THE LIFE OF AESOP
Translated by Sir Roger L'Estrange
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THE LIFE OF AESOP
Translated by Sir Roger L'Estrange
CHAPTER XIV
AESOP finds hidden Treasure
AS Xanthus was walking once among certain Monuments, with
AEsop at his Heels; and Plodding upon several Epitaphs, there was
one Inscription in Greek Letters, that Xanthus with all his Skill
he had, could not tell what to make of. Well, says AEsop, let me
see a little if I can uncypher it. And so after laying Things and
Things together a-while, Master, says he, what will you give me,
if I find you out a Pot of hidden Treasure now? One half of it,
says Xanthus, and your Liberty. So AEsop fell to digging, a
matter of four Yards from the Stone that had the Inscription;
and there found a Pot of Gold which he took up and deliver'd
to his Master; and claim'd his Promise. Well, says Xanthus, I'll
be as good as my Word; but you must first shew me how you
came to know there was Treasure, by the Inscription; for I had
rather be Master of that Secret, than of the very Gold itself.
AEsop innocently open'd the whole Matter to him. Look you Sir,
says he, here are these Letters,which are to be
dig four Paces from this Place, and you shall find Gold. Now. says
Xanthus, if you are so good at finding out Gold, you and I must
not part yet. Come Sir, says AEsop, ( perceiving that his Master
plaid fast and loose with him ) to deal freely with you, this
Treasure belongs to King Dionysius. How do you know that?
says Xanthus. Why by the very Inscription, says AEsop; for in that
the Gold you have found. Xanthus began to be afraid when he
heard it was the King's Money, and charg'd AEsop to make no
Words on't; and he should have the one half. 'Tis well, says
'AESop; but this is not so much your own Bounty yet, as the Inten-
tion of him that bury'd it; for the very same Letters direct the
dividing of it. As for Example once again now, a stands for
found. Why then,says Xanthus let us go home and share it. No
sooner were they got home, but AEsop was presently laid by the
Heels, for fear of blabbing, crying out as loud as he could, this
comes of trusting to the Faith of a Philosopher. The Reproach
nettled his Master: But however he caused his Shackles to be
taken off upon't, and admonished AEsop to keep his licentious
Tongue in a little better Order for the future, if ever he hoped
to have his Liberty. For that, says AEsop, prophetically, I shall
not need to beg it of you as a Favour, for in a very few Days
I shall have my Freedom, whether you will or no.
