A Fowler and A Blackbird

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A Fowler and A Blackbird

There is no glory in tricking those easy to trick.

L'Estrange version

As a fowler was bending his net, a black-bird call'd to him at a distance, and ask'd him what he was a doing. Why says he, I am laying the foundations of a city; and so the birdman drew out of sight. The black-bird mistrusting nothing, flew presently to the bait in the net, and was taken; and as the man came running to lay hold of her; Friend, says the poor black-bird, if this be your way of building, you'l have but few inhabitants.

Moral

There is no sham so gross, but it will pass upon a weak man that is pragmatical, and inquisitive.

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