FABLES. 



229 



THE SPARROW AND THE HARE. 



A Hare being" seized by an Eagle, squeaked out 

 in a most woful manner. A Sparrow, that sat 

 upon a tree just by, and saw the affair, could not 

 forbear being unseasonably witty, but called out to 

 the Hare: So ho! what, sit there and be killed! 

 prithee up and away; I dare say if you would but 

 try, so swift a creature as you are would easily 

 escape from an Eagle. As he was going on with 

 his cruel raillery, down came a Hawk and snapped 

 him up, and notwithstanding his cries and lamenta- 

 tions, fell to devouring him in an instant. The 

 Hare, who was just expiring, addressing her last 

 words to the Sparrow, said, You who just now in- 

 sulted my misfortune, with so much security as you 

 thought, may please to she\v us how well you can 

 bear the like, now it has befallen you. 



