82 WASPS AND THEIR WAYS 



" If we will credit /Elianus, the Phasilites, 

 in times past, were constrained to forsake 

 their City, for all their defence, munition, 

 and Armour, all through the multitude and 

 cruel fierceness of the Wasps, wherewith 

 they were annoyed." 



So far from blaming them for thus tor- 

 menting the Phaselites, Mofifett magnani- 

 mously and humorously adds, — 



" Again, this manifestly proveth that they 

 want not a hearty and fatherly affection, 

 because with more than heroicall cour- 

 age and invincible fury they set upon all 

 persons, of what degree or quality soever, 

 that dare attempt to lye in wait to hurt or 

 destroy their young breed, no whit at all 

 dreading Neoptolemus, Pyrrhus, Hector, 

 Achilles, or Agamemnon himself, the Cap- 

 tain General of all the whole Grecians, if 

 he were present." 



The following story corroborates Mof- 

 fet's estimate of the valour of the 

 wasps. 



