a swallow, observing a husbandman employed in sowing hemp, called the little birds together and informed them of what the farmer was about. he told them that hemp was the material from which the nets, so fatal to the feathered race, were composed; and advised them to join unanimously in picking it up in order to prevent the consequences.

the birds, either disbelieving his information or neglecting his advice, gave themselves no trouble about the matter. in a little time the hemp appeared above the ground, when the friendly swallow again addressed himself to them, and told them it was not yet too late, provided they would immediately set about the work, before the seeds had taken too deep root. but as they still rejected his advice, he forsook their society, repaired for safety to towns and cities, there built his habitation and kept his residence.

one day as he was skimming along the streets he happened to see a large parcel of those very birds imprisoned in a cage on the shoulders of a bird-catcher.

"unhappy wretches," said he. "you now feel punishment for your former neglect; but those who, having no foresight of their own, despise the wholesome admonition of their friends, deserve the mischief which their own obstinacy or negligence brings upon their heads."