.ESOP. 9 



sought for an equivalent to the natural affections of life, by the substi- 

 tution of an artificial connection, not uncommon in those days. He 

 adopted as his son arid heir a promising youth of the name of Ennus, 

 who appears, however, to have treated him with peculiar ingratitude. 

 Ennus forged his adopted father's name and seal to a paper containing 

 the plan of a plot against the king of Babylon, 1 who, giving way 

 instantly to his rage, and not imagining the falsehood of the accuser, 

 immediately ordered the execution of JEsop. From death, however, 

 the sage was rescued by some noble friends, who yet were obliged to 

 conceal him from the public vengeance by a close confinement. 

 Labynetus soon had reason to repent his rashness in depriving himself 

 of so useful a counsellor, without having given him the chance of 

 acquittal by a hearing ; for Amasis, king of Egypt, having sent to 

 Babylon requesting to be supplied with an architect " who could 

 build a tower which should hang in the air, and with a philosopher 

 who could resolve all difficult questions " (this kind of practice forming 

 at that time one of the principal amusements of a court), Labynetus 

 was immediately reminded of the qualifications of ^Esop, whom he 

 esteemed capable of performing all the wishes of his Egyptian ally. 

 On expressing sorrow for his unknown fate, the friends of the sage 

 produced him to the joyful and repentant monarch in the rags and 

 squalid appearance of a prison, and ^Esop quickly cleared himself 

 from all suspicion of guilt. Labynetus, in just revenge, would now 

 have sacrificed his treacherous accuser, but JEsop procured his pardon, 

 and even again restored him to his own wonted favour, .<Esop then 

 departed for Egypt with the ambassadors of Amasis ; but although 

 he seems readily to have undertaken the obscure offices required in 

 which way he performed them we are not told he appears to have 

 soon returned to Babylon, where he was much occupied in the educa- 

 of Ennus. Amongst his precepts we find the following fragments of 

 no common mind: " Worship God, my son, " said he, "with care, His precepts, 

 with reverence, and with a sincerity of heart, void of all hypocrisy or 

 ostentation ; for know that he is omnipotent as he is true. Have a 

 care even of your most private actions and thoughts ; for God always 

 sees you, and against you your conscience is always ready to bear 

 witness. Prudence, as well as nature dictates, that while you do all 

 the good in your power to all persons whatever, you should pay the 

 same honour to your parents which you expect your children should 

 pay to you ; and prefer your relations before strangers in the exercise 

 of your good offices. Nevertheless, where you cannot be beneficial 

 be not ruinous to any one. Words signify actions and thoughts ; 

 there must be no impurity in either. Be careful of childish or im- 

 potent affections ; but follow the dictates of your reason, and you are 

 safe. Be still assiduous to learn, as long as anything is left unknown 

 to you ; and value wisdom before money. The human mind requires 

 cultivation as do the plants of the field; the improvement of our 

 reason assimilates us to angels; the neglect of it changes us into beasts. 



