Æsop _Baffles the Superstition of Augury_.
In the days of Æsop, The World was mightily addicted to _Augury_; that is
to say, to the Gathering of _Omens_ from The Cry and Flight of _Birds_.
Upon this Account it was, that _Xanthus_ one Day sent Æsop into the
Yard, and bad him look well about him. If you see _Two Crows_ (says he)
you’ll have _good Luck_ after it, but if you should Chance to spy _One
Crow Single_, ’tis a _Bad Omen_, and some Ill will betide you. Æsop
stept out and came Immediately back again, and told his Master that he
had seen _Two Crows_. Hereupon _Xanthus_ went out himself, and finding
but _One_ (for the Other was flown away) he fell Outragiously upon Æsop
for making Sport with him, And order’d him to be soundly Lash’d for’t,
but just as they were stripping him for the Execution, In comes One to
Invite _Xanthus_ abroad to Supper. Well Master, says Æsop, and where’s
the Credit of your _Augury_ Now? When I, that saw _Two Crows_, am to be
_beaten like_ a Dog, and You, that saw but _One_, are going to _make
merry_ with your Friends? The Reason and Quickness of this Reflexion,
Pacified the Master for the Present, and sav’d the Poor Fellow a sound
Whipping.