An _Owl_ and _Little Birds_.
There goes a Story of an _Owl_ that was advised by the _Little Birds_
to Build rather among the Boughs and Leaves, as They did, then in Walls
and Hollow Trees; and so they shew’d her a young Tender Plant for her
Purpose. No No, says the _Owl_, those Twigs in time will come to be
Lim’d, and then you’re all Lost if you do but touch ’em. The _Birds_ gave
little Heed to’t, and so went on Playing and Chirping among the Leaves
still, and passing their Time there in Flocks as formerly; till in the
conclusion the Sprigs were all daub’d with Lime, and the poor Wretches
clamm’d and taken. Their Repentance came now too late; but in Memory of
this Notable Instance of the _Owl_’s Foresight, the _Birds_ never see an
_Owl_ to this very Day, but they Flock about her and Follow her, as if it
were for a New Lesson. But our _Modern Owls_ have only the _Eyes_, the
_Beak_, and the _Plume_ of the _Owls_ of _Athens_, without the Wisdom.
The MORAL.
_Good Counsel is lost upon those that have not the Grace to Hearken to’t;
or do not Understand it, or will not Embrace and Follow it in the Proper
Season._