FABLES. 



157 



THE HART AND THE VINE. 



A Hart being closely pursued by the Hunters, 

 concealed himself under the broad leaves of a shady 

 Vine. When the Hunters were gone by, and had 

 given him over for lost, he thinking himself very 

 secure, began to crop and eat the leaves of his 

 shelter. By this the branches being put into a 

 rustling motion, drew the attention of some of the 

 Hunters that way, who seeing the Vine stir, and 

 fancying some wild beast had taken covert there, 

 shot their arrows at a venture, and killed the Deer. 

 Before he expired, he uttered his dying words to 

 this purpose: "Ah!" says he, "I suffer justly for 

 my ingratitude; because I could not forbear doing 

 an injury to the Vine, which so kindly concealed 

 me in time of danger." 



