Page:Fables of Aesop.pdf/5

 A country fellow came one day into the wood, and looked about him with some concern, upon which the trees asked what he wanted. He replied that he only wanted a piece of wood to make a handle to his hatchet. Since that was all, it was voted unanimously that he should have a piece of good tough ash. But he had no sooner received and fitted it for the purpose, than he began to fell down the noblest trees in all the forest. The Oak, it is said, spoke thus to the Beech, 'We must take it for our pains, as we brought it on ourselves.'

He that gives a sword to an enemy may expect it turned on himself.

The Wolves and the Sheep had been a long time in a state of war together; at last a treaty of peace was concluded, and hostages were to be delivered on both sides for security. The Wolves proposed that the Sheep should give up their dogs, and that they would deliver up their young ones. The proposal was immediately agreed to, but no sooner executed than the young Wolves began to howl for want of their dams. The old ones cried out that the treaty was broken, and so fell on the sheep, who being without the dogs, they easily devoured. A dishonest man will make an opportunity to cheat if he find not one.