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 vertuous Woman and the young Faulconer.

A Very honest Citizen had a Wife no less mo∣dest then beautiful. Among the rest of his Servants he had a young Lad that was ve∣ry vicious, but he could not find in his heart to put him away, because he was a good Faulconer. Now in regard it is the Custom of the Eastern People to keep their Women very private, this Lad for a long time had never seen his Mistress. But having view'd her one Day by accident, he became passionate∣ly in love with her. He courted her by the means of a Female Solicitrix; but both he and she lost all their labour, because he had to do with a vertuous Woman. At length, despairing to prosper in his Amours, he chang'd his Love into Hatred, and medi∣tated a most bloody Revenge. To which effect, he went and bought two Parrots: One of which he taught to pronounce these Words, I saw my Mistress a bed with the Faulconer. And the other, For my part, I say nothing. In a little time after, the Citizen having in∣vited certain of his Friends to a great Feast, when every body was seated at the Table, these Parrots began to repeat their Lesson. Now you must understand that the Faulconer had taught these Parrots to speak these words in his own Country Language. Which be∣cause the Master, Mistress, nor any of the Servants understood, no body minded what they said. But the Guests, who happen'd to

be the Faulconer's Country-men, no sooner heard the Parrots, but they forbore Eating. The Citizen astonish'd, ask'd 'em the reason. Do ye not understand, answer'd the Guests, what these Birds say? No— reply'd the Citizen. Why, they say, said the Guest that spoke first, they say that your Faulconer has made you a Cuckold. The Citizen had bin so surpriz'd at these words, that he begg'd pardon of his Friends for having invited 'em to a place where so much uncleanness had been committed. The Faulconer also, the more to exasperate his Master against his Wife, confess'd the Fact, and said 'twas true. Which put the Citizen into so great a Rage, that he order'd his Wife to be put to Death.

But when they that were order'd to exe∣cute her Husband's Command came to her, she told 'em, that she was ready to suffer the Punishment which he thought fit to inflict upon her; however, she could have wish'd he would have heard her first; for that if her In∣nocence should afterwards come to be known, his Repentance would be too late. This being reported to her Husband, he sent for her into a little Closet, whither he order'd her to come veil'd, and bid her justify her self, if she could. For the Parrots, said he, are no rational Creatures, and therefore cannot be accus'd either of Imposture or Bribery: How then will you justifie your self?

You are bound, answer'd the Woman, to be well assur'd of the truth before you con∣demn me. Ask those Gentlemen then, whe∣ther they observe any variety of Relation in the Parrot's Speech, or whether they only repeat

the same thing over and over again. If they only repeat the same thing, be convinc'd that it is only a Device made use of by your Servant, to provoke your underserved anger against me, because he could not obtain those Favours from me which he desir'd.

The Citizen judging by her prudent Advice that the Woman might not be guilty, went to his Guests, carry'd 'em the Parrots, and de∣sir'd 'em diligently to observe for two or three Days, whether the Birds spoke any thing else besides what they had heard: Which the Guests accordingly did. In short they found that the Parrots were always in the same Lesson; of which they inform'd the Citizen, who then acknowledg'd the innocence of his Wife, and was sensible of the Malice of his Servant, whom he sent for. The Faulconer instantly appear'd with his Hawk upon his Fist; to whom the Woman, Villain, said she, how didst thou dare to accuse me of so foul a Crime? Because you were guilty, answer'd the Servant. But he had no sooner utter'd the Words, when the Hawk upon his Fist flew in his Face and tore out his Eyes. This was the Fruit of his insolence, and slanderous Malice.

This Example, said Damna, pursuing his Discourse, instructs us, how hainous a thing it is to bear false Witness: For it always turns to our Shame and Confusion. After Damna had done speaking, the Lion looking upon his Mother, ask'd her Opinion. I find, answer'd she, that you have a kindness for this wicked Varlet, who will cause nothing

but Faction and Disorder in your Court, if you have not a great Care. I beseech you, re∣ply'd the Lion, to tell me who has so strongly prepossess'd you against Damna. 'Tis but too true, reply'd the Queen Mother, that he has committed the Crime that is lay'd to his Charge, but I shall not discover the Person who entrusted me with this Secret. However I will go to him, and ask him whether he will be willing that I should bring him in for a Witness: And so saying, she went home im∣mediately and sent for the Leopard.

When he was come, go, said she at my re∣quest, and boldly declare what thou knowst concerning Damna. Madam answer'd the Leopard, you know that I am ready to sacri∣fice my Life to your Majesties Commands, dispose of me as you please. With that she carry'd the Leopard to the King, to whom, Sir, said she, here is an undeniable Witness which I have to produce against Damna. Then the Lion addressing himself to the Leopard, ask'd him what proofs he had of the Delin∣quents Treason. Sir, answer'd the Leopard, I was willing to conceal this Truth on pur∣pose for sometime, to see what reasons he would bring to justifie himself. Then the Leopard made a long recital of what had past between Kalila and her Husband. Which deposition being made in the hearing of seve∣ral Beasts, was soon divulg'd far and near, and then confirm'd by a second Testimony, which was the Bear, of whom I made menti∣on before. After this the Delinquent was ask'd what he had to say for himself: But then he had not a Word more to say: Which

at length determin'd the Lion to pronounce Sentence, that Damna, as a Traytour, should be shut up between four Walls, and there starv'd to Death.

These two Chapters are lessons to Deceiv∣ers and Sycophants, that they ought to re∣form their Manners: And I think I have sufficiently made it out, that Slanderers and Backbiters for the most part, come to an unfortunate End; besides, that they render themselves Odious to all human Society. He that plants Thorns, must never expect to gather Roses.