FAVOURITE FABLES. a

had been mad; and, drawing nearer to the Lamb, “ Sirrah,”’
said he, ‘if it was not you, it was your father, and that’s all

99

one.’”? So he seized the poor innocent, helpless thing, tore

it to pieces, and made a meal of it.

MORAL.

Bad men, who wish to quarrel, will always find a pretence ;
if they can find no true grounds, they will resort to those
which are false.

PARLE XXVI.

THE OLD BULLFINCH AND YOUNG BIRDS.

Ir chanced, that, on a winter’s day,

But warm and bright, and calm as May,
The birds, conceiving a design

To forestall sweet St. Valentine,

In many an orchard, copse, and grove,
Assembled on affairs of love;

And with much twitter and much chatter,
Began to agitate the matter.