274 FABLES. 



a fire-brand in her mouth, made towards the tree 

 where the Eagle's nest was, with a resolution of 

 revenge. She had scarcely reached its root, when 

 the Eagle, terrified with the approaching ruin of 

 herself and family, begged of the Fox to desist, 

 and with much submission, returned her the Cub 

 safe and sound. 



APPLICATION. 



AVHEX men in high situations happen to be 

 wicked, how little scruple do they make of oppress- 

 ing their poor neighbours ! They are perched upon 

 a lofty station, and having out-grown all feelings 

 of humanity, are insensible to the pangs of remorse. 

 The widow's tears, the orphan's cries, and the 

 curses of the miserable, fall by the way, and never 

 reach their hearts. But let such, in the midst of 

 their flagrant injustice, remember how easy it is, 

 notwithstanding their superior distance, for the 

 meanest vassal to take his revenge. The bitter- 

 ness of affliction (even where cunning is wanting) 

 may animate the poorest spirit with desperate 

 resolutions ; and when once the fury of revenge 

 is thoroughly awakened, we know not what she 

 may effect before she is lulled to rest again. The 

 most powerful tyrants cannot prevent a resolved 

 assassination: there are a thousand different 

 ways for any private man to do the business, who 

 is heartily disposed to it, and willing to satisfy his 

 appetite for revenge, at the expense of his life. 

 An old woman may clap a fire-brand to the 

 palace of a prince, and a poor weak fool may 

 destroy the children of the mighty. 



