FABLES. 



373 



THE TRUMPETER TAKEN PRISONER. 



A Trumpeter, being taken prisoner in battle, 

 begged . hard for quarter, declaring his innocence, 

 and protesting, that he neither had killed nor 

 could kill any man, bearing no arms but his trum- 

 pet, which he was obliged to sound at the word 

 of command. For that reason, replied his enemies, 

 we are determined not to spare you; for though 

 you yourself never fight, yet, with that wicked 

 instrument of yours, you blow up animosity among 

 other people, and so become the cause of much 

 bloodshed. 



APPLICATION. 



THE fomenter of mischief is at least as culpable 

 as he who puts it in execution. A man may be 

 guilty of murder, who never has handled a sword 

 or pulled a trigger, or lifted up his arm with any 



