whose young a kind of serpent called Perna (35) attempted to destroy. But finding that they were beyond her reach, she stationed herself to windward and emitted a large quantity of poisonous matter, so as to infect the atmosphere and poison the young birds. But the eagle, led by the unerring power of instinct, took this precaution. She fetched a peculiar sort of stone called Achates, (36) which she deposited in that quarter of the nest, which was opposite to the wind; and the stone, by virtue of certain occult properties which it possessed, prevented the malicious intentions of the serpent from taking effect.

APPLICATION.

My beloved, the eagle is any man of quick perception and aspiring mind. The young birds are good works, which the devil-that is, the serpent-endeavours to destroy by temptation. The rock on which the eagle built, is Christ.

TALE XXXVIII.

OF THE PRECAUTION NECESSARY TO
PREVENT ERROR.

IN the reign of the emperor Henry II., a certain city was besieged by its enemies. Before they had reached its walls, a dove alighted in the city, around whose neck a letter was suspended which bore the following inscription. "The generation of dogs is at hand; it will prove a quarrelsome breed; procure aid, and defend yourselves resolutely against it."

APPLICATION.

My beloved, the dove is the Holy Spirit, which thus descended on Christ.

TALE XXXIX.'

OF RECONCILIATION BETWEEN GOD AND

MAN.

THE Roman annals say, such discord existed between two brothers, that one of them maliciously laid waste the lands of the other. The emperor Julius (37) having heard of this, determined to punish the offender capitally. The latter, therefore, understanding what was meditated, went to the brother whom he had injured, and besought forgiveness; at the same time requesting that he would screen him from the emperor's vengeance. But they who were present at the interview, rebuked him, and declared that he deserved punishment not pardon. To which he made the following reply. "That prince is not worthy of

regard who in war assumes the gentleness of á lamb, but in peace puts on the ferocity of a lion *. Although my brother should not incline towards me, yet will I endeavour to conciliate him. For the injury I did him is sufficiently avenged in my repentance and bitterness of heart." This view of the case appeased the emperor, and restored peace between himself and his brother.

APPLICATION.

My beloved, these two brothers are the sons of God and man; between whom there is discord as often as man commits a mortal sin. The emperor is God.

* "In peace, there's nothing so becomes a man,
As modest stillness and humility:

But when the blast of war blows in our ears,

Then imitate the action of the tiger."

SHAKSPEARE, Hen. V. Act III. Sc. 1.

TALE XL.

OF THE MEASURE OF TEMPTATION, AND OF SKILL.

MACROBIUS relates, (38) that a certain soldier, in consequence of something he had witnessed, suspected his wife of transferring her affections from himself to another. He interrogated her on the subject, but she vehemently and loudly denied it. Not satisfied with her asseverations, the soldier enquired for a cunning clerk; and having found such as he wanted, he proposed to

him the question

which disturbed his rest. The clerk answered, "Unless I am permitted to see and converse with the lady, I cannot take upon me to decide." "I pray you, then," said the soldier, "dine with me to-day, and I will give you