An _Eagle_ and a _Beetle_.
A _Hare_ that was hard put to’t by an _Eagle_, took Sanctuary in a Ditch
with a _Beetle_. The _Beetle_ Interceded for the _Hare_: The _Eagle_
Flapt off the former, and Devoured the other. The _Beetle_ took this
for an Affront to Hospitality, as well as to her Self, and so Meditated
a Revenge, watch’d the _Eagle_ up to her Nest, follow’d her, and took
her Time when the _Eagle_ was Abroad, and so made a shift to Roll out
the Eggs, and Destroy the Brood. The _Eagle_ upon this Disappointment,
Timber’d a great deal higher next Bout; The _Beetle_ watch’d her still,
and shew’d her the same Trick once again. Whereupon the _Eagle_ made her
Appeal to _Jupiter_, who gave her leave to lay her next Course of Eggs
in his own Lap. But the _Beetle_ found out a way to make _Jupiter_ rise
from his Throne; so that upon the Loosning of his Mantle, the Eggs fell
from him at unwares, and the _Eagle_ was a Third time Defeated. _Jupiter_
stomach’d the Indignity, but upon Hearing the Cause, he found the _Eagle_
to be the Aggressor, and so Acquitted the _Beetle_.
The MORAL.
_’Tis not for a Generous Prince to Countenance Oppression and Injustice,
even in his most Darling Favourites._