354 FABLES. 



combatants were thus engaged, a Kite sailing in 

 the air, beheld them from a great distance, and 

 darting down upon them, instantly bore them off 

 in his talons; while the field of battle presented a 

 delicious repast to some Ravens, who had chanced 

 to spy the movements of these hostile armies. 



APPLICATION. 



THE leading feature in the character of men, in 

 all ages of the world, has ever been self-interest; 

 and when this is not kept within due bounds, by 

 a just sense of morality and honour, their bad 

 passions are let loose, and money, power, or 

 dominion, are the chief objects they keep in view. 

 When men thus depraved, have long soared above 

 restraint, and their numbers and power become 

 predominant in a nation, the accumulation of their 

 wickedness hurries them blindly on to break out 

 into offensive wars with other nations, on the 

 most frivolous pretences, and rapine, plunder, and 

 innumerable murders succeed, by which humanity 

 is outraged, and the fair face of nature is deluged 

 with blood. " Peace is the natural happy state of 

 man, and war is his disgrace." The mighty 

 among the Frogs and Mice attend not to this: 

 they strut and exult for a time; but their pride, 

 tyranny, and injustice, will have an end : for 

 opposed to these vices are the attributes of Omni- 

 potence, and they are eternal. It often happens 

 (as in the case of the combatants in the Fable) 

 that when national depravity has attained its 

 height, the Kites and Ravens of other regions 

 are invited forth, and made the instruments of a 

 just retribution. 



