[Illustration: THE KITE AND THE PIGEONS.]
A Kite, who had kept sailing in the air for many days near a dove-house,
and made a stoop at several pigeons, but all to no purpose (for they
were too nimble for him), at last had recourse to stratagem, and took
his opportunity one day to make a declaration to them, in which he set
forth his own just and good intentions, who had nothing more at heart
than the defence and protection of the Pigeons in their ancient rights
and liberties, and how concerned he was at their fears and jealousies of
a foreign invasion, especially their unjust and unreasonable suspicions
of himself, as if he intended, by force of arms, to break in upon their
constitution, and erect a tyrannical government over them. To prevent
all which, and thoroughly to quiet their minds, he thought proper to
propose to them such terms of alliance and articles of peace as might
for ever cement a good understanding between them: the principal of
which was, that they should accept of him for their king, and invest him
with all kingly privilege and prerogative over them. The poor simple
Pigeons consented: the Kite took the coronation oath, after a very
solemn manner, on his part, and the Doves, the oaths of allegiance and
fidelity, on theirs. But much time had not passed over their heads,
before the good Kite pretended that it was part of his prerogative to
devour a Pigeon whenever he pleased. And this he was not contented to do
himself only, but instructed the rest of the royal family in the same
kingly arts of government. The Pigeons, reduced to this miserable
condition, said one to the other, 'Ah! we deserve no better! Why did we
let him come in!