Tuesday, October 19, 2010

L'Estrange: A Husband-man and Ceres.

A Certain Farmer complain'd that the Beards of his Corn cut the Reapers and the Thrashers Fingers sometimes, and therefore he desir'd Ceres that his Corn might grow hereafter without Beards. The Request was granted, and the little Birds eat up all his Grain. Fool that I was (says he) rather to loose the Support of my Life, than venture the Pricking of my Fingers.

There must be no Refining upon the Works of Providence; for he that thinks to mend them, forfeits his Right to the Blessing and Benefit of them.


Source: L'Estrange 256.

Here is an illustration for the story (image source) showing the naturally prickly ears of wheat!
M0800 (not in Perry)

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