Page:Fables of Aesop and other eminent mythologists.djvu/173

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Carpenter dropt his Axe into a River, and put up a Prayer to Mercury to help him to't again. Mercury Div'd for't, and brought him up a Golden One: but That was nor it the Fellow aid: And o he Plung’d a Second Time, and Fetch’d up Another, of Silver. He ayd That was not it neither. He try'd once again, and then Up comes an Axe with a Wooden Handle, which the Carpenter, ayd was the very Tool that he had Lot. Well! (ays Mercury) thou art o Jut a Poor Wretch, that I'le give thee All Three now for thy Honety. This Story was got into Every bodies Mouth, and the Rumour being Spread, it came into a Knaves Head to Try the Same Experiment over again. And o away goes He and Down he Sits, Sniv'ling and Whelping upon the Bank of a River, that he had Dropt his Axe into the Water there. Mercury, that was at hand it eems, heard his Lamentation, and Dipping once again for his Axe, as he had done for the Other; up he brings him a Golden Axe, and Asks the Fellow if That were it. Yes, ays he, This is it. Oh thou Impudent Sot, cryes Mercury; to think of putting Tricks upon Him that ees through the very Heart of thee.

Hates Diemblers, and Hypocrites, as it Loves men of Truth and Integrity. He that fancyes he can Impoe upon Jupiter takes him for a Cully.

Baudoin Morallizes the Matter thus; that Mercury's called upon, and Sent, as the Patron of Artizans. The Practice of Truth and Jutice can never fail of a Reward in the Concluion, and the bringing in of a God to the Reliefe of a Poor Man, hews that it is from Heaven that the Needy are to Expect Redres.

Here are Two Men at their Prayers; The One a Downright Plain Dealer; and the Other, a Trimming, Deigning Hypocrite. The Former has a Reverence in his Heart for the Power that he Invokes; He is not to be Corrupted with Gold, or Silver. He tands in Awe of his Concience, and makes good his Profeion, with his Practice: Receiving in the End, the Bleing of a Reward for his Integrity. The Other Worhips with his Eyes, his Hands, and his Voyce; but All This is only to Cover the Cheat of a Rotten-Heart. He acknowledges a Divine Power, but at the