon it. Now the Fox was just going to fling himself upon the Hen, at what time he heard the Noise of the Drum. Oh ho, quoth he, looking up, are ye there, I'll be with ye by and by, that Body must cer∣tainly have more flesh then a sorry Hen: And so saying, he clamber'd up the Tree, while the Hen made her Escape. When he had seiz'd his Prey, he fell to work with his Teeth and his Claws, and an Appetite as Keen as a Razor. But after he had torn off the Head of the Drum, and met with nothing but an empty Concavity; Air instead of Flesh and Gristles, and a mear Hollowness instead of good Guts and Garbidge, then fetching a deep sigh, unfortunate Wretch, cry'd He, what a Delicate Morsel have I lost, for the shew of a larger Belliful!

I have recited this Example, to the end your Majesty may not be terrify'd with the sound of the Bellowing Noise you hear, because loud and strenuous; and if you please I'll go and see what sort of Creature it is. To which the Li∣on consented; but when Damna was gone, he

repented his having sent him away. For, said the King to himself, 'tis a great Error in a Prince to discover his secrets to ten sorts of Persons; 1. To those whom he has ill us'd without a Cause. 2. To those who have lost their Estates or their Honour at Court. 3. To those who have been Degraded from their Em∣ployments without any hopes of ever being re∣stor'd to 'em again. 4. To those that love no∣thing but Sedition and Disturbance. 5. To those that see their Kindred or Acquaintance in Pre∣ferments from whence themselves have been Excluded. 6. To such as having committed any Crime have been more severely Punish'd then others who have transgress'd in the sameman∣ner. 7. To such as have done good Service, and have been ill rewarded. 8. To Enemies re∣concil'd by Constraint. 9. To those who be∣lieve the Ruin of the Prince will turn to their Advantage. 10. To those that believe them∣selves less Oblig'd to their Sovereign then to his Enemy. Therefore I have done impru∣dently in discovering my secrets to Damna.

While the King was making these Reflexi∣ons to himself, Damna return'd, and told him, that the Beast which made such a Noise was no other then an Ox, that was feeding in a Meadow without any other design then to spend his Days lazily in Eating and Sleeping, Moreover, added Damna, if your Majesty thinks it convenient, I will so order the matter, that he shall be glad to come and enroll himself in the Number of your Servants. The Lion was extreamly pleas'd with Damna's Proposals, and made him a sign to go and fetch the Ox into his Presence. Thereupon, Damna went

immediatly to Chotorbe, and ask'd him from whence he came, and what Accident had brought him into those Quarters? In answer to which, when Chotorbe had satisfy'd Damna's Curiosity, then Damna, Friend, said He, here lives a Lion not far off, who is the King of all the Beasts of the Country, and he has given me orders to conduct thee to his Palace. If thou wilt follow me, I promise thee the favour of being admitted into his Service and Protecti∣on; but if thou refusest to go a long with me, know that thou hast not many Days to live in this Place. So soon as the Ox did but hear the Word Lion pronounc'd, he trembl'd for fear, and made Damna this answer, If thou wilt assure me that he shall do me no harm I will fol∣low thee. Damna Swore to him, and Chotor∣be upon the Faith of his Oaths consented to go and wait upon the Lion: upon which Dam∣na ran before to give the King Notice of Cho∣torbe's coming; who arriving soon after, made a profound Reverence to the King, who re∣ceiv'd him with great Kindness, and ask'd him what Occasion had brought him into his Domi∣nions? In answer to which when the Ox had recounted to him all his Adventures: Remain here, said the Lion, and enjoy thy Peace; for I permit my Subjects to live all within my Do∣minions, in repose and tranquillity. The Ox having return'd his Majesty Thanks for his kind Reception promis'd to serve him with a Real Fidelity. And at length Chotorbe insinuated himself in such a Manner into the Lion's Favour, that he gain'd his Majesties Confidence, and be∣came his most Intimate Favourite.

When Damna saw that Chotorbe was in greater Esteem at Court then himself, and that he was the only Depositary of the King's Secrets, it wrought in him so desperate a Jeal∣ousy, that he could not take his Rest, but was ready to Hang himself. Presently he went and made his Moans to Kalila; Oh my dear Wife, said He, I have taken a World of Care and Pains to gain the King's Favour, and all to no purpose: I brought into his Presence the Object that Occasion'd all his Disturbances, and that very Ox is now become the Sole Cause of my Disquiet. To which Kalila: You ought not to complain of what you have done, or at least you ought to blame no Body but your self: For there is now befallen thee, what for∣merly befel a Monk.