A Hart being closely pursued by the Hunters, concealed himself under
the broad leaves of a shady Vine. When the Hunters were gone by, and
had given him over for lost, he thinking himself very secure, began to
crop and eat the leaves of his shelter. By this, the branches being
put into a rustling motion drew the attention of some of the Hunters
that way, who seeing the Vine stir, and fancying some wild beast had
taken covert there, shot their arrows at a venture, and killed the
Deer. Before he expired, he uttered his dying words to this purpose:
“Ah!” says he, “I suffer justly for my ingratitude; because I could not
forbear doing an injury to the Vine, which so kindly concealed me in
time of danger.”