A Cock and a Diamond

001. A Cock and a Diamond. As a Cock was turning up a Dung-hill, he spy’d a Diamond. Well (he says to himself) this sparkling Foolery now to a Lapidary in my place, would have been the Making of him; but as to any Use or Purpose of mine, a Barley-Corn had been worth Forty on’t.

Moral. He that’s Industrious in an Honest Calling, shall never fail of a Blessing. ‘Tis the part of a Wise Man to Prefer Things Necessary before Matters of Curiosity, Ornament, or Pleasure.

[more info; you can read L'Estrange's Reflexion at the online book.]

And here is an illustration by Arthur Rackham: