A Man was felling a tree on the steep bank of a river, and by chance
let slip his hatchet, which dropt into the water, and sunk to the
bottom. Being in distress for want of his tool, he sat down and
bemoaned himself on the occasion. Upon this, Mercury appeared to him,
and being informed of the cause of his complaint, dived to the bottom
of the river, and coming up again, shewed the Man a golden hatchet,
demanding if that were his? he denied that it was: upon which Mercury
dived a second time, and brought up a silver one; the Man refused it,
alleging likewise that it was not his: he dived a third time, and
fetched up the individual hatchet the Man had lost; upon sight of
which the poor fellow was overjoyed, and took it with all humility and
thankfulness. Mercury was so pleased with his honesty, that he gave him
the other into the bargain, as a reward for his just dealing. Away
goes the Man to his companions, and giving them an account of what
had happened, one of them went presently to the river’s side, and let
his hatchet fall designedly into the stream. Then sitting down upon
the bank, he fell to weeping and lamenting as if he had been really
and sorely afflicted. Mercury appeared as before, and diving, brought
him up a golden hatchet, asking if that were the hatchet he had lost?
Transported at the precious metal, he answered yes, and went to snatch
it greedily; but the God, detesting his abominable impudence, not only
refused him that, but would not so much as let him have his own again.