FABLES. 



283 



THE SICK KITE. 



A Kite who had been sick a long" time, begin- 

 ning to be doubtful of recovery, begged of his 

 Mother to go to all the churches and religious 

 houses in the country, to try what prayers and 

 offerings would effect in his behalf. The old Kite 

 replied, Indeed, my dear son, I would willingly 

 undertake any thing to save your life; but I have 

 great reason to despair of doing you any service in 

 the way you propose: for with what face can I 

 ask any thing of the gods, in favour of one whose 

 whole life has been a continued scene of rapine 

 and injustice, and who has not scrupled, upon 

 occasion, to rob even their altars ? 



APPLICATION. 



THE rehearsal of this Fable almost unavoidably 

 draws our attention to that very serious and 



