Aesop's Fables: Sir Roger L'Estrange (1692)
166. A BEE- MASTER (Perry 72)
There came a Thief into a Bee-Garden in the absence of the Master, and
Robb'd the hives. The Owner discover'd it upon his Return, and stood Pausing
a while to Bethink himself how this should come to pass. The Bees in this
interim came Laden home out of the Fields from Feeding, and missing their
Combs, they fell Powdering down in Swarms upon their Master. Well (says
he) you are a Company of Senseless and Ungrateful Wretches, to let a Stranger
go away Quietly that has Rifled ye, and to bend all your Spite against
your Master, that is at this Instant beating his Brains how he may Repair
and Preserve ye.
THE MORAL. 'Tis the Course of the World for People to take their Friends
for their Foes, and to use them accordingly.
 L'Estrange originally published his version of the fables in 1692. There is a
very nice illustrated edition in the Children's Classics series by Knopf: Sir
Roger L'Estrange. Aesop
- Fables which is available at amazon.com.
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