A Shepherd was feeding his flock, on a very fine day, near the
sea-side. The beauty of the weather, the smoothness of the water, and
the ships with spreading sails floating along its surface, formed
altogether so charming a scene, that he lost all relish for a pastoral
life; and lured also by the prospect of gain, he determined to quit
an employment, which he now despised as yielding neither honour
nor profit. He quickly sold off his flocks, and commenced merchant
adventurer; and ere long, he embarked with his whole property on the
ocean. The ship had not long been at sea before a dreadful tempest
arose, which wrecked her and all her cargo; but our merchant and the
crew were fortunate enough to escape with their lives. The adventurer
having thus lost his all, returned to his former farm, and was glad to
hire himself to the man who had bought his stock, to attend the sheep
which were once his own. One day, as he sat meditating upon the change
that had happened, and viewing the sea calm and unruffled as before,
Ah! says he, thou deceitful tempting element, experience has made me
so wise, that if I should again acquire a property, I will never more
trust it upon thy faithless bosom.