THE Egyptians muffel'd up their Knowledge of Things in the Clouds of Hieroglyphicks, and other myſterious Signatures: The Graecians folded up theirs in Symbolls, and other Emblematical Alluſions: But Aeſop having uncloth'd it from that dark Veſture in which it lay conceal'd, beheld Truth in its naked and callow Principles, like thoſe ancient Poets that ſaw her through all thoſe Veils and gloomy contextures they themſelves had originally wrapp'd her up in. The Life of this Sagacious Perſon in its whole conduct and Decurſion, until it was wound up in its Fatal and Calamitous Cataſtrophe (as its Scheme is drawn from Planudes, and other Monuments of Antiquity) is here in a Compendious Proſpect repreſented to the Publique.

He was born at Ammonius in Phrygia the Greater, a Town obſcure in it ſelf, but made Signal and Illuſtrious by being the Cradle of Aeſop, and might by a ſucceſsful Corrivalſhip have enter'd into competition with thoſe Cities that with a noble Emulation contended for the Birth of Homer.

As to the Features and Dimenſions of his Face and Body, they were ſo ſhuffel'd and hudled up, that Nature in his Production, did ſeem to inſinuate that ſhe oftentimes does ſet the moſt refulgent Gems in the moſt uneven and ragged Collets: for he was of a ſharp Head, flat Nos'd, his Back roll'd up in a Bunch or Excreſcence, his Lips tumerous and pendant, his Complexion black, from which dark Tincture he contracted his Name (Aeſopus being the ſame with Aethiops) Large Belly, Crooked Bow-Legs; Therſites in Homer was but an imperfect Tranſcript of ſo ſtupendous a Deformity.

But above all his Misfortunes, this was the moſt eminent, That his Speech was ſlow, inarticulate and very obſcure; ſuch was his Body: But Nature by a more even Retribution had endow'd him with a moſt accompliſh'd Mind, capable of the moſt ſublime and elevated Speculations.

And as the Dower conferr'd upon him externally by Nature was of cheap and vulgar Eſtimate, ſo the Patrimony he was entituled to by Fortune, was no leſs deſpicable and ruinous; for the firſt part of his Life was expos'd to Poverty, and the latter part of it grated upon by Slavery and a violent Death.

His firſt Maſter (under whoſe Dominion he then groan'd) finding him uncapable of any Domeſtick Buſineſs, employ'd him in the Field, there by Digging to cultivate the Earth, where not long after his Misfortunes oblig'd him to give the firſt Teſtimony of his Ingenuity. At a certain Time, as his Maſter was walking in the Fields, a Labourer preſented him with excellent Figs, which he tranſmitted to be preſerv'd by the Care and Truſt of Agathopodus (for ſo was the Servant ſtyled) till his Return from the Bath. But he (enamour'd with their Delicacy) combin'd in an injurious Confederacy with his Fellow-ſervant to ſate themſelves with them, and then to faſten the Guilt of the deſigned Crime on Aeſop. This being determin'd, they eat up the Figs, and when their Maſter return'd from the Bath, with much Noiſe and Importunity accus'd Aeſop to have devour'd them; who, enra'gd at this Action, ſummon'd him to appear, and then ask'd him, What Impudence had egg'd him on to deſtroy thoſe Figs which were reſerv'd for himſelf? Who making his Defence with ſome Slowneſs and Haeſitation, was even ready to be offer'd up to Stripes and Puniſhment; when proſtrating himſelf at his Maſters feet, he implored him for ſome little ſpace to ſuſpend his Puniſhment: in which Interval he ran and fetch'd ſome warm Water, and ſwallowing it down, by the Force of his Finger vomited up the Water, for as yet that Day he was Faſting; and after requeſted his Maſter his Accuſers might drink the ſame warm Infuſion, whereby it might appear who had eaten the Figs: His Maſter approving the ingenuous Artifice of Aeſop, condemn'd them to the ſame Draught, which by its Warmth and Moiſture, making the Membranes of the Stomach Limber and Ductile, engag'd them to diſgorge the Water and Figs together: by which act the Innocence of Aeſop was aſſoil'd, and his Enemies given up to the deſerved Animadverſion of Whips and Scourges.

Upon the day following his Maſter returned to the City, and he being remanded to his Labour, Accoſted two Prieſts of Diana, who by Error ſtragled from their deſigned way, who Adjur'd Aeſop by Jove to direct them into the moſt regular Track; which he not only performed, but refreſh'd them with Viands, and for his Guidance and Hoſpitality had the wiſhes of their Hearts, and Prayers of their Tongues. Aeſop returning to his Task, oppreſs'd with his Load of Care and Labour, ſunk into an eaſie Sleep, and in a Dream conjectured he ſaw Fortune ſtanding by him, gratifying him with Volubility of Language, and the Elegancy of wrapping up his Notions under the contexture of Apologues. Immediately ſtarting up, O wonderful (ſayes he) in what a charming Tranſe have I been engag'd! for behold I ſpeak fluently, and by the favour of the Gods I can regiſter each Creature by its name; this propitious Succeſſe is the reward of my benigne Complyance with Strangers. And overjoy'd with this extraſie, returns to his deſigned Labour, where having committed ſome Error, Zenas (Overſeer of the Field) rewarded him with a Blow; on which Aeſop cryed out, You are alwayes puniſhing him that offends you not; my Maſter ſure, upon due Information, will revenge theſe Injurious Stripes. Zenas poſſeſt with Animoſitie, and hearing him ſpeak whom he eſteemed before ſo ſlow and unactive, by way of prevention, leſt he ſhould be diſcharg'd of an unjuſt Stewardſhip, reſolved to accuſe him to his Maſter, whom not long after when he had accoſted, he deſired the Gods to protect: whereon his Maſter inquired, What was it that diſcompos'd him? Zenas replyed, The Intervention of a Prodigious Accident in the Field had effected it. His Maſter inquired, What Prodigie in Nature had provok'd that Admiration? He replyed, Aeſop that was eſteemed Dumb, now had found Ʋtterance and Elocution. His Maſter anſwered, This will be ruinous to thee, in whoſe Eſtimate he was reputed a Monſter. Zenas rejoyn'd, What he hath contumeliouſly ſpoken againſt me, I ſhould have entomb'd in Silence, but againſt You, and the Gods, he hath diſgorg'd intollerable Maledictions. Which injurious Accuſation of his ſo incens'd his Maſter, that he commanded him to be expos'd to Sale, as the Recompenſe of his Ingrateful Impiety.

When Aeſop was thus put under the Dominion of Zenas, he inform'd him how he was to diſpoſe of him. Do your pleaſure (ſays Aeſop.) Not long after a Merchant deſigning to buy ſome Cattle, encounter'd Zenas, who inform'd him, that though he had no Beaſts, he had a Manſlave who was ready to be offered up to Sale. When the Merchant heard of a Servant, he deſired to behold him, and upon the interview broke into an inceſſant laughter, ſaying, Had I not been convinc'd by his Voyce, I ſhould have eſteem'd him a blown Bladder: why did you divert me from my intended deſign, to Aſſault my Eyes with ſuch a Prodigie? Having thus ſaid, he was about to depart, when he was ſtopp'd by Aeſop, who deſired his Stay. The Merchant looking back, ſaid, Be gone thou filthy Cur. Aeſop requeſted him, that he would diſcover the Cauſe that engag'd his Coming thither. He replyed, To buy ſomething of Value or Eſtimate, and not any ſuch unprofitable worthleſs thing as Himſelf. Aeſop urg'd, he would buy him, ſince he was able to recompenſe the Price by his Service. The Merchant required him to inform him, wherein ſuch a loathſome Beaſt could Ballance it? Have you at home any teſty Children (ſaid Aeſop) I ſhall ſupply the place of a Bugbear to terrifie them into Repoſe and Silence. On which the Merchant ſmiling, ask'd Zenas what he would demand for that uncouth veſſel? Three Halfpence, ſaid he. The Merchant diſcharg'd the price, intimating that with Nothing he had bought Nothing. After their Journey, as they made a near approach to the Habitation of the Merchant, two of his Children when they view'd Aeſop, by Crying teſtified their Fear of Him. Now Sir, ſaid he, you ſee the Effect of my Promiſe. At which the Merchant ſmiling, they enter'd his Houſe, where he commanded Aeſop to accoſt his Fellow-Servants with a Salute. Who when they beheld this collected maſs of Deformity, cry'd out, What Misfortune hath engag'd our Maſter to bring this Witch or Prodigie into his Family!

Not long after the Merchant deſign'd a Journey into Aſia, and commanded all things to be prepared that had an aſpect on this Affair: And when every Servant had his proportion of Burden aſſign'd, Aeſop deſir'd, becauſe it was his firſt effort or eſſay, he might ſuſtain the lighteſt; which being granted, he took up a Basket of Bread; at which the other Slaves were fill'd at once both with laughter and amazement, conſidering the Burden he went to ſupport was in its weight proportionate to the ſtrength of two. When Dinner approach'd, Aeſop (that had with much agony and reluctancy ſuſtain'd his Carriage, was commanded to ſet down his Load, and by an equal diſtribution to diſpenſe a Dole of Bread to the other Slaves; ſo that the moiety of his Basket being emptied, he (after Dinner was expir'd) with much facility undertook the reſidue of the Journey: And when Supper was near, Aeſop was enjoyn'd to diſengage himſelf of his burden, and with the moiety of the remaining Loaves, to appeaſe the appetite of the travelling Slaves; ſo that next morning, his Load being wholly exhauſted, he advanced with an empty Basket in the Van of his Fellow ſervants; and by this dextrous artifice oblig'd thoſe with applauſe to admire his Ingenuity, who before with cheapneſs and contempt did deſpiſe his Folly.

The Merchant being now arriv'd at Epheſus, and having there to good advantage vended divers of his Slaves, he was perſwaded (to improve his Market) to ſail to Samos, whither he tranſported the reſidue of his Servants, whoſe now-remaining Inventory was very narrow, being onely three; namely, Cantor a Native of Cappadocia, and Grammaticus born in Lidia, two perſons of a large dimenſion; and Aeſop, whoſe Character was penſil'd out before: Where when he was arriv'd, that he might the better vend the two former, he new attir'd them; but Aeſop, becauſe no Art or Improvement would adorn ſo deformed Lineaments, was Inveſted with ſack-cloth, which made him to be expos'd as well to general deriſion as to ſale. Amougſt thoſe that accoſted the Merchant, was Xanthus, an eminent Philoſopher of Samos, accompany'd with a retinue of his Scholars; and having view'd theſe three perſons deſigned for ſale, he beheld Aeſop plac'd in the midſt; whereby he conjectur'd, that the worſt was fixed there that the two other might appear the Fairer. The firſt that the Philoſopher addreſs'd himſelf to was Cantor; of whom he demanded what he could perform? All things, ſays he. Xanthus demanded of the Merchant what price or value he ſet upon that Servant? He replyed, A thouſand Half-pence. Xanthus diſguſting a price ſo vaſt, went from this, and applyed himſelf to the other, and ask'd him likewiſe what be could doe? He replyed, All things. The Philoſopher demanded again of the Merchant at what rate he held Grammaticus? Three thouſand Half-pence, ſaid he. But Xanthus not well reſenting a rate of that bulk and importance, did declare both to the Merchant and the Scholars that accompanyed him, that he would buy no Servants that were rated at ſo Extraordinary a value: whereupon the Scholars ſuggeſted to Xanthus to buy Aeſop, ſince that uncouth perſon might perform his work, and they would abſolve the price. 'Tis not fit (ſaid Xanthus) that I ſhould buy him and you make good the payment: Moreover, my Wife would very ill reſent that ſo miſhapen and diſcompos'd a perſon ſhould ever be ſubſervient or miniſterial to her affairs. The Scholars reply'd, We are not always oblig'd to comply with the deſires of a Woman; therefore let us examine what Ingenuity is reſident in this deformed Lump. Wherefore addreſſing themſelves to Aeſop, Xanthus bid him be comforted. Was I ever ſad? reply'd Aeſop. Of what place are you a Native? ſaid the Philoſopher. I am a Negro, ſaid Aeſop. I do not ask you this, urg'd he, but where you were born? Aeſop anſwered, Of my Mothers belly. I demand not this of you, ſaid Xanthus, but what place you were born in? My Mother never informed me, anſwered Aeſop, whether it was above or below. What canſt thou perform? ſaid the Philoſopher. Nothing, reply'd Aeſop; the two former whom already you have applyed your ſelf to can doe all things, wherefore nothing remains for me to doe. Said Xanthus, Are you willing I ſhould buy you? You ought (anſwered Aeſop) to reflect upon your owne Bargain, muſt you needs have my advice? If you are willing, pay down the price, and wind up your buſineſs. If I buy thee (ſaid Xanthus, thou wilt attempt to make an eſcape. If I do (ſaid Aeſop) I will not come to you, as you now to me, for counſel. But thou art Deformed, urg'd Xanthus. A Philoſopher (reply'd, he) ſhould not only view the Body, but likewiſe reflect upon the Mind. The Scholars oblig'd by his Ingenious Replyes, requeſted Xanthus to Buy him: Whereupon Xanthus addreſs'd himſelf to the Merchant, and demanded what value he fixt upon him? The Merchant anſwer'd, Thy deſigne is ſure to embaſe the value of my Commodities; thou haſt declin'd the Faireſt to take the moſt Miſhapen. But Xanthus deſirous of Aeſop, demanded again ſeriouſly his price of the Merchant. Which being diſcover'd, the Scholars disburs'd it, and Xanthus took him into poſſeſſion. Whereupon the Publicans came and inquired who had Sold? But they were all aſham'd to reply, the Bargain was ſo cheap and deſpicable. On which Aeſop cryed out, That is the Seller, and this the Buyer; If they will not aſſert their own Contract, I am Free. At which the Publicans ſmil'd, and the others departed.

As Aeſop accompanyed Xanthus home, a neceſſity of Nature cauſed Xanthus to raiſe up his Gown, and urine; which Aeſop perceiving, caught him by the Gown, and deſired him to Sell him, otherways he ſhould Eſcape. Why ſo? replyed Xanthus. Becauſe (ſays he) I ſhall never be able to Serve ſuch an indulgent Maſter who will not contribute ſome time to Eaſe nature, but vents his Ʋrine as he goes: If ſuch an accident ſhould happen to me, your Servant, when I am engag'd in buſineſs, my neceſſity would oblige me to vent my Ordure as I fly. Does this ſo much diſcompoſe you? ſaid Xanthus; To decline three Evils I vent my Ʋrine as I paſs; for had I ſtood ſtill, the Sun had ſcorched my Head, the parched Earth had burnt my Feet, and the odour of my Ʋrine had offended my Noſtrils. Aeſop replyed, Advance Sir, I am ſatisfied.

When they were approached near Xanthus his houſe, the Philoſopher commanded Aeſop to ſtay in the Porch, leſt ſo deformed an object ſhould diſcompoſe his Wife, who had a nice and curious Eye; Xanthus entered and thus accoſted his Wife; Miſtriſs, You ſhall have no cauſe for the future whereon to eſtabliſh any diſcontent, for there is now a Servant in the Porch, in whoſe perſon there doth concur ſo many amiable features as ever Eye ſhed a beam upon. The Maids charm'd into a belief of the truth of it, enter • d into contention which of them ſhould firſt oblige him. The Wife of Xanthus commanded one of them to ſummon him to appear. As ſoon as Aeſop heard her call, he prepared himſelf to enter: But the Maid, amaz'd at ſo prodigious a Deformity, cry'd out, Art thou He? Yes ſure, ſaid Aeſop. Enter not into the houſe, reply'd ſhe, unleſs thou intendeſt a frighted Family ſhould all diſlodge. Aeſop came in and appear'd before his Miſtreſs; whom when ſhe beheld, ſhe applyed her ſelf to Xanthus, ſaying, What Prodigie has here accompanied you? Disband him inſtantly; urging farther, that in this action of his he had ſo disoblig'd her, that ſhe deſired him that he would return that down with which before ſhe had inrich'd him, and ſhe would abandon that unhappy Manſion. On this Xanthus rebuk'd Aeſop, who had diſcovered ſo much Ingenuity before, and was ſo ſilent now. Throw her into Hell, ſaid Aeſop. Away with you Villain, replyed he, my Love and my Life is ſo incorporated into hers, as if one Heart did only manage two Bodies. At which Aeſop ſtamping, cry'd out, that Xanthus was ſubjected to the dominion of his Wife: and turning to his Miſtreſs, ſaid he, Would you have had Xanthus offered up to your ſervice a Servant young, vigorous and comely, which might have beheld you naked when you entered into the Bath, and engaged in a nearer dalliance with you, to the obloquy and diſgrace of ſeverer Philoſophy? O Euripides! how well haſt thou aſſerted? Great is the Effort of the Sea when its waves ſwell into Sedition, and Obey no Law; and the flame or impreſſion of Devouring fire: Poverty is a ruinous condition, and there are many things intollerable, but nothing to ballance an Impetuous woman. You being the Wife of a Philoſopher, ſhould not be attended by ſuch perſons as ſhould contract a diſrepute upon Philoſophy it ſelf. She being not able to contradict or oppoſe what he had aſſerted, ask'd Xanthus where he had purchaſed this Beauty? The handſomneſs of his Ingenuity doth recompenſe the deformity of his perſon; my diſlike of him is extinguiſhed. Your Miſtreſs (ſaid Xanthus to Aeſop) is now at peace with you. Aeſop irronically replyed, 'Tis a difficult matter ſure to appeaſe a woman. For the future (urg'd Xanthus) be ſilent; I bought you to Obey, not to Contradict.

The Day following Xanthus going to the Garden to buy Herbs, commanded Aeſop to accompany him; which when the Gardener had gather'd, he entruſted them to Aeſop: and when Xanthus had defray'd their price, the Gardener demanded of Xanthus, what was the natural Reaſon that the Herbs which he planted did not improve with that quick and active Growth, as thoſe which were of her voluntary production? Xanthus not able to extricate this Queſtion, thus replyed, that it thus hapned from that order and ſeries of Providence that threaded together inferiour Cauſes and their Effects. At which Aeſop (being preſent) ſmil'd. Do you deride me? ſaid Xanthus. I laugh at you, anſwer • d he, and not you onely, but him that taught you. Let me unwinde this Queſtion. On which Xanthus addreſſing himſelf to the Gardener, ſaid, It is not fit for me who have diſputed in learned Auditories, to unravel Queſtions in a Garden, my Servant here preſent will diſſolve the Difficulty of your Queſtion propounded. Is there any knowledge treaſur'd up in this ſordid veſſel? urg'd the Gardener. At which Aeſop incens'd, demanded of the Gardener this Queſtion; When a Widow is engag'd in ſecond Nuptials, ſhe is Mother to the Iſſue of her firſt Mariage, but Step-mother to the Progeny of her ſecond Husband: Thoſe Children to whom by the proper Obligations of Nature her Affections are entituled, ſhe affects and values much more, then thoſe to whom ſhe is a Mother only by accidental relation: So is it here, the Earth is a Stepmother to thoſe Plants which are incorporated into her wombe by Art, but a Mother to thoſe which are of her own free production. The Gardener much ſatisfied with this Reply, enjoyn'd him, when his occaſions guided him to his Garden, without any retribution, freely to collect thoſe Herbs he wanted, as the recompenſe of his dextrous Solution of the Queſtion.

After ſome days were expir'd, Xanthus being gone to Bathe, where he mingled with ſome Friends, commanded Aeſop to repair to his Houſe, and inſtantly boil ſome Lentills; he went (as he was enjoyn'd) and only boil'd one: when Xanthus had done Bathing, he engaged his Friends to accompany him to Dinner, where he inform'd them that they ſhould find his proviſion was wrapp'd up in a ſlender Bill of Fare, namely Lentills; but he was confident they would proportion their entertainment by his affection, not his viands. They all entring his Houſe, Xanthus commanded Aeſop to refreſh them with ſome Beverage, now coming from the Bath. Aeſop inſtantly taking up Water from the Stream of the Bath, preſented it to Xanthus; who with diſguſt and paſſion reſented the ill reliſh of it, and demanded of him whence he had collected it? From the Bath, ſaid he. Xanthus (becauſe he would not diſcompoſe his Friends) at preſent conceal'd his Reſentment, and call'd for a Baſon; which Aeſop having brought, ſtood over againſt him. Xanthus ask'd him, Do you not waſh? He replyed, It's fit for you to Command, me to Obey: But the putting of water into the Baſon was no Ingredient in his Injunction. Upon which Xanthus demanded of his Friends, whether or not he had bought a Servant? They replyed, in their vogue and eſtimate he had rather purchas'd a Maſter. When as now they were preparing for Dinner, Xanthus demanded of Aeſop whether the Lentills were boil'd? On which he lodges one Lentill in a Cockle-ſhell, and preſents it to his Maſter: Who making an eſſay to try if it were ſufficiently boil'd, and judging it enough, enjoyn'd Aeſop to ſerve up the reſidue: who immediately put all the decocted water into Saucers, and offer'd it up to Xanthus; who queſtion'd again, where the Lentills were? You have had it already, replyed Aeſop. Did you boil but one? ask'd Xanthus. No more Sir, replyed he, ſince your command that I conducted my Obedience by, did extend only to the Singular, not Plural number. At which Xanthus incens'd, cry'd out, The irregular Follies of this perſon would diſorder one into a Phrenſie! That I may not defraud my Friends by any pretended impoſture or deluſion of their deſigned Entertainment, inſtantly go and buy four Hogs-feet, and boil them. Which Injunction of his being cheerfully perform'd by Aeſop, as they were boyling, Xanthus deſirous to attaque ſome occaſion which might engage him to chaſtiſe Aeſop, when he was embark'd in ſome other imployment, ſtole one of the Feet out of the Pot, and conceal'd it. Not long after Aeſop came and diſcover'd but three Feet in the Pot, and (ſuſpecting ſome clandeſtine artifice) applyed himſelf to an adjacent Hogſtie, and there lopped off one of the Legs of a fatted Hog; and having ſindg'd off the hair, with it made up the diminiſh'd number in the Pot. Xanthus conjecturing that Aeſop miſſing the purloin'd Foot, might by Flight attempt to evade his deſtin'd puniſhment, again added it to the former. Aeſop diſcovering Five, when he was to ſerve them up, Xanthus enquir'd what auſpicious accident had improv'd them to that number? Aeſop replyed, How many Feet have two Hogs? Xanthus anſwered, Eight. Here then are Five preſent, ſaid Aeſop, and the fatted Hog by the abſence of one hath but Three. Whereupon Xanthus (being chaf'd into paſſion) cryed out to his Friends, Did I not inform you, this Fellow will engage me in a Lunacie? But tracing out no juſt cauſe to correct him, the tempeſt of his anger was mollified into a calm.

The day ſubſequent to this, one of the Scholars with a liberal Treatment careſs'd Xanthus and his Fellow Students: Whileſt they were engag'd at this Banquet, Xanthus tranſmitted a choyce Diſh to Aeſop, and enjoyn'd him to preſent it to Her that Affected Him beſt. Whileſt Aeſop was going to perform his meſſage, he conſider'd that now an opportunity was offer'd to recompenſe that Regret and Contempt with which his Miſtriſs entertain'd him at his firſt Arrival. And approaching the Houſe, he ſate down in the Porch, and then call'd his Miſtriſs, diſcovering to her the Diſh he was intruſted with, and thus addreſs'd himſelf to her; Miſtris (ſaid he) my Maſter hath devoted this preſent to her who loves him beſt; not to you. Then calling his Maſters Bitch Lycaena, caſt it to Her, and bid Her eat that which Xanthus had preſented to Her. Then returning to his Maſter, Xanthus ask'd him, whether he had offered up the preſent to her who lov'd him beſt. All of it, ſaid he; and ſhe ſwallow'd it in my preſence. Xanthus enquir'd what She ſaid? Nothing to me, reply'd he; but to you, She refunds the tribute of her Thanks. Xanthus his Wife entertain'd this cheap Neglect with that Reſentment, that ſhe vow'd to abandon his Houſe. In the mean ſpace, whileſt the Scholar and his Philoſophical Gueſts were warm with wine, one demanded, which ſhould be the time of the greateſt Diſorder amongst Mortals? Aeſop (ſtanding behind) reply'd, When the Dead ariſe, and attempt to trace out their ancient poſſeſſions. The Scholars ſmiling at his ingenuous Solution; another demanded, why Sheep die ſo calmly, and Swine with that offenſive noyſe and clamour? The Sheep (anſwer'd he) are uſually milk'd and ſhorne, and ſo are ſilent; and when they view the Knife, expect by Inſtinct nothing but what was cuſtomary: But Swine, who have not been habituated to theſe exerciſes, when they ſuffer the impreſſion of the Knife, die with an harſh and ingrateful outcry. The Scholars charmed with theſe Anſwers, were melted into Mirth and Laughter. After Supper was expir'd, Xanthus return'd to his Houſe, and (according to former uſage) addreſs'd himſelf with much complacence to his Wife: But ſhe accoſted his application with paſſion and contempt, urging that he ſhould return her, her Dower, and not court her with any of his Approaches, ſince he had conſecrated his Dainties to his Bitch. Xanthus aſtoniſh'd with a damp and amazement of ſpirit, ask'd if ſhe had not received his intended preſent? But ſhe atteſted the Powers above it was not ſent to her, but his Bitch. Xanthus (calling Aeſop) demanded to whom he had offer'd the above-mentioned Meſs? He replyed, To your Beloved. Whereupon calling the Bitch, This is ſhe (ſaid he) that moſt conſtantly entitles her Affections to you; for though you load her with ſtripes, and diſcard her your houſe, yet ſtill ſhe returns both to fawn upon you, and accompany you. Your Inſtructions ought to have directed your preſent to your Wife, not your Beloved. You are now convinc'd, Miſtriſs, ſaid Xanthus, that it was not my Crime, but his, that your Preſent miſcarri'd: Suſtain with patience this Misfortune, and I ſhall trace out ſome opportunity to make Aeſop's Puniſhment as ſignal as his Neglect. But this not charm'd his Wife, who (enraged at this affront) departed to her Father: which caus'd Aeſop to triumph, ſaying, Now Sir, you diſcover more evident ſymptoms of Affection in your Bitch towards you, than in my Miſtriſs.

Aeſop ſeeing his Maſter engag'd in a gloomy Melancholy, contracted from the departure of his Miſtriſs; and ſecondly her Refuſal (though much importun'd) to return, addreſs'd himſelf to Xanthus, and told him he would weave ſome Artifice by which next day he would retrive her; and therefore deſir'd he would diſpell that ſullen Cloud that dwelt about him: Then taking Money he went into the Market, where having loaded himſelf with Hens and Geeſe, as though they were to furniſh out ſome Nuptial Feaſt, with this Feather'd ſtock he paſſed by that Houſe which had receiv'd his Miſtriſs, pretending an Ignorance that it was the Manſion of her Father; and accoſting one of the Servants, he demanded of him, whether there was any thing there to ſell that might improve the magnificence of a Wedding Banquet? The Servant enquired whoſe Mariage it was deſigned for? Aeſop reply'd, Xanthus the Philoſopher to morrow celebrates his ſecond Nuptials. The Servant immediately gave Intelligence of this whole affair to Xanthus his Wife. As ſoon as ſhe had receiv'd this diſaſtrous report, born on the wings of Anger and Jealouſie, ſhe flew to Xanthus his Houſe, and there with a ſhrill acclamation did aſſure him, that no ſecond Eſpouſals of his ſhould be built up, or eſtabliſh'd, but upon her Urn. Thus Aeſop who was the occaſion of her angry Departure, was the cauſe of her haſty and eager Return.

Not long after Xanthus by a new Invitation ſummon'd his Scholars to a Dinner, and enjoyn'd Aeſop to furniſh his Table with the beſt and choyceſt Viands. VVhileſt he was going about to perform his Maſters Injunction, he was likewiſe deſigning by what Artifice he might intimate his Maſters folly: Therefore when he had disburs'd his money in Hogs-Tongues, he ſerv'd them up, improved with a poynant Sauce, to Dinner. The Scholars much commended the Diſh, which had furniſh'd out an occaſion for Diſcourſe; but the Ingredients which compos'd the ſecond and third Courſe, were ſtill Tongues. At which the Gueſts being aſtoniſh'd, their Amazement engag'd Xanthus to enquire of Aeſop, if there was nothing to re-enforce this Entertainment, but Tongues? Aeſop replyed, Nothing elſe. Thou Lump of Deformitie, urg'd Xanthus, my Commands did engage you to prepare the moſt obliging Dainties. Sir, (ſaid Aeſop) your Reproof before Philoſophers does exact my Retribution of Thanks. What does out-paralel the Tongue? This is the great Chanel by which the moſt refined Learning, and poliſh'd Philoſophy is conducted down to us: By this noble engine or organ, Addreſſes, Commerce, Contracts, Careſſes, Eulogies and Mariages, are completely eſtabliſh'd; on this moves Life it ſelf, therefore Nothing to be thrown into ballance with the Tongue. The Scholars (departing) aſſerted, that the Philoſophy of Aeſop had outvied that of Xanthus.

Not long after, the Scholars upbraiding Xanthus with his Diſſervice and Impoſture, he replyed, It was not his Deſigne, but the Artifice of a Perverſe and Refractory Servant: But I now (ſays he) have wav'd my firſt Injunction, and as I then enjoyn'd Aeſop to buy the beſt for Dinner, ſo I now command him to collect the worſt of Meats for Supper. But Aeſop (conſtant to his firſt purpoſe) furniſh'd out the Treatment with no other Viands but Tongues again. Xanthus (obſerving the Diſcontent that was writ in viſible characters on the Faces of his Gueſts, becauſe they beheld both the ſecond and third Courſe to be made up of nothing elſe but Tongues) being incens'd at Aeſop, demanded of him how he had now obeyed his commands, which did direct him to furniſh his Table with the worſt of Meats? Aeſop replyed, he had exactly purſued his Directions; for what was worſe then the Tongue? Does not the Ruine of Empires and Cities, and the Deſtruction of private Intereſts entitle it ſelf often to its Miſcariages? Is it not the Forge of Calumnies and Perjuries? In brief, is not the whole contexture of Life diſorder'd frequently by its exorbitancies? When the Scholars had heard Aeſop's Reply, they affirm'd, that the Crookedneſs of his Body, was but the Tranſcript of his diſtorted and irregular Manners; and gave Xanthus a caution, that theſe Extravagancies of Aeſop did not engage him in a Phrenſie. To which Aeſop anſwer'd, that they diſcover'd the Symptoms of Malice, in being Incendiaries between the Maſter and his Servant.

Xanthus (deſirous by juſt Revenge to expiate theſe Affronts) ſought to trace out ſome cauſe which might ſupply him with an opportunity to puniſh Aeſop, and immediately commanded him (ſince he had accus'd them of too buſie a curioſity) to ſeek out a man that regarded Nothing. The next day Aeſop traverſing the ſtreets, diſcover'd a man ſitting in a negligent and regardleſs poſture, without any conſideration or reflection on the ſtate of Things. Him Aeſop accoſted, and deſir'd him he would accompany his Maſter at Dinner. The Clown (without demanding the name of the perſon who made the invitation) followed Aeſop, and entring the Houſe of Xanthus, approach'd his Table in his ſordid Habit: Which engag'd him to demand of Aeſop the condition of his new Gueſt? He replyed, it was a perſon Regardleſs. Xanthus intimated to his Wife, ſhe ſhould perform any thing which he required, that he might arreſt an occaſion to ſtabliſh his Revenge on Aeſop: whereupon he enjoyn'd his Wife to waſh the Strangers feet; for he beleev'd the baſhful nicety of the Stranger would have refuſed it. On which ſhe taking a Baſon of water, and preparing to waſh, the Clown (regardleſs of her condition) ſtretch'd out his feet, that ſhe might perform that ſervile office; and after her Task was accompliſh'd, applyed himſelf to Dinner. Xanthus enjoyn'd a Goblet of wine ſhould be preſented to the Stranger, which he (regardleſs of any priority in Drinking) ſoon quaff'd off. When his Meſs was offer'd up to him, Xanthus complained it was not well ſeaſon'd, and chaſtis'd the Cook for that Neglect. The Clown (without any Reſentment of the Puniſhment of the Cook) ſaid, the Diſh was very well accommodated to the reliſh of his Palate. Xanthus (troubled that nothing could diſcompoſe the Ruſtick) commanded the the Cheeſe-cakes to be ſerved up; which the Clown, without any reflection on the other Gueſts, demoliſh'd and devour'd. Xanthus reviled the Neglect of the Baker, that had not mingled Hony and Pepper in the compoſition of his Cheeſe-cakes. The Baker replyed, the Guilt of that Crime was to be lodg'd on his Miſtris, not on him. Xanthus incens'd, ſaid, that if the Neglect could be properly entitled to his Wife, ſhe ſhould expiate her offence, by being burned; and immediately aſſay'd to make his Wife an Oblation to a prepared Fire, beleeving the Clown would have attempted her Reſcue from ſo calamitous a Fate. But he obſerving no cauſe that might produce ſo prodigious a paſſion, deſired Xanthus to reſpite his Wifes Tragedie, until he had brought his Wife likewiſe, who might be offered up a Sacrifice in the ſame Flames with Her. Xanthus obſerving the negligence and regardleſs ſimplicity of the man, acknowledg'd that Aeſop had punctually trac'd out his Injunctions, and in that atchiev'd a ſignal conqueſt, the ſubſequent Effects of which ſhould be his ſudden Freedome.

The next day Xanthus enjoyn'd Aeſop to go to the Bath, and inform him what company had prepoſſeſſed it: whileſt he was going ſpeedily to perform his commands, he accoſted the City-Praetor; who knowing him to be Xanthus his Servant, demanded whether his Journey tended? Aeſop anſwered, be knew not; beleeving the Praetor had not obſerv'd him. But the Praetor (incens'd at his peremptory Reply) commanded that a Priſon ſhould be the reward of his contempt. VVhileſt he was hurrying away, Aeſop cryed out, Oh Praetor! you ſee now the Integrity of my Anſwer, that I was going I knew not whether, ſince I am now deſtin'd to Fetters. The Praetor charm'd with his ingenuous Reply, diſmiſſed him. Afterwards Aeſop addreſſing himſelf to the Bath, ſaw a great Stone to obſtruct and intercept the paſſage; at which many ſtumbled, both entring in and coming out: only one perſon that was preparing to enter the Bath, laid it aſide. Aeſop returning, inform'd Xanthus that he diſcovered only one perſon in the Bath. Xanthus arriving, and beholding this One improved to a Multitude, demanded upon what grounds his falſe Information was built? Aeſop replyed, A great Stone clogg'd the entrance into the Bath, whereat many ſtumbled, only one removed the obſtacle; ſo that there was only one man appear'd, the reſidue being ſuch cheap and deſpicable objects, that they ſtood for cyphers. Not long after Xanthus disburdening Nature by Seige, demanded of Aeſop, why when men had evacuated their Excrements, they look'd back upon their Ordure? Aeſop anſwered, In times foregoing a man of great effeminacy did ſo long engage himſelf in the Houſe of Eaſement, that his Heart and Ordure were vented together: From that commencement of circumstances, men have curiouſly beheld their Excrements, fearing leſt the Heart ſhould be mingled with the evacuated Ordure. But Sir (ſaid Aeſop) you need not dread that this Misfortune ſhould accrue to you, ſince you have no Heart at all.

Not long after a determinate day was deſign'd for publique Feſtivity, by Xanthus and other Philoſophers; and when they were ſuppled into an irregular Mirth, with exceſs of wine, ſome Queſtions were winnow'd, which chaf'd Xanthus into the diſorder of a paſſion. Which Aeſop obſerving, ſaid, Maſter, Bacchus is the parent of three temperaments; the firſt of Voluptuouſneſs, the ſecond of Intemperance, the third of Calumny or Reproach; of which you being engag'd in Drink, ſhould take a cautious view. Xanthus being now deeply ingulph'd in wine, one of the Scholars demanded of him, whether it were not feaſible to Drink off the Sea? Very eaſie, replyed Xanthus, I will engage to perform it my ſelf. On which the other enter'd a Wager with him, which was fortified by the reciprocal depoſition of both their Rings, and ſo departed. The day following, when the fumes of wine were evaporated, Xanthus miſſing his Ring, deſired Aeſop to give him an account of its loſs. I know not, ſaid Aeſop, but this I am confident of, you muſt diſlodge from this Houſe, ſince yeſterday being infatuated with the vapours of wine, you engag'd your whole patrimony in a ſolemn covenant to Drink off the Ocean; and to ſecure the Wager, you depos'd your Ring. Xanthus replyed, What could I engage leſs? But can you diſcover any artifice by which I may either accompliſh this Engagement, or elſe evacuate the Obligation of it. To perform it (ſaid Aeſop) is impoſſible; but how to untie it, I ſhall now demonſtrate: When you meet again, aſſert the performance of your Engagement with as much confidence as you did when you firſt wag'd it. Command a Table to be plac'd on the Shore, and perſons prepar'd to lave the Ocean into Cups; and when the multitude aſſembles, demand before them what was the purport of the Wager? The Reply will be, that you ſhould Drink up the Sea. Then applying your ſelf to them, thus declare: You Citizens of Samos, you are not ignorant that many Rivers diſembogue themſelves into the Sea; my Covenant was to Drink up the Ocean, and not thoſe Streams which diſgorge themſelves into it: If you can ſo obſtruct their courſe, that they may not diſcharge themſelves into it, I am ready to quaffe it off. Xanthus receiv'd the Inſtructions of Aeſop with complacence and reſignation, and affirm'd, This was the only Expedient to unravel his Engagement. The People then aſſembling to behold the Performance of the Covenant, Xanthus acted and ſaid as Aeſop had inſtructed him; for which he was both admired and applauded: But the Scholar proſtrating himſelf at the Feet of Xanthus, acknowledged himſelf ſubdued, imploring him to diſſolve the Wager; which Xanthus (ſoftned by the united Deſires of the Samians) did.

Upon the return of Xanthus to his Habitation, Aeſop intimated to him how much be had merited his Freedome: but Xanthus appear'd warp'd with paſſion, that he ſhould no more confide in his Promiſe; and immediately he commanded him to ſtand at the Dore, and obſerve if he could view two Crowes, and then inform him, for it was an auſpicious and ſucceſſeful Omen; but if he beheld but one, it was as unhappy and diſaſtrous. Aeſop return'd, and inform'd him, he ſaw two perch'd on a Tree: But when Xanthus went out to diſcover the Truth of his Information, he could view but one, the other being diſlodg'd; on which he accoſted Aeſop with the ingrateful character of uncouth Villain, becauſe he had aſſerted there were two; urging farther, that his whole Deſign was to make him the cheap object of contempt and deriſion; which repeated Affronts of his ſhould be now expiated with a meritorious Scourge. As Aeſop was groaning under the preſſure of inflicted ſtripes, one enter'd who was ſummon'd by an invitation of Xanthus to Supper; to whom Aeſop thus applyed himſelf, ſaying, in a ſad Accent, You that beheld one Crowe are rewarded with a Supper, and I that diſcover'd two, as a Reſult of that portentous Omen, am recompens'd with an undeſerved Scourge. Which ingenuous Addreſſe of his ſo ſoftned Xanthus, that he enjoyn'd his puniſhment ſhould be ſuperſeded.

Xanthus deſirous to obliege ſome Friends by an Entertainment, employ'd Aeſop to buy in thoſe Proviſions which might improve the Grandeur of the Feaſt: which being by him exactly perform'd, and Dinner being prepar'd and ſerv'd in, Aeſop diſcover'd his Miſtriſs engaged in Repoſe and Slumber on a Couch, whom he a waken'd, and requeſted to ſecure the Meat from the rapine of the Dogs; to which (being incens'd) ſhe replyed, ſhe had eyes behind that would ſhed their cautious Glances on the Proviſion. Aeſop having fully marſhall'd the Feaſt, endevoured to attaque an opportunity to retort; and inſtantly after viewing his Miſtriſs to be again wrapp'd up in a ſlumber, made a ſoft addreſs to the Couch, and heaving up her Garment, diſrob'd her uncomely Parts. Not long after Xanthus enter'd with a Retinue of Gueſts, and beholding his Wife ſituated in that undecent Poſture, was diſcompos'd at once both with ſhame and regret.

Not many dayes after, Xanthus (deſigning to careſſe many Philoſophers and Orators) enjoyn'd Aeſop to ſtand Centinel at the Gate, and give Admiſſion to none but the graver and ſeverer Sages, but to exclude all illiterate perſons. Not long after ſeveral perſons ſucceſſively approch'd to the Gate, requeſting Admittance: all whom, Aeſop did ſeverally obviate with this Queſtion, What ſtirs the Dog? who all believing the contemptible character of Dog was fix'd upon them, departed with Reſentment and Paſſion. At laſt one addreſſing himſelf to the Gate, was accoſted with this Queſtion, What ſtirs the Dog? To which he replyed, His Ears and Tail. Aeſop judging his Anſwer to be acute and appoſite, gave him Entrance, and accompanied him to his Maſter, ſaying, There was only one Philoſopher had deſired Admittance. Xanthus reſented it with Regret, that his Invitation ſhould be thus fruſtrated and undervalued by the cheap neglect of his Friends. The Day following, when they aſſembled at the Schools, the deſigned Gueſts reproach'd Xanthus with that diſ-eſteem and contempt he had thrown upon them, in permitting that uncouth perſon Aeſop, when they approach'd the Gate, to accoſt them with the deſpicable Attribute of Dogs? On which Xanthus demanded, if they were ſerious? They replyed, Ʋnleſs they were charm'd into a Sleep, that which they now declar'd was eſtabliſhed upon a ſerious Truth. Aeſop being ſummon'd to appear, was demanded by Xanthus, what had tempted him thus to traduce and reproach his friends? To which he replyed, Sir, Did you not enjoyn that no unlearned or vulgar Heads, but only Philoſophers ſhould have Admiſſion to your Entertainment? And what are theſe, (ſaid Xanthus) do they not merit that Character? No wayes, anſwered Aeſop; For when they applied themſelves to your Gate, and I demanded of them, What ſtirs the Dog? Not one attempted to untie the Queſtion with a Solution but departed; Therefore I admitted none but this Perſon, who diſſolv'd my Queſtion with a proportionate Anſwer. Upon this Reply of Aeſop's, all preſent concenter'd in one Vote, that Aeſop had exactly been ſubſervient to the Injunctions of Xanthus.

Not many Dayes after, Xanthus (accompanied with Aeſop) went to viſit the Monuments, and with much Delight read the ſeveral Inſcriptions endors'd on the Tombſtones. Aeſop viewing theſe Letters, ſc. α β δ ο ε θ χ regiſter'd in Sculpture on one of them, ſhew'd them to Xanthus, and inquir'd of him what was their Intent or Purport? But he after a ſerious Inquiſition, did acknowledge he was not able to unveil their latent ſenſe. Maſter, (urg'd Aeſop) if by the Conduct of theſe Characters I ſhall trace out a concealed Treaſure, what Reward ſhall ballance ſo rich a Diſcovery? Be confident (replyed Xanthus) thy Freedome, and the Moiety of the Purchaſe ſhall be thy Guerdon. Then Aeſop ripping up the Earth a Diſtance of four Feet from the Sepulchral Stone, diſcover'd a Treaſure, which he offer'd up to Xanthus, and then demanded that Recompenſe which was before ſecur'd to him by a ſignal promiſe. No ſure (ſaid Xanthus) not until I can unravel the cloudy ſenſe of the Letters; the knowledge of which will by its value out-poiſe the diſcover'd Treaſure. Aeſop (to diſperſe all ſcruple) inſtructed him, that a prudent perſon had engraven thoſe Letters, whoſe Senſe did import thus much; α going β paces δ foure ο digging ε thou ſhalt find θ a Treaſure χ of Gold. Xanthus replyed, Thy Sagacity will more improve my Intereſt than thy Freedome can thine, and therefore it ſhall be reſpited. Then (rejoyn'd Aeſop) I will diſcover that the propriety of the Gold is entitled to the King of Bizantium; for it is treaſur'd here up for Him. How diſcover you this? ſaid Xanthus. The Inſcription intimates thus much, replyed he: α reſtore β to the King δ Dionyſius ο which ε thou haſt found θ Treaſure χ of Gold. When Xanthus underſtood the King was concern'd in the diſcover'd purchaſe, he requeſted Aeſop to divide with him the moiety of the Treaſure, as the Reward of his Silence. Aeſop replyed, This I receive not as the Effect of your Bounty, but rather of his who conceal'd the Gold; for this is the genuine and orthodox ſenſe of the Letters, α taking β go your way δ divide ο which ε you have found θ the Treaſure. Xanthus replyed, Come depart; the Moiety of the Gold, and your Freedome too, ſhall be your united Recompenſe. As they were upon their Retreat, Xanthus (dreading a Diſcovery from Aeſop) enjoyn'd he ſhould be dragg'd to Priſon. Whileſt they were hurrying him away to his deſigned Thraldome, Aeſop cryed out, Do the ſolemn Promiſes of Philoſophers, and the ſpecious Intimations of Liberty, determine thus in Priſons and Fetters? On which importunate Clamour of his Xanthus order'd his Releaſe, ſaying, he had urg'd the Truth, though he was confident when he had atchiev'd his Freedome, he would amaſs thoſe Deſigns together which might prejudice his Concernment. Aeſop replyed, Maugre all your miſchievous and malicious Artifices, I will obtain my Enfranchiſement.

On a Day, which the Citizens of Samos had devoted to Feſtivity, and other Improvements of a general Mirth, an Eagle in his Flight ſnatch'd up the Publique Ring, and dropp'd it into the Lap of a Slave. The Samians amaz'd at this oſtentful Accident, conſulted with Xanthus, he being both a learned Philoſopher and an eminent Citizen, being inquiſitive to underſtand what would be the effects of this remarkable Prodigy? But Xanthus (ſearching into the Time when it happened) was engaged in a dull and unactive Melancholy, becauſe he could not untwiſt the Myſterie of it. Aeſop beholding Xanthus ſo diſcompoſed, addreſſed himſelf to him, and enquir'd what was the cauſe of ſo gloomy a Penſiveneſſe? To Morrow (when you appear in publique) declare to the Samians, that you are not dextrous in untying the knotty ſenſe of Myſteries, but that you have a Servant that can unwind the Intrigues of them; and when this ſhall be untwiſted, the Honour ſhall redound to you: But if the Solution ſhall not be adaequate to this Portent, the Infamy and Obloquie ſhall be only thrown on me, as either the Author or Abettor of ſuch a diſtorted Interpretation. To this Advice of Aeſop, Xanthus aſſented, and the next Day inform'd the Samians what Aeſop had both ſuggeſted and preſcrib'd. On which Aeſop was produc'd: but when the Samians view'd the diſobliging Features of his Face, and Lineaments of his Perſon, they with Deriſion and Contempt entertain'd him, and ſmiling, demanded, Whether a Perſon of ſo unconcern'd an Aſpect, could untie ſo myſterious a Portent, by a juſt Solution? Aeſop waving his Hand, enjoyn'd Silence, and replyed, You Citizens of Samos, you ſhould not only view the Frontiſpiece of the Houſe, but the Tenant likewiſe that is lodg'd within; for frequently, an even and compos'd Soul dwells in an uneven and diſorder'd Body; for you know Men ſet not their value upon the exteriour Figure of the Cask, but upon the Wine concealed within. Hearing this candid and modeſt Diſcovery, they deſired to receive his farther Application to the City. Then he confidently addreſs'd Himſelf to the Publique, and made this Harangue or Preface to what he ſhould unravel, ſaying; You Samians, ſince Fortune, that ſtill engages us in reciprocal Conteſts, now propounds the glory of a Victory, either to the Maſter or Servant: If the Servant ſhall not unveil thoſe Myſteries that lye wrapp'd up in this ſignal Accident, let ſtripes be the Recompenſe of his confident Impoſture; but if the Maſter be outvied by his Diſcovery, let his Freedome be the Reward of ſo ſolemn a Performance. Then the Suffrage of the People was, that Xanthus ſhould give Aeſop his Freedome, and gratifie them in complyance. With this requeſt (Xanthus replying not) the City Praetor rejoyn'd; Xanthus, If you will not in this be ſubſervient to the requeſts of the Samians, I ſhall this inſtant declare Aeſop free, and then he will be corrival to thy ſelf. Hereupon Xanthus (warp'd with ſo great an Authority) pronounced Aeſop free. On which the City Cryer proclaim'd, That Xanthus the Philoſopher had given Aeſop his Enfranchiſement. Aeſop inſtantly retorted on Xanthus, ſaying, That now (deſpight of all his malicious Engins) he had atcheived his Freedome. Aeſop being now Enfranchiſed, thus accoſted the People; You Citizens of Samos, The Eagle (you know) is Monarch of Birds, and whereas the Publique Ring was dropp'd into the Lap of a Servant, it ſeems to inſinuate, that ſome of the adjacent Kings will attempt to ſupplant your eſtabliſhed Laws, and entombe your Liberty in Slavery. The Samians hearing this, were aſtoniſh'd with Melancholy. Not long after Letters arriv'd from Croeſus of Lydia, requiring the Samians to enrich his Exchequer with an annual Tribute, or elſe prepare to ſuffer the calamities of a deſtructive War. On which they embark'd in a publique Conſultation, how they might decline that Shipwrack of their Lawes and Liberties, which was menac'd by Croeſus; and endevour'd to ſtrengthen it with the advice of Aeſop, who thus directed them. Our Fortune (ſaid he) hath repreſented to us a double expedient; one of Liberty, which in the beginning is rough and difficult, but in the Iſſue ſmooth and eaſie; another of Thraldome, whoſe beginning is eaſie, but the concluſion fatal and ruinous. When the Samians heard this, they all affirm'd, That as at preſent they were free, ſo they and their Liberty would find one Tomb together, and with this generous Reply diſmiſs'd the Embaſſadors; which ſo ſoon as Croeſus was advertiſed of, he determin'd to engage in a War with the Samians. On which his Embaſſadors inſtructed him, He could not ſubdue the Samians as long as they were ſupported by the Counſel of Aeſop; rather (they advis'd him) firſt to ſend for Aeſop, with a promiſe that the exacting of Tribute ſhould be ſuſpended, and then peradventure he might reduce them. Croeſus complyed with their Inſtructions, and ſent to Samos for Aeſop, baiting the Embaſſie with the former promiſe. The Samians charm'd with this ſoft Addreſs, decreed to ſurrender him; who when he underſtood it, unboſom'd himſelf in this Declaration, ſaying, You Citizens of Samos, I am ready to proſtrate my ſelf at the feet of Croeſus, but firſt I will rehearſe one Apologue to you. In elder Times when Beaſts had ſpeech, the Wolves commenc'd a war againſt the Sheep, but the Sheep were ſecur'd by the generous protection of the Dogs; on which the Wolves employ'd an Embaſſie to the Sheep, the purport of which was, that if they deſir'd the War ſhould be wound up in an amicable Peace, they ſhould reſigne their Dogs; the timorous and unwary Sheep aſſented to this Demand, and gave up their Protectors: The Wolves immediately deſtroyed the Dogs, and then made the Sheep a cheap and eaſie Sacrifice. The Samians unveiling the ſenſe of this Apologue, determin'd poſitively not to offer up Aeſop: But he would not permit them to purſue this Reſolution, but accompanyed the Embaſſadors to Croeſus.

They arriving in Lydia, offer'd up Aeſop to the view of the King; whom when Croeſus beheld, he reſented it with indignation, that ſo deſpicable a perſon, ſhould by his counſel reſcue Samos from his intended Conqueſt. Aeſop (obſerving his Reſentment) anſwer'd; Mighty Sir, Since neither Force nor Neceſſity, but only the conduct and propenſity of my owne Will and Genius, hath engag'd my voluntary Surrender, I requeſt this Apologue may be offer'd up to your Majeſties Ear. A certain man having gather'd up many Locuſts, kill'd them; and having alſo ſurpris'd a Graſshopper, whom he deſign'd to deſtroy; ſhe thus beſpoke him; Sir, Do not kill me, for I am no ways deſtructive or injurious to the Intereſt of Man, ſince in me you diſcover nothing but the accents of thoſe Ayrs with which I charm into ſoft and eaſie ſlumber the wearied Traveller. He mollified with this Addreſs, diſmiſs'd her. Thus I (Oh King!) proſtrating my ſelf before your feet, deſire my Life may be the monument of your Mercy, ſince it cannot be prejudicial to any man; and in this rumpell'd Body, you ſhall find an even Soul. Croeſus (warp'd at once both with Amazement and Pity) replyed; Aeſop, Not only thy Life, but a Donation of a Fortune alſo, ſhall be the teſtimony of my Benificence: Demand therefore what you pleaſe, and it ſhall be crown'd with my Conceſſion. May it then comply with thy pleaſure (Oh King!) to wrap up your Animoſities againſt the Samians in an amicable Reconciliation. The King replying, I am reconcil'd, he proſtrated himſelf on the Earth, and with the Humility of his Body, offer'd up his moſt humble Thanks.

Aeſop having received Letters from Croeſus full of the ſoft Intimations of Peace, accompanyed with a Releaſe of the menaced Tribute; he not long after arriv'd at Samos, where the Citizens (having their Heads adorn'd with Garlands) made their Addreſſes with Dancing to him. He opened the Letters, which ſpecified that the King had made a free Conceſſion both of Liberty and Tribute to them. On which Aeſop (as a teſtimony of Reward for ſuch a ſignal performance) was once more honour'd with a publick Indenization or Enfranchiſement. Not long after he departed from Samos, and traverſing the World, engag'd in Diſputes with ſeveral Philoſophers, till at laſt he arriv'd at Babylon; where having demonſtrated ſolemn Evidences of his Learning, he had much entitled himſelf to a high repute in the opinion of King Lycerus; and in thoſe Times (Kingdomes being knit together in an amicable Peace) their delight was to tranſmit Philoſophical Queſtions mutually to each other; which whoſoever could unravel, receiv'd a Releaſe of Tribute from him that ſent them.

Aeſop unveiling thoſe Problems which were offer'd up to Lycerus, diſcover'd their latent Senſe, and ſo improv'd the Reputation of the King. And Aeſop (in the Name of Lycerus) tranſmitted Queſtions of the ſame complexion to the adjacent Kings; which being unreſolved, obtain'd an Increaſe of Tribute from thoſe who could not untie them. Now Aeſop (being Childleſs) had adopted a Noble-man call'd Eunus as Heir of his Patrimony, and ſought to endear him to the Favor of the King: But not long after (having deprehended him mingled in unlawful Embraces with his Concubine) he exauthoriz'd his firſt Adoption, and diſcarded him. He incens'd at his act, forg'd ſuppoſititious Letters from Aeſop to thoſe who mov'd the former Philoſophical Queſtions to Lycerus; which Letters intimated his Alacrity to perform Services rather to them than the King; and theſe Eunus offer'd up to Lycerus, ſeal'd with the ſubborned ſignature of Aeſop's Ring.

The King (reſigning his Belief up to the Impoſture of Eunus) incenſed, enjoyn'd Hermippus, without any winnowing of Circumſtances, to deprive Aeſop of Life. But he (being knit to Aeſop in a private confederacy of friendſhip) declin'd the rigor of the Kings commands, and conceal'd Aeſop in a Sepulchre, and there ſupported him with nouriſhment. Eunus alſo by the Kings permiſſion was inveſted in Aeſop's Patrimony.

Not long after, Nectenabo King of Egypt (informed that Aeſop was dead) ſent a Letter to Lycerus, requiring Artificers who could erect a Tower which ſhould neither touch Earth or Heaven; and one that could reſolve all that was demanded: Which if he perform'd, then he ſhould offer up Tribute; but if he did not accompliſh it, then he ſhould exact it of him. Lycerus having view'd this Demand, was engag'd in Melancholy, ſince none could diſcover to him what the Queſtion that related to the Tower could import. On which the King cryed out, Aeſop the Pillar of my Kingdome is by death cruſh'd into aſhes! Hermippus beholding the King with ſo much Reſentment to deplore the loſs of Aeſop, applyed himſelf to Lycerus, and inform'd him Aeſop had ſurviv'd his rigorous commands; adding, that even for his Concernment he had not deſtroy'd him; becauſe he was confident his Death would by himſelf be entertain'd with Regret and Remorſe.

The King rejoycing that Aeſop was not offer'd up an oblation to his ſeverer Injunctions, he was produc'd before him all beſpatter'd with the dirt of the Sepulchre: whom when he beheld, with compaſſionate reflections, he commanded to be aſſoil'd from his contracted pollution. After Aeſop having ſupplanted thoſe Grounds on which his former Accuſation was eſtabliſh'd, the King enjoyn'd that Eunus (to expiate his ingrateful Forgeries) ſhould fall a Sacrifice to Juſtice. But the pardon of his Life was the effect of Aeſop's Interceſſion.

Not long after a Letter arriv'd from Egypt, which Lycerus gave up to Aeſop's peruſal; who knowing how to untwiſt the propounded Queſtions, deſir'd that this Reply might be diſpatch'd away; That after Winter was expir'd, one ſhould be employ'd, who ſhould not only erect the Tower above-mentioned; but alſo ſhould cleave in ſunder all Demands with a juſt Solution. The King thereupon diſmiſs'd the Egyptian Embaſſadors, reſtoring both to Aeſop and Eunus their former Demeaſnes. The laſt of which being again united to Aeſop's Affection by a ſecond Adoption, was accoſted by him with theſe or the like Admonitions: My Son, Worſhip God, and honour the King: make thy Self conſiderable to thine Enemies, and uſeful to thy Friends, that by Intercourſe and other reciprocal Offices, their Friendſhip may likewiſe be enlarged towards thee. Invoke the Powers above, that thine Enemies be Indigent, that they may not offend thee; and thy Friends as opulent, that by the happy ſupplies of their wealth they may ſupport thee. Be conſtant to thy Conſort, leſt thy wandrings cauſe her to ſtraggle likewiſe. Be not ſwift to Speak, but to Hear. Envy not thoſe who do well, ſince the Malignity of that vice will be moſt injurious to thy ſelf. So manage thy Domeſtick affairs, that thou mayſt be look'd upon not as a Maſter, but ador'd as a Benefactor. Be not aſhamed to learn better Things. Depoſite not thy Secrets in the breaſt of a Woman, for it will but improve her Inſolence. Let every days Stock be the pledge of to morrows Store; for it is better to delegate ſomewhat to thine Enemies when thou dieſt, than want for thy Friends when thou liveſt. Treat thoſe with gentle Salutations who accoſt thee. Repent not that thou haſt been Honeſt. Diſcard Paraſites and Whiſperers. Still act that for which thou mayſt have no cauſe to Repent. Theſe Inſtructions of Aeſop's made ſo vigorous an Impreſſion on Eunus, that being diſtorted with Compunction and Remorſe for his former deteſted Ingratitnde, it diſunited that vital Ligature which tied his Soul and Body together, and he expir'd in an early Diſſolution.

Aeſop not long after this employ'd ſome Fowlers to attaque foure young Eagles; which being ſurpriz'd, he (by an artificial diſcipline) taught to waft along young Children in Baskets, and obſerve them in what they ſhould command. The Winter now expir'd, and Spring approaching, Aeſop having made proviſion for his Journey, tranſported the Eagles and Children into Egypt; which oblig'd the Admiration of the People of the Countrey. Nectenabo being inſtructed that Aeſop was arriv'd; I am ſurpriz'd, ſaid he, for I was informed that Aeſop was dead. The King commanded the day following, that all his Officers ſhould aſſemble inveſted in White Robes, and he himſelf glitter'd with his Royal Attire, and Imperial Diadem. When he was plac'd upon his Throne, he commanded Aeſop to be produc'd. To what do you aſſimilate me, ſaid Nectenabo, and thoſe who ſurround my Throne? Aeſop replyed, You reſemble a Vernal Sun, and your Attendants a fruitful Harveſt. The King ſhowr'd many Favours upon him, as the Reward of his accepted Anſwer. The day following the King appear'd inveſted with White, but enjoyned his Retinue to be attir'd with Purple. When Aeſop enter'd he demanded the ſame Queſtion, Aeſop replyed, You are an Emblem of the Sun; and thoſe that encircle your Throne, a Type of his effuſed Beams. Nectenabo enquir'd, What was his opinion in relation to his Kingdome? and whether it was not to be prefer'd beyond that of Lycerus? Do not flatter your ſelf, replyed Aeſop; Your Kingdome though it may dart forth a Luſtre like the Rayes of the Sun, yet thrown into a competition with his, its ſplendor would ſoon languiſh away into a gloomy Darkneſs. Nectenabo applauding his Anſwer, enquir'd, where they were that ſhould erect the Tower? They are ready (ſaid he) if you have deſign'd the place. The King departing from the City, diſcovered to him a capacious Plain. Aeſop attending him, produced the Eagles with the Children lodg'd in Baskets hanging about them, and then furniſhing the Children with working Inſtruments, enjoyn'd them to flye: they being elevated into the Air, demanded Stones, Mortar, and Timber, as the fit Ingredients for Building. Nectenabo beholding the Children thus tranſported by their winged Miniſters, ſaid to Aeſop, I am deficient in Men that can flye. Aeſop replyed, Lycerus is ſtor'd with ſuch, will you being a Man engage in a Conteſt with a King corrival with the Gods? Nectenabo acknowledg'd himſelf ſubdued, but ſtreight aſſaulted Aeſop with another Queſtion, of which he demanded a Solution; ſaying, I have here Mares, who when they hear the Neighing of the Horſes of Babylon, immediately Conceive: If you can diſſolve this (ſaid he) accompliſh it inſtantly. Aeſop replyed, To Morrow I will untwine your Queſtion. When he was arriv'd at his Lodging, he engag'd ſome Boyes to Surprize a Cat, and drag her about the City. The Egyptians (that conſecrated divine Honours to this Animal) incenſed at this irregular Action of his, reported it to the King. Nectenabo ſummoning Aeſop to appear, demanded, If he did not know that the Cat was in the Regiſter of the Egyptian Deities. It was very injurious to King Lycerus, reply'd Aeſop; for the laſt Night it deſtroy'd that Cock that by ſhrill Alarums gave him Intelligence how the Night did ebb away. Art thou not aſham'd of this Falſehood? ſaid the King. How could the Cat in ſo ſmall an Interval of time as one Night, tranſport her ſelf from Egypt to Babylon? Aeſop replyed with a ſmile, And how oh King can the Mares of Egypt, that are divorc'd by ſo remote a Diſtance, Conceive upon the Neighing of the Horſes of Babylon? The King admir'd his Sagacity, and extoll'd his ſucceſſeful Genius. Not long after he ſummoned ſeveral Sages from Heliopolis to Skirmiſh with Aeſop in variety of Queſtions; and when their Diſputations were wound up, he refreſh'd all with a Banquet. When they were marſhall'd at their prepared Feaſt, one of the Heliopolitans ſaid to Aeſop, I am employed by one of our Deities to encounter you with this Demand. You diſcover too much your Ignorance (ſaid Aeſop) by retrenching the Knowledge of one of your Gods, ſince the Omniſcience of the Powers above, cannot be improv'd by our narrow and contracted Notions. A ſecond urg'd this, and deſired Aeſop would extricate the Senſe folded up in it; There is a vaſt Temple, and a Column ſupporting twelve magnificent Cities, each of which are ſuſtain'd with thirty Rafters, which two Women conſtantly circulate. To this Aeſop replyed; The Temple is this World, the Cities the Moneths, the Rafters the Dayes of the Moneth, the Day and Night are the two Women by interchangeable Viciſſitudes ſucceſſefully attending each other. The Day following, Nectenabo ſummoned his Friends to aſſemble, and ſaid, The Tribute to be exacted of us by Lycerus, does entitle it ſelf to the Ingenuity of Aeſop. One of them replyed, We will aſſault him with Queſtions, which we know not, nor ever heard of. To morrow (ſaid Aeſop) I ſhall unmuffle thoſe alſo with a Solution; departing therefore he prepared a Schedule, wherein this was engroſs'd, Nectenabo confeſſes he is indebted a thouſand Talents to Lycerus. In the morning he produced this Inſtrument before the King: But before it was opened, the Friends of Nectenabo did all aſſert both their Knowledge and Hearing of it before. This candid acknowledgement of yours (ſaid Aeſop) does exact the Retribution of my Thanks: Did you ever know or hear that the King of Egypt was indebted to Lycerus a thouſand Talents? Nectenabo concluded, ſaying, Lycerus is fortunate to have his Kingdome ſupported by ſo ſagacious a perſon. And thereupon tranſmitted the Tribute thus dexterouſly evicted, diſmiſſing Aeſop with much complacence and valediction.

Aeſop returning to Babylon, digeſted into a juſt Narrative the whole contexture of thoſe Affairs which had been tranſacted in Egypt, and with the acknowledg'd Tribute, offer'd it up to King Lycerus; which ſo endear'd him, that his Commands did enjoyn, that an eminent Statue ſhould be Conſecrated to the Glory and Memory of Aeſop.

Not long after he determin'd to ſail into Greece, and with Licenſe obtain'd from the King departed, ſolemnly atteſting that he would again return to Babylon, and there find his Sepulchre.

After he had ſurvey'd all the Provinces of Greece, and by his prudent managery of Affairs, had atchiev'd to himſelf an eminent Character of Reputation and publique Fame, his deſires engag'd him to viſit Delphos, the Treaſury of thoſe Oraculous and Myſterious Dictates, which were entitled to Apollo.

When he was arriv'd at Delphos aboveſaid, many reſign'd up their Ears to his Eloquence, but entertain'd it with ſlender reſpect. He therefore beholding them, ſaid, You Citizens of Delphos, you juſtly reſemble the Wood that floats on the ſurface of the Sea; viewing it afar off, we eſteem it of ſome important concernment; but when it approaches, we contemn it: So I, when I was divided by a far diſtance from your City, did admire you; but my miſtake does engage me now to fix upon you the Character of the moſt uſeleſs amongſt men. When they heard this, their fears ſuggeſted to them, that when he was departed he might caſt ſome diſeſteem upon them; and therefore they by ſome artificial ſnares deſigned to deſtroy him: hereupon, taking a golden Cup out of Apollo's Temple, they conceal'd it amongſt Aeſop's Baggage; he not reſenting their deſtructive Arts, departed to Phocide; the Delphians purſued him, and there impeach'd him as guilty of the deformed crime of Sacriledge; he diſavow'd the Fact; but they untied his Baggage, and there tracing out the Cup, with much Emotion of Spirit diſcovered it to the City. Aeſop unwinding their malicious Stratagems, deſired, That neither his Life or Liberty might be made an Oblation to their Fury. But they were ſo far from complying with his Requeſt, that they firſt condemn'd him to a Priſon, and then (by an unjuſt Sentence) to a violent Death. Aeſop not able to extricate himſelf out of theſe Difficulties in which he was now entangled, deplored his calamitous Fate amidſt his Fetters; whileſt he was thus condoling his Misfortune, one (in the Regiſter of his choiceſt Friends) named Demas, applied himſelf to him, and implor'd him to diſcover the cauſe of ſo eminent a ſorrow. Aeſop replyed, A Woman having newly Enterr'd her Husband, moiſtned his Ʋrne with her daily Tears; one Plowing not far off, being warm'd into an Affection towards her, abandon'd his Oxen, and addreſſing himſelf to the Grave, engaged with her in mutual Weeping. She demanded the Occaſion of his Tears? Becauſe (replyed he) I have lately entomb'd a Wife ſignally good, and I find ſome abatement of Affliction, by opening the Sluces of Sorrow. The ſame Fate hath attended me, ſaid the Woman. Since we are wrap'd up in the ſame Calamity (ſaid he) why ſhould not our Bodies be joyn'd in Mariage, aſwell as our Misfortunes? ſince I affect you as a Wife, and thou loveſt me as a Husband. Whileſt they were engaged in this amorous conference, a Felon (with injurious violence) raviſhed away his Oxen; repairing home, he determin'd to deplore their Loſs with Exceſs of Tears. The Woman again accoſting him, ſaid, Do you weep ſtill? Now (replied he) there is a juſt cauſe adminiſtred that ſummons forth theſe ſhowres of Sorrow. So I, that have declin'd many dangers, have now an unhappy occaſion for my tears, ſince I can diſcover no Art by which I may diſentangle my ſelf of this. After this the Delphians approach'd, and drew him from his Confinement towards the verge of a ſteep and craggy precipice, on which he thus Addreſs'd himſelf to them; When Beaſts did parley, the Mouſe being an intimate Familiar of the Frog, by an Invitation careſs'd her with a Supper in the Store-houſe of a rich man, where there was variety of Viands, and deſir'd that there ſhe would ſate her ſelf. After this Entertainment was concluded, the Frog conducted the Mouſe to Supper; and that he might not be tir'd or faint with ſwimming, ſhe with a ſlender thread link'd his leg to hers: this being performed, they endevour'd to ferry over the ſtream; but before they were half wafted over, the Mouſe was ingulph'd in the Current; who dying, declared, that his Ruine was juſtly entitled to the Frog; but only ſome more powerful than themſelves, would vindicate his calamitous Tragedy. The Eagle beholding the Mouſe dead, and floating on the water, ſnatching at him, ſurprizes the Frog likewiſe, who was united with a ſtring to his leg, and ſo both became a Dole to his Rapine. Thus I that am ready to fall an untimely Victime to your Injuſtice, ſhall not want an Expiation; for all Greece, and Babylon, will concenter in a juſt Vindication of this my undeſerved Tragedy.

But all this had no Influence, and made no Impreſſion upon the barbarous and unrelenting Delphians; and though Aeſop ſhelter'd himſelf in Apollo's Temple, they dragg'd him thence, without any reverence to that Sanctuary, and conducted him to a ragged Precipice; whither approaching, he thus beſpoke them; You Citizens of Delphos, The Hare being purſued by the Eagle, retreated into the Neſt of a Hornet: The Hornet implores the Eagle to compaſſionate the Hare: the Eagle with his wing repulſes the Hornet, and deſtroys the Hare. The Hornet tracing out the Eagles Neſt, invaded it, and demoliſh'd her Eggs. The Eagle (to decline the like Misfortune the ſecond time) erects her Neſt in an higher Airie. The Hornet purſues her with the ſame deſtructive Onſets. The Eagle (ignorant by what Artifice he might evade theſe injurious Aſſaults) ſoars up to Jupiter (whoſe Bird ſhe is ſtyl'd) and depoſites her Eggs the third time, between the knees of the Deity, invoking his preſervation and protection of them. The Hornet compoſing a Ball of Dirt, dropp'd it into the Lap of Jupiter; who not remembring the protected Eggs, ſhook off them and the Dirt together, deſtroying thoſe which were intruſted to his patronage and tuition. But when he was informed from the Hornet that this was the Expiation of a former Injury, deſirous that the Eagles progeny by theſe repeated Injuries might not languiſh into decay, endevour'd that their mutual Feud might be entomb'd in a pacification. But the Hornet being refractory, Jupiter reſpited the Hatching of the Eagles, till that ſeaſon the Hornets ſally out. And you Citizens of Delphos, contemn not this Deity from whom I have implor'd a Refuge, though his Temple be narrow in its Dimenſions.

The Delphians inexpugnable to theſe Inſtructions, hurried him away to undergoe the fatal Execution of the Sentence. Which when Aeſop diſcover'd, and that no ſoft complyance could charm them, he made this rough Addreſs unto them; You cruel and obdurate Men; A certain Husband-man growing aged, that had never beheld the City, enjoyn'd his Servants to tranſport him thither, that before his Deceaſe he might take a proſpect of it: whileſt he was engag'd in this Expedition, he ſuffer'd under the anger of an impetuous Storm, which was improv'd by a gloomy darkneſs, ſo that the Aſſes (which conducted the Wagon wherein he was plac'd) erring in their way, guided him to a Precipice; where being upon the verge of an approaching Ruine, he cryed out, Oh Jove! What Injury of mine hath incens'd thee to throw this Misfortune upon me? eſpecially ſince my Death is entitled not to generous Horſes, or active Mules, but to dull and inconſiderable Aſſes. And that's my inſtant calamity that I am deſign'd to fall not by perſons of worth or eſtimate, but by the cheapeſt and ignobleſt Dregs of Men.

He now upon the margin of the Precipice, wrapp'd up his laſt Application in this Apologue: A certain man warp'd with an unnatural Affection towards his Daughter, employed his Wife into the Countrey, and in that Intervall, by an inceſtuous violence aſſaults her Virgin-chaſtity: She cryed out, Father, I could have choſe this uncouth crime had been acted by any, rather than by your ſelf, though my perpetual Infamy had been the Reſult of ſuch illegal Imbraces. This I alſo urge againſt you, you unjuſt Delphians: I had rather my Fate had thrown me upon Scylla or Charybdis, or the Syrtes of Africa, than to have offer'd me up to thoſe hands that are now ready to deprive me of Life, by ſo extrajudicial a violence. I atteſt the Gods, I die a Martyr to my Innocence, and I doubt not but thoſe celeſtial Powers will by a juſt Revenge retaliate this barbarous Aſſaſſination.

This ſaid, the Delphians threw him from the Precipice, and he periſh'd.

Not long after a deſtructive Peſtilence having made a publique Ravage amongſt them, they were inform'd by the Oracle that it was the Expiation of Aeſop's unjuſt Tragedy; wherefore they (to aſſoil their Guilt) erected over his ſhatter'd Reliques, a pompous Monument. But the Principals of Greece, and the moſt prudent Sages, when they were inform'd of this deplorable Ruine, by a ſerious Diſcuſſion review'd this Sanguinary Fact of the Delphians, and by a ſevere Revenge recompens'd the innocent Effuſion of Aeſop's Blood.

MUlti, et magni Nominis, viri, rerum humanarum Naturam aſſecuti ſunt, & Poſteritati commendârunt, Aeſopus verò, non ſine Numine, videtur multis paraſangis ſuperâſſe omnes in eâ Philoſophiae parte quae ad Ethicam, ſeu moralem diſciplinam, pertinet; nam neque definiendo, nec ratiocinando ſecundum Ariſtotelem, neque ex Hiſtoriâ admonendo, ſecundum Socratem, & Platonem, ſed fabulis prorſùs erudiendo, pro ſtatu illius temporis, ſic audientium animos aucupatus eſt, ut pudeat homines ratione praeditos facere, aut ſentire quidem, quae bruta animalia deliberatè evitâſſe ſinguntur, ex quibus aliqua, pericula imminentia diverterunt, altera maximam utilitatem opportunè conſecuta ſunt. Aeſopus igitur, qui vitam ſuam, Idaeam Reipublicae Philoſophicae, conſtituerat, & qui rebus, magis quàm v • rbis, Philoſophum egit, Natione fuit Phryx, ex Ammorio oppido Phrygiae cognomento Magnae, ſed Conditione fuit Servus: Quàm pulchrè igitur & quàm verè fuit illud Platonis Dictum, in ſuo Gorgia, Plerunque inter ſe ſunt contraria, Lex et Natura.

Aeſopi animum Natura liberum praeſtabat, ſed Fortunae lex in ſervitium tradidit; At ne ſic quidem Animi libertatem potuit corrumpere, ſed quamvis ad res varias, & ad incerta loca, corpus tranſtulerat, à propriâ tamen ſede animum movere non potuit. Aeſopus enim non ſolùm ſervus fuit, ſed & omnium hominum, in aetate quâ degebat, deformoſiſſimus, nam obſtipo fuit & acuto capite, depreſſis naribus, collo reclivi, labris prominentibus, colore niger, unde & nomen adeptus eſt (Idem enim Aeſopus ſignificat quod Aethiops;) praeterea ventroſus fuit, valgus, & incurvus, forſitan & Therſiten in Homero turpitudine formae ſuperavit; ſed quod peſſimum omnium in eo fuit tardiloquentia, & vox blaeſa, & inarticulate, Quae omnia videntur ſervitutem Aeſopo deſtinâſſe; mirum etenim fuiſſet ſi tam inhabili & indecenti corpore ſervitutis jugum aufugere potuiſſet: ſed quamvis corpore tali, animo ſolertiſſimo naturâ extitit, & ad omne figmentum faeliciſſimus.

Magiſter ipſius, tanquam ad nullum domeſticum opus utilem, ad fodiendum in agris emiſit; Aeſopus egreſſus alacriter operi incumbebat, profecto ad agros Hero ut laborantes obſervaret, unus ex agricolis egregias ex arbore decerptas ficus dono tulit; Ille verò fructûs delectatus pulchritudine Agathopo Miniſtro (hoc enim erat Puero nomen) transferri juſſit, ut ſibi a balneo revertenti apponeret: Quùm verò ſic eveniſſet, ut Aeſopus ob quandam neceſſitatem Heri Domum ingrederetur, Agathopus occaſione captâ conſilium tale conſervo cuidam obtulit, Impleamur, dixit, ſi placeat, ficubus, ac ſi Herus noſter forſan requiſierit, nos contra Aeſopum teſtes crimus, quod, in Domum ingreſſus, ficus clàm comederit, & huic figmento multa alia mendacia ſuperſtruemus; Nihil, crede mihi, unus ad duos valebit, praeſertim quùm ſine ullis probationibus quicquam diducere conabitur.

Hoc conſilio inito, ad opus acceſſerunt, & ficus devorantes, dicebant ſinguli cum riſu, Vae tibi infaelix Aeſope! Quùm igitur Herus à Balneo rediiſſet, & ſicus petiiſſet, audiviſſetque quod Aeſopus eas comederat, irâ excandeſcens Aeſopum ad ſe vocari juſſit, & vocato ait, Itáne (O execrande) me contempſiſti, ut in penu non dubitaveris ingredi, & paratas mihi ficus comedere? Aeſopus audiebat quidem & intelligebat, ſed ob linguae tarditatem nullo modo reſpondere poterat: Quum jam ad verbera traheretur, & delatores vehementer inſtarent, procumbens ad heri pedes, ut paululum morae ſibi indulgeret, petivit; quo conceſſo, tepidam aquam attulit, & quum bibiſſet, digitis in os demiſſis, rurſus aquam tepidam ſolùm ejecit, nondum enim per totum illum diem cibum attigerat. Rogabat, igitur, ut idem & accuſatores facerent, ut manifeſtum fieret quiſnam fuit qui ficus devorâſſet: Herus, ingenium hominis admiratus, ſic facere alios pepulit; Illi autem deliberaverunt bibere quidem aquam, ſed non in guttur demittere digitos, at per obliqua tantum maxillarum, huc, illuc, circumferre. Vixdum autem biberant, quum, per tepidam illam aquam nauſeâ potantibus inductâ, ſicus comeſas redderent: Tunc igitur & maleficio Delatorum & calumniâ ante oculos poſitâ, Herus juſſit ſervos flagro vapulare, qui moeſti dictum illud agnoverunt, Qui in alterum dolos ſtruit ſibi inſcius malum fabricat.

Sequenti die, Hero in urbem revecto, Aeſopo verò, quemadmodum juſſus fuerat, in agris fodiente, Sacerdotes Dianae, five alii quidam homines in viâ errantes, in Aeſopum inciderunt, & per Jovem Hoſpitalem efflagitabant, ut viam oſtenderet quae in urbem duceret: Ille, quum ſub Arboris umbram viros priùs adduxiſſet, frugalem que appoſuiſſet coenam, in viam quam quaerebant induxit; Viatores itaque tum ob hoſpitalitatem, tum ob conductum, mirum in modum, viro devincti, manus in coelum elevârunt, et multis precibus benefactorem remunerati ſunt.

Aeſopus reverſus, et in ſomnum lapſus, prae aſſiduo labore, & torrido ſolis aeſtu, viſus eſt fortunam ſibi aſtantem videre, & ſolutionem linguae, & ſermonis habilitatem, & Fabularum Sapientiam l •• gientem, & non longo poſt tempore excitatus, Papae, exclamavit, ut ſuaviter dormivi, et quàm pulchrum ſomnium videre mihi viſus ſum, & ecce expeditè loquor, Bos, Aſinus, Raſtrum, et omnia alia verba, facilè pronuntiare poſſum; & benè intelligo unde mihi Bonum hoc acceſſerit, quia enim pius in hoſpites fui, propitium mihi Numen conſecutus ſum: Ergo benefacere bonâ plenùm eſt ſpe. Sic Aeſopus facto laetatus rurſum coepit fodere. Sed Praefecto, agri, cui Zenas nomen erat, ad operarios profecto, horum unum, quoniam erraverat in opere, fuſte punivit; Aeſopus autem exclamavit, Cur ſic verberas eum qui nullâ injuriâ te affecit? Cur omnibus tam temerè plagas quotidie ingeris? Renunciabo Hero profectò. Quae quum Zenas accepiſſet, non mediocriter obſtupuit, & ſecum ait, Quod Aeſopus loqui coeperit nihil mihi emolumenti foret; Praeveniens igitur, ipſum coram Domino accuſabo, antequam ipſe hoc idem faciat, & me Herus procuratione privet. Haec ſecum murmurans, ad urbem converſus, domi illius ſe contulit: Caeterum quum turbatus & fronte parum laetâ acceſſiſſet, Salve, inquit, Here; cui Ille, Quid perturbatus ades, Zenas reſpondebat? Res quaedam miranda in agro accidit: Et Herus, Nunquid Arbor ante tempus abortivum fructum tulit? An Jumentum aliquod praeter Naturam genuit? Et ille, Non, Non, Sed Aeſopus, qui antea penè mutus erat, nunc loqui coepit; Et Herus, Sic tibi nihil boni eveniat exiſtimanti hoc monſtrum eſſe: Et ille, Mitto opprobria quae in me Aeſopus contumeliosè dixit; In te autem, & in Deos ipſos horrendè conviciatur. His Herus percitus, Zena, ait, tibi Aeſopum trado, vende, dona, quod vis de eo facito.

Quum Zenas in poteſtate ſua Aeſopum accepiſſet, & in eum abſolutum imperium haberet, Aeſopo renuntiavit; cui Aeſopus placidè dixit, Quodcun que volueris effice. Fortè verò quum Mercator quidam Jumenta quaereret emere, & propterea per agrum illum ubi Aeſopus laboravit iter faceret, & Zenam pro Jumentis rogavit; Zenas reſpondit, Jumenta non habeo, ſed ſi maſculum mancipium emere vis in promptu habeo. Quum verò mercator oſtendi ſibi ſervulum petiiſſet, et Zenas Aeſopum accerſiſſet, mercator eum intuens, & cachinnatus, dixit, Ʋnde tibi haec olla? Ʋtrunt truncus eſt arboris, an Homo? Hic, niſi vocem haberet, plane mihi videretur eſſe uter inflatus; Quare mihi Iter rupiſti hujus Piaculi gratia? Haec dicens abivit. Aeſopus autem inſecutus ipſum; Mane, inquit: cui Mercator converſus, Abi, inquit, à me ſordidiſſime canis: Et Aeſopus, Dic mihi, cujus rei gratia huc veniſti? Et Mercator, Sceleſte, ut aliquid boni emerem, tui non egeo, quod tam inutilis es: Et Aeſopus, Eme me, & ſi qua eſt fides, plurimum te juvare poſſum: & ille, Quâ in re, quum penitùs mihi odium ſis, utilis eſſe potes? Et Aeſopus, Nonne domi habes pueros ſtentes & turbulentos? His praefice me Paedagogum, & omnino eis pro larvâ ero; Ridens igitur Mercator, Zenae dixit, Quanti, malum hoc vendis? cui Zenas, tribus obolis; Mercator ſtatim tres obolos ſolvens, Nihil, dixit, expoſui, & Nihil emi.

Quum igitur iter feciſſent, ac perveniſſent in ſuam Domum, pueruli duo qui adhuc materna ſugebant ubera, Aeſopo viſo, perturbati exclamaverunt, Et Aeſopus ſtatim Mercatori dixit, Habes jam mei promiſſi probationem: Ille verò ridens; Ingreſſus, inquit, ſaluta conſervos tuos? Introgreſſum autem ac ſalutantem quùm viderunt illi, Quodnam malum, inquiunt, Hero noſtro contigit, ut ſervulum tam deformem emerit? ſed ut videtur proſaſcino Domus, ad avertendum omne malum, hunc adeptus eſt. Non multò verò pòſt Mercator, apparari res ad iter ſervis mandavit, quòd poſtridiè in Aſiam profecturus eſſet. Illi igitur ſtatim vaſa diſtribuebant; Aeſopus autem providè rogavit, leviſſimum onus ſibi concedi, utpote nuper empto, & nondum ad haec miniſteria exercitato; His autem, & ſi nihil portare velit, veniam praebentibus; Ille, non oportere, dixit, omnibus laborantibus ſe ſolum inutilem eſſe: His igitur, quod portare vellet permittentibus, quum hùc, & illùc circumſpexiſſet, & vaſa diverſa congregâſſet, unà cum ſaccis, ſtramentis, & caniſtris, unum caniſtrum panis plenum quem duo portare debebant ſibi imponi poſcebat; Illi autem ridentes, & nihil ſtultius eſſe Aeſopo affirmantes, qui paulò anteà leviſſimum rogabat portare onus, & nunc omnium graviſſimum elegerat, oportere tamen deſiderio ejus ſatisfacere dicentes, ſublatum caniſtrum Aeſopo imponebant: Aeſopus, humeris onere gravatis, hùc & illùc dimovebatur; Hunc videns Mercator, admiratus eſt, & inquit, Aeſopus eſt ad laborandum promptus, & jam ſuum pretium perſolvit, jumenti enim onus, miſellus portat. Quum autem in Horâ prandii divertiſſent, Aeſopus, qui juſſus fuit panes unicui que diſtribuere, ſemivacuum caniſtrum, multis comedentibus, fecit, unde poſt prandium leviore onere facto, alacrius incedebat; Verùm veſpere quo que pane illic quo diverterant diſtributo, poſterâ die, vacuo humeris ſublato caniſtro, primus omnium ibat, ita ut conſervis hunc praecurrentem videntibus, dubium eſſet, utrum deformis eſſet Aeſopus, an quiſpiam alius; Et quum propius accedentes cognoviſſent eundem eſſe, admirabantur quod nigellus homuncio ſolertius omnibus fecerit, quoniam qui facilè conſumerentur panes ſuſtulit, quum illi ſtramenta & reliquam ſupellectilem bajularent.

Mercator quum eſſet Epheſi, alia quidem mancipia cum lucro vendidit, remanſerunt autem tria, Grammaticus, Cantor, & Aeſopus: Quum verò quidam ex familiaribus Mercatori ſuaſiſſet ut in Samum navigaret, tanquam ibi cum majori lucro vendituro ſervulos, quum illic perveniſſet, Grammaticum, & Cantorem utrún que novâ veſte indutum in foro ſtatuebat; ſed Aeſopum, quoniam totus erat mendoſus, & deformis, veſte ex ſacco ei circumpoſitâ medium inter utrún que conſtituit, ut & videntes ſtuperent, dicentes, Ʋnde haec abhominatio quae & alios obſcurat? Aeſopus autem, quamvis à multis morderetur, conſtanter tamen ſtetit, ad ipſos intuens.

Xanthus Philoſophus, qui tunc habitabat Sami, profectus in forum, & cernens duos pueros bellè ornatos in foro aſtantes, & in medio illorum Aeſopum, admiratus eſt Mercatoris Commentum, quod turpem in medio collocaverat, ut appoſitione deformis, pulchriores quam re verâ erant, alteri adoleſcentuli apparerent; Et propius accedens percontatus eſt Cantorem, cujas eſſet? Et is, Cappadox; Tum Xanthus, Quid igitur ſcis facere? Omnia reſpondebat Cantor; Ad haec Aeſopus riſit: Sed Diſcipuli qui cum Xantho unà erant, ut viderunt ipſum ridentem, denteſ que oſtendentem, ſtatim monſtrum aliquod ſe videre arbitrabantur, & corum uno, Certe Hernia eſt, habens dentes, dicente; & alio, Quidnam videns riſit? Alio, non riſiſſe ſed rugiſſe: Omnibus autem volentibus cognoſcere cur riſiſſet, unus illorum accedens Aeſopo, inquit, Cujus rei gratiâ riſiſti? Et is, Abſcede marina Ovis: Illo verò, eo ſermone funditùs confuſo, repenté que ſecedente, Xanthus inquit Mercatori; Quanti pretii eſt Cantor? Illo autem, mille obolorum, reſpondente, ad alterum ivit, inſolito vexatus pretio; At que & hunc rogitante Philoſopho, Cujuſnam foret, & audito Lydum eſſe, rursúſ que rogante, Quid ergo ſcis facere? Et illo reſpondente, Omnia; iterum riſit Aeſopus: Ex Scholaſticis autem quodam ſciſcitante, Quidnam hîc ad omnes ridet? alius ei dixit, Si & vis tu marinus vocari Hircus, roga, quaeſo. Interea Xanthus rurſus rogavit Mercatorem, Quanti pretii Grammaticus; & illo tribus millibus obolorum reſpondente, Philoſophus aegrè tulit tam immenſum pretium, & domi ſe ferebat. Diſcipulis autem petentibus, An non placuerint ei ſervuli? Placent, reſpondebat, ſed non in animo eſt emere Mancipium pretioſum. Uno autem dicente, Sed quid impedit, ne turpis hic ematur? qui idem obſequium, idem miniſterium afferet, quod & alii; nos ergo pretium illius exponemus. Xanthus reſpondet, Abſurdum & ridiculum prorsùs erit vos ſolviſſe pretium pro ſervulo, & me emiſſe: Praetereà & uxor mea, munditiae ſtudioſiſſima, nunquam feret à tam deformi ſerviri mancipio. Scholaſticis rursùs dicentibus, ſed nobilis eſt Sententia quae docet, quod, Foeminae non ſunt parendae; Xanthus dixit, Faciamus priùs periculum, An ſciat aliquid? ne pretium incaſſum pereat. Accedens igitur ad Aeſopum, Gaude, inquit; Cui ſtatim Aeſopus, Numnam triſtabar? Xanthus procedit, Saluto te: Et Aeſopus, Et ego te. Xanthus unà cum aliis ſtupefactus inexpectato reſponſo, rogavit, Cujas es? Ille reſpondet, Niger. Xanthus iterùm, Non hoc peto, ſed unde natus es? Et is, Ex ventre Matris meae. Et Xanthus rursùs, Non hoc dico, ſed in quo loco natus es? Et ille, Non renunciavit mihi mater mea, Ʋtrum in loco ſublimi, an in humili. Et Philoſophus, Quid autem facere nôſti? Et ille, Nihil. Et Xanthus, Quomodo? Aeſopus reſpondet, Quoniam Hi duo ſe omnia noviſſe profeſſi ſunt, & mihi nihil reliquerunt. Ad quae Scholaſtici vehementer admirantes, Per Deos dixerunt optimè reſpondet: Nullus enim Homo eſt qui omnia novit, & ob hanc Cauſam etiam & ridebat. Rursùs Xanthus inquit, Vis ut te emam? Cui Aeſopus, Non hac in re me conſultore eges: Ʋtrum tibi melius eſſe videbitur, aut emere, aut non emere, facias; Nemo enim quicquam vi facit; Hoc in tua poſitum eſt Voluntate: Et ſi volueris, crumenae Januam aperi, & argentum numera; ſin verò minimè, Nè mihi vitio vertas. Rursùs igitur Diſcipuli inter ſe dixerunt, Per Deos noſtrum Praeceptorem antecellit. Xanthus verò quùm dixiſſet, Si te emero, an non à me auſugies? Aeſopus ridens reſpondebat, Hoc ſi vellem facere nullo modo utar tuo conſilio, ut & tu, paulò antè, meo. Et Xanthus, Benè dicis, ſed deformis es. Cui Aeſopus, Mentem inſpicere oportet, O Philoſophe, & non gibboſum, non deforme Corpus. Ad Mercatorem igitur accedens, Xanthus dixit ei, Quanti hunc vendis? Cui Mercator, Cur tali modo vituperas meas merces? formoſis etenim pueris omiſſis deformem hunc elegiſti: Alterum horum eme, & in illorum Gratiam, Hunc autem Auctarium accipe. Non certes, reſpondit Xanthus, Deformem hunc ſolum modò emam, praetereà Neminem. Habeas igitur, dixit Mercator, pro ſexaginta obolis: Et Diſcipuli, qui ad Xanthum pertinebant, obulos confeſtim collatos liberaliter expoſuerunt.

Aeſopo, in Xanthi miniſterium tralato, Publicani ingruentes aderant, & venditione cognitâ, ſciſcitantur, Quis vendiderit, & quis emerit? At quùm utrum que puderet notos eſſe propter vilitatem pretii, Aeſopus in medio ſtans (ſicut amictum expoſuimus) exclamavit, Qui venditus eſt, Ego ſum; Qui me emit, hic eſt; Qui me vendidit, Ille eſt; Si verò ipſi prorſùs tacuiſſent, quid obſtat, quo minùs ipſe liber ſim? Publicani, diffuſi riſu, abierunt, donato Xantho Vectigali. Aeſopus igitur ſequebatur Xanthum domi proficiſcentem: Quùm autem meridianus Sol aeſtuabat, Xanthus inter ambulandum pallium attollens mingebat; quod Aeſopus obſervans, veſtibus illius prenſis, retrò ad ſeipſum Philoſophum traxit, & inquit: Quàm celerrimè ut me vendas velim, aliter pocul dubiò aufugiam. Cui Xanthus, Quam ob rem? Quoniam, inquit, graviſſimum eſt taliſervire Hero; ſi enim tu qui Herus es, & neminem times, non relaxationem Naturae praebes, ſed eundo mingis, ſi obtigerit me ſervum tuum ad aliquod mitti miniſterium, & inter eundum tale quid Natura exigat, neceſſe omninò fuerit (turpe quidem dictu) currendo cacare. Et Xanthus, Hoc te turbat? Rationem tibi quia ſic feci, reddam; Stanti mihi Sol peruſſiſſet caput, & pedes torridum terrae Solum, & urinae acrimonia olfactum offendiſſet. Et Aeſopus, Vadè igitur, perſuaſiſti mihi. Poſtquàm autem uſ que ad domum Xanthi profecti ſunt; Xanthus jubens Aeſopum manere ante veſtibulum, quoniam elegantiuſculam ſibi uxorem noverat, ne que illicò debere talem turpitudinem illi oſtendi, antequàm aliquis illi urbaniora diceret: Ipſe ingreſſus dixit, Domina, non etiam poſthâc rejicies miniſterium quod tibi meae pediſſequae praeſtant; Jam enim ego Puerum tibi emi, in quo videbis pulchritudinem qualem nunquam vidiſti, qui & jam ante veſtibulum ſtat. Famulae Xanthi vera exiſtimantes quae dicta fuerant inter ſe non mediocri gaudio contendebant, cuinam ipſarum Sponſus deſtinatus ſit. Xanthus interea novum mancipium intus vocari juſſit, una ex illis magis accelerans &, ut arrhabonem, mandatum arripiens Aeſopum forìs quaeſivit, & non inventum, nomine vocavit; cui Aeſopus confeſtim, Coram, quem quaeritis, adſum. Ancilla autem ſtupefacta; Túne, inquit, es Aeſopus? Et ille; Aeſopus ſum. Ne ingrediaris, dixit Ancilla, ſin facies, omnes illicò fugiemus: Illâ haec dicente, egreditur & altera Ancilla, ac ut Aeſopum vidit, Caedatur tua, dixit, facies, & ingredere, ſed ne appropinques mihi.

Aeſopus autem Ingreſſus ſtetit coram Dominâ, quae ut eum vidiſſet, oculos avertens ad Virum, Ʋndè hoc monſtrum mihi attuliſti, dixit, abjice ipſum à facie meâ: Et Xanthus, Satis tibi Domina, Ne nimiùm mordaciter ſuccenſeas ſervo meo: Et illa, Videris mihi Xanthe jam me odiſse, & cauſam quaerere uxorem ducendi alteram, & forſan dùm pudebat tibi apertè mihi dicere, Diſcede â Domo meâ, Canicipitem hunc apportâſti, ut ejus aegrè latura miniſterium, à Domo tuâ fugiam; Retribuas igitur mihi Dotem meam, ut abſcedam.

Haec quùm Xanthus audiviſſet, Aeſopum objurgavit, quod nullum Reſponſum Uxori dedit, quùm inter eundum in Itinere faceta quaedam de mictu locutus fuerat: Aeſopus tandem iracundè protulit, Projice ipſam in Barathrum. Cui Xanthus, Tace ſcelus! An neſcis me illam ut meipſum amare? Et Aeſopus, Pulchrè ſapientiam profiteris, An Philoſophus amat mulierculam? Et ille, Admodum quidem; Ad quae Aeſopus pulſato pede exclamavit, Xanthus Philoſophus Ʋxorius eſt: Et verſus deinde ad Dominam, ait, Tu velles, O Domina, quod Dominus meus emiſſet tibi ſervum Juvenem, bono habitu, & vigentem, qui te nudam in Balneo ſpectaret, & tecum luderet in dedecus mariti. O Euripides, ut veneror te & aureum os tuum talia dicentem; Multi ſunt impetus fluctuum marinorum, multi fluminum & Ignis calidi flatus; Dura eſt res paupertas, & Dura alia Infinita, tamen nihil aequè durum ut mulier mala. Tu verò Domina, Philoſophi quùm ſis Ʋxor, ſerviri tibi noli à venuſtis adoleſcentulis, nè quo pacto contumeliam aliquam viro tuo inflixeris.

Xanthi Uxor quùm haec audîſſet, & nihil contradicere potuiſſet: Unde ſecum aiebat, Vir meus pulchritudinem hanc venatus eſt; Nihilominùs quamvis ſordidiſſimè ſe gerit, & loquax nebulo eſt, & facetus, Reconciliabor ei: Tum Xanthus, Aeſope, reconciliata eſt tibi tua Hera; Et Aeſopus, Ironicè loquens, Magna eſt res, inquit, placare mulierem. Et Xanthus, Cave, poſthâc ut taceas, emi etenim te ad ſerviendum, non ad contradicendum.

Poſterâ Die Xanthus, Aeſopo ſequi juſſo, ad hortum quendam ivit, empturus olera; Quùm verò Olitor faſciculum olerum meſſuiſſet, Aeſopus in manum accepit, & Xantho ſoluturo Hortulano Pecuniam; Pace, inquit Hortulanus, tuâ, Domine, Problema unum à te deſidero: Et Xanthus, Quidnam eſt? Tum Ille; Quaenam eſt Cauſa quod quae à me plantantur olera, quamvis & diligenter fodiantur, & quotidiè irrigantur, tardum tamen accipiunt Incrementum, quùm illa quibus ſpontanea eſt à terrâ germinatio, & ſi nulla cura adhibetur, iis tamen celerior germinatio? Xanthus, licèt ad Philoſophum quaeſtio pertinebat, quùm nihil aliud ſciret dicere, & hoc etiam ut caetera omnia à Divinâ Providentiâ gubernari, inquit. Ad haec verba Aeſopus riſit; Ad quem Philoſophus, Ridéſne? an derides? Et Aeſopus, Derideo, inquit, ſed non te, ſed qui te docuit; Quae enim à Divinâ Providentiâ fiunt, à ſapientibus viris ſolutionem ſortiuntur; Si mihi permittas, ego hoc ſolvam problema: Xanthus ergò converſus Olitori dixit; Dedecus mihi foret, qui in tantis Auditoriis diſputaverim, nunc apud hortulanos ſolvere problemata: Si autem Puero huic meo, qui rerum multarum conſecutiones callet, ſophiſma tuum propoſueris, ſolutionem habebis quaeſiti. Et ſtatim Hortulanus; Hiccinè tàm turpis literas novit? O Infaelicitatem nuſquàm credendam! Sed narra, O amice, ſi quaeſiti ſenſum nôſti? Et Aeſopus, Mulier, inquit, quùm ad ſecundas nuptias iverit, liberis ex priore viro ſuſceptis, ſi virum quo que invenerit filios ex priorè Ʋxore genuîſſe, quos ipſa filios eduxit, horum mater eſt, quos autem inven • penes virum, Horum eſt Noverea. Multam igitur in utriſ que oſtendit differentiam: Nam quos ex ſe genuit, amanter & accuratè nutrire perſeverat, alienos verò partus odit, & invidiâ utens illorum cibum diminuit, ſuis que filiis addit; Illos enim, quaſi Naturâ proprios, amat, odio autem habet qui • iri ſunt, quaſi alienos. Eodem modo & terra eorum quae ipſa ex ſe genuit mater eſt, quae autem tu plantas, corum eſt Noverca; cujus rei gratia, quae ſua ſunt, ut legitima, nutrit ac ſovet, à te autem plantatis, ut ſpuriis, non tantum alimenti tribuit. Hoc reſponſo delectatus Hortulanus, Crede mihi, inquit, magnâ me ſollicitudine & meditatione levâſti; Abeas igitur, & gratis capias tecum tua olera, & quotiès tibi illis opus eſt, tanquam in proprium Hortum vadens accipe.

Paucis diebus praeterlapſis, Xantho iterùm in Balneum profecto, quibuſdam amicis ibi inventis, Aeſopum mittit, ut lentem in ollam ejectam coqueret; ille, ut juſſus erat, unum lentis granum in ollam jecit, quo cocto Xanthus unà cum amicis ad prandium venit, praefatus tamen quod tenuè admodùm eſſet futurum prandium, utpote ex lente ſolummodò, quodque non oporteret varietate ferculorum amicos judicare, ſed probare voluntatem: Amicis annuentibus, & in domum ingreſſis; Xanthus inquit, Da nobis à Balneo bibere, Aeſope: Illo verò ex defluxu balnei accipiente, & tradente; Xanthus faetore repletus, Hem, quid hoc, inquit, Aeſope? Et ille, à Balneo at juſſiſti. Xantho autem praeſentiâ amicorum iram compeſcente, & pelvim ſibi apponi jubente; Aeſopus pelvi appoſitâ ſtabat; & Xanthus, Ʋbinam eſt Aqua? Tum ille; Quae juſſiſti facere effeci; Tu non dixiſti injice aquam in pelvim, & lava pedes meos, & pone ſoleas, & quaecún que deinceps? Quo audito, Xanthus amicis ait, Non Servum emi ſed Magiſtrum: Diſcumbentibus itá que ipſis, & Xantho Aeſopum rogante, An cocta ſit lens? cochleari acceptum lentis granum tradidit; Xanthus accipiens, & ratus gratiâ faciendi periculum coctionis, lentem accepiſſe, digitis conterens, ait, Benè cocta eſt, Affer: Illo aquam ſolum vacuante in ſcutellas, & apponente, Xanthus rogat, Ʋbi eſt lens? Et Aeſopus, accepiſti ipſam. Itáne verò, inquit Xanthus, an unum ſaltem granum coxiſti? Tum Aeſopus, Maximè, lentem etiam in ſingulari numero dixiſti, non lentes in plurali, quod plures ſignificat. Xanthus ergò prorsùs conſilii inops, Viri ſocii, ait, Vilis hic Homuncio prorsùs ad Inſaniam me rediget: Converſus deindè ad Aeſopum, dixit, Sed improbe, & ommum petulantiſſime, nè videar amicis injurioſus, abiens eme quatuor porcinos pedes, & perceleriter coctos appone.

Dum pedes coquerentur, Xanthus cauſam quaerens ut Aeſopum flagris caedat, quùm Aeſopus fuit in re aliquâ occupatus, unum ex pedibus, ex ollâ clanculùm auferens, occuluit; Paulò pòſt Aeſopus veniens, & ollam perſcrutatus, ut tres ſolos pedes vidit, cognovit ſtatim ſibi aliquas inſidias eſſe factas, & in ſtabulum cucurrit, & ſaginati Porci unum ex pedibus cultro amputans, & pilis nudans, in ollam jecit, & cum caeteris concoxit; Xanthus verò veritus ne Aeſopus ſubreptum pedem non inveniens fugeret, rursùs in ollam ipſum injecit: Aeſopo autem pedes in patinam evacuante, & quinque pedibus apparentibus; Xanthus, Quid hoc, inquit, Aeſope? quomodò quinque? Aeſopus dein interrogavit Xanthum, Quot pedes habent duo Porci? Xanthus reſpondebat, octo. Tum Aeſopus, Sunt ergò in hâc patinâ quinque, & ſaginatus Porcus inferiùs tripes paſcitur. Quod Xanthus admodùm moleſtè ferens, amicis inquit, An non paulò dixi quod celerrimè hic me ad Inſaniam rediget? Et Aeſopus, Here, An non nôſti id quod ex additione, & ſubductione, in quantitatem ſecundum rationalem ſummam colligitur, non eſſe errorem? Xanthus igitur, nullam honeſtam inveniens cauſam verberandi Aeſopum, quievit.

Poſtridiè autem unus ex Scholaſticis ſumptuoſam apparans coenam, cum aliis Diſcipulis & praeceptorem Xanthum invitavit: Coenantibus igitur, Xanthus electa accepit fercula, & Aeſopo penè ſtanti dedit, & Dilectae meae, haec, inquit, trade. Ille verò diſcedens haec ſecum cogitabat, Nunc occaſio mihi oblata eſt ulciſci meam Dominam, proptereà, quòd me, quùm novitius veni, ſcommatibus multis laceſſivit; Videbo igitur an Hero meo benè velit: Profectus ita que domum, & ſedens in veſtibulo, & Herâ accitâ ſportulam ferculorum coram ipſâ poſuit, ac inquit ei, Hera, Dominus haec omnia miſit, non tibi, ſed Dilectae; & cane vocatâ, at que dicto, Veni Lycaena, veni, comede, tibi enim Herus haec juſſit dari, particulatim, cani omnia projecit: Et poſt hoc ad Herum regreſlus, & rogatus, An Dilectae dedit omnia; Omnia reſpondebat Aeſopus, & coram me omnia comedebat: Illo verò iterum interrogante, Et quid dixit inter edendum? Et Aeſopus, Mihi quidem nihil dixit, ſed ſecum tibi (ut puto) gratias habebat. Uxor intereà Xanthi calamitoſum eſſe arbitrans ſe Cani eſſe poſthabitam, concludebat, ſe in poſterum non ampliùs cum eo cohabitaturam, & ingreſſo cubiculo ploravit. Poculis autem viciſſim ſeſe alternantibus, & quaeſtionibus propoſitis: Quando futura eſſet ingens inter Homines turbatio? Aeſopus ponè ſtans ait, Quùm reſurrexerint mortui, repetentes ea bona quae poſſederint; Scholaſtici ridendo dixerunt, Ingenioſus eſt Hic novitius: Alio verò rursùs proponente, Quamobrem ovis ad caedem tracta non exclamat, Sus autem miſerrimè vociferatur? Aeſopus interponens rursùs, ait, Quoniam ovis aſſueta mulgeri, aut velleris gratum onus deponere, tacitè ſequitur; Ideò etiam, quamvis pedibus arrepta, & grande pedum videns, nihil grave ſuſpicatur, ſed illa familiaria ſolùm ſibi videtur paſſura; Sus autem qui neque mulgetur, neque tondetur, neque novit ad Bonum aliquid trahi, ſed carnes ſuas tantum uſui eſſe, meritò vociferatur; His ſic dictis, Diſcipuli rursùs laudaverint eum.

Finito verò convivio, & Xantho in domum reverſo, & uxorem, pro more, aggreſſo alloqui, illa ipſum averſata, inquit, Ne propinquiùs ad me accedas; Da mihi dotem meam, & abibo, non enim ulteriùs tecum manſero: Tu autem abiens cani adulare, cui dapes miſiſti. Ad haec verba Xanthus ſtupefactus dixit, Non contra me majus malum machinari Aeſopus potuit; Et Uxori inquit, Domina, númne poto tu ebria es? Cui dapes miſi? Nónne tibi? Non per Jovem, inquit illa, ſed cani. Xanthus accito Aeſopo dixit ei, Cuinam Aeſope dediſti dapes quas Ʋxori miſi; Aeſopus reſpondebat, Dilectae tuae. Xanthus ad Uxorem converſus dixit, Et tu nihil accepiſti? Et illa, Nihil omninò. Aeſopus interponens dixit, Cui, Here, juſſiſti partes dari? Et ille, Dilectae meae: Aeſopus, cane vocatâ, Haec, inquit, te Here diligit, nam mulier etſi videtur tibi benè velle, tamen pro minimâ quâ que offensâ contradicet, convitiabitur, & abibit; Canem verò verberato, aut à domo expellito, non tamen diſcedet; ſed oblita omnium, benignè ſtatim blanditur, ut cum Hero gratiam ineat: oportebat igitur dicere, Here, Ʋxori has partes ferto, & non Dilectae. Tum Xanthus, Vides Domina non meam eſſe culpam, ſed ejus qui tibi dapes ferre juſſus erat; Patienter fer igitur, non deerit mihi occaſio quâ eum verberem. Illâ verò non credente, ad parentes ſuos clàm regreſſa eſt; quapropter Aeſopus Xantho dixit, An non rectè tibi, Here, dixi, Canem tibi magis benè velle quam Heram meam?

Diebus aliquot praeteritis, & uxore irreconciliatâ manente, & Xantho affines quoſdam ad ipſam ut reverteretur domum mittente; Illa verò quùm credere nollet, & Xanthus plenus moeroris erat. Aeſopus adiens, ad eum dicebat, Ne te affligas, cràs enim ſpontè & citiſſimè etiam faciam venire adte; Et acceptâ pecuniâ, in forum ivit, ac emptis anſeribus & gallinis, & aliis quibuſdam ad convivium idoneis, ambulans domos circumibat: Tranſibat igitur, & ante Domum parentum Herae fuae, ignorans ſimulans Domum illorum eſſe, & in eâ Heram manere; Et quùm in quendam ex domo illâ incidiſſet, rogabat, An aliquid ad nuptias utile Domeſtici habuiſſent vendere: Illo autem, & cui opus eſt? Rogitanti & Aeſopo, Xantho Philoſopho, reſpondente, cràs enim uxori ducendus eſt: Servulus ſtatim penetralia aſcendit, & Uxori Xanthi, quae audiviſſet, renuntiavit. Xanthi Uxor commotavaldè tam turbido Nuntio & propero pede ad Xanthum ivit, & contra ipſum clamavit, dicens inter alia, & haec petulantioris animi ſcommata; Non me vivente, O Xanthe, alteri faemellae tibi nubere dabitur; Et ſic manſit in Domo, honeſto Ingenii figmento, quemadmodùm propter Aeſopum à Domo diſceſſerat.

Poſt dies rursùs aliquot, Xanthus invitavit Diſcipulos ad prandium; Et Aeſopo inquiebat; Ito, Eme optimum quod que & quod tibi praeſtantiſſimum videtur; Aeſopus inter eundum, ſecum dicebat; Ego docebo Herum meum, non tam ſtulta mihi committere mandata; Quùm linguas igitur ſuillas ſolùm emiſſet, & apparâſſet diſcumbentibus linguam aſſatam ſingulis cum condimento appoſuit.

Diſcipulis laudantibus, ut Philoſophicum, in Incipio, ferculum, propter linguae ad loquutionem miniſterium; rursùs in ſecundo miniſterii curſu, elixas iterum Aeſopus appoſuit linguas, at que iterum etiam curſu alio, at que alio petito, Aeſopus nihil aliud niſi linguas appoſuit: Diſcipulis autem eodem repetito cibo indignantibus, & quaerentibus, Quoúſ que linguas? An non & nos per totum prandium, noſtras linguas edendo doluimus? Xanthus iratus fatur, Nihil aliud in praeſto eſt, Aeſope? Et is, Non certes: Xanthus dixit, Nónne, ſordidiſſime Homuncio tibi mandavi, optimum quod que & praeſtantiſſimum obſonari? Cui Aeſopus, Multas tibi gratias habeóincrepanti me coram Philoſophos omnes qui hîc adſunt; Nam quid eſt linguâ melius aut in tot â hominum vitâ praeſtantius? Omnis Doctrina, Omnis Philoſophiaper ipſam articulatè monſtratur & traditur; Per ipſam celebratur Largitiones omnes, Acceptiones, Fora ſalutationes, Benedicentiae, Muſa omnis; Per ipſam celebrantur Nuptiae, civitates eriguntur, Homines ſervantur, & ut breviter dicam, per ipſam tota vita noſtra conſiſtit; Nihil ergò linguâ melius. Ob haec Aeſopum rectè loqui Diſcipulis pronuntiantibus, Xanthum verò errâſſe, ſinguli in ſuas abiêre domos.

Poſtridiè verò, Ipſis Xanthum accuſantibus, quod in heſterno prandio non tam generosè ſe hoſpitibus commendaverat; Xanthus reſpondebat, Non ſecundùm ſuam voluntatem haec facta fuiſſe, ſed inutilis tantùm ſervi petulantiâ, ſuggeſſit que Hodiè prandium permutaturum, & ipſe praeſentibus vobis cum eo colloquar: Aeſopo ſtatirn vocato, viliſſimum unumquód que & peſſimum opſonari jubet, quoniam Diſcipulos quos in heſternum prandium invitâſſet, ſecum hodiè pranſuros expectâſſet; Aeſopus autem nihil mutatus, rursùs linguas emit, & apparatus diſcumbentibus appoſuit; Hi autem inter ſe obmurmurabant, Porcinis iterum linguis paſcimur? Aeſopus autem rursùs alias, poſt alias, linguas appoſuit, & rursùs, iterum, iterúmque. Xanthus autem hoc iniquè ferente, & Aeſopo accerſito, quùm increpâſſet illum dicens, Et quid nobis cum Crambe tuâ tam ſaepè coctâ? An tibi hodierno mandavi die optimum quod que & quod lantiſſimum eſt mercari? an non potius quod eſt peſſimum, & viliſſimi pretii & ante omnia nauſeandum? Aeſopus, ſine ullâ deliberantis animi morâ, ſtatim reſpondebat; Et quid, O Here, eſt pejus linguâ, An non urbes per ipſam corruunt? An non homines per ipſam quotidiè interficiuntur? An non maledicta omnia & Mendacia? An non omnia perjuria per ipſam perficiuntur? An non Nuptiae, Principatus, & Regna per ipſam evertuntur? Et, ut ſummatim dicam, An non per ipſam vita omnis infinitis erroribus referta eſt? Aeſopo in haec verba Philoſophante, quidam ex diſcumbentibus cum Xantho dicebat, Hic niſi multâ Providentiae & Patientiae cautelâ uteris, non dubia erit tibi Inſaniae Cauſa, Mores enim Animi ſequuntur temperamentum Corporis: Et Aeſopus converſus ad eum dixit, Tu mihi videris, O Homo, pravus quidem & curioſus eſſe, quia Herum irritas contra ſervum! Cui Xanthus, occaſionem quaerens verberandi Aeſopum, Fugitive, quoniam curioſum dixiſti amicum, oſtendas velim, Incurioſum Hominem. Aeſopus igitur, quùm ſequenti die in heriles agros egreſſus erat, & omnes qui praeteribant circumſpexerat, obſervavit hominem ſub umbrâ diù ſedentem, quem judicans otioſum & ſimplicem eſſe, accedens propiùs, inquit, Heus tu Bone, Herus meus invitat te hodiè ſecum prandere.

Ruſticus nihil aliud ſciſcitatus, ne que quis eſſet à quo invitaretur, cum Aeſopo ingreſtus eſt Xanthi domum, & cum ipſis calceis, ut eſſent putridi, diſcubuit: Rogante autem Xantho, Quis eſt hic? Aeſopus ſtatim in aurem ſuſurravit, Incurioſus Homo eſt; Xanthus interea, quùm Uxori tacitè perſuaſit, ut ſibi inter prandendum obſequeretur, & quod ipſe juſſit faceret, ut honeſta cauſa plagas Aeſopo inferret, coram omnibus convivis dixit, Domina aquam in pelvim injice, & Hoſpitis pedes lava; Cogitabat enim ſecum, Hoſpitem recuſaturum, Aeſopum verò, illo Curioſum eſſe apparente, verberibus caeſum iri; Illa igitur jactâ in pelvim aquâ, pedes ibat Hoſpitis lotura: At Ille, cognoſcens hanc eſſe Domůs dominam, ſecum loquebatur, Multo me Honore proſequi vult, at que hujus Rei gratiâ ſuis Manibus pedes meos lavare vult, quùm Ancillis hoc officium mandare queat; Extenſis igitur pedibus, Lava, inquit, Pedes, Hera: ac pedibus lotis diſcubuit.

Xantho paulò pòſt jubente, vinum hoſpiti dari ad appetitum provocandum, rursùs ille ſecum conſiderabat, Ipſos anteà oportere bibere, ſed quia ipſis ſic viſum fuerit, non opus mihi haec inquirere; Accipiens igitur, liberaliter bibebat. Inter prandendum verò, & ferculo quodam Hoſpiti appoſito, & illo ſuaviter comedente; Xanthus coquum quòd malè condiviſſet criminabatur, & nudum in conſpectu hoſpitis flagellabat: Ruſticus autem ſecum dicebat, Ferculum quidem optimè eſt conditum, & nihil deeſt quo minùs rectè paratum ſit; ſi autem abſ que causâ ſuum velit flagellare ſervum, quid ad me attinet? Xantho autem aegrè ferente, neque jucundè affecto, quod Hoſpes nihil curiosè inquirebat, tandem placentae allatae ſunt; Hoſpes verò, ut nunquàm anteà placentam guſtâſſet, convolvens & accipiens ipſas, ut panes comedebat; Xantho autem piſtorem accuſante, & Cur, O execrande, dicente, abſque melle & pipere has placentas praeparâſti? Piſtor reſpondebat, Sieruda eſt, O Here, placenta, me verbera, ſin verò ut oportebat praeparata eſt, non me ſed heram accuſa; Et Xanthus, Si a meâ hoc factum eſt Ʋxore, vivam ipſam comburam, at que iterum Ʋxori innuit ut ſibi obſequeretur propter Aeſopum; Sarmentis igitùr juſſis in medium afferri pyram ſuccendit, & arreptam uxorem propè pyram ſecum tulit, ut expectaretur ipſam in ignem mittere; Differebat autem aliquantiſper & circumſpiciebat Ruſticum, ſi quo modo aſſurgens à tali facinore prohibere ipſum moliretur: Sed Ruſticus rursùs ſecum conſiderabat, Nulla eſt Cauſa, ut mihi videtur, quod ſic iraſcitur; Deinde, ad Xanthum converſus, dixit, Si hoc, O Pater-familias judicas oportere ſieri, exſpecta me parumper dum digreſſus adducam & ipſe meam ex agro uxorem, ut ambas ſimul comburas.

Quùm Xanthus haec à Ruſtico audiviſſet, ſinceritatem & generoſitatem Viri admiratus, Aeſopo inquit; Ecce verè homo incurioſus, habeas accepta praemia Victoriae, Libertatem tuam aſſequeris: Poſtridiè autem Xanthus juſſit Aeſopo in balneas ire & ſcrutari an multa adeſſet turba, velle enim in Balneum diſcendere; Abeunti Praetor occurrens, & Xanthi ſervum eſſe cognoſcens, interrogavit quò iret; Quod quùm is ſe negâſſet ſcire, Prator, iratus quod tam flocci penderetur, Aeſopum in Carcerem conjecit; Quùm igitur Aeſopus abduceretur, clamavit, Vides Praetor quemadmodùm reciè reſponderim, quae enim non expectavi, & occurri tibi, & in Carcerem jam trahor; Tum Praetor, attonitus Reſponſi promptitudine, perm iſit abire: Aeſopus autem profectus in Balneas, multam turbam in ipſis intuitus eſt, ſed & lapidem videbat in medio Ingreſſu poſitum, in quem ſinguli ingredientes & egredientes pedem offendebant; Hunc autem unus quidam ingrediens ut lavaretur ſublatum tranſpoſuit: Reverſus igitur ad Herum, Si vis, inquit, Here, lavari unum hominem tantùm in balneis vidi; Xantho autem profectò, & multitudinem lavantium vidente, dixit ad Aeſopum, Quid hoc ſibi vult, nónne unum ſolummodò hominem dixiſti te vidiſſe; Et Aeſopus, Ità, inquit; nam lapidem illum, manu oſtendens, ante Ingreſſum poſitum repperi, in quem ingredientes omnes, & exeuntes, offendebant; unus verò quidam, antequam illideret, elevatum tranſpoſuit; Illum igitur unum Hominem dixi vidiſſe, pluris faciens quàm alios; Tum Xanthus, Nihil apud Aeſopum tardum eſt ad Reſponſionem.

Aliquando Xantho ex latrinâ redeunte, & interrogante Aeſopum, Quaenam eſt Cauſa quod homines, poſt purgationem ventris, excrementa intuentur? Aeſopus reſpondet, Antiquis temporibus, Vir quidam, delicatiùs vivens, multo tempore prae delitiis in latrinâ ſedebat, ut & ſua, diutiùs illic immorans, expurgaverit viſcera; Ex illo igitur tempore timentes caeteri homines ventris inſpiciunt ſordes, nè quo modo & ipſi hoc patiantur; Sed tu, Here, ne time, non enim ſunt tibi praecordia. Die autem quodam celebrato convivio, & Xantho cum aliis diſcumbente, & potu jam invaleſcente, crebrae queſtiones inter hos verſabantur; Atque Xantho incipiente turbari Aeſopus aſtans ait, Here, Bacchus tria poſſidet temperamenta; Primum, Voluptatis; Secundum, Ebrietatis; Tertium, Contumeliae; Et vos igitur poti, & laetati, quae reliqua ſunt omittite: Tum Xanthus jam ebrius ait, Tace; Inferis Conſule: Cui Aeſopus, Igitur & in Inferos diſtrahere. Ex Diſcipulis autem quidam Xanthum jam ebrium videns, &, ut in univerſum dicam, temulentum, O Praeceptor, inquit, potéſtne aliquis ebibere Mare Homo? Et ille, Admodùm quidem, Ego enim ipſe ebibam: Et Diſcipulus, Ac ſi non poteris quam tibi mulctam irrogabo? Tum Xanthus, Domum meam depono totam. At que interim depoſitis annulis pacta firmaverunt, & diſceſſerunt.

Poſtridiè diluculò excitato Xantho, ac faciem manúſ que lavante, & annulum inter lavandum non vidente, & Aeſopum de eo interrogante: Neſcio, inquit Aeſopus, quidnam factum fuerit; Hoc unum ſcio tantùm, quod à Domo decideris tuâ. Tum Xanthus, Quam ob rem. Cui Aeſopus, Quoniam herì ebrius pepigiſti Mare ebibere, at que in pactis annulum depoſuiſti: Et is, Quomodo fidem perſolvam quae ante omnia obſervanda eſt; Verùm te rogo, ſi quod Commentum, ſi quae Verſutia, ſi quae experientia, praeſto ſis, ac opem porrige ut aut vincam, aut certes pacta diſſolvam: Cui Aeſopus, Vincere quidem haud licet, ſed ut ſolvas pacta efficiam; Quùm hodiè rursùs in unum conveneritis, nullo modo videaris timere, verum quae heſterno die pactus es benè potus, eadem nunc ſobrius dic; Jubeas ita que ſtramenta, & menſam in littore poni, & pueros paratos cum poculis porrigere tibi marinam aquam; Quùm autem omnem videritis turbam concurriſſe, ad ſpectaculum, ipſe diſcumbens, jube ex Mari impleri Poculum, at que hoc accepto, dic elatâ voce ut omnes audiant; Quaenam apud nos foedera inivimus? At que is reſpondebit tibi, Pepigiſti Mare ebibere: Converſus igitur tu ad omnes ſic dicito; Viri Samii, Scitis & vos omnes, quod plurimi ſunt fluvii qui in Mare ſe exonerant; Ego autem pactus ſum Mare ſolum ebibere, & non exeuntia in ipſum flumina; Hic ita que Scholaſticus eat priùs retenturus flumina omnia, deinde Mar • ſolum ebibam. Xanthus autem futuram ex hoc pacti ſolutionem cognoſcens, vehementer laetatus eſt; Populo igitùr confluente ad Spectaculum, quùm Xanthus quod edoctus fuerat ab Aeſopo feciſſet, ac dixiſſet; Samii acclamârunt laudantes ipſum, & admirantes; Sed Scholaſticus ad Xanthi pedes provolutus, & victum ſeſe fatebatur, & pacta rogabat diſſolvi, quod Xanthus fecit exorante Populo.

Profectis autem ipſis in Domum, Aeſopus adiens Xanthum inquit, Per omnem Vitam tibi gratificatus ſum, & indignus tibi videor libertatem conſequi? Sed Xanthus objurgavit illum, dicens; Nolo facere, ſed exi ante veſtibulum, & ſi duas cornices videris, renuncia mihi; nam pulchrum eſt augurium, quòd ſi unam videas, hoc malum eſt. Abiens ergò Aeſopus, & quùm fortè duas Cornices ſuper quadam arbore ſedentes vidiſſet, accedens Xantho renuntiavit: Exeunte autem Xantho, altera Cornicum evolavit, & Xanthus alteram ſolam videns, ait, Nónne dixiſti, Execrande, duas te Cornices vidiſſe? Ità, dixit Aeſopus, ſed altera evolavit: Tum Xanthus, Reliquum er at tibi, Fugitive, ut derideres mihi? Et jubet eum denudatum verberari. At dum Aeſopus verberabatur, Praefectus quidam invitavit Xanthum ad coenam, ac Aeſopus inter verbera exclamavit; Hei Miſèro mihi! Ego enim qui duas vidi Cornices verberor; Tu verò qui unam tantum, in convivium abis: Tum Xanthus ſolertiam ejus admiratus, ceſſare juſſit verbera. Non multis autem pòſt Diebus, Philoſophos & Rhetores quùm invitâſſet Xanthus, juſſit Aeſopo ante veſtibulum ſtare, & nullum Idiotam ingredi ſinere, ſed ſapientes ſolos: Horâ autem prandii, clauſo veſtibulo, Aeſopus intùs ſedebat; Ex invitatis autem quodam profecto, & januam pulſante, Aeſopus intùs ait, Quid movet Canis? Ille putans ſe Canem vocari iratus diſcedit, & ſic unuſquiſque veniens redibat iratus, credens ſe injuriâ affici; Aeſopo eadem omnes interrogante. Quùm autem unus eorum pulsâſſet, & Aeſopo ut priùs interrogante, Quid movet Canis? Caudam, & aures, reſpondit: Aeſopus ipſum rectè judicans reſpondiſſe, apertâ januâ, ad Herum duxit; ac inquit, Nullus Philoſophus ad Convivium tuum venit, O Philoſophe, praeter hunc ſolum; Et Xanthus valdè dolebat, deceptum ſe exiſtimans ab illis quos ad Coenam invitavit.

Poſtridiè, quùm veniſſent invitati ad Ludum literarium, accuſabant Xanthum, dicentes, Ʋt nobis, videtur, cupiebas quidem contemnere nos, & pro hac cauſa putridum illum in veſtibulo conſtituiſti Aeſopum, ut nos injuriâ afficeret, & canes vocaret: Quibus Xanthus, Somniúmne id eſt, an res vera? Tum illi, niſi omnes ſtertimus, verum eſt. Quapropter celeriter vocatus Aeſopus, & rogatus cujus rei gratiâ amicos Xanthi tam ignominiosè amolitus eſſet, reſpondet, An non tu mandâſti, Here, ut nullum vulgarem aut indoctum permitterem in tuum venire Convivium, ſed ſolos ſapientes? Tum Xanthus, Et quales Hi? An non Sapientes? Cui Aeſopus, Nullo pacto; Ipſis etenim pulſantibus Januam, & me intùs rogitante, Quidnam moveat Canis? Non quiſquam eorum intellexit Sermonem: Ego igitur, quùm indocti omnes viderentur, nullum ipſorum introduxi, niſi hunc qui ſapienter reſpondebat. Sic igitur quùm Aeſopus reſpondiſſet, re intellectâ, rectè omnes ipſum dicere confirmârunt.

Rursùm, poſt dies aliquot, Xanthus, ſequente Aeſopo, ad monumenta acceſſit, & quae in hâc vel illâ Arcâ erant Epigrammata cum delectatione legebat: Aeſopus in quâdam ex ipſis, quùm has literas inſculptas vidiſſet, R. P. Q. F. I. T. A. Xantho oſtendebat, rogavít que An noſcet quid intelligerent? Diligenter ille ſcrutatus, non potuit illarum invenire declarationem, ac faſſus eſt ſe omnino dubitare: Tum Aeſopus, Si per hanc columnulam, O Here, Theſaurum oſtendam tibi, quâ re me remunerabis? Cui Xanthus, Confide mihi; Accipies libertatem tuam at que Dimidium Auri: Tunc Aeſopus abiens à cippo paſſus quatuor, & fodiens, accepit aurum, & tulit Hero dicens, Da mihi promiſſum, cujus causâ inveni Theſaurum: Et Xanthus, Non ego, ſi ſapiam, niſi & ſenſum literarum mihi expoſueris, nam ſeire hoc multò re inventâ eſt mihi pretioſius: Tum Aeſopus, Qui Theſaurum infodit hîc, ut vir ſapiens, literas has inſculpſit, quae & inquiunt, Recedens Paſſus Quatuor, Fodiens Invenies Theſaurum Aureum. Et Xanthus, Quoniam it à ſolers es, & aſtutus, non accipies tuam libertatem. Et Aeſopus, Renuntiabo hoc, O Domine, Regi Byzantinorum cui aurum dandum eſt, nam que illi eſt reconditum. Cui Xanthus, Ʋnde hoc noſti? Et ille, Ex literis hiſce, R. R. D. Q. I. T. quae hoc ſignificant, Redde Regi Dionyſio Quem Inveniſti Theſaurum. Xanthus, quùm audiviſſet Regis eſſe Theſaurum, Aeſopo ait, Accepto dimidio lucri taceto: Et ille, Non tu mihi hoc praebes, ſed qui aurum hic inſodiebat, & ſic ex aliis literis juxta poſitis agnoſcas; literas intuere, A. E. D. Q. I. T. A, quae hoc inquiunt, Acceptum Euntes Dividite Quem Inveniſtis Theſaurum Auri. Et Xanthus, Veni ergo, inquit, in domum, ut & Theſaurum dividamus, & tu libertatem accipias. Quùm à Monumentis abierunt, Xanthus timens Aeſopi loquacitatem, in carcerem ipſum juſſit trahi; Et Aeſopus inter abducendum, Haeccine ſunt, inquit, Promiſſa Philoſophorum? Non ſolùm enim non accipio libertatem, ſed in carcerem jubes me injici.

Xanthus igitur juſſit ipſum ſolvi; & ait, Nimirùm puto, ut, partâ libertate, vehementior fias contra me accuſator; Aeſopus dixit, Quodeun que malum mihi potes facere, facito, omninò vel invitus liberabis me. In illa tempeſtate hujuſmodi Res Sami obtigit, Quùm publicè Feſtum celebraretur, repentè Aquila devolans, & publicum rapiens annulum in Servi ſinum demiſit; Ita que Samii perterriti, & in plurimum ob hoc prodigium quùm incidiſſent moerorem, in unum coacti, coepiſſent rogare Xanthum, quoniam primus Civium eſſet, & Philoſophus, ut ſibi judicium prodigii manifeſtaret: At ille omninò ambigens, tempus petiit; Et profectus domum, multùm erat triſtis & variis ſollicitudinibus immerſus, ut qui nihil certi judicare poſſit; Sed Aeſopus, moerore Xanthi cognito, adiens ad eum, aiebat, Quâ ratione, Here, tanto dolori, crudelis tibi-met ipſi, indulgeas? Dic mihi, obſecro, & melancholicam tyrannidem diſcute? Cras igitur in Forum profectus Xanthus dic tu Samiis, Equidem neque ego prodigia ſolvere didici, ne que augurari; ſed puerum domi habeo multarum rerum peritum, ipſe vobis quaeſitum ſolvet: Et ſi ipſe conſecutus fuero ſolutionem, Here, tu gloriam reportabis tali utens ſervo; ſin minùs fuero conſecutus, mihi ſoli erit dedecus. Perſuaſus igitur Xanthus, & poſtero die in Theatrum profectus, & ſecundum Aeſopi admonitionem, ſtans in medio, concionatus eſt iis qui convenerant: Illi verò ſtatim rogabant Aeſopum acciri, qui quùm veniſſet, & in medio poſitus ſtaret; Samii facie illius obſervatâ deridentes clamabant, Haeccine eſt facies quae prodigium ſolvet? Ex deformi hoc quid unquam boni audiemus? at que ridere coeperunt. At Aeſopus extentâ manu, & ſilentio facto, Viri Samii (inquit) quidfaciem meam cavillamini? Non faciem, ſed Mentem reſpicere debitis; Saepe etenim in turpi formâ bonum animum Natura impoſuit: An vos exteriorem teſtarum formam ſolùm conſideratis, & non potiùs interiorem vini guſtum? Haec quum ab Aeſopo audiviſſent, omnes dixerunt, Aeſope, ſi quid potes dic Civitati. Tum ille audacter ait, Viri Samii, quoniam Fortuna quae ſtudioſa contentionis eſt, gloriae certamen propoſuit Domino, & Servo; & ſi Servus inferior videatur Domino verberibus coeſus abibit, ſin autem praeſtantior nihilominùs & verberibus lacerabitur; ſi vos per libertatem loquendi fiduciam mihi indulſeritis, Ego nunc vobis intrepidè quaeſitum narrabo. Ad haec, Populus uno ore clamabat ad Xanthum, Da libertatem Aeſopo, obtempera Samiis, & largire libertatem ejus Civitati. At Xanthus non annuebat; Et Praetor ait, Xanthe, Si tibi non placeat auſcultare Populo; Ego hâc horâ libertate donabo Aeſopum, & tunc tibi aequalis fuerit: Tum demum Xantho libertatem largire Aeſopo placuit; Et Praeco clamavit, Xanthus Philoſophus liberum Aeſopum facit; Atque interim fidem ſermo Aeſopi accepit dicentis Xantho, Vel invitus me libertate donabis. Aeſopus itaque libertatem conſecutus, ſtans in medio eorum, dixit, Viri Samii, Aquila, ut ſcitis, Regina avium eſt, quoniam autem Imperatorium annulum haec raptim demiſit in Servi ſinum, hoc ſignificat, Regem quendam velle veſtram libertatem in ſervitutem redigere, at que ſancitas leges irritas facere. His auditis, Samii moerore repleti ſunt, ſed non multo pòſt tempore, Literae à Croeſo Lydorum Rege venerunt ad Samios, jubentes eis, ab illo tempore tributa ſibi pendere, quod ſi non obtemperaverint, ut ad Bellum ſe parent: Conſultabant igitur Univerſi, timuerunt enim ſubditi fieri Craeſo, conducibile tamen eſſe Aeſopo conſulere; Et ille conſultus ait, Quùm Principes veſtri jamdudum dixerint, obtemperandum eſſe Regi, conſilium jam nullum, ſed narrationem vobis afferam, ut ſciatis quid conducat; Fortuna duas vias oſtendit in vitâ; unam Libertatis, cujus principium acceſſu difficilè, ſed fims planus; alteram Servitutis, cujus principium facile, & acceſſibile, finis autem laborioſus. His auditis, Samii exclamaverunt, Nos quùm ſumus liberi, ſervi eſſe gratis nolumus, & Oratorem re infectâ demiſerunt.

His rebus cognitis, Croeſus decrevit bellum in Samios movere; Sed Legatus Regi rettulit, Non potes Samios debellare, quandiù Aeſopus eſt apud eos, & Conſilia ſuggerit; Potes autem magis, ait, O Rex, legatis miſſis petere ab ipſis Aeſopum, pollicitus eis pro eo & gratias aliàs relaturum, & ſolutionem ipſorum Tributorum, & tunc fortè poteris eos ſuperare: Croeſus his perſuaſus, Legato miſſo, dedi ſibi Aeſopum petebat: Samii autem hunc decreverunt tradere. Quo cognito, Aeſopus in mediâ concione ſtetit, ac inquit, Viri Samii, & ego permulti facio, ad Regis pedes proficiſci, ſed volo vobis unam Fabulam tradere; Quo tempore animalia inter ſe loquebantur, Lupi bellum Ovibus intulerunt; ſed Canibus pro Ovibus praeliantibus, Lupi legato miſſo dixerunt Ovibus, ſi voluerint in pace vivere, & nullum ſuſpicari bellum, Canes ſibi traderent; Oves verò quùm obſtultitiam perſuaſae eſſent, & Canes tradidiſſent, Lupi nullo Negotio & Canes dilaceràrunt, & Oves voraverunt. Samii, Fabulae hujus ſenſu percepto, decreverunt apud ſe detinere Aeſopum: Ille verò non permiſit, ſed cum Legato unà ſolvit, & ad Croeſum Regem ſe conferebat. Profectis itá que iis in Lydiam, Rex ante ſe ſtantem Aeſopum videns, indignatus eſt, dicens; Vide qualis Homuncio obſtitit mihi ad tantam Inſulam ſubjugandam! Tum Aeſopus, Maxime Rex, non vi, ne que egeſtate coactus ad pedes tuos me proſterno, ſed ſponte adſum; Suſtine autem parumper me audire; Vir quidem quùm locuſtas caperet, occiderétque, cepit & cicadam; quùm & illam vellet occidere, Cicada pro ſe veniam petebat, dicens, Obſecro nè me innocentem occidas; Ego enim neque Spicam laedo, neque in aliâ re quâpiam injuriâ te afficio, motu verò membranularum quae in me ſunt ſuaviter canto delectans viatores, praeter vocem in me nihil invenies; Et ille, quùm haec dixiſſet permiſit, abire: Et ego itá que O Rex, tuos pedes attingo, Nè me ſine causâ occidas, non enim poſſum injuriâ quemquam afficere, ſed in vili corpore generoſum loquor ſermonem. Rex autem & miratus, ſimul & miſeratus ipſum, ait, Aeſope, Non ego ſolum vitam tibi largior, ſed potentiam habe quicquid à me vis petendi; Ergo quod vis, pete, & accipies: Et ille, Rogo te, O Rex, reconciliari Samiis: Quúm que Rex dixiſſet, Reconciliatus ſum; Aeſopus, procidens in terram, gratias agebat Regi.

Poſt haec ſuas conſcripſit Fabulas quas in hunc uſque diem exſtantes apud Regem reliquit. Acceptis demum ab ipſo literis ad Samios, quod Aeſopi gratiâ reconciliatus illis fuerat, & multis oneratus muneribus, in Samum navigavit. Samii igitur hunc videntes, coronas ei intulerunt, & tripudia ejus gratiâ conſtituerunt; Ille autem & Regis literas quas illis mittebat, legit, & oſtendit quod ſibi donatam à Populo libertatem, libertate rursùs remuneratus fuerit.

Poſt haec ab Inſulâ decedens circumibat orbem, ubique cum Philoſophis diſputando. Profectus autem in Babilonem & ſuam ipſius doctrinam demonſtrando, magnus apud Regem Lycerum evaſit; Illis enim temporibus Reges invicem pacem habentes, delectationis gratiâ quaeſtiones Sophiſtarum viciſſim ſcribendo mittebant, quas qui ſolverent, tributa pacta à mittentibus accipiebant, qui verò non ſolverent aequalia praebebant; Aeſopus autem problemata quae mittebantur Lycero Regi intelligens diſſolvebat, & illius Sapientiâ clarum reddebat Regem, & ipſe Lyceri Nomine altera itidem Regibus remittebat, quae quùm remanerent inſoluta, tributa Rex quàm plurima exigebat.

Aeſopus, quùm non genuiſſet ſilios, nobilem quendam, Ennum Nomine, adoptavit, at que ut legitimum filium Regi allatum commendavit: Non multo autem pòſt tempore, cum Aeſopi Concubinâ rem habuit; Hoc ſciens Aeſopus expulſurus erat domo Ennum; qui correptus irâ, epiſtolam fictam ut ab Aeſopo, miſsám que ad eos qui problematibus cum Lycero certabant, quòd ipſis paratus eſſet magis quàm Lycero adhaerere, Regi dedit: Ficta haec epiſtola, majorem dolis incutere fidem, ſignata erat Aeſopi annulo; Rex ſigillo credens, at que inexorabili irâ percitus, confeſtim Hermippo mandavit, ut nullâ Examinatione factâ proditorem occideret Aeſopum: At Hermippus fuerat Amicus Aeſopi, & in illo temporis articulo amicum ſe eſſe oſtendebat; In ſepulchro enim quodam, nemine ſciente, occultavit Hominem, & ſecretò nutrivit: Ennus autem Regis juſſu omnem Aeſopi adminiſtrationem ſuſcepit. Sed quodam pòſt tempore Nectenabo, Rex Aegyptiorum, audiens Aeſopum occidiſſe, mittit Lycero ſtatim Epiſtolam, jubentem Architectos ſibi mittere qui Turrim aedificent, ne que Coelum, ne que Terram attingentem, & reſponſurum ſemper Aliquem ad omnia quaecun que rogaverint; Quod ſi feciſſet, Tributa exigeret, ſin minùs ſolveret: His lectis, Lycerus moerore affectus, quùm nullus ex amicis quaeſtionem potuit de turri intelligere, Rex columnam ſui Regni Aeſopum dicebat interiiſſe.

Hermippus autem dolori Regis ob Aeſopum intellecto, adiit Regem, & vivere illum affirmavit, addidît que ipſius Causâ ſe non interimiſſe Aeſopum, ſciens quod aliquando Regem ſententiae poentieret. Rege autem non mediocriter ſuper hiſce exhilarato; Aeſopus, totus ſordidus, & ſquallens, adductus eſt: Quúm que Rex, ut eum vidit, illachrymâſſet, at que ut lavaretur, & aliis veſtibus indueretur, juſſiſſet; Aeſopus ante Regem de quibus accuſatus fuerat cauſas confutavit, ob quae quùm Rex Ennum eſſet occiſurus, Aeſopus ei veniam petiit.

Poſt haec autem Rex Aegypti Regis Epiſtolam Aeſopo legendam dedit; At ille ſolutione quaeſtionis ſtatim cognitâ riſit, ac reſcribere juſſit, ut quùm Hyerns praeteriiſſet, ſe miſſurum & qui Turrim eſſent aedificaturi, & reſponſurum aliquem ad Rogata; Rex igitur Legatos Aegyptios remiſit: Aeſopo autem tradidit omnem priſtinam Adminiſtrationem, & Ennum etiam in ſuas manus tradidit. Aeſopus acceptum Ennum nullâ Injuriâ affecit, ſed ut filio rursùs recepto, aliis at que hiſce admonuit verbis; Fili, ante omnia Deum cole, Regem Honora, Inimicis tuis terribilem te praebe ne te contemnant, amicis facilem, & communicabilem, quo longè benevolentiores tibi ſint; Item precare ut Inimici tui malè ſe habeant, & ut gravi paupertatis onere opprimantur, nè te poſſint offendere; At amicos in omnibus benè valere velis: Ʋxori tuae ſemper adhaere, nè alterius viri periculum facere velit, leve eſt etenim mulierum genus, ac adulatum minus malum cogitat; Velocem ad Sermones nè praebeas aurem; Linguae ante omnia continens eſto; Benè agentibus nè invide, ſed congratulare potiùs; Invidens enim ſeipſum offendit: Domeſticorum tuorum ſatage, ut te non ſolùm ut Dominum timeant, ſed etiam ut Benefactorem venerentur; Nè pudeat ſemper diſcere meliora; Mulieri non unquam ſecreta credas, ſic enim ſemper armata erit ut tibi dominetur; Quotidiè in diem craſtinum reconde, melius enim eſt mortuum Inimicis relinqui quam viventem amicis indigere; Salutes facilè qui tibi occurrunt, ſciens & catulo caudam panem comparare; Bonum eſſe nè poeniteat; Suſurronem Virum ejice Domo tuâ; nam quae à te vel dicuntur, aut fiunt, aliis communicabit; Fac quae te non moeſtum facient; Contingentibus nè triſtare, ne que prava conſulas unquam, ne que mores malorum imiteris. His ab Aeſopo Ennus admonitus, tum ſermone, tum ſuâ conſcientiâ, ut ſagittâ quâdam, percuſſum habens animum, paucis pòſt diebus è vitâ diſceſſit.

Aeſopus intereà Aucupes omnes accerſivit, at que ut caperent quatuor Aquilarum pullos mandavit; Sic ita que captos nutrivit, & quotidiè ſic inſtruxit (cui Rei non magnam fidem adhibemus) ut pueros in ſportis appenſos geſtando in altum tollerent, at que ità morigeri pueris eſſent, ut quocun que illi vellent, volarent, ſive in altum, in aëre, ſive in terram, humi.

Praeterito verò hyemali tempore, & vere jam ridente, quùm ad iter omnia Aeſopus paraviſſet, & pueros accepiſſet & Aquilas, in Aegyptum diſceſſit, multâ Imaginatione & opinione ad ſtupefactionem illorum Hominum uſus; Sed Nectenabo, audito adeſſe Aeſopum, Inſidiis circumventus ſum, amicis dixit, quià intellexeram Aeſopum mortuum eſſe: Poſtridiè autem juſſit Rex ut omnes Magiſtratus candidis amicirentur veſtibus, ipſe purpuream induebat, & coronam habuit gemmis & ſmaragdis gravem; quúm que ſedens in alto ſolio Aeſopum introduci juſſiſſet, Cui me aſſimilas, ingredienti dixit Aeſopo, & cos qui mecum ſunt? Et Ille, Te quidem Soli verno, qui verò te circumſtant maturis Ariſtis. Rex Aeſopum admiratus, donis eum pluribus proſecutus eſt. Poſtero die Rex candidâ indutus veſte, amicis autem purpureas accipere juſſis; Ingredientem Aeſopum iterum Rex rogavit, & iiſdem verbis quibus die praecedenti uſus eſt; Te, inquit Aeſopus, comparo Soli, & hos qui te circumſtant radiis Solaribus. Nectenabo ſubjunxit, Exiſtimo nihil eſſe Lycerum prae meo Regno; Aeſopus ſubridens, Nè facilè de eo ſic loquere, O Rex; nam genti veſtrae, veſtrum Regnum collatum inſtar Solis lucet; at ſi Lycero comparetur, nihil aberit quin ſplendor hic tenebrae appareant: Nectenabo appoſitâ verborum reſponſione ſtupefactus, Attuliſti nobis, ait, qui Turrim aedificent? Et ille, Parati ſunt, ſi modò locum oſtendas.

Poſteà, Rex egreſſus extra urbem, in planitiem demonſtrat dimenſum locum; Aeſopus ita que quatuor Aquilis adductis ad quatuor demonſtratos loci Angulos, unà cum pueris in ſportulis ſtantibus, ac Puerorum manibus Fabrorum datis Inſtrumentis, juſſit Aquilas evolare; Pueri autem, qui per Aquilas evecti, in ſublimiorem Aeris Regionem tollebantur, clamaverunt, Date nobis lapides, date calcem, date ligna, & alia quae ad aedificationem apta ſunt: Sed Nectenabo, viſis Pueris ab Aquilis in altum ſublatis, dixit, Ʋnde mihi Volucres Homines? Et Aeſopus, ſed Lycerus habet; Tu autem quùm Homo ſis, vis cum Rege Diis aequali contendere? Et Nectenabo dixit, Aeſope, victus ſum; quaeſtionem autem tibi proponam; Et ait, Sunt mihi foeminae hic equae, quae quùm audiverint eos equos qui in Babylone ſunt hinnire, confeſtim concipiunt; Si tibi ad hoc eſt Doctrina, oſtendas cauſam: Et Aeſopus, Reſpondebo tibi cras, O Rex.

Profectus verò ubi hoſpitabatur, jubet pueris Felem comprehendere, & captum publicè circumduci verberando: Aegyptii autem illud animal colentes, & ſic malè tractari ipſum videntes, concurrerunt, & Felem è manibus verberantium eripuerunt, ac rem celeriter Regi renuntiant; qui vocato Aeſopo, Neſciebas, inquit, Aeſope, tanquam Deum à nobis Felem coli? Quare igitur hoc feciſti? Et ille, Lycerum Regem injuriâ affecit praeteritâ nocte hic Felis, Gallum enim ejus occidit pugnacem, & generoſum, & quâlibet nocte, horas noctis, cantando, ei nuntiontem. Et Rex, Non pudet te mentiri, Aeſope? Quonam enim modo in unâ nocte Felis ab Aegypto ivit in Babylonem. Tum ille ſubridens, inquit, Et quomodo, O Rex, Babyloniae Equis hinnientibus hîc Equae Foeminae concipiunt? Rex autem, his auditis, prudentiam Aeſopi foelicem eſſe dixit.

Poſthaec autem quùm acciviſſet ex Heliopoli viros quaeſtionum Sophiſticarum peritos, at que invitavit eos unà cum Aeſopo ad Convivium; Diſcumbentibus omnibus, quidam Heliopolita dixit Aeſopo, Miſſus ſum à Deo meo quaeſtionem quandam te rogare, ut ipſam ſolveres. Cui Aeſopus, Mentiris, Deo enim ab homine nihil opus eſt diſcere; Tu autem non ſolùm teipſum accuſas, ſed & Deum tuum. Alius rursùs ait, Eſt Templum ingens, & in eo Columna duodecim Ʋrbes continens, quarum ſingulae triginta trabibus fulcuntur, quas circumcurrunt duae Mulieres; Tum Aeſopus ait, Hanc quaeſtionem apud nos ſolvent Pueri; Templum enim eſt Mundus, Columna Annus, Ʋrbes Menſes, & Trabes Dies; Dies autem & Nox, duae Mulieres quae viciſſim ſibi ſuccedunt. Poſtridiè convocatis amicis omnibus, Nectenabo inquit, Propter hunc Aeſopum tributa debebimus Regi Lycero; At ex his unus ait, Jubebimus ei quaeſtiones nobis proponere quae ne que ſcimus, ne que audivimus; Et ille, Cras hâc de re vobis reſpondebo: Decedens igitur Aeſopus, quùm ſcriptum compoſuiſſet in quo continebatur, Nectenabo confitetur ſe mille Talenta Lycero debere, manè reverſus Regi Scriptum reddidit; Regis autem Amici, priuſquam charta aperiretur, dixerunt unâ Voce Omnes, Et ſcimus hoc, & audivimus & verè ſcimus; Tum Aeſopus laetabundus, Habeo vobis Gratiam: At Nectenabo, confeſſione lectâ mille Talentorum quae Lycero debebantur, dixit, Vos Omnes Teſtes eſtis quod nihil Lycero debeo; Et amici Regis, animis mutatis, omnes ſubitò acclamaverunt, Neque ſeimus, neque audivimus; Tum Aeſopus, Reſponſis illorum, ut optabat, compoſitis, repentè ſuggeſſit, Si ita haec ſe habent ſolutum eſt quaeſitum. Nectenabo ad haec, Foelix eſt Lycerus qui talem Virum in Regno ſuo poſſidet; Tributa ergo pacta tradidit Aeſopo, at que in Pace remiſit.

Aeſopus verò in Babylonem profectus narravit Lycero omnia quae in Aegypto tranſacta fuerant, & tributa reddidit; Lycerus autem juſſit ſtatuam auream Aeſopo erigi. Non multo pòſt tempore, Aeſopus in Graeciam decrevit navigare, at que Rege concedente diſceſſit, juratus ei priùs, proculdubiò ſe rediturum in Babylonem, at que in illâ Civitate reliquum vitae acturum: Peragratis autem Graeciae Civitatibus, & ſuâ Doctrinâ omnibus manifeſtatâ, profectus eſt ad Delphos; Et Delphi diſſerentem quidem libenter audierunt, ſed nullo honore eum affecerunt; Quod Aeſopus ſiniſtrè ferens, Viri Delphi, inquit, In animo mihi eſt vos ligno comparare quod in mari fertur; Illud enim remotum ab oculis videntes, dum ſluctibus, huc, illuc, agitatur, magni pretii eſſe exiſtimamus; Poſtquam autem proximè advenerit, viliſſimum apparet: Eodem modo, & Ego, quùm procùl eſſem ab Ʋrbe veſtrâ, vos admirabar ut admiratione dignos, nunc autem ad vos profectus, omnibus aliis quoſcunque vidi, ut ità dixerim, inveni vos inutiliores ad Philoſophiae Doctrinam capeſſendam, & ſic deceptus ſum. Quum haec Delphi audiviſſent, & formidabant, nè aliquo modo Aeſopus, & ad alias Urbes accedens, malè de ſe diceret, decreverunt hominem dolo interficere, & auream Phialam ex Sacello Apollinis accipientes, clàm in Aeſopi abſconderunt ſtragulis: Quùm verò Aeſopus in Phocidem iturus erat, prorsùs ignorans quae ab ipſis dolo machinata fuerant, Delphi aggreſſi detinebant eum, & percontabantur ut Sacrilegum; Illo autem vehementer negante ſe aliquid feciſſe ejuſmodi, Delphi, vi ſtragulis evolutis, auream invenerunt Phialam, quam, non ſine magno tumultu, omnibus Civibus oſtenderunt: Aeſopus igitur, cognitis illorum Inſidiis, rogabat eos ut ſolveretur; Delphi autem non ſolùm non ſolverunt, ſed ut Sacrilegum in carcerem injecerunt, morte ejus ſuffragiis decretâ. Aeſopus quùm nullâ aſtutiâ à malâ hâc Fortunâ liberari poſſet, ſeipſum ſolus in Carcere lugebat: Unus autem ex ipſius Familiaribus, Damas nomine, ad ipſum ingreſſus, & videns eum tanto moerore affligi, quaeſivit Cauſam; Et Ille, Mulier quaedam quùm recenter ſuum virum ſepeliſſet, quotidiè profecta ad tumulum ploravit; Arator autem quidam non procul à Sepulchro, amore captus mulieris, derelictis bobus, ivit & ipſe ad tumulum, ac ſedens unà cum muliere plorabat; Cum illa parumper à Lachrymis deſiiſſet, quaeſivítque, Cur nam & ipſe ſic lugeret? Quoniam & ego, inquit, decentem mulierem ſepelivi, & poſteaquam ploravero, moeſtitiâ levor: Illa autem, Idipſum & mihi accidit; Et Ille, Si igitur in eadem incidimus mala, cur nam invicem non conjungimur? Ego etenim amabo te ut illam, & tu rursùs me ut tuum virum. His perſuaſit mulieri, & convenerunt. Intereà fur ad Aratrum proficiſcens, ſolvebat boves, abegítque; Ille autem reverſus, non inventis bobus, lugere vehementer coepit; Mulier lamentantem iterum inveniens, inquit, Dic, quaeſo, Cur rurſum ploras? Et Ille, nunc, ait, verè ploro, & multis evitatis periculis, totus ſum in lachrymis, quod ſolutionem hujus mali nuſquam invenire poſſum.

Poſt haec affuerunt Delphi, & extrahentes Aeſopum à Carcere violenter ducebant in Praecipitium; Ille autem, quamvis moriens, hanc Fabellam illis tradidit, Quùm bruta Animalia colloquebantur, Mus Ranae amicus factus, ad Coenam eam invitavit, & quùm in penuarium Divitis abduxiſſet, ubi multa erant eſculenta, Comede, inquit, amica Rana: Poſt Epulationem, & Rana Murem in ſuam invitavit Coenationem, & Ne fatigatus ſis natando, inquit, ſilo tenui tuum pedem meo alligabo, Atque hoc facto ſaltavit in paludem; Ranâ autem natante, in profundum Mus ſuffocatur, & moriens ait, Ego quidem per te morior, ſed mox alter aderit qui me vindicabit; Supernatante igitur mortuo Mure in palude, devolans Aquila hunc arripuit, & unà etiam cum eo appenſam ranam, & ſ • c ambos devoravit: Et ego etiam qui per vos morior habebo ultorem; Babylon enim & Graecia omnis meam à vobis exigent mortem. Delphi nihilominùs in Malitiâ obſtinatè perſeverantes, ne ſic Fabulanti pepercerunt; Ille autem in Apollinis confugit Sacellum, ſed & illinc extraxerunt irati, & in praecipitium rursùs traxerunt: Aeſopus quùm abduceretur, dicebat, Audite me Delphi; Lepus, Aquilâ inſectante, in Scarabei domicilium conſugit, obnixè petens ut ab eo ſervaretur; Scarabeus autem rogabat Aquilam nè occideret ſupplicem, obteſtando ipſum per maximum Jovem nè deſpiceret parvitatem ſuam; Aquila verò irata percutiens Scarabeum alâ, Leporem raptum eſt depaſta; Scarabeus autem quùm Aquila avolavit, tacitè ſequebatur, ut nidum ejus diſceret, & loco invento, ova ejus devoluta diſrupit; Illa autem gravè exiſtimans quod quis hoc auſus fuiſſet, in altiore loco nidum ſuum erexit; Et illic rursùs Scarabeus ova rupit, disjecitque; Sed Aquila, prorsùs inops Conſilii, aſcendit ad Jovem (in ejus enim tutela eſſe dicitur) & in ipſius genibus tertiam foeturam ovorum depoſuit, Jovi ipſa commendans & ſupplicans ut cuſtodiret. Sed Scarabeus, pilis è ſtercore compoſitis, aſcendit, & in ſinus Jovis eas demiſit; Jupiter exſurgens ut fimum excuteret, etiam & ova oblitus disjecit, contrivitque: Sed quùm didiciſſet à Scarabeo, quod haec feciſſet ut Aquilam ulciſceretur, non enim in Scarabeum tantùm injurioſa fuiſſet, ſed in Jovem ipſum impia, conſuluit Aquilae, ut Scarabeo reconciliaretur: Quùm autem Scarabeus conſentire recuſavit; Jupiter in aliud tempus tranſpoſuit Aquilarum partum, quùm propter inertiam frigoris, Scarabei non apparent. Vos igitur O Viri Delphi, inquit Aeſopus, nè deſpicite hunc Deum ad quem profugi, etſi parvum apud vos ſortitus eſt Delubrum, Magnum etenim capit Ira Jovem, Memoreſ que Malorum Sollicitat Vindicta Deos.—

Delphi verò, parùm curantes quae Aeſopus praedixerat, rectà ad mortem itidem agebant; Aeſopus quùm nullâ ratione flecti & inexorabiles prorsùs obſervavit, rursùs ait, Viri crudeles & Interſectores, Audite; Agricola quidem in agro conſenuit, & quùm nunquam ingreſſus eſſet in Ʋrbem, precabatur domeſticos, ut, ante mortem Ʋrbem ſaltem videre liceat; Murmurantes illi, junctis aſellis, at que Hero in curru impoſito, ſolum juſſerunt, currum agere; Eunti autem Procellis cum turbine aërem occupantibus, & tenebris factis, aſelli à viâ aberrantes in quoddam Praecipitium deduxerunt ſenem; At Ille jam praecipitandus, O Jupiter, inquit, quâ in re Injuriâ te affeci, quod ſic iniquè occidor; praeſertim neque ab equis generoſis, ne que à bonis mulis, ſed ab aſellis viliſſimis. Et ego eodem planè modo nunc doleo, quod non ab honoratis Viris, aut elegantibus, verùm ab inutilibus & peſſimis interſicior.

Jámque praecipitandus ſupremam hanc dixit Fabulam; Vir quidem ſuam perditè amans filiam, in agros Ʋxorem miſit, & filiam ſolam domi manentem violavit, Illa autem, Pater, ſceleſtè facis, mallem etenim à multis viris dedecore hoc affici, quam à te qui me genuiſti: Hoc nunc & in vos, O iniqui Delphi, dico, quod eligerem potiùs in Scyllam aut Charybdim incidere, aut in Africae Syrtes, quam per vos injuſtè & indignè mori; In Patriam veſtram Diras mitto, & moriens Deos omnes teſtor, qui me ulciſcentur exauditum, me, nullâ ratione, vel legibus humanis vel divinis, habitâ, injurioſiſſimam ſubire mortem. Praecipitârunt autem Delphi Aeſopum de Rupe, & mortuus eſt; ſed aderant ultores Dei; Non multò enim poſt tempore, peſtilentiâ laborantes, ab Oraculo acceperunt expiandam eſſe Aeſopi mortem, quod & fecerunt, & conſcii quam injuſtè eum interimerunt, etiam Cippum in Aeſopi Memoriam erexerunt. Primates autem Graeciae, & Sapientiſſimi quique, quum quae in Aeſopum patrata fuiſſent intellexerunt, in Delphos profecti, ſeverâ Inquiſitione habitâ, & ipſi ultores Aeſopi mortis extiterunt.