A _Fowler_ and a _Chaffinch_.
A _Fowler_ that had Bent his Net, and laid his Bait, Planted himself in
the _Bird-Catcher_’s Place, to Watch for a Draught. There came a Great
Many Birds One after Another, that Lighted, and Peck’d a While, and so
away again. At this rate they kept Coming and Going all the Day long;
but so few at a time, that the Man did not think ’em worth a Pluck. At
last, when he had Slipt All his Opportunities in hope of a Better Hit,
the Evening came on, and the Birds were gone to Bed, so that he must
either Draw then or not at all; and in the Conclusion, he was e’en fain
to content himself with one Single _Chaffinch_, that had the Misfortune
to be Later Abroad then her Fellows.
The MORAL.
_Men are so Greedy after what’s to Come, which is Uncertain, that they
Slip present Opportunities, which are never to be Recover’d._