Character Index | Proverb Index
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| Character Index | Proverb Index |
A great conflict was about to come off between the Birds and the Beasts. When the two armies were collected together the Bat hesitated which to join. The Birds that passed his perch said: "Come with us"; but he said: "I am a Beast."
Later on, some Beasts who were passing underneath him looked up and said: "Come with us"; but he said: "I am a Bird."
Luckily at the last moment peace was made, and no battle took place, so the Bat came to the Birds and wished to join in the rejoicings, but they all turned against him and he had to fly away. He then went to the Beasts, but soon had to beat a retreat, or else they would have torn him to pieces. "Ah," said the Bat, "I see now, "He that is neither one thing nor the other has no friends."
Townsend
version
The birds waged war with the Beasts, and each were by turns the conquerors. A Bat, fearing the uncertain issues of the fight, always fought on the side which he felt was the strongest. When peace was proclaimed, his deceitful conduct was apparent to both combatants. Therefore being condemned by each for his treachery, he was driven forth from the light of day, and henceforth concealed himself in dark hiding-places, flying always alone and at night.
L'Estrange
version
Upon a desperate and doubtful battel betwixt the birds and the beasts, the bat stood neuter, 'till she found that the beasts had the better on't, and then went over to the stronger side. But it came to pass afterward (as the chance of war is various) that the birds rally'd their broken troups, and carry'd the day; and away she went then to t'other party, where she was try'd by a council of war as a deserter; stript, banish'd, and finally condemn'd never to see daylight again.
Moral
Trimming in some cases, is foul, and dishonest; in others, laudable; and in some again, not only honest, but necessary. The nicety lies in the skill of distinguishing upon cases, times, and degrees.
[Trimmer = A person who arranges things in a manner necessary for them to work.]
[Trimming = The act of arranging things in a manner necessary for them to work.]
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Tom Simondi, All Rights Reserved