Page:Fables of Aesop and other eminent mythologists.djvu/47

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Mmediately Upon Æop's Arrival in Lydia, he Preented himele before the King, who looking upon him with Contempt, Hatred, and Indignation; Is This a Man lays he, to hinder the King of Lydia from being Maer of Santos? Æop then with a Reverence after the Lydian Fahion, deliver'd what he had to ay.

I am not here (ays he, Great King) in the Quality of a Man that's Given up by his Country, or under the Compulion of any force; But it is of my own Accord that I am now come to lay my elfe at your Majeties feet, and with this only Requet, that you will vouchae me the Honour of your Royal Eare, and Patience but for a few words. 'There was a Boy hunting of Locuts, and he had the Fortune to take a Grashopper. She found he was about to kill her, and Pleaded after this Manner for her Life. Alas (lays he) I never did any Body an Injury, and never had it either in my Will or in my Power to do't. All my Buines is my Song; and what will you be the Better for my Death? The Youth's Heart relented and he et the Simple Grashopper at Liberty.'

Your Majety has now that Innocent Creature before you: There's Nothing that I can pretend to but my Voyce, which I have ever employ'd o far as in me Lay, to the Service of Mankind. The King was o Tenderly moved with the Modety and Prudence of the Mart, That he did not only give him his Life, but bad him ask any thing further that he had a Mind to, and it hould be Granted him. Why then, fays Æop, (with that Veneration, Gratitude and Repect that the Cae required) I do mot humbly implore your Majeties favour for my Country-Men the Samians. The King Granted him his Recjuet, and Confirmed it under his Seale; Beide that the Piety of making that Petition his Choice, was a further Recommendation of him to his Royal Kindnes and Eteem.

Æop, oon after This, returned to Samos with the News of the Peace, where he was Wellcomed with All the Intances of Joy and Thankfulnes Imaginable; Inomuch that they Erected a Statue for him, with an incription upon it, in Honour of his Memory. From Samos he returned afterwards to Crœus, for whoe Sake he Compoed everal of Thoe Apologues that Pas in the World to This Day under his Name. His Fancy lay extremely to  Rh