Page:The Fables of Bidpai (Panchatantra).djvu/119

Rh thought take him with the maner, and iustly reward him with the swordes point as he listed. Thus debating with himselfe, imagining to execute his purpose, (the Theefe occupying all this while him selfe taking what he woulde) this sielye good man fell a sleepe againe, and the Theefe with his fardell of the best things without any let at all quietly departeth his waye. This man when he awaked and sawe his house naked, hys chestes emptye and broken open, bitterly sighed and lamented, cursing himselfe and blaming his folly: considering hee might easily haue saued all that he was robbed of (since he knew it and heard the noise) and for very sloth woulde not once rise and defend it, hauing as it were the theefe in his handes. Knowledge therefore is aptly compared to a tree, whose fruite are the works; and this knowledge is that we al ought to desire, and to exercise ourselues in. Were it not a mad part to leaue the brode beaten hie way, and to take the unknowne and daungerous pathe? Euen so it may be sayde of him which followeth his owne appetite and liking, gouerning himselfe thereby, (and not as he ought with reason and good order,) leauing to these worldlye experiences,