THE LIBRARY
OF
THE UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA
GIFT OF
Mrs, Edwin Grabhorn
v //Y
TH F. ' ^
.1? A B L E S
•
OF O^i
SOP,
WITH HIS
El F F.
TO WHICH IS , DBED,
MORALS AK» R E M A E K S,
ACCOMMODATED TO THK YOUNGEST CA?A<-,
Bv ROBERT BURTON OF LONDON
** The little knowledge I have f
O *r>
Was all from simple nature drain
ISC
L I F E OF 2E S O P.
WHAT JEfep was by birth,
don't agree; but that he was in a
mearf condition, and his perfon deformed
to the highest degree, is what many affirm:
he was flat- faced, hunch -back'd, blfcbbeiv
lip'd, jolt- headed; his body crooked all ever 5 ,
big-bellied, baker Jegged, and of a fwarthy
complexion. But the excellency and beau«
ty of his mind made a fufficient atonement
for the outward appearance of his perfon:
for, the firft account we have of him in hif-
tory, is, lhat bfing fent to Ephefus, in
company with other Haves to be fold, hie,
mailer had a great many burdens to carry ji
and .ZEfop begged of his companions not to
overload him: they found him a weakling,
and bid him pleafe himfelf . 1 he parcel that
he pitched upon- -was a pannier of bread,
twice as heavy as any of the reft: they call
ed him a thoufand fools for his pains, and
10 took up their baggage, and away they
About noon, .they had their dinner
fifrp's bafket, which made his bur«
one half lighter in. the afternoon thanic
beea in the morning, and after the
4 THE LIFE OF M S O R
hiea! he had nothing to carry b.-it an emptv
balket, which made .his fellow- fhvfcs know-
that he had more wit than themiel ves I 'p.
on the maker's arrival at *phe.l«, he foon.
ail his fhves but Mfnp. and the
pthir two, whom he carried toSamos as the
Jifeeheft place for a chapman. He ihewed
them in the opea market, and there they
were viewed by one Xanthm an .eminent
p.ulofopher in the city, who was mightily
p^eafed with the two youths, and afked then-
what they could do. '1 he one faid, he could
do every thing, which fet ^E% a 'laughing,
which t!)e philofopher perceiving, afked
?vhut he could do ? Nothing at all, fays he
v comes that, fays the philofopher? My
companion, i.y* he> u -dertakes every thina
fu the-e is nothing left for me to do. Which
th: philufopher to underftand he wa^
•Oj^&l: io he afked the merchant his Icwit
pncc for thr.t ill favoured fellow? Why,
%, he if vr-u'll give me my price for the
other two you may have hup in the ba-^r.in.
The phiiofopher ins!.-.ed' vs :,').- mo -
n^y.anjrak, mh him.. \Vhi!e
ne was in this phi!ofwpher'« i feveral
things h.irp,a.-ij ei.vivt them tou l,--n-r to
beMUHo.'.dnert; on! 1 cannot omh to
•Mop's ingenious invention, to
THE LIFE OF ye S OP.
bring his miftrefs back again, After ,Xan«*
thusrs Pock of patience was quite fpent in
bearing with her, he was refolyeS to ufe fe-
verity, fince nothing could be done by kind-
nefs: but this made her worfe, and away {he
went. *Pad as Hie was he would havte been
glad to have her back again} but nothing
would do. /Efop 'feting his ma(to.r quite
out of humour, Come matter, lays he, 1*11
bring my miftrefs back to you with as much
good will as everfliewentfrom you. JEfqp Ira
indiately goes to market, am! ipeaks for what
was beft in the fealon, and telis eve y I
that his matter was going to be married again,
and this was to be the wedding feaft. I he
new? flew like lightning, and coming t
miftrefs's ears, away fhe potted baclftq
hufband. No, Xanthus, fays (he* d
think that you (hall have another wife' -
Hive; and fo kept thehoufe clofe afterwards.
After this there happened a ftrang6 thing at
bamos; for *&i\ eagle had fuatched up the
townfeal, and dropt it into the bofom of a
flave. i hey conluited all ihe wife men about
it, arvd tfpccially Xanthus. \v
what to think of it ^Bfi. : ;tj
WLIU- before the town couucu, a
uieaniniT of it was.
- defigned to take away ti,.
0 THE L I F E OF ^ S O P.
this fatisfied them fo well, that they pro-
claimed ^fop a freeman. Shortly after, as
he had foretold, there came ambrffadors
from Crcefus king of Lydia, demanding tri
bute, and threatening them with war in cafe
of a refufal. Moft part of them was for
paying the tribute ; but ^fop's advice put
them off on't. I he king came afterwards
to underftand how /Efop/by the power of a
few xvords, diverted them; he fent them
word that HQ would put a flop to the war,
if they would deliver up JEfop to him. They
would not, but he would needs go himfeU.
"When he -came before the king, he looked
upon him with difdain; but whsn he heard
him fpeak, he was fo moved with the mo-
defty arid wifdom of the man, that he not
only pardoned him, but alio, for his fake,
forgave the Samiai$ the tribute he demand
ed. After this returning to bamos, h^ was
joyfully received by the citizens, whoereSt-
cd a liatue to him ^fop, after thi?, tra-
cd. to Babylon and Egypt, where he was
kindly entertained, and gained great reputa-
n by his wifdom. /r:fter this he wenc to.
(irt?:ccc, and he had the curiofity to
Ddphos, for the oracle's fake; when he came
ie, he found matters to be quite oHiervu;c
iii he cAptclcu; and having giv^n his
THE L I F E OF JR S O P, $
nion of them, the magiftrates took great of
fence at his freedom; and fearing left he
ftiould give the fame character of them elfe-
where, and to lofe the reputation they had
in the world for piety and wifdom, entered
Into a confpiracy to take away his life; fo
they caufed a golden cup to be fecretly con
veyed into his baggage, when he was going
to depart. He was no fooner out of the
town, but purfaed, taken up ajfid charged
with facrilege, and fo hurried him away to
prifon. He was next day brought into court,
and condemned to die. His fentence was
t4 be thrown headlong from si high rock.
P R E FACE.
E ufual vvay of teaching by tales, arid
j|_ fables is To plea fant and ^inftrudivet
and is fo many times over and over recom*
mended by the g'&ateft and wifeft men of all
ages, as (hat which makes the deepeft im-
preffioh on the mind, and ccmes moft lively
to the understanding, net only of men, but
csve.n of children, iharit would be loft labour
to infill on its commendation. ]Ul the pre
cepts and counlels of the antierus^ for or
dering our lives and manners, have been
handed down to us under fuch veils and fi
gures; and every one knows the frequent
and edifying ufe of them in fcripture. Chrift
himfelf has recommended this way of teach
ing by parables., both in his do&riiid and
praftice, well- knowing that the images
, would much more affect men's minds, than
the ftrongeft and moft perluading way of
reafoning. Befides, we have a convincing
proof of this in ancient hifto^y. For when
the common people of Rome were in a direft
^.muOr-y againil their magiftrates, that they
I would neither pay taxes nor bear arms, the
THE LIFE w & S O P. 9
fedltion run fo high, that all the arguments
the fenators made ufe of could not reclaim
them until Menenius £grippa did it by this
fable,
*i he haads and feet were in a defperate
mutiny once againft the belly* They knew
no reafon, they faid, that the one fliould lie
idle and pampering itfelf with the fruit of
the others labour; and if the belly would
not fhare in the work, they would be no
longer at the charge of maintaining it. Up
on this mutiny they kept the belly too long
without nourishment, and all the other parts
fuffered for it; in fo much that the hands
and feet carre at laft to find their miftake*
and would have been willing to have done
their office, but it was then too late; for t! e
belly was fo pined with overfafting, that it
was quite out of conditon to receive the be*
nefit of relief; which gave th< m to uncier-
ftand, that the body and members aie to live
ind die together*
^ Now, fays he, if you withdraw your fer-
vice, y9u'Il find your tniftake when it is toa
late. So by this means he brought them,
to their wits again.
B
FABLES
OF
s o P,
EAGLE and FOX»
THE eagle and fox refolding to ftand byt
and comfort and relieve each other in
the courfe of their lives, whatever fhould
befal them; they agreed to be neighbours,
whereby the bond of friendfhip they had
lately entered into, might be the more lad
ing and firm, fo as never to be violated or
broken. The eagle thereupon made choice
of a tall tree for its abode; the Fox, his fickle
friend and ally, of a thicket of brambles
hard by, to enjoy the friendfhip and fociety
of his good neighbour and confederate. The
fox being abroad, fearching after prey to
Hiaintain herfelf and young; in the mean
while the eagle being hungry, flew down
from her neft to the thicket, where finding
the cubs upguarded by Uieir dam, laying
F A B L E S OF M S O P. i *
|er talons upon them, flic ftraightway car
ried them away to her ndt, where not long
after, fbe and her young ones feafted upon,
them. The fox returning, quickly difcoveix
ed the guilty offender; the grief arifing from
her not being able to revenge the injury,,
more affli&ing her than, the lofs and untime
ly death of her cubs* For being unfurnifh-
ed with, wiags, fhe knew not how to come
at her avowed enemy and robber. In this
cafe, not; being able to be even with her
treacherous friend, fhe fell to curfing and
banning her* the only return fhe then could
make, borne tims after a goat being facri-
ficing in the open field, down flies the eagle*,
and fnatches away apiece with the live coals
that "hung to it^ and thua carried the burnt-
facrifice to her hungry eagles. A high wind
chanced at that initant to blow the coals,
fet fire to the neft, and down fell the young
ones fin ged with the flames; which the fox
efpying, and hafteniflg to the place, inftantly
buried them in her guts, to the no little grie£
ot the dam that beheld the a£tv
The MORAL*,
The foregoing tale may (land us inftead
occafion, viz.. when injured
i% F ABLES of MS OP.
are upable to deal with them that wronged
them divine juftice will be even with theu^
3iid right the fuflerers.
The REMARK.
Friendship i$ a large jubjed, ami a very ctpiou.s
theme, had one a mind to enlarge and dwell thereon.
Many, and many are they, whose stridt and inviolable
amity has kept their memorials alive to thi? clay, and
preserved their fame and renown from being buried in
the silent grave of oblivion with them* Antient histories
aooimJ with examples of this kind. And the truth of it
is, when all is said that can be said about it, it will prove
scanty, and fall very far short of the due esteem of the
thing they, between which jt is found, enjoy* 'Tig
therefore one of the greatest blessings heaven can be-
jstow upon mortals. Wherefore, in speaKing of it I
'shall be brief: He that broke his word, and clisregaid*
«d the obligation he lay under, was, from the beginning
of the creation, looked upon as a heinous criminal, and
grievous offender. The instance here befoie us of the
insincerity of the eagle, is so odious and abominable,
that scarce one circumstance is wanting to aggravate
and inhance it. 'Tis painted to the life by JEsop's ad-
jnirable pen, ami the foul misdeed is, in all respects, quite
contrary to cordial friendship and fair dealing. He, in
•whose heart unfeigned love and kindness iodces, will
expose himself to any dangc-r^ if thereby he hope*
to fhid ar\d save his friend from the jeopardy and iuis-
chief that threatens him; which is agreeable to the
doctrine oJ .ie Paul, who tells us, "That for ii
rsuii owe would even dare to elk,"
FABLES OF ^E 8 O F.
FABLE II.
7h* FOX and
\FOX and a goat being thirfty, go
down to a well to allay it; which
done, the goat being at a lofs how to get
out, t^e fox to comfort her, faid, Be of
good cheer, and nothing difmayed ; for I
have thought upon a way and means how
thou (halt get up again, and efcape the dan-
iger thou fo much drcadeft. For if thou
ftandeft upright, leaning thy forefeet againft
the wall, and bending thy horns that way
'too, by means of this new dcvifed ladder, I
getting firftoutj will afterwards Hall thee out
hence. The goat readily confented to do
what (he was advifed to* The fox by this
machine fkipping out, danced about the
mouth of the well, fporting and merry. But
the goat blamed her for not performing her
promife, and not being as good as her word.
To whom the fox replied, Had your head
been as long as your beard, thou wouldft
not have ventured into the well before thou
hadlt thought of a way to climb cut of it
i4 F A B L E S OF JE S O P.
The
The ufe and profit arifing from the tale
fhews thus, that it is the part of a wife man
ferioufly and naturally tQ confide? and weigh
the means of attaining the enterprife, as well
as the e$d a,nd iffue of it, before; be goes
about it.
Rash and unadvised, attempts usually
ry. What is blindly undertaken, the end seldom
answers the hopes conceived of it, unless chance 3.
which seldom falls out to second and favour the design..
The experience of all ages has set its seal to this truth,.
and will, as long as time lasts, ratify and establish
it.
*
FABLE III.
v The SWAN and GOOSE.
A MAN ftored with riches, and the*
goods of this world, bred up a goofe
and (wan in his yard, but aot for the fame
end. 'I he fwan he fed to pleafe his ear,
the other his palate, whenever he (hould
think fit to feed upon her. When the time
came that the goofe was deftined tc die, and
be upon the fpit^ in the evening the owner
FABLES OF ^SOR 15
intended to kill his gooie; but delaying it
too long, he could not difcern which was
which, and miftaok the one for the other.
Death approaching the fwan by misfortune,
fhe falls to ilngixig a melodious fong,as a pre
paratory to her latter end, and by her har
mony undeceived her mafter, whereby fhe
cfcaped the imminent danger, and the ter
rible fear flie was in quickly vanished.
The MORAL.
The life of a creature is that which is
deareft to it, tnd which is ufually valued
above all it enjoys befides; and therefore a
man cannot be too tender and backward in
taking it away, when it ii in his power to
doit.
Ihe REMARK.
Melody is often very useful, because it prolongs life
^vhen death is ready to put an end to it. 'Tis higk
time to look abont when death is ready to seize us:
.All thoughts are at "work to devise a way how we may
escape. Any shift, though ever so pitiful, if like to
succeed, \vill serve the turn. By this we may see the
subtlest contrivances miscarry; when others, a graat
deal more shallow,, efie^ the busings, an4 lead ta safety
aad content
FABLES OF ^SSOP-
FABLE IV.
A CUCKOO and a HAWK.
i Y the beak and claw of a Cuckoo, ona.
would take her for a kind of hawkj;
only the one lives upon worms, and the other
•upon flefh; infomuch that a hawk twitted a
cuckoo on a time with her coarfe way of
feeding. If you would look like a hawk,
why do you not live like a hawk? The
cuckoo took this a little ill> But flying by
a dove-houfe fome time after, (he efpied the
Ikin of this very hawk upon a pole planted
upon the top of the pigeonJioufe. Well*
fays the cuckoo within herlelf to the hawk,
And had not you as good hare been eating
worms as pigeons?
The MORAL.
Pride is an abomination in the fight ol
God, and judgment is juft upon us whet)
the fubjeft of our vanity becomes the occa-
fion of our ruin.
The REMARK*
' A safe mediocrity is much better than an envied afti
•iangerous pr<*&ed»ncy. Th<^ that in thmr pi.-ttueritf
FABLES ©? ;ESO P. 17
c others, shall be sure in adversity to be despised
themselves. It is much the san*e case v/ith wiert of
prey, that it is with* birds of prey ; they look
on it as a disparageiLent to sort themselves
with any other than the ecemie-s of thef public
peace ; but those that live upon rapine are set a mark
iipoh as the common enemy, and all heads and hands
are busy about their destruction*
FABLE V.
A FLEA.anda MAN.
niPRERE was a fellow, that upon a lea
J biting called to Hercules for help,
The flea made her eft: ape, and the nan is
angry upon the matter. "Well, . t'erculesj.
fays he, you that would not take my part
agavnft a ferry flea, will never be my fecond
In a time of need, agaifttt a more powerful
enemy*
7 he MORAL.
We flight' God in matters and concerns of
great moment, and petition him for toys ;
and are in a pet, at •l<ealt> if we cannot obtain
oin deiire*
7 he REMARK^
' ris an argument of a naughty disposition of r.iii-rfy
c
i8- FABLES oy M S O P.
TO turn offices and duties of piety into matters and wrvcs
only ot course, and to squander sway our wishes a;ul
prayers upon what amounts to little more than downright
rvoleries, when life and death, heaven and hell, and the
iike weighty matters take not up our thoughts, nor busy
our minds, we being wfiolly unconcerned about them* By
tii is impertinent and foolish way ot proceeding towards
the Almighty, men slide by little and little into some
f-'ort ot doubt, if notadiredi disbelief and contempt of
his power. And then, with the country fellow here, if
•we canoot obtain every vain thing we ask for, we arc in a
pet at the refusal, and in revenge give ever praying foi
god^ and all, and so part with heaven for a, fiea-sraarU
FABLE VI.
A FOX and GRAPES.
UPON a time, when a fox would have
ventured as far for a bunch of grapes
as for a fhoulder of mutton— there was a fox
of thofe days, and of that place, that ftood
gaping under a vine, and licking his lips at
a mod delicious clufter of grapes that he ef-
pied hanging there. He fetched a hundred
rmd a hundred leaps at it, till at hit
was as weary as a dog, and found
he availed nothing by it ; Hang 'emt
(lays he, thty are as four as crabs. And fo
away he went, turning off the difappoint-
with a jeft.
'he MORAL,.
When man cannot, indue manner, attain
F ABLES OF MB OR 19
what he longs for, and aims at, it is a token
he is endowed with prudence and found dii
creticn, in giving over ftrivmg for it.
The REMARK.
'Tis a point of g<xxl discretion to make a virtue n£
necessity,- and to conunt ourselves with «** we
coinpuss in an honest way, though we eagerly cove to
Turn : somewhat else. For it is a notable piece ot trait and
worldly wisdom, to *em to despite what we a
to obtain, and to put off a miscarriage win a J«- . Ue-
sids it is much mare commendable to have people ebipV:
a man could gain such and .such a pomt, .t n- wov,
>han that he would, but cannot. 1 his table afio« la u
a noble piece of dotVme and instruaion that may prov
•very useful to us, if we need it, in governing cur 1 '^,
managing our affairs, and direfting our conversation
Injr our pilgrimage in this, world. A prudent person,
-vhora -we should ahvays strive to imitate, cannot, a-,
least will not. change bis countenance at the trov-n:
imi'.es of giddy and inconstant fortune : He goes
f,,lly on his way, whatever rubs and holes he resets **li
ink: Disappointments, that mo.t of aj! ruffle us, :
exercise our patience and constancy, afflict _him yer
•.le : lie kuoivi the w»rjd, and expects nothtog t
FABLE VII.
A WOLF and KID.
A KID being in a place where no harm
could reach her, efpied a woit as he
ed by, at whom Ihe prefsatly fell a. rail-
ao F A B L E S OF £! S O P.
ing and fcofHng — to which the wolf replied,
fus wel! you are out of my reach, otherwife
I'd make you give better words*
ke MORAL.
Hence we lear,n this notable truth, that
place and opportunty embolden many to do
what*otherwife they would fooner eat thefc
nails than do,
The REMARK.
There is nothing more bokl and saucy that a coward
•whe7* he dreads no danger. This wav of reviling arcl
clamour i? such an arrant mask of a dastardly \vretd\
that he dues as good as call hi uself so that uses it.
FABLE V1IL
A COCK and PRECIOUS STONE.
ACOCK feeking for food upon a dung;
hi'l, lighted up a precious ftone^ lo
called and efteemed by the foolifh world.
After he had viewed and confidered it a
while, thus thought with himfelf: Charley-
corn would have f rvecl my turn better, and
n^urifne i me, which the fightof this glitter
ing itone cannot do.
^ he rvToRAL.
Monefl induflry and pains never gp unre-
warded. Virtue itielf is its, own reward, if
F ABLE 8 o* .dS SOB. n *
it meet with no other from an ungrateful age.
The REMARK.
The use and benefit this fable affords us is this, viz.—
That necessary things should direct and command c
choice, before thfcigs that are not so, which tend to no
thing ebe but disappointment arid vanity, and to please
and gratify an idle misled passion,.
FABLE IX.
The WOLF, KID, and GOAT.
A GO AT having occafbn to go abroad,
ordered hei kid to let nobody in that
come to the door that had not a beard,
tilt her return. Soon after, a wolf,
that was hard by when the charge
was given, approached the door, and de
manded admittance, ufmg a counterfeit voice
for that purpote- The kid, appaehenfive of
the danger that was ready to overtake her,
bid the wolf (hew his beard, and his requeft
fhould be granted.
"The MORAL.
Hypocracy, as cunning and deceiving as
it Is, cannot conceal all ways of difcovering
it. A little attention and trial-will difcover
the cheat, aud remove the difguife.
- This fahle should serve a:; a caution to
net to admit any persons as meniben with
'ind chara&fr tiiev are not §uincjcntly ac^
22 FABLES OF IE SO P.
designing men will sacrifice the interest of the. society to
their own private views ; And all is not gold tha: glis
ters ; One may have a very specious appearance, and yet
be an arrant knave at bottom. But wise regulations will
<io much to prevent this imposition ; and we slull find it
easier to deny access to persons who are suspected this
way, than, when once they are admitted., to exclude-
them.
FABLE X.
A SPIDER and SWALLOW.
A SPIDER feeing a fwallow catch flies, a
foolifh fancy or whimfy fet her to
work how to contrive a net that would catch
f wallows* as ihtuders upon her right, and
mere interlopers. But the net proved too
weak to h~Id the prey— and fo the bird flew
away with it ; by \vhich the fpider was unde
ceived, and fo fell to her old trade again.
The Mo HAL.
He that follows a calling he has no genius
or fitnefs for, will loon grow weary of it, and
lay it down.
fk? R.SM VRK.
It is both sz{* anil pruibnt tor t-very one to make tnai
oi' hij abiluy, and of the- . . . . .ry he is v^»
contend \v-rh, Ltjibr': lu: enters ;-^ iisc wi:;» hi
my b.j stronger, the: otlacr vvill crrtainiy
ai ;i f.is rt-pi.;t':itiO!) ;U once. I'rif
/ taoti^i, ani the wr j-.r.r :,'
FABLES OF & S O P. 23
us to understand and explain in juries aright. It is hurt
ful and injurious to look upon a thing as injury^ wh ch
is not so. It was a ridiculous proje<tt to think of catch
ing a swallow in a cob. web ; and as much was the spider
mistaken in vainly imagining to ingress the air to its
own use. Thgse men, in short, deserve to be accounted
great fools that me fretful and angry, first fr nothing,
secondly to no manner of purpose. How many are more
foolsh than the spider, who seeing their fruitless endea
vours a:*d attempts, return to their eld trade again ?
"Whereas, many men are so obstinate, that they will
never own that they have committed any mistakes, or
be/en gtiilty of any errors; and so, like Pharoah, harden
their own' hearts, and use violence to their own con*.
sciences, rather than it should be said that they wera
guilty of the least mistake ; and so run on, till, at last,
they. are drowned in the sea of obstinacy and stnbborn-
. ness. -
FABLE XL
A FOX and a COCK.
A FOX fpied a cock at rooft upon a tree
vith his hens ; the unufual fight where
of made him aik the cock, why he chofe a
tree for his rooft, being no fit place for that
purpofe. But, continues Reynard, you do
not hear the news perhaps, which is certain
ly true : There is a general peace and con
cord agreed en between all living creatures,
fo that hence-forward not one will dare annoy,
much lefs prey upon his fellow- creature.
i| FABLES OF JE so P.
ri his is good news indeed, feys the cock •
ar the fame ftretcbing out his neck, as if Jie
had a mind to fee fcrrsething afar off. At
which the fox afked the cock what he gazed
at ? Nothing, fays the other, but a couple
of great dogs yonder,, that are coming this
way open ittofcrhed, ?s faft as they can run.
If it be ib, fays the fox, it is time for me to
depart— i>.b. no; replied the ceck^ the gene
ral peace will feci.re you. rh, fays the
fox5 io it will ; but if the found of the
proclamation has not yet reached their ears,
rtiey may facrifice.me ID their hunger and
hatred they bear me : and fo betook himfelf
to his heels,
The MORAL*
Amongft over-reaching, jind fuch as trick
others out of the r right, due refpeft ought
to be had to honour and jultice.
The REMARK.
This is to tell us, trnt in a ->rne cases one nail i:n:.>t
be driven out by another ; and the dec'eiving of the
dc-ceivcr doubles tl.e plfasurt-. 'Tis a hard matter to
ar, agreement ix ,\vcen a forger and his forgery ;
they ar- :n a manner irrecoffcifajbl^ j so that it requires*
great c:.re and skill iu a sl»anin*er, to see that he con-
iradidt not fciwsrlf. "Vs,' he reform flatterers and Jiary need
have .ries. A general truce \vould hav
the: } :r as well as viie cock j but if the
ft-x v> . the ^^
to tiuMilt fax, All -
.FABLES cur £S OP. 35
their kind, are narrowly to be su^Sed, ^vhen things
I that concern their own interest ; and when
tftey can urake nothing else out, they cbuse to put it off
"With a j?st.
FABLE jtn.
JUPITER and the BE2.
A BEE prefented Jupiter with a pot of ho.
ti, I* yV-^hLlch Was fo accePtable to him,
that he bid her afk what (he would from
him, and fhefhould have her will. The bee
replied, that the wound made by her
*mg whenever it happened might prove
mortal. . Jupiter bid her be content without
her wifh and be rather inclined to f^e life
han to deftroy it ; telling her fauher, that
tt ihe ftung any, and left her fting behind
her, it would become fatal to her.
?/><? MORAL.
He that longs to fee mifchief* fall on aho-
er, andpiays to the Almighty i
7&e REMARK,
D
t* FABLES o* ^ISOP.
gin. Many in the world, how mischievous would they
be, had they power equal to their ill-nature, which so
much abounds in this land ! So it fares with the bee
here ; she had mischief in her heart already, and want-
«d only some mischievous power answerable to her mali
cious wish.
FABLE XIII.
Of the MAN and the SFRPENT.
A SERPENT haunted a country-cottage*
and bit a child that ftruck it, which
foon after occafioned his death— The chikTs
parent being much grieved at it, with a billet
he had in his hand, deprived the fnake of
his tail: this done, though the utmoft he
intended was not done, to conceal what he
propofed to do further, which was to retail-
ate and pay him in his own coin, he refoived
to endeavour to be friends with him. But
the fnake refufed it, telling him, it was mo
rally impoffible a firm and fate league could
be made betwixt them, till he had forgot the
untimely death of his child, and the other ,
the lofs of his tail.
7 he MORAL-
Perfons that have injured each other can
not prefently forget hoitilities and outrages
done to one another, and forgive them j
FABLES OF M S O P. 27
injuries ufually leaving a fmart behind them,
that continue long after.
?he REMARK.
Friendship is of that nature, that if not entire and
complete, is dangerous, and proves rather a soare than
a safeguard, 'Tis rarely seen that two, Svho'were once
enemies, ever .after return to a perfect amity and con
cord. And no wonder iris that so it falls out, real
friendship being in all ages so rare and unconVmon^
FABLE XIV.
A FOX and HED&E tiOG. ""
A FOX meeting a porcupine* or hedge*
hog, wondered to fee him fo armed cap-
a-pee, every part having on its armour of
defence ; afterwards fell into talk with him,
and among other things perfuaded him to
lay afide that hoftile garb, as not being ap-
prehenfive of any danger that threatened it.
After the porcupine had liftened a while to;
his deceitful arguments, he made this reply
to theenfnaring beguiler : Methinks I fmell
a fox,— Keep at a diftance ; your eloquent
fiourifhes have made no impreffion upon me.
Be packing therefore, left you feel the keen-
nefs of my anger, and the fmart of prickles.
7 be MORAL.
He that ftrips himfelf of the fence that
Mture has beftowed upon him for his fafe-.
fc8 FABLES OF JESOP,
guard, is mife^ably foolifh and if he fmarie
for it, deferyes no compallion.
Evf ry thing that has not a mimi to perish, is provid
ed with means to avoid it. Hares arc- stored with way*
tc escape the. d-igs that pursue them. Fatrld^cn know
how to save themselves from the claw* of their merciler,:
enemies the liawks, Tlie s nailer fry have their several
tricks and devices to keep out cf harm's way ; self-pre
servation being implanted in every thing that has a
being*
BLE XV. J
The WOLF and CARVED HEAD.
*.-\
A WOLF entering a carver's (hop, found
a man's head 9 after a little gazing and
thinking thereon, imagined it had no (enfe,
and then faid, O pretty head, finely wrought,
but void utterly of brains.
'The MORAL.
Outward comelinefs is fo much the more
graceful, if the inward be anfwerablc and a-
gi eeable to it j and a handforne outward
lhape is fo far from decking a foo!, that it
renders him the more hateful and contempt
ible.
The REMARK.
Outward beauty, no doubt, very much sets off afu}
a person ; but the aunJ is ail in all, that vastly
FABLES OF M S O P. 29
exceeds every thing else he possesses and enjoys : All
besides this is ot no esteem ; and without it he. is very
•nich beneath a brute, who, when he dies, leaves no
thing behind him to preserve and perpetuate his memory.
WT-hat a happy world should we live in, if mankind
would but bestow the half, nay, the twentieth part of
their precious time to adorn and trim their insi.des
(which is the great thing necessary) Which they lavishly
Avaste in painting and setting off the outside ? Let
them remember the wees pronounced by our Saviour,
against these that cleansed the outside of the cup and
platter, but neglected the inside ; and then, no douht,
they won't take «o much pains on their mortal bodies,
are oiten like the painted sepulchre*
The OX and DOG in the MANGER.
A CHURLISH cur got into a manger,
and there fnarled to keep the oxen from
their provender and food,' brought thither
for them by their careful owner ; the meat
r.-ed not the dog, who, to ftarve others,
cared not what became of himfelf.
The MORAL.
people's mifery is the proper food
ad ill nature, which had rather
v tat ,i If, than fee others enjoy what is
eouvenrciu and necefCiry for them,
7 he RPMA <K.
There are but too many in the woilal of this dog's
30 F A B L E S OF ;£ S O P.
temper, that will rather punish themselves than not be
troublesome and vexatious to others. If some men
might have their wish, the very sun in the firmament
should \vithdraw his light, and they would submit to
live in perpetual darkness, themselves, upon condition
that the rest oi* the world; might do so too tor company.
Whatsoever their neighbour gets, they lose ; and the ve
ry bread the one eati, makes the other lean and meagre ;
which is the natural meaning and intent of the tale.
FABLE XVII.
A DOG and SHADOW.
A DOG eroding a river with a morfel of
meat in his mouth, faw, as he thought,
another dog under the water, with fuch a
piece of meat in his mouth, as he had in his.
He never confidered, that what he faw was
reflection only, and that the water did the
office of a looking-glafs ; wherefore greedily
chopping at it, he loft both fubftance and
fhadow, to his great regret aad difappoint-
ment.
the MORAL.
Fxceffive greedinefs moftly intheendmifles
what it aims at ; diforderly appetites feldom
obtain what they would have ; paffions mif-
legd men, and often bring them into great
ftraits and incooveniencies, through heed*
leffnefs and nc&ligeace.
FABLES o* ^E S Oh 31
?he REMARK.
This fable shews people the great danger and mischief
they may fall into by suffering themselves to be diverted
by conceit only, and fancy that is its own guide. How
wretched is the man \vho does net know when he is
well, but passes away the peace and enjoyment of his
life for the humouring a whimsical appetite ? He is ne
ver well till he is atnhe top, and when he can go no high
er, he must either bang in the air, or fall. What can
be vainer rrow, than to lavish out our lives and fortunes
in the search and purchase of trifles, and at the same
time to ly carking for the needless goods of this \vorld>
and in a restless disquiet of thought for what is to come,
•which is, at the same time, as uncertain as, uncertainty
itself •?
FABLE XVIII.
The VIPER and FILE.
A VIPER meeting with a file, fell to
^ gnawing it. What ails the fool r fays
the file.— Doft thou go about to fret me,
^rho am wont to gnaw the hardelt of metals ?
*' be MORAL.
Splenetic fools neither regard their own
interdt, nor that of any body elfe. — Fall a-
bout it they L will, whatever tetide them,
whatfoever niifchief or calamity they thereby
run into.
The REMARK.
Unadvised rashness hurries men unawares into mam-
32 FABLESoFJESOP.
fold n:ischiefs. The attempt here of the viper was
exceeding foolish, and no less ridiculous ; tor the softer
and weaker gnawer, to bite and gnaw the harder anJ
stronger, looks odd and very wild.
FABLE XIX.
A WOLF and LAMB.
fc5-
A WOLF quenching his third at a foim-
•T* tain*head, perceived at a good diftance
below him., a lamb ftanding at the brink of
the faid rivulet ; upon which the wolf haftens
to her. Wretch, as thou art, fays he, how
didft thou dare to mud the ftream ? To
which the lamb replied, that fhe thought that
her drinking at fuch a diftance below him
could not have given any diflurbance. Nay,
fays the other, you will remember what your
mother's faucinefs coft her a while ago ; if
you have not a care, you'll fare as (lie did*
If you'll believe me, fays the lamb, in a,
trembling pofture. I was not then in being.
Well, well, impudence, fays the wolf, you
talk at this rate out ot hatred to our kind and
family ; but now I have you in a convenient
place, I will be even with ycu ; and To im
mediately facrificed her to his hunger and
revenge.
CABLES ©* JESl>P. 35
7he MORAL.
'Tis an eafy matter to find an occafion to
mifufe one that is below us. Innocence is
no armour againft tyrannical power ; no
pleas avail againft a power and a defire of in
juring, if they meet together.
?he REMARK.
Pride and cruelty never want a pretence to do mis-
thief ; the plea of not guilty signifies nothing wl ere
arbitrary power is. When innocence is to be born J
down by might, arguments are foolish things j nay, i
the very merit, virtues, and good offices of the person
accused^ are improved to his condemnation ; nay, suck
is the boldness of spiteful cruelty, that people shall be
charged with things utterly impossible, and wholly fo
reign to the matter in question ; the lamb itself shall be
made malicious. Thus the Jews treated the L?mb of
God, and such treatment must all men expect, \vh > en
deavour to follow the Lamb ; for so great is the corrup
tion of men, that interest and self-love are foisted in,
and pass at present for true religion and piety ; and 'l
tinder this false mask of godliness, perfedlit.n is r
*ried with zeal, and fury for religion and Christian
FABLE JGL
An EAGLE and TORTOISE.
A TORTOISE being weary of liring in
at hole and carrying his houfe about.
$1 FABLES OF JESOR
Xnade a requeft to the eagle to learn him to
fly. The eagle feemed unwilling to grant it,
telling him it was againft nature's courfe and
appointment, and common fenfe too. But
fuch was the freakiflinefs of the tortoife, that
the more the one was againft it, the more
the other was for it. The eagle perceiving
the tirefome importunity of the tortoife,
heaved him up in the air, fteeple high, and
then let him fall ; the firft thing that he met
with at his return was a rock, which dafhed
him to pieces.
7 be MORAL.
Whatever is unnatural, and goes topfy-
turvey, cannot but be dangerous, and of ill
confequence.
7hc REMARK.
This hints to ui, how unsafe a vanity it is for a crea
ture that was destined for one condition of life to affccT
another, no way agreeable to it. The tortoise's place
•was upon the sands, not among the stars ; and if he had
kept his wonted habitation, he would then have been out
of danger of a fall) lor then he could never have catched
one. Many a fool is well advised, that has not either
the grace or the wit to follow and profit by it, and thus
tys stubborn wilfulness often proves his ruin.
F * B L E XXL
The WIDOW and her HEN.
ACFR r AM widow had a hen that every
day laid one egg. t^pon this Ihe vain-
F A B L E S OF M S O P. 33
ly thought within herfelf, that if (he gave
her hea more to eat, fhe would lay two eggs
a day. She tried the experiment upon it,
till the hen was waxed fat, and by that means
gave over laying.
v he MORAL.
This fable is a-kin to that of the dog and
fhadow foregoing. Striving after a great
deal, which is both unlikely and uncertain,
we worft ourfelves, not at all mending our
condition.
The REMARK.
To be discontented with ptescnt comforts and enjoy
ments, is no hopeful way of attaining either more or
greater. What a happiness would it be to mankind, s
did they but know when they were well ! Nature has
bestowed upon every one his share,, were a discreet use
made of her bounty. But now a-days many people
seek out ways and means to disquiet themselves ; and*
what they will be, they will be, whatsoever hinders
them, or stands in, their way: Hence no wonder if,
disappointment attend them and disquiet their hopes,
thus deceived and brought to nought.. If mortals would
endeavour to acl: and move svery one within his own
sphere, we should not see so many sad and fatal exam
ples, as we often do, of the ruin and overthrow of many,
•whose ambitious designs lifted them up, and made them
<soarfor a while as it were with th& wings of the eagle,
«nly that their fall might be the greater.
FABLE XXII.
A SPIDER and the GOUT.
A SPIDER walking abroad to recreate?
** hiimfelf, lighted upon the gout, and
3$ FABLES OF ^SSOF.
walked with him till even tide, and after-
ward1* took up his lodging in a fine palace,
gnd fell to fpinning cob-webs, which were
as fail fwept away ; but the gout had his
quarters in a very nafty place, having no
thing fit to entertain him. Meeting again
the next morning, each gave his fellow an
accc unt how it fared with him the night pafh
The fpider began his relation firft, which
was a complaint of the nicenefs of his land
lord ; afterwards the gout requited him with
fuch another ftory of ill-ufage : Whereupon
the next night they took quite the contrary
courfi. The fpider got into a hovel, and
the gout into a hall, where the lord of the
manor had his abode. 5 he gout met with
every thing he defired, and the fpider was as
well pleafed on the other hand. Upon this
the gout refolved henceforward to get into
fome rich man's houfe, and the fpider into
fome needy perfon's,
The MORAL.
An induftrious poverty in a cell, with
qu?et thoughts and found fleep, is infinitely
to be preferred before a lazy life of pomp and
pleafure.
The REMARK.
One may be very uneasy with a plentiful fortune, and
FABLES or M S O P. 37
as happy in a mean condition ; for it is the mind that
makes us either one or ihe other : A plain honest and
temperate condition contents itself with a little. Where
gluttony and idleness rule and bear sway, something is
still wanting. How many foojish longings and wild de-
aires, possess and unquiet the fancy in such a state ! We
see a sailor sleep quietly in a hammock, without any
cares in his head, cr indignation in his stomach ; where
persons of quality lie lurking upon a bei of state, with
' the qualms and twinges that accompany riot and excess,
FABLE XXIII.
The OLD MAN and DEATH.
AN old man carrying a burden of wood
*"* from the place where it grew, to his
duelling; by that time he had carried it
half way, grew tired with it, and fo laid it
down, wifhin^ deith would approach and
convey him from this life tea better. Death
was prefently a* hi ; elbow, and demanded
why he implored his h^lp? 1 he old man's
reply was, he had at prcfent no other need
of him than to lack him afrcfh, by helping
him up with his burden ,
j he MORAL.
^Life, be it as miferable and wretched as it
will be, is ftill preferable to death, though
it have none of its frightful companions a-
bowt it.
FABLES OF ^ESO P.
REMARK.
One ot the chiefest Jessons Christianity teaches it*
professors, is cheerfully and courageously to bear and
undergo all the cr-.sses and temptations they may meet
-with, daring their pilgi image in this lower and toilsome
\vorld. Death is always the conclusion and period of
lite ; but we must not call ancj hasten it as often as we
please: He that gave us our being has ordered us to
preserve and keep it, till he thinks death better for
us than our longer abode here ; to whose blessed will, as
in all things else, so in. this great paint, we : must submit
and readily obey.
FABLE XXIV,
The OLD WOMAN and PHYSICIAN..
A^ old widow having a diftemper fallen
into her eyes, fent for a phyfician, teU
ling him, if he could cure her, he fliould re
ceive a reward from hers otherwife nothing.
— ! he phyfifiian, under the fore-cited condi
tion, undertook the cure. He vifited his pa
tient every day, anointing her eyes with an.
ointment he bad prepared for the purpofe.
./ fter the anointing was over, away went the
phyfician, carrying fomething with him that
belonged to his patient, being tempted
theieunto, becaufe juftatthe anointing fhe
\vas wholly bereft of fight by its means.
/I he woman perceiving her fubftanpe by this
FABLES OF ^SOP. 39
means to decreafe daily, and that, if her
fight was reftored, fte mig! t have nothing
to look upon, the phyfician demanding the
agreed-on reward.-Nay ratherj Iie§ d
0'
m " «:
When I firft fell amifs, I could fee goods of
my own ; but now at this time thou fayeftl
can fee, they are got out of fight.
?he MORAL
Intimates to us-lhac it often falls out,
that wicked and unconfcionable men fall un-
der the rebukes of their oxvn mifdoings, and
vile prances, unwarily and unwillindy.
„, , , '2be REMARK.
I b deeds of unrighteous men at last find them out
and betray them to »hame and misery. Whilst t£ Dhl
FABLE XXV.
The WOMAN and DRUNKEN HUSBAND.
T^WAS a woman's misfortune to be
i. "ft i°m^ ln matrij»°ny to a drunken
hufband. Being defirous to free him Tom
40 FABLES OF JES OP.
that abominable vice, (he took this courfe to
eff ft it : • eemg hirr or.ce very drc wiy, by
reafon of the fir ot drunkemiefs he was then
in, (lie took him upon her back, and carried
him into a vault in the church )ard. whera
{he left him, and went her way. When (he
thought he was come to himfelf. fhe return
ed thither, and he afked who it was that
knocked ? His wife made anfwer, it is I,
who have brought a meal for a dead perfon I
lo which the drunkard repii d -gentle, fir,
a bottle or two of ftrong liquor would have
been more acceptable than any kick-lhaw of
any kind whatfoever ; lam fad at ^ hearing
that I muft make a meal without liquor.—
But (he, (hiking her brer*ft, faid, miierable
woman that I am, this device avails me no-
nothing ; for thou, hufband, art not amend-
ed by it, rather thou art worfe than before :
1 he difpofiticn, I fear, being alfo grown a
habit.
The MORAL.
The tale g^ves us warning of the danger
a continu mce in a wicked cowrfe of life may
bring us into , for oftentimes, when he that
is in it would give over, and forfake it, h*
cannot.
FABLES OP -ESOP, 41
The REMARK.
'Tis well known, custom is a second nature. A bad
fcabit steals upon us unawares, before we perceive it ;
and once got, is not easy shook off and parted with.
Nothing can prevail with us to divorce ourselves from *
•beloved lust we have some time been wedded to : So
strong and powerful are its, charmss that death itself,
as terrible as it is, cannot fright us from hugging and
caressing it. This poisenous viper we will cherish in
our bosom, though we are sure thst ere long his poison
null give us a mortal wound, and punish us as we de
serve* An old, stubborn, rooted habit, what a difficult
task, good God ! what a toil it is, wholly to vanquiih
and get an entire vidory over it 1 The cutting of Hy-
.dra's head asks the utmost strength and effort of Her
cules ; but to tame an inordinate desire that has for
aome time ruled us, is past the power of most mortals.
FABLE XXVI.
HUSBANDMAN and his SONS.
A HUSBANDMAN knowing he had not
** long to live, called his fons together,
and earneftly exhorted them to follow his
calling, commending a hufbandman's life to
them— further telhng them, th.at if they du
ligemly and painfully cultivated his vine
yard, they (hould find a treafure of very
great value he had in it. Ihis welcome
¥
4* FABLES of j£SO P.
news cheered their hearts, ^nd filled them
with extraordinary hopes of finding a great
deal of treafure ; and without more ado fell
to digging the vineyard, not leaving a foot
of it untamed.— However, after all the ho
ped for treafure, they met not with any —
But neverthelefs, the vineyard being thus
well drefled, and ordered, made them an
ample fatisfadion for the pains and labour
.they had bellowed on it.
Ihe MORAL.
The tale fets before us, that by induftry
men thrive and grow rich.
7 he REMARK.
Honest labour never fails, never misses its due reward
and recompence. What else is virtue itself, the iairest
and noblest ornament of mankind, but pains married t *
ingenuity ? And happy, thrice happy is he in whom
they meet and are joined. How sweet does his time
pass away ! whatever befalls him, this quiets his mind,
and thereby he enpy.s a complete rest, and is out of the
reach of all care and trouble. This world, that u most
U a sort ot hell, proves to him, by means of it, a real
and sensible paradise.
FABLE xx\n.
The WEASEL and FILE.
A WE AS EL running into a brafier's
tot>p, got to licking a file that lay
FABLEScFJESOP. 43
there ; fo that a great deal of bleed ran
down his tongue as he licked. But
heed'efs weafel thought his blood to be the
braiier's filings only, until he 1 ad quite filed
away his tongue, and then he fcuhd
miflake.
The MORAL
Is levelled at fuch that, in quarrels *nd
brawls, get harm and mifchief before they.
are aware.
7 he FEMAPK
Shews, that tho' nature has ci dewed every creature
with a principle of self preservation, yet their unruly
appetites hurry them blindly on to their o>vn destroy
tion«
%
F ABLE XXVIII.
The FLIES in the HONLY-POT.
THE flies having got into a buttery where
honey-pots itood, fell a eating of
honey. When they had got a good belly-
lull, they were going off, but found their feet
faft —I hey ftruggling to get loofe, fo entan
gled themfelves, that being almofl
they cried our, What wretches are we to paf
fo dear for fuch a fhort banquet ?
44 FABLES o? JB S O P.
rhe MORAL.
The fable fhews gluttoay has deflroyed
many*
?te REMARK.
Intemperance has always proved fata! anddestra£live.
Uitly experience confirms the truth. A glutton seldom
>mt half his days ; therefore fly from this vice a?
irom tne :nost poisonous serpent. How many have
been destroyed by a debauch ! It is but just that they
•who trample upon the laws of nature, and make them.
selves worse than the brute beusts, should come to an
Untimely end. How many instances does history give
us, of such as have been fairly, but were at last mise
rably destroyed by this vice ! A famous example we have
in the person of Alexander the Great, who soon subdued
nations, while he continued moderate and sober, till, at
last, t.'.is great conqueror was himself conquered by
drunkenness, and so put an end at once both to his life
and cor.qutsr . What a dismal spectacle is a drunlTard,
or ^UUGII, cast upon his sick-bed, under the heavy load
of li.ihsome distempers I and how wisely does the wisest
of men observe, " Who hath wee ? who hath sorrow ?
u who ham redness of eyes? but he that tarrieth at the
V. wine."
FABLE
The MISTRESS and her MAID.
A MIS T^E^S taking a liking to a girl,
was refolved to hire her, to whom the
poiaid agreed, and fy became the lervant,
F A B L E S OF JR 3 O P. 45
The iniftrefs did her part, being rather too
kind, t he maid, after a while, grew weary
of her fervice, and by that means the mif-
trefs wa* no le& lired with her. ^fterfeveral
(harp rebukes, fhc reioived to be eren with
her miftrefs, and ufed this device.— She
ftrewcd the rtairs with peafe, thinking there
by to give her milhefs a fall ; but forgetting
what (he had done the next morning, catch-
ed a fad fall herlelf.
^ Harm watch, harm catch ; knavss and
Lillians often contrive their own ruin.
,
Ingrttitude seldona goes uapunisned — too much gen
tleness isoften more hurtful and fatal than too much
seventy. Ease and plenty makes servants often negli
gent of their ddty. If they are reproved by mister or
Distress, they maliciously study their ruai. Wicked
^contrivances often fill heavy on the contrivers ; and
-inen are usually caught in the snare they have laid
£br others.
FABLE XXX.
The GRASHOPPER and PISMIRES.
IN the winter feafon the pifmires grew
cold, by reafjj of the moiftnefs of their
food j however, an hungry grafhopper alk-
4« F A B L E S OF IE S O P.
t\ alms of them ; they anfwered, Why da
you not in fammer lay up for the winter ?
The gr Chopper re jlied , I am not at letfure
for Gaging to the country-fwaim all th? fea-
ion. Nf ay, then, faid the frovrning ptfmires,
fmce in fammer thpu piped, thou mult even
dance in winter,
Teaches us to be careful and diligent in
all our affairs, on all occafions, left reproach,
grief, and ihame overtake us.
the REMARK,
We were sent into the world to toil, and thereby to
earn our daily bread. It is no wonder to see him fall
in danger, who will not foresee it, and feel misery who
•will not prevent it. To provide against a wet day is
both commendable and necessary. Who can tell what
may happen ? Wh.it we little think of may befal us.
"We cannot sufficiently fence again su tha ca' a ma ties
•which abound every where in this world. The more
careful w? are 10 prevent tribulation, the less grievous
and irksome will it prove. Solomon sends the sluggard
to the ant to learn industry ; and it is a shame to find
men endued with reasonable souls come sa far short of
beasts : For certainly, if men were in m.iny things as
provident as brute beasts, we should see fewer go to the
gallows.
f A B L E S OF JK S O P. 47
FABLE -XXXI.
The LYING MOLE.
OST people think that a mole is
. blind.— He, on a time, faid to his
dame, I fee a fycamore tree lie laid to her
another time, there muft be fome frankin-
cenfe hereabouts, foi I fmell it. Fe faid to
her a third time, 1 hear the noife of a brafen
ball. His mother taking him up, anfwered
thus : Son, I now plainly perceive, thouart
as void of hearing and fcieillng as of fight.
*< he ..Mo&AL
Plainly (hews that many boafters promife
great and .wonderful things, who. when put
to the trial, tan hardly perform fmail ones.
1'he REMARK.
Great boast and huic roast ; *s it is with the dogs,
so it is with crackers, and vain braggers. The loudest
boasters are ^cutraiiy the least performers. Saying ai,d
doing arc di&feut things ; talking is not periorming.
If words aione could do, a ladder had been found out
before this tini<?, which would have reached the moon ;
so that fiom thence ii neaier })rospe<St had been taken of
the stars. Noise can oi'ly :.Elc\ the ear, prattle mil.
never
4« F ABLES OF JE3OP.
F A B L F XX;I.
The MISTRESS and her MAIDENS.
A I ABOPIOUS and thrifty widow uft«-
ally called her maidens to their work at
the crowing of the cock. — The toil at laft
growing iikfome and grievous to them, made
them think bf this device for their cafe*
.They imputed (heir early rifing every morn
ing to the noife the cock made ; and there
fore, to make fure work, at once put an end
to his noife and his life. l?ut the remedy
proved worfe than the difeafe ; for the old
\ddow, deprived of her watchman, called
them up, for the inoft part, fooner than be-*
fere.
?he MORAL
Tells us in very plain terms, that many,
and too many, deviie and contrive their own
harm and mifchief.
7 he REMARK.
Many know not when they are well, and are therefore
often altering their condition and way of living. They
•ccn turn weary of what is present, and alwa) s restless ;
sucn are their own disiiubers, who often seek their ease
stjid quiet by such indirect practices, that they often
have cause to repent of them* Men should think before
FABLES OF j£SOP. 4j
they change, lest they change for the worse. The
foolish wenches in the fable must kill the csck for
wakening them, too soon, and so by thinking ther
should have much more sleep, it happened they had
annost no sleep at all.
FABLE XXXIir.
MEIICURY and the CARVER.
MERCURY, defirous to know what
repute he had in the world, went int»
a Carver's (hop in the fliape of a man. Look-
ing about him, he efpied Jupiter's image;
and cheapened it : The Carver afted a
groat. Afterward he cheapened Juno's, for
which he aflced more. At laft, leeing his
own image, not doubting but the Carver
would value it at a great rate, as being mef-
fenger to the gods, and patron of tradesmen,
afkedthe price of it: Why truly, fays the
Carver, give me but my price for the other
two, and you (hall have that into the bar-
m.
The MORAL.
This Fable reproves fuch, who, fettmg too
high a value upon themfelves, appear by fa
much the more defpicable to others.
G
5* F A B L E S OF JE S O P.
The REMARK.
A fond conceit where it prevails, is of bad conse
quences, and commonly meets with contempt and scorn.
A country girl dressed up for a fair or a wedding,
fancies herself presently to be some dutchess. What a
fair creature does a Peacock think himself while I
gazes on his fine painted tail, not considering his ugly
Saw, and frightful cry? They who think themselves no
fools, are apt to fancy that others have the same opinion
of them that they have of themselves.
FABLE XXXiV.
The FOWEER and SNAKE.
A FOWLER having provided twigs, and
birdlime, went on to try his art ; hav
ing efpied a ttirufh fitting on a high tree hard
by, he prefently made all things ready to
catch her as his prey ; but had the misfor
tune to tread upon a Snake fleeping at the
root of a tree, which ptefently fwelled with
anger, bit him mortally: So the unhappy
Fowler finifhed his life with this fad com
plaint : Poor wretch that I am ! whilft I
feek and thirft after onother' s life, alas 1 1 fall
a prey to a poifonous Viper.
ft*
F ABLES ^^ES O P. 51
The MORAL
This Fable teaches us, that many, whilft
they go about to enfnare their neighbours,
meet with the fame fate from others, who $r$
no lefs bufy to entrap them,
The REMARK.
Contrivers of mischief often meet with mischief :— •*
They who think to catch oihers are often prevented in
their malicious designs, and lose their lives by acci
dents, which they cannot foresee. Though daily ex
perience shews this to be true ; yet so great is the
devil's power over wicked men, that they will still plot
and seek the ruin eyen of the harmless and innocent.—
Would mankind but think seriously on the laws of na
ture, which teach us. to do to others what we would
have done te ourselves, we should not End so many in-
stances of cruelty and malice among Christians, which
even the very Heathens are incapable of.
FABLE XXXV.
The WITCH.
A "WITCH profeffing a great (kill in pa
cifying the angry-gods, when provoked
againft a wicked people, grew fo fuccefsful,
that (lie became a great gainer thereby ; but
indifted for witchcraft^ was found
0*
52 FABLE4;* MS OP.
guilty, condemned, and afterwards carried
to the place of execution* Whereupon one
feeing her pafs by, gave her this fharp taunt,
How couldft thou fhew others the way to ap-.
peafe God's wrath, and not now help aud
relieve thyfelf, when under the fame dreacU
ful judgment and calamity,
7 he MORAL
Shews us the folly and madncfs of too
many, who, after great promifes and brags,
can really perform nothing.
The REMARK,
To teach others to get out of the briers, whilst we
are ourselves so far entangled, that we cannot get out,
is both sad and ridiculous. Hence we may learn and
remember this useful lesson, viz. How unsafe and dan*
gerous it is to believe, and much more to rely upon the
vain promises and idle vapours of mere pretenders, ancl
bare faced cheats,
FABLE JXXVI,
The MULE,
A MOLE over-fed, turned wanton and
^fldttifh, fell a kicking and braying j--»
O V DJ»
LES^ <I JESOP. 53
moreover bragged that his father was as
fwift 3s any ifarbary courfer, and that he
was every way, and in all refpe&s, like him.
.voon after, being obliged to run a little, way,
foon grew weary, remembered that an afs
begat him.
ihe MORAL
This Fable teaches this plain leffon, that
though men may rife ccnfiderably in the
w©rld; however they (lioutd not forget what
they are, and from whence they came ;—
/nd feeing earthly things are uncertain, the
higher they Hand, the fooner their fall may
be.
Write REMARK., f>>^>^
An ancient poet left behind him that wholesome ad
vice, Avoid a high station : For he that stands there,
should take heed that he fall not. What a world of
examples are to be seen every day of this kind I No
journals, no annals are without plenty of such dismal
instances ; To day a Prince, to-morrow a beggar, and
much more miserable and wretched. St. Paul gives us
a wholesome advice, u Let him that thinketh he stands,
take heed lest he tali.'1 How many think themselves
secure in their riches; high posts, and acquired honours?
-but they should remember their days of adversity ; —
54 FABLES OF ^SO P.
for what Solomon says of all earthly enjoyments, is con
firmed by daily experience, " Vanity of vanities, all i&
vanity."
FABLE XXXVIL
A SON and his MOTHER.
A BOY Dealing a book at fchool, brought
it home to his Mother ; She countenan
cing her child in that naughty courfe, en*
couraged him in procefs of time, to fteal
things of greater value. At laft being catch
er! in the fad, he was found guilty, and con
demned. AS he was going to the place of
execution his Mother followed him? fadly
bewailing his cafe. Upon which the: Male-
factor defired that his Mother might fpeak
to him. She came according to his requeft;
and whilft fhe liftened to hear what he would
fay. he bit off one of her ears. And being
chid by the company, for what he did, he
excufed himfelf by telling them, that his
Mother, and no body elfe, was the caufe of
his deftruftion ; for had fhe chaftifed me
(faid he^ for my foul offence, I had no lon
ger followed the trade of {tealing, but might
have lived honeftly, and by th$t means have
efcaped this fhameful death*
FABLES OF • -E SOP. 55
Ibe MORAL,
Plainly declares to us, that wickednefs, of
what kind foever, if not fpeedily curbed will
quickly bring people to an untimely end.
7be REMARK
That parent that bas perused Solomon's admirable
proverbs, vail there perceive bow much wicked childr
Lnd in need of corrcftion : Which must be applied as
soon as it is needful. No distemper of body and mind
can effe&ually be removed, without a proper and suita
ble remedy. A vice let alone becomes stronger, and
rakes daily a deeper root, until, at length, it turns na~
tural and becomes remediless. What a remarkable ex
ample doth the scripture give of this in Eli, and
tsons? How fatal was his fondness, and too gen
humour, not only to his children, but to all Israeli--
So that parents ought to consider,- that in- the bad
education they give to their children, they not only do
them harm, but their country.
FABLE XXXVIIL
The BRAGGER.
A GREAT traveller returning home to*
native country, bragged of fundry no.
table exploits which he had performed in
56 F ABLES OF ^SOP.
foreign parts— Particularly he told how he
had jumped fuch a jump in the ifland of
Rhodes, that none living couM do the like ;
and that a great many of the Rhodians (if *
they were prefent) could bear witnefs that
what he faid was true. One of the ftanders-
by anfwering, faid, fir, if what you fay is
true, there is no need of vouchers, only fan
cy this place is Rhodes, and let us fee luch
a jump here.
The MORAL.
1 his fable (hews us, that if the proof of
a thing be not ready and at hand, whatever
elfecan be produced in its. behalf is of no
force, and altogether impertinent.
The RFMARK,
Boasting is but very seldom excusable. Yet what
abundance of foolish tops doth this "age produce, who,
by their boasting and bragging, teaze every compary
they sit in. Wise men are, for their own part, sparing
of their own adieus ; ior they who dwell most on that
subjed, are commonly looked on to oe guilty of parti
ality and sometimes of untruth.
FABLK xxxix.
The DCGS.
A CERTAIN perfon kept two dogs, the
J-~* one for the houfe, the other for game.'
When the game-dog catched any thing,
F A 8 L E S ©F jESOP. 57
the houfe-doghad a (hare, at which the
game-dog grudged, and upbraiding the
other, told him, he lived by his labour, but
you are at no pains to get your livelihood;
The hoiife-dog, vexed with this (harp taunt,
excufed himfelf, faying, you fliould blame
my matter, not me, whom he never tattght
lo do any thing*
The MdiiAL
Informs lis, that fuch as linderftahd little*
are not fo much to be found fault with as
their parents, who took no care of their edu«
cation.
?he REMARK,
Better iint>ofn than untaught. Good education is
the most Valuable thing a parent can bestow upon hia
Child. The great advantage that attends an early and
good education, is what every one is so sensible of, that
ihere is no need to speak any more about it. How
inany bprn of mean parents have raised themselves and
friends by their virtuous education, to great honour
and much wealth ? A little cost and charge this way
has often made 21 vast rettfrsu
H
5S CABLES OF ^SOR
FABLE XL.
The CAMEL.
AT the camel's firft appearance in the
world, mod creatures were afraid to
come near it, by reafon of its unnatural
bulk, and odd Ihape. But in procefs of
time^ they perceiving his gentlenefs, ventu
red to come near him. Boon after, finding
that he was a harmlefs creature, they bi idled
him1, and caufed the very children to lead
him up and down, and made him their
game*
MORAL
Cuftom and ufe makes things eafy which
at fit ft view appeared hard, and that con
temptible which at firft was dreadful.
The REMARK
Use and custom are (I may say) a second nature.-—
They make things 'easy and delightful, which at first
vtew seemed strange, hard, and even frightful. Good
nature is often abused : Men, as well as children, arc
apt to make their game, not only of inferiors, but aha
ot superiors. Good nature has made subjects turn to*
lauiiliar even with their sovereigns.
F A B L E S OF M S O P.
FABLE XLI.
A HUNTED BEAVER.
Beaver (as people fay> can flay Ion*
Jl ger *n the water than any four-footed
beaft. Eis ftones are reckoned to be good
in phyfic ; When he finds himfelf purfue4
by the 1 unter, he bites them off, and leaves
them, & by this means faves his life,
. "he MORAL
This Fable fhews, that all men ought tQ
part with their moft valuable things to lave
their lives, when in danger.
The REMARK.
Nature hath endued all creatures with self-preserva
tion. Nor should men take care of themselves only.—
but also of their country. For when government is in
danger, every good subject, without grudging and mur
muring, oughjc to part with goods and estates to prevent
its ruin.
FABLE XLII.
The DAW HUNG by the FOOT.
COUNTRY-fellow catched a daw, and
tied a ftring to his leg, and fo gave him
4o F A B L E S of JE S O P.
to a child to play withal ; butthe daw turned
foon weary of his play-fellow, and gave him,
the flip as foon as he found his opportunity,
and went off to the woods with the firing,
which (hackled him fo that he ftaryed— But
as he was dying, he fore repented his folly,
\n going back to ftarve in the woods, rather
than to lead an eafy life among men.
Tke MORAL.
Mens* humour and fancy are often the
caufe of their uneafinefs ; but where content
Is, there is happineis.
REMARK,
How many are impatient let their condition be eve*
so easy, and will still be changing, thpugh commonly
they change for the worse, as the Daw did, who brought
himself to a starving condition, seeking after liberty^
•whereas he might have lived easily and plentifully
•Under a small confinement I How many are to be seen
daily, who, after a loose and idle life, which bring them
to misery, and often to ruin and disgrace, see their folly
•when it is too late ? Liberty, 'tis true, is a very desira
ble thing, but some people mistake it much, who sup
pose that they want liberty if they are confined to an.
tionest trade or employment, whereby they may do
their duty in that state ; whereas, to be wholly given
to a lazy and sluggish temper, which they falsely call
liberty, is the worst of slaveries
CABLES o* .ffiSOp. 6r
FABLE XLHI.
The CROW and PIGEON.
A PIGEON that was brought up in a
dove-houfe, meeting with a crow, told
him in a vain *nd bragging way, how
fruitful {he was, and what a number of
young ones (he had. Nerer value yourfeif
too much upon that (fays the crow) for the
more children, the more forrow.
the MORAL
Many children, when they prove good,
^re a great blefling ; but if b<id they are as
great a carfe.
The REMARK.
Parents are often puffed up, and too vain, if they have
a number of children ; but they are seldom taken up
with the care of their education. Wherefore it comes
to pass, that they often prove crosses rather than com
forts. How many instances of this have we heard of in
ail ages, and see but too many in this we live in ?
FABLE XLIV/
The FOX and GRAB.
AN hungry fox efpied a crab lying on the
farid by the lea* fide* ran, and fnatche4
62 FABLES OF ^ESO P.
it up. The crab finding that he was to be
eaten, faid thus, no better could come of it,
I had nothing to do here, tor my bufmefs was,
at fea, not upon the land.
The MORAL.
Nobody pities a man for any misfortune
that befals him, for meddling with thinga
out of his way.
The REMARK*
Some men are so very curious in prying into the af
fairs and concerns of others, that they often get a great
deal of ill will. Others there are, who can never be at
rest, but love to be shifting and changing, and when
•well, cannot hold themselves well. A third sort ther&
are, who by meddling with things above their reach, of
ten bring themselves and friends to utter ruin, fo%
which they may thank themselves.
FABLE XLV.
The REED and OLIVE.
THERE was a difpute between the reed
and the olive, which was the luftieffy
ftiongeft, and firmeft Ihe olive upbraid
ed the reed as frail, and yielding to every
FABLES OF & SO P. 63
wind. The reed was for fome time without
returning an anfwer, but not long — -For a
violent wind arifmg, the reed was fkakea
and tofied by its fury, which the olive en
deavouring to refift, was broken.
The MORAL.
This fable (hews, that thofe who on occa-
fion give way to fuch as are ftronger, obtain
their ends fooner than thofe who cbftinately
refift.
The REMARK.
It is folly, we y commonly say, to stnve against the
tide. We often see the proud and lofty brought down
and humbled ; whereas they that are mean and lowly
in their own conceit, frequently come either to honour
or renown, or at least they escape these checks and turns
of adversity, that the high and mighty ones are subject
to. Thunder oftener breaks on high mountains than on
low values ; and tall oaks and ceders are split topieces»
•whew the low shrubs go free. How often do we see
those that use all arts and contrivances, to come to the
highest of honours and preferments, (from whence, as
from a high tower, they look down with contempt and
neglect on those they thought their inferiors), struck
down on a sudden from the height of their grandeur ardi
become as mean and contemptible in the sight of those
theydesp-sed, as the poorest country fellow, who COB-
64 F ABLES OF ^SOP.
tent with Vis homely condition, never aims at any othet
advantage than to secure himself and family from poverty
and hunger ?
FABLE XLVI.
A wicked Wretch undertakes to beguile APOLLO*
AWICKFD Wretch went to Belphos,
with a defign to trick Apollo, thus ;— •
He held a living Sparrow in his hand under
his cloak, and approaching the altar put this
queflion to the God , O Apollo ! may it pleafe
thee, tell me, whether this which I hold in
my hand be living or dead ? Intending to
Ihew the Sparrow alive, if Apollo fhould fay
it was dead ; or to fqueeze it to death in his
hand, under i is cloak, fliould Apollo fay it
was alive. But Apollo knowing the cun
ning of the man, anfwered, You need not
afk my advice on that head ; for it being in
your power, you may fliew it dead or alive,
as you think fit*
The MORAI/.
This Fable {hews, that 'tis vain for us to
think that we can hide any thing from God,
who fees and knows ail things*
OP -rfESl. (?5
REMARK,
Men at waj's deceive themselves when they think to.,
deceive God, They must have very weak thoughts of
God -ttho think to juggle with him as with their fellow,
creatures, who are liable to ignorance and mistakes, and
therefore can be easily imposed upon.
FABLE XLVIL
The UNSKILFUL HARPER-
CF&TAW Harper playing, as he iiOiaf-
iy did upon his harp in a large hall,
i made a mighty found and echo fan
cied himfelf to be no mean aftift. Puffed
tip with this vain conceit, he muft needs be
one^ofthe mufic in tHe playhoiife; where
having appeared, he begaii to pl^y ; but f6
harfh and unpteafaht wa& his niufic, that he
was hifled out ofthehoiife.
This Fable fiiewg, that many, who thiiik
thetofelves to be no fmall perfons, art, upoa
'$ found to be very weak and ignorant.
FABLES OF &SO P.
REMARK.
The world abounds with more pretenders to learning^,
than truly learned. How many do we see daily, wh*
having for some time ranged about the streets with a
Mountebank, and learned a little of his quacking, set
tip for able Physicians, and give out (with a great
st">ck of impudence) that they can cure all diseases,
when they really kndw nothing of the matter ? I have
known a fellow, who having served his apprenticeship
to a Gipsy, immediately set up for a great Fortune tel-
ler and Astrologer, wh;n he knew no more of it than
Serjeant Kite in the play. Ami so it is in all other
sciences and trader There can be no greater sign of
folly, than for any one to be wise in his own conceit;
and they that are thus fond of their silly performance,
seldom come better off than this unskilful Harper, w_ho
thought that he could as sufficiently please the learned,
by his music,* as he pleased himself.
F ABLE* XLVIIL
THIEVES breaking into a HOUSE.
AS a gang of Thieves were bufy breaking
into a houfe, a Maftiffthat lay within,
fell a barking. One cf the I hieves fpoke to
him fair, and offered him a piece of bread
to ftop .his mouth > to whom the dog an-
fwered, I fmell your wicked defign^ Do
you take me to be fuch a fool as to be bribed,
F A B L E S o; JE S O P. $7
and betray my mafter ? You offer me a
piece of bread, tut 1 fcorn your offer, for
fhould I take it, you would rifle the hcufes
and get off while 1 am eating.
The MORAL
'
This Fable fliews that neither fair promi-
ies, nor prefents, fhould tempt any one to
betray his trufh
Ths REMARK.
There are a great many servants not half so true to
their masters as this Dog 'was to his; for a loaf of
bread was as great a temptation to him, as a bag of
money to a man. Yet very few are proof agair.st such
an cffeu So that this dog is a great reproach to all
false trustees ; for the greater the trust is, the grtatej
the treachery.
FABLE XLIX:
The DOG and the WCLF.
A DOG and a Wolf met accidently toge*
"^ ther upon the highway. 1 he we li toid
the Dog, that he \vas glad to fee him, £i»d
wanted to know how-it came to paft that he
looked fo fat and jolly ? What ! lays the
68 FABLES or JESO P.
<2og, I keep my matter's houfe from thieves,
and I have very good meat, drink and lodg!
ing for mv pains. I wifh, fays the wolf. I
were as well provided for. Truly, fays tht*
Dog, if you will go along with me, I'll fpeak
to my matter in your favour, and I doubt not
but you will fareas well, if you will be as
good a fervant as I am. f he Wolf wns vsry'
well pleaied, promifing fairly; and away
they trot together, and were very pleafcnt
company on the way. At length, as fhey
came nigh the houfe, the Wolf fpied a bare
place about the Jog's neck, where the hair
was worn off, brother, fays he, How comes
thh I pray thte ? oh ! tha.ts nothing, %ys the
Dog, but the fretting of my collar a little.—
> ay, %s the Wolf, if there be a collar in
the cafe, I know better things than to fell ray
liberty for a cruft.
MORAL.
Fable fhews, how valuable a thing
liberty is and that all other things without
jt can give ao comfort.
' he
All creatures have a desire alter liberty, which they
yilluo; exchange for any thing else. The Wolf you
FABLES or ^E S O P. 6«>
$ee here in this fable was well enough pleased with the
good plight the Dog was in ; he thought it a good
thing to have meat, drink, and lodging, at his command;
but had no fancy at all. for his collar : And truly he that
sells freedom for the' cramming of his gut,, ma-kes at
best but a bad bargain ; for though such a nne looketh
•well in the eyes of the silly and ignorant people, who
have no further view than line cioaths, plenty of provi
sions, ae4 money ; yet he will appear but mean and
servile tv> such as consider him with a more considering
eye, as the Wolf did the Dog's neck.
FABLE L.
• 4*
A MAN bit by a DOG.
ONE that was bitten by a Dog, was ad-
vifed (as the beft remedy in the world)
to dip a piece of bread in the blood of the
wound, and give the Dog to eat* Pray hold
there, fays the man j I have no irind to
draw all the Dogs in the town upon me ;~-
for that will certainly be the end on't, when
they fhall find themfelves rewarded inftead of
jwnijthed,
The MORAL
natyre is a great misfortune, whea
t s not raajwged with prudence.
70 F A B L E S OF JE S O P.
the REMARK,
Wicked and ill-natured men can never be obliged by
kindnesses, which oftentimes make them more insolent;
and it is a great temptation to go on in their course,
when they Lre the better for evil doing. Christian
charity, 'tis true, bids us return good for evil ; but it
does not oblige us 10 reward where we shouUl punish.
This way oi proceeding is dangerous in public, as well
as in private affairs; for bad mcj],when they find the in-
sejves treated with too much tenderness? are thereby
encouraged to be worse and worse. Quarrelsome men,
as well as quarrelsome ciirs^are worse tor fair usage. —
We h<ive many examples of this nature at home and
abroad. How many kingdoms, as well as private fa-
milies, have not only been in great danger, but brought
to utter ruin, by bold, insolent, and designing villains,
when their superiors were but too good n am red, and
thought to reclaim them by gentle and' 'kindly' means,
•which is the wrong way of managing such obstinate anc^
perverse tempers*
FABLE LI.
A SOW and a DOG.
A SOW and Dog fell a fcolding, an<$
the Sow, in a great wratha fwore by
Venus, that ihe would tear him to pieces if
he did not hold his peace : A h !* fays the Dog,
you do well to fwear by Venus indeed, who
FABLES OF t JE S O P. 71
cannot abide any creature about her that
eats Swine's fledi. You fool, fays the Sow,
do not you know this is a great token of her
love to me, not to endure any thing that
hurts me? But as tor Dog's fiefti, it is good for
nothing^ either dead or
?he MORAL,
This F^ble (hews us, how prudent it is,
when a quyrel or difpute arifeth, to break.
itoffwithaje/t.
The REMARK.
'Tis a common thing for men to boast and value
themselves upon their interest and familiarity with
great meiv whom, it IT>aY b^ tney never spoke to,—
Others, upon slender acquaintance, intrude so much into
the company of their betters, that they become botU
uneasy and impertinent. Even when they think them
selves favourites, cannot but expose them to the scorn
of such as know how matters stand with them ; as the;
Sow here in the Fable appeals to Venust as jier pa
troness, before the Dog, when she might easily have
foreseen, that the Dog could not miss of reproaching
her as a liar. However, when people have overshot
themselves, the beat way is to turu off tlie scandal with
a jest.
;2 F ABLES OF JESO&
FABLE LIL
A STAG and LION.
A STAG that was clofely ptirfued by the
•rv huntfmen, fled for fafety into a deir
where a Lion chan ed to be, and before he
was aware, the Lion immediately got hold of
him ; aid as he was expiring tinder his
paws, Miferable creature that I am, fays he,
endeavouring to efcape the hands of men, I
have unluckily run into the paws of the
fierceftof beafts.
The MORAJU
Th«s Fable Ihews, that many, while they
think to get rid offmall danger, run them*
felves headtong into greater mifchief.
The REMARK.
Men in this world are threatened with danger on
H hands, some of which they cannot easily avoid,—
But vvhen men are brought to this pass, that they
koow not wjudi way . t</ turn, they should fol
low the advice '& the prc verb, Of two evils,' the lesser
is to be chosen,^ How unaccountable is the conduct
of some, who, endeavouring to avoid pressing difficul
ties, fly for refuse to thieves and murderers* and so, by
FABLES OF JE S O P, 73
«• ngageing in their wicked ways, bring themselves unto
a shameful end. The proverb holds good here, viz. —
That men should always look before 'they leap; for
they that aft without consideration, must needs repent
them of their rash engagements, whereby they often ruin
riot only themselves, but alsa their whole family, as
well in their estates, as their reputation.
FABLE LIIL
The PIDGEON and WATERPOT.
APIDGEON, that was extremely thirf-
ty, found a Pitcher with a little water
in it, but it lay fo low, that he could not
come at it : He tried firft to break the Pot>
but it was to ftrong for him j he trie! then
to overturn it, but it was too heavy for him,
at laft he bethought himfelf of a device that
did his bufinefsj which was this : He went
and brought little pebbles, and dropt them
in -the water, and fo railed it till he had it
within his reach.
7 be MORAL
What we cannot compa& by force, we
may by art and invention,
K
74 FABLES OF M S 0 P.
REMARK.'
Necessity is very oft the mother of invention ; and
•we find that some when they are put to their wit's end^
have presently fallen upon a shift, which otherwise
•would never entered into their heads. We commonly
say, that wiles help weak folks ;. as we see in this fa-
ble5 that the Pidgeon came nearer :o his purpose by his.
cunning device, than by his force and strength, which
before he had spent in vain.
FABLE LIV.
THIEVES and a COCK.
AB&ND of thieves broke into a houfe
once, and found nothing to carry a-
way but one poor Cock : The Cock faid as
mush for himfelf as a Cock could fay ; —
but he chiefly fpoke of the fervices which
be did by calling people up to their work,
when it was time to rife. Sirrah fays one
of the thieves, you had better fpoke nothing
of that, for your waking the family fpoiU
all our trade, and your bawling very oft
makes us run the hazard of hanging*
F A B L E S OF JE S O P.
The
This Fable (hews, that many a man, by
his fooliih talk, is the occafion of his own
ruin.
The REMARK.
The government of the tongue is a notable thing ;
and it is a great sign of a prudent and sober man, n
to let any thing drop from his mouth which may t
made use of against himself; for it has often happen-
ed, that one fcolish word has spoiled a good cause.—
Had the silly cock been so wise as to keep his o\yn
counsel, the thieves would hardly have thought it worth
their while to carry him off. Seldom comes any gooc
of too much prating. Though goo4 men are consciou
to themselves, that they discharge their duty with h
nesty and care towards their neighbours ; yet they
ought well to know in what company they are, be
they presume to let their virtues be known ; be'causc
virtue is always despised by the wicked, and they that
delight in darkness, and love not that their adieus
should come to light, hate those whose deeds are coil
trary to their own.
F ABLE LV.
The SHEPHERD and FOX.
AS a Shepherd was one day playing on
his pipe, up comes the Fox, charmed
with his nwfic, and told him what great de-
>6 FABLES OF JE S O P.
fire he had to become one of his family,'
that he might have the pleafure always of
hearing his fweet pipe, \erily friend Key-
nard, fay? the fhepherd, you ftJl be very
welcome into my family, providing that you
leave your teeth and nails behind you.
7&e MORAL.
There is no trufting of fair words from a
known and profeSed enemy, without the
beft fecurity that can be had.
fie REMARK.
One can never be too wary -who to trust. It is the
interest of all men to know well those whom they enter
into friendship with ; for there are some men, let them
speak ever so fair, that are knaves at the bottom ; and
there are some sharpers in the world, that IT- en -'must
^tand upon their guard for fear of being tricked.
FABLE LVL
The COCKLES ROASTED.
AS a country boy- was roaftirig Cockles,
he heard them hifs with the great heat of
ihe fire : "What fill) wretches are ye-, Jays he*
FABLES cr .ESC P. 77
thus to ling, ^'hl!e ycur hcufe is burning a-
bout your ears ?
The MORAL
This Fable .fhewe, that every thing done
qwt of feafcn, looks ridiculous.
The RBMASK.
Many a good advice has been lost for not timing it
right; and many have been thought tedious and im
pertinent, who had they taken a fit opportunity y wr,uld
have been looked upon as \vise arid prudent counsellors*
Solomon says very wisely, that there is a time to laugh,
and a time to mourn ; so that -people should suit thfebf
behaviour with' the present occasion.
FABLE LVH.
The SICK KITE.
"B^N the Kite lay fick and like to
d;e, he fends to his mother and de-
fires her to pray to the -gods for his recove
ry. Alas, my child, fays the mother, how
en? ym c^ueft that they fhould fend you
any relief, feeing you have robbed their al
tars fo often ?
78 F A B LES o* ;£ S O P*
The MORAL,
We ought to have a great reverence for
God, and every thing th^l belongs to his
worfhip, if we expeft that he fliouid hear us
when we call upon, him,
the RBMARK*
This Fable shews u^ that nothing but a gcod and
truly Christian life can make death easy to us. Can
•we expect -that God should beams on our death bedj—
when in all cur life we are at no pains to please him,
cr hearken to his precepts ? This shews us also the fol«
Jy and great madness oFsuch as trust to a death bed re-
pentence ; when they 1 ve lived a wicked life, and can
serve the devil no lonr- - • .4 u ue supposed, that such
3 short time vviii be < '-:ugh for the great work of re
conciling ourselves to Go«l ? The best way to secure
God's favour 'ni the time of adversity, is to be mindful
of him in our prosperity. The preacher's advice, who
tiesircs us to remember cur creator in the days of our
youth, is now of little weight with those that from their
infancy think of nothing but roguery and rapine ; who
to satisfy their boundless lust, spare nothing eijther sa-
c.reci or profane. Little do suck people think, that they
must 'one day answer for all their violences that at pre-
ihey glory ine
FABLES OF' -E SOP. 79
•FABLE LVIIL
The SHEPHERD and bis FLOCK.
AS a certain Countryman was feeding
his fheep in a fine day by the fea fidej
and feeing the fea fo calm and fmopth, he
thought to fet up for a merchant, and ven
ture fomething. Away he goes in all hafte
fells feme of his fheep, buys a bargain of
figs, and to fea he goes. It happened that
there arofe fuch a tempeft, that the feamea
were fain to calt their loading over board y
to fave their own lives. So our new mer
chant came home very foon, and betook
himfelf to his old trade again. It happened,
as he was feeding his fheep upon the fame
coaih that there was fuch a fine day> and
caim fea, as had tempted him before. Yea*
faid he ta the fea, you think to flatter me
once more, but 1 am not fuch a fool as to be
fo gulled out of the reft of my fheep.
The MORAL.
Experience teaches fools, as we fay in
the proverb, to be wife ; and if that cio it
not, nothing will.
The REMARK.
How happy may many persons be in al! estates, if
they cun but suit thtir nuad to their condiuon 1 A
8b F ABLE S OF -ffiS.OP.
Shepherd may be as easy in a cottage as a Prince in 2
palace. But every man living has his weak sid- ;—
and we seldom see people so easy, but that they are dis-
contented about something-, and fancy they may be bet
ter in another station, ever Lllowiflg some -trade or bu
siness, that they don't per taps understand ; and so when
they meet with disapp ..laments, it shews them how
•well they were at first, 'f th--y ' would have kept so.— ~
The reason" of this restless temper is, because people do
not look upon the station they are in, as that wherein
God is well pleased to , place thena ; which makes them
hanker and greedily pursue after something else, with
out considering whether they can serve God in that
condition, better than in that state whajre providence has
•fceexi pleased to call them,
FABLE LIX.
The -WOLF and CRANE.
THERE was a Wolf that had got a
bone in his throat, and being like to
be choaked, he intreated all the beafts to
help him ; but when none came to his af-
fiftance, he promifed a considerable reward
to the Crane, if (he would put her long bill
down his throat, and draw, out the bone.—
He prevails with the Crane, and when fhe
had done him that good office, claimed his
promife* Why now impudence, fays the
FABLES OF- JE SOP. gi
Wolf, when you put your .bead into my
mouth,, and then brought it out again fair
and round, I think that*s a reward enough -
Could not I have bit off your head ? So
I think, you owe me your life, and that's a
very good recompense.
The MORAL.
Tjs Foft kindnefs that's done to an un-
grateful perfon.
Tho» it be commonly said, that one good turn re-
<ju.res mother ; it. ^.different wljen people have to do
a kindness so far, that he would not take -away the
life of that creature who preserved his own. But we
have many instances of those who have been their
ruin
een te
raised them from the dunghill. Nay, too
do we**, who ,et their parenfs starve, who
their substance to put them in a way . of HviJ Bu
to be sure, vengeance w,il overtake such
ciuelty
S3 ' FABLES OF JE S O E
FABLE LI.
The HUSBANDMAN and SERPENT.
A CO rJ Ml RYM AN happened, in a hard
winter, to efpy a ferpent uader a hedge,
that was half frozen to death: The good
natured man took it up, and kept it in his
bofom till waravth brought it to life again ;
aridfofoonas i:' was. in a condition to do
an/ thing, it bit the very man that faved the
life on't.° Ah ! thou ungrateful wretch, fays
he, can thy ill-nature be fatisfied with no.
thing lefs than the ruin of thy preferver ?
The MORAL.
'Tis natural for fome men, like the Ser
pent, to do more mifchief, the more kind-
uefs one does them.
<fhe REMARK.
>Tis an excellent saying of the prophet, " Can any
man take fire " in his bosom, and not be burned ?
So he that takes an ungrateful man into his bosom,
must exped to be betrayed. But it is no new thing
with good natured men to meet with ungrateful
turns : Therefore friendship and kindness ought 1
mil weighed and considered before they are bestowed-
FABLES OF M S O P. 83
For 'tis very true, as the proverb says, save a thief from
the gallows, and he will cut your throat. This Fable
also strikes at such as indulge their base vices ; those
are so many Snakes, who \vill certainly destroy bot,h
scul and body at last ; if they be kept in the service ot
sin, they will meet with no better reward than the Coun
tryman did from the Serpent.
A
FA,BLE
A LION grown OLD.
LION, who in his younger days had
got a great many enemies by his fierce-
liefs and cruelty, came at laft to be reduced^
in his old agef to a great deal' of miftry and
contempt ; fo that mod of thebeafts cut of
tev-nge, came and fell upon him* Among/t
the reft the ^fs comes and kicks him with
her foot ; then the Lion groaning, faid, I am
a miserable creature indeed ! ^nd, I confefs
I deferve no kind ufagefrom. fome to whom,
I have been flo friend ; but that others fhoulct
ferve me fo, to whom I have been very
kind, 1 think it is very hard : But there fe
nothing goes fo near my heart as to be kick
ed by the heel of au /-fs,
84 F A B L E S OF JH S O P.
MORAL.
No body ought to be haughty in his'prof-
perityj for if fortune does but frown upon
him, he foon becomes cojitemptible.
7 he REMARK.
It is the interest of all persons to secure for them
selves something against the time of need. Our Sa
viour commends the conduct of the unjust ste ward) who
made friends £Q himself, who should receive Jrim into
their hou-ses, as soon . as he was turned off; and we are
desired, in the conclusion of that parable, to make our
selves friends with the mornmon of unrighteousness, that
we may be received into everlasting habitations. "How
miserable is the condition of such, who, to gratify some
base vice, such as pride, malice, or for the base lucre of
money, lose soul and body, and reputation ! Such leave
this wo/Id u nlamented, and unpitied, and enter on the
next with a conscience stung with a guilty remembrance,
of their wickedness, and full of horror at the prospedV
of divine vengeance. Solomon gives a fair warning to
such, in the book of Ecclesiastcs, where he says, u Re
joice, O young man, in ,thy youth, and let thy heart
cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the.
•ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes; —
but know thou that for ail these things, God will bring.
thee unto judgment."
FABLES tit"MSQ.l\ §5
FABLE LXIL
The SPANIEL and ASS.
GENFLEM4N had get a pretty Span-
lei that -was ftill leaping uponhim,licking
his hands, cheeks, and face, and playing a
thoufand tricks., wherewith the matter was
pleafed. 1 here was an Afs about the houfe
who feeing (his, began to think of her own
fad fortune, how (he muft fudge $bout with
her burden, an<i never be at reft, yet always
beat • whilft this idle puppy was his matter's
favourite, fed with the beft, and careffed by
every body. The, fs. finding him fo well
treated, muft need? go the fame way to work
to curry favour wiih her matter ; -V0 the firft
time fhefW him, fh- ran to ward * him, leaped
upon . -hfoi, & dauling him with her nafly
hoofs, alaioit beat him down to the ground;
whereupon he called to his fervants, and fo
the poor afs was foundly cudgelled for he?
Jondiiefs.
, ~'he MORAL
People iu all ftations ought to know their
one dnbnce ; becaufe too much familiarity
fereeds contempt.
86 F A B LES- OF 2E S O P.
REMARK
Men ought to observe order and decency ifo all'
thing's ; for that nitty become one man, which is no ways
proper for another ; and .some, by their too much of-
ficiousness, do themselves no kindness. They are look
ed upon a? fondlings, who seek after something t*
themselves, and so by this means they lose both their
credit ar.d design. Tins Fable also strikes at such a£
are discos tented with the station wherein God is pleased
to place them : They look upon others with an envious
eye, whom they suppose to be in better circumstances;
So while they attempt to raise themselves by indirect
means, they go out of that road which Providence has
allotted them ; and it is no wonder if they meet; with 2
scourge to humble them.
FABLE LXIIL
The, LION and MOUSE.
ALIONJ that liad been faint and weary
travelling in a hot day? lay down under
a (hade, and fell afleep, but was foon awak
ened by a parcel of mice who run over his
backbone of which he caught . This poor
prifoner pleads, that he was not worthy of
his wrath : 'Tis true, fays the Lion, it is not
worth my while to meddle with you, and
fo let him go, Some tune afterwards it
VA BLES OF IE SOP. S7
happened, that this fame Lion was caught in
a net, and fell a roaring ; the Mo ufe pre-
fently knows the voice, runs out, and fell to
work upon the couplings of the net, gnaws
the thread to pieees, and ia gratitude deli
vered her preserver.
7/je MORAL
There is no body fo inconfiderable, but
fome time or other there may be oceafion
for him.
The REMARK.
In this Fable we see the generosity 'of the Lion,-
and the gratitude of the Mouse ; and notwithstanding
the power and greatness of the one, who expected no
jcturn, (and who would "have thought that the life of
the Lion should lie at the mercy of the Mouse r) yet
the meanness of the other did not hinder, but jhat he
stood in great need of her assistance ; which should
teach us not to despise the meanest of creatures, be-
cause they may be of use to us ; and so we ought ne
ver willfiflllyto disoblige any body ; for if we did by
others as we would have others to do by us, this is the
best way to do omselves and others a kindness..
18 F ABLES OF IE 3 0 P.
F ABLE LXIV.
The ?ROG.S desiring a KING.
"HEN the Frogs, had grown canton
with too much liberty, they petiti
oned {upiterfor a King; Jupiter who knew
the vanity of their hearts,. refufed them ; — .
but they were fo importunate, that at laft he
threw down a log ior their king, vhio'h, at
the firft daflh, made a, mighty flir in the
lake, and frightened them fq, that all. fculk-
ed in the mud ; this fear kept them in awe
for fome time, till one of the Frogs bolder
than the reft, put up his head, and loaked
about him to fee now matters went with
their new king ; afcd finding that he (lirred
not, drew near by little and little, till at laft
he perceived what it was; upon this he
calls his fellow fubjtfits, and difcovers the
•whole matter to theni^.fo that nothing would
ferve them but they muft ride a-top of hinv;
infomucfa^ that the fear they were in before
is now turned into infoleiice and contempt.
Jupiter is intreated a fecond time, for this
king was too tame, and they defire one that
fome courage ; io Jupiter feiu them a
rftB-LES- OF j£SOP. 89
ferpent, which moving ftoutly tip and down
the fen, left theoi neither liberty nor pro
perty, but devoured all the Frogs that came
in his way : J he Togs fend once more tQ
Jupiter, complaining of the king's cruelty,
ancT drilling they may have another ; but
Jupiter anfwers them, that they who petition
againft a gracious king, muft now endure
one who has no mercy.
The MORAL.
They that will riot ber dohtented when
they are well, muft be patient when things
are amifs with therm
The
It usually befals the common people a<* it did with
the Frogs, who if they have, a king a little more mild,
they find fault with him thai he is slothful and idle
and wish that they may once have a man of valour. —
On the contrary, if at any time they have a king that
hath mettle in him, they condemn this king's cruelty,
and commend the , clemency of the former. 'Tis the
temper of a great many to be weary of things present;
and yet the oftener they change, and the further they
go, they fare still the wcrse* Wisely doth Solomon en
join us, to fear God and honour the Kin.r, and not to
iheddle with such as are given to change*
M
FABLES OF JESOi*?
FABLE LXV.
The KITE, HAWK and PIGEONS.
Pigeons once made war
Kite, and that they might ^be able to
beat him, made choice of the Hawk fo : their
King. Bat as Io6n as he got the govern-
ment, he afted more like a tyrant than a
King, making a greater havock among them
than the Kite had dc<ne. The Pigeons at
laft repented of their choice, faying, we had
4one- better to have t&<j>r$ ^itti /the Kite's
feverity, than this to .fuffdr the , tyranny of
the Hawk.
7 he MORAL
'Tis good to follow St Paul's advice,
o learns us in every condition therewith
to be contented.
The REMARK.
'Tis seldom that people of a fickle temper escape in
convenience, which they are constantly exposed to by
iTic designs of crafty and' treacherous men, who nndet
pretenxe of friendship, prove much more hurtful than
an avowed enemy. David complains, how he that wa*
F ABLES 01 2ES O P. 91
$ familiar friend had lifted up his heel against him, and
this was a screr wrui d to him, than if an enemy had
done it ; tor says he, 1 ^-Ul- ha\e bcrr.e -with it the
bettrr. The pie: sines and \amtu s ot this life are siicli
treachercfis friends, who promise great things at a dis
tance ; and th< ugh the y seem to be sweet in the mouchj
yet they prove bitter in the belly*
FABLE ixvi.
The WOKF and SOW,
'/\ WOI-t came to a Sow jufl ready to
A ^ lie down, aud prcnjife'd to take care ot
her litter: f!he Sow. tcld him, Ihe did not
want his help, and the greater diftance he
itpt, be would oblige the more ; for .the
Wolf's office, lays fiie, confifts Lot in being
nigh, but in being far awzy.
the MORAL
ft* any offer their fervre, net cut of love
to ihe-per(ori they i^ouldfecm to-feive, iut
out of ieltloye.
ihe REMAK^
Many dangerous snares are laid for pe< -pfc 'Cinder ti>c
ai.d gocd cfiicc ; Lu; ill n.ui sutuct
92 FABLES OF JESOK
to be believed or trusted, for some enemies- appear in
the shape of friends ; but men should stand upon their
guard, as the Sow here did, who had more -wit than to
be enticed by the Wolf. Many love their neighbours^
not for theloveof God, but lor the love of then selves ;
and this love lasts no longer than they can expect some,
benefit by them. There 'is nothing mere hurtful ty
mankind than this poisonous principle of self-love ;——
it destroys all government : For while men do all for
private ends, what must become of the pubhc I and it
overturns all religion, which strictly enjoins, "Whatso
ever ye would that men should do unto you, even do so
unto them, for this is the law and the prophets." So
that nothing more effectually ruins men, both in this
life and that which is to come, than self-love, which, at
last, proves rather to be self-hatred. It is the spring
of sin and wickedness ; and we may veiy well apply un
to it, what the apostle says of the love of money j-r
" that it is the « root of all evil."
FAB L E LXTII.
The MOUNTAIN in LABOUR.
THERE was oncje a report that a Moun
tain was in travail ; all the people ex-
pefted fome dreadful monfter to be brought
forth, at lad there comes only a fc'ioufe ,—
fo that the people were like to die with
laughing.
FABLES OF JESOP. 93
7 he MORAL.
There's often much to do about nothing.
REMARK.
/This FrtUe strikes at great braggers, who make a
inighty noise and boasting about their performances ;
and yet when thry are brought upon trial, behold they
can do nothing ^t all; and it is no wonder if such vapoqf-
ing Allows become the scoff and game of all that know
them: And thougbthey may sometimes impose upon
the mob, yet they make themselves ridiculous to * all
men of sense. And yet how extravagant and vain arc
the attempts of some men? What castles do they build
jn tlhe air ? and what fine thi.igs do they promise to
tbemsriyrs ? though all end like the Fable, a Mountain
b ii.^s forth a Mouse. Such vain and empty fellows
may j'istry be compared to a cracker, which mounts into
the 'air with a mighty noise and force, to the great
yonder of the beholders, but of a sudden it bursts, and
"vanishes i to sLiioke, a-id turns the contempt of all
present. ' i'is commonly observed, that such as aje
gieat braggers, are for the most part, slow performers,
and it is a great -si^n of folly and weakness, to keep pr?o-
p.e, m expectation of .great matters, when we are con
scious to ouj stives that we arc no ways in 2, capacity to
put them in ^r^tict.
94 FABLES OF IE SO P.
FABLE LXVI1I.
The HARES and PROGS.
THE Hares were flrangely frighted at *
whirlwind that had happened in a
wood, which made a terrible noife among
the trees; But after their fear was over,
fomeofthem began to be mightily diffatibfied
with their mifer able condition. Why, fays
one of them, here we live at the mercy of
Men, Dogs, Eagles, and I know not how
many beafts that prey upon us at pkafure ;
we are perpetually in danger ; fo that it is
better to die once for all, than live at this
rate in a continue! fear, which is worfe thau
death iifelf. All were well pleafed with the
fancy, and a refolution was taken one and
all to drown themfelves ; fo away they went
to the next lake. A great many Frogs, who
were lying upon the banks, hearing the hur
ry of the Hares, leaped for fear into the
lake : Nay then, my mafter, fays one of the
Hares, pray let us have a little patience, our
condition is not, I find, altogether fo bad as,
we fancied ; for there are thofe you fee
that arc as much afraid of us, as we are of
others.
F A 8 L E S OF IE SO?. 95
r&? MORAL
The intent of this Fable is to fhew, that
if people did well confider their own cafe, -
there is not fuch caufe of repining as they
imagine*
The REMARK/
It ts the trnhappiness of the greatest part of man-
Jdndl that .they always lepk-to persons above themselves,
which makes them so ; uneasy, while they ;see some
others -in a rnore nourishing condition than tliems'elres:
Whe/eas, '(lid ' tiiey bnt consider hoxv it is witii
marr,' of tfcHrneighDours, they Would fiiid it their duty
to te tliarkful that it \i no worse with thep, J wish I
had this, and I wish I hacl that, is the common saying
of people ; but did we compare ourselves with 'others,
and see how many are in a miscraUIe and wretched con-
dition ; some tormented with the most torturing pains
^nd diseases, and others b'it}d and lam*, starving for
want of bread; they would be very than k'ftiT to God
for what • thfcy are, and I what they have, seeing others
envy their happiness as much as they do that of
others.
96 FABLESbFJESOP.
FABLE LXIX.
The DAW and borrowed FEATHERS.
A DAW that would fain appear finer thnii
her companions, decked herfelf withPeo-
eock's Feathers, and all the other gay Fea
thers that fhe cauld find ; fo (he would not
ftay any longer with birds of her kindj but
mult needs go among the Peacocks, and
other fine birds : But as foon as they djfco-
vered the cheat, they ftll a pulling of her :
And when every bird had taken his own
Feathers away, the filly Daw was ftnpt to
the fkln, and nothing left to cover her na-
kednefs,
*fhe MORAL.
When pride and beggary meet, people
are fore to make themieives ridiculous.
The REMARK.
Pride and ambition has been the ruin of many.—
LticitVr was turned out of heaven for his arrogance : —
And we have all the sad experience, how fatal this
•was to our first parents, who were not satisfied with the
wherein God had placed them, but they must at«
FAB LES OF ;GSO Pi 97
tempt such things which were their ruin : And when
their eyes were opened, and they found themselves as
naked as the Daw stript of her feathers, then they
came to understand and repent their folly. And how
many of their posterity follow their example ? They
still believe Satan's amusements, until they are summon
ed by death. Then.it is that their eyes are opened,
and find that he that was a liar from the beginning, and
will be so to the end, has cheated them.
This Fable shews Us, moreover, the great mistake of
such as place their happiness upon any tjiing that may
be taken away. What are all the riches and honours
of this world but borrowed feathers. When death
comes, we must be stripped of them, and left naked, ac
cording to the saying of Job, u Naked came I out of
4C my mother's womb, and naked shall I return.*' This
Fable strikes at such as make a mig hty show, and have
a gay outside at the expence of others, until people be
gin to discover how matters are with them, and every
one takes away his owii : and so they are left.as naked
as the Daw.
FABLE LXX.
The FROG and OX.
AHfJGE Ox was grazing in a meadowy
and a Frog feeing him, was defirous to
match him in bulk, and fo fell a ftretching
herfelf She called out to her little ones to
take notice whether (he was not as big- as
N
9* FA BLES OF ^E S O P.
the Ox. Why, mother, fays they, you a^e
nothing to the >*. he then ft ained a-
gain, but it would not do: But {he went
ftill on and on, till at laft fhe burft*
The MORTAL.
Pride and envy will at laft bring a man to
dellrucUon.
The REMARK.
This "Fable is a severe lash upon those who fancy
themselves to be greater than really they are, and so set
up to live above what they can afford : They strive to
imitate persons of the highest station and quality, \vho fc
have twenty times their estates, till at Vast they bring1-,
themselves to poverty. What a great unhappiness is it
to such whose affections and thoughts run after nothing
but high places ? Into how many inconveniences do they
bring themselves, till at last they burst ? How contrary
is the humour (which prevails too much in our days) to
that poverty and humbleness of spirit which our Sa
viour lays down as the foundation of the Christian reli
gion ? For he begins "the sermon on the mount with
these words : « Blessed are the poor in spmi, tor tbein
is the kingdom ." of heave',." And truly without such
a disposition as this, there can be no real happiness ;—
for whatever condition the humble person is in, he i
Content, and prefers sobriety atid rctiredness to the i
ry 6t courts and piihces.
FABLES OF 2ES O P. 99
FABLE LXXL
A STAG DRINKING.
A S a Stag was di inking in a clear fcun«
** tain, he faw his image in the water ;.— •
fo fell to admire his fine large and branch
ing horns bir quite defpifed his -legs; think
ing they were bat imall pitiful ffipnks —
Jufi as he was upon this thought, he disco
vered a pack of clogs coming iullory towards
him : riwray he fcours acn i^ the fieids, ?nd
gets into a wood ; but prefli-ng through a
thicket, the bufhes held him by the horns
till the hounds came -up to him, and pulled
hietidown; and as he was dying he faid,
what an unhappy fool was I, to take my
friends for my enemies, and enemies for my
friends? I trufted to my head that has be
trayed me, and I found fault with the If gs
that would have othcrwife carried me
off.
?& MORAL
Such as do not know themfelves right,
cannot chufe but pafs a wrong judgment
upon matters that nearly ccncern them*
xoo FABLES or JES OP.
7 be REMARK
Many are ready to admire that which they ought to
forsake and abhor j while, on the other hand, they des
pise and trample upon that which is mostly to be valued
and admired. The pomps and vanities of this wicked
world is, what all Christians oughtj and are bound by
their baptism to deny ; and yet nothing appears so fine
and desirable in the eyes of the most part of mankind as
these. Is there any thing so beautiful and lovely as
virtue ? and yet how much is it neglected and despised I
-The reason why men are guilty of such woful mistakes,
as to take the worse for the better, and the better for
the worse, is because they do not know themselves, nor
the end for which they came into the world, which
makes them glory in that which is rather their shame,
and which if not prevented, will prove to be their de*
struftion. But when death comes, the v will find the
difference, and say, as the Stag in the 'Fable, What
fools they were to take their friends for their enemies,
and en emiesf6r their friends ?
FABLE LXXIL
The 'HUSBANDMAN and the WOOD,
COUNTRY-fellow that had got the
iron work of an ax, went to the i exc
foreft to beg only fo nuich wood as WOK Id
make an handle to it, The matter feemecj
fo fmall, that it was eafily granted : But
FABLES or M S O P. 101
\
when the trees came to find that the
whole wood was to be cut down by the help
of this handle ; there's no remedy, fa\fc they
but patience, when people aie undone by
theii folly.
7 be MORAL.
Nothing goes nearer a man in hi> misfor
tune, dun to be undone by his own fault.
7' be REMAP K.
How rnaryare there who are enemies*' against them
selves ; and wi,;ti a tunib'e is it f>r a man to fall by
that weap m which he has put in ib..- Irind of his foe ?
Daily experience discovers how mary are the cause of
their own desmiclion. And though sometimes" a man
rruiy lose his hfc; or estate Without b^n^ the c*ns of it,
yet it is impossible that a man can lose his s<,ui without
bcii.g altog-ther the cause and occasion uf it: Which
Will make all such inexcus -b;e in the day of judgment.
T his Fr.ble st IK^S also' at such who ?re the ruin of
their benefactors: The wooden handle cut down the
wood whe'ei'.i it grew. How rntny employ that life
and strength wiiith God gives them to fi.;ht against
himself ? So that in all a^es people may b justly char
ged with what God upbraids the Jews: " 1 have n-uiri.
^shed and brought up jeople, but tkey have rebelled a-
gair.st me.
F A B L E S OF JE S O P.
FABLE LXXIiL
A HORSE and LION.
A LION" longed, for a piece of good
T^- Horfe^flefh, bu,t not knowing how to
come by it, by reafon of his age and want of
ftrength, he made ufe of this contrivance :
He comes to a Horfe, and gave cut himfelf
to be a Farrier, thinking to amufe the horfe
with a long itory of his art and experience.
1 he Horfe finding his knavery, defigned to
be as cunning as he ; therefore pretending
to have latejly pricked his foot, he intreats
the Phyfician that he would be pieafed to
look upon it, to' pull out tbe thorn and give
him e<tfe, O, fays the Lion, do but hold up
your leg a little, and I will cure you imme
diately. But as he was looking to it, the
Horfe gave him a terrible blow upon the,
forehead with fcis heal, whkh laid him flat,
and fo got off. When the Lion hgd reco-'
vered a little, well, fays he, I am rightly
ferved for my folly, and I fee the Horfe has.
repaid knavery with knavery.
FABLES OF ^ESOP. 103
The Mo SAL
It often happens, that people are paid
home in their own coin, and the deceiver
himfelf is deceived.
The REMARK.
Though it be commendable in all men to supply their
•want of strength by industry and invention, yet they
ought to keep their skill within the bounds of justice
and honesty ; and when they go beyond itf they may ex
pect sometime or other to be served as the Lion was
by the Horse ; for what measure we give to others, we
shall be served in the same measure again, sooner or lat
ter. It would be good for many that they were so sharp
sighted as the Horse here was and could distinguish be
tween a good Physician and a dissembling quack, ii;d
so reward them accordingly ; then 'we should'not see so
many wheedled out of their money, as \frell as their lives.
FABLE LXXiV.
The BOAR and HORSE.
TH^RE fell a difpute once betwixt a
Boar and a Horfe, and when thev had
fotight a pretty while, the Boar got the bet
ter of him, and Uat the other out ot the
field. 1 he Horfe grieved at this affront,
advifed with a man what courfe he Ihould
io4 F ABLES or JESOP.
take to be revenged on the Boar The man
told him, 'hat if he al'owed himfelf to be
bri led and fadd'ed, and take one on his
back with a Unce in hi>v hand, he ihoul i be
fufficiently revenged on him. The Horfe a-
grted to ir ; bur chough he got his enemy
killed yet he loft his liberty by it, and made
himfeif a flave all the days of his life.
The MORAL.
He is a madman, who, to avoid a prefent
and lefs evil, runs blindfold into a greater.
?he REMARK.
This Fable discovers to us the folly of such as make
.themselves slaves to their. revenge ; for no man should
be so angry with another as to 'hurt himself; How ma
ny do in haste, what they repent at leisure ; and for the
gratifying of a fro ward humour, make themselves slaves
all their days, as the Horse in the Fable.? who had bet-
tir passed by the affront ; but his stomach was toogreatf'
* d. did, as many others do, ruin himself, that he might
but ruin his enemy. We may easily observe, by this,
that there is nothing better tor a man's body, as well
ss the soul, than the C hristian d-jdrine of the forgiving
cnemieb ; thoug,1; the world look upon such as pass by
•fronts to be nothing else but cowards; and that man
that mils himself : upon the sword of smother, whom Lc
F A B L E S OF M S O P,
*ould kill, is looked upon to be a brave gallant man,
though he be such another fool as the Horse in the
Fable, -who paid dear for his revenge.
FABLE LXXV.
Two YOUNG.MEN and a COOK.
TWO young fellows flipt into a Cook's
fhop. and while the Cook was bufy at
his work, one of them ttole a piece of flefli,
and conveyed it to the other; the Cook
miffed it immediately, and challenged him
with the theft. He that took it, fwofe he
had none of it, and he that had it, fwore as
confidefably that he did not take if. Well
my mailers, fays the t..o,:k, diefe tricks may
be put upon men, but there is.it eye above
that fees through them. *
?be MORAL
When we do any thing amifs, and think
ourfelves fecure by hiding it torn men, God
who is the fearcher of hearts, fees it.
O
i o6 FABLES OF JESQ P.
The REMARK*
There is no playing fast rand loose vvlth God ; for
double-dealing is what he abhors. And 'suppose this
way may succeed for some time among men, who can
not discover the secret designs that lurk in a man's
heart; yet at last such persons never fail of betraying
themselves ; and then how odious do they appear when
their knavery is found out ! No t; ust or credit .is^giyeu
them, though they back their promises with repeated
oaths ; so that the common proverb lioldi 'true, Ho-
Besty is tttobest policy.
FABLE LXX7I.
A FOX and a sick LION.
ALIGN falling Tick, all the beafts came
to vifit him, except 'the Fox ; where
upon the Lion fent to tell him that he long
ed to fee him. and'that his prefence would
be rery acceptable to him. He moreover
defired the meff^nger to affure the Fox, that
for federal reafons7 he had no. occafion to be
afraid •ofhiiri;:becaafe tbe '.ion was one
that loved the L?ox ve^y well, and therefore
defired t6 fpeik wi'h him , befides that, he
lay fo fick that he could not (\\r to do the
Fox any harm, though he had never fa
great a mind to it* Ihe * ox returned a
F A B L E S OF JE S 6 $. 1 07
very obliging anfwer, defiling' the meflenger
to acquaint the 1 icn, that he was very defi-
,rous -of his recovery, and that he would pray
to the Gods for it ; but at the fame time
defired to be exculed for net coming to fee
him, as other beafts had done : For, truly
fays Reynard, the traces of their fret freigh-
ten me> all cf them going towards his Majef-
ty's palace,, but none coming back again.
the MORAL
Words sre not to be trufled, though ns*
ver fo fair ; we muft examine mens .aftions^
as well as their words ard pronufes, an<J
judge of the one by the other, -it we would
efcape their milchievous invent^uns.
The REMARK.
The proverb holds true, Larks are not to be-catthedl
•with chaiF: The Lion, by his pietencicd sickness and
H'eaknes3> thought th^t the Pox, in point of civility,,
ought to pay him a visit ; but sending such a kind
invitation, so full of compliirents, was still -a greater
obligation on the Fox to pay his respects to him-:; but
Reynsrd v/as too sharp sighted not 10 see through his
design ; though truly it is a hard matter sometimes to'
distinguish between a friendly invitation and An hypo-
cr.tical snarej so that a man is often at a loss, not kiiow«
ic8 FABLES OF M S O P.
ing but be may disoblige a friend, whilst he thinks only
to save himself from the hands of an enemy Howe
ver, while the world is full of tricks, 'tis always the best
and wisest method to take particular care wheie pny
signs of suspicion appear.
FABLE LXXVIL
A STAG and a VINE.
A STAG that was hard pufhed by the
huntfmen, ran into a vineyard, and
took fhelter under the root of a Vine. When
the huntfmen were gone, and he thought
±he danger , was over, he fell prefentiy to
fcrowfing upon the leaves. rlhe ruftiing of
the boughs made fome of the huntfmen ap
prehend that he might' be there: So upon
a, ftri£ fearcli, he was discovered, and fhot j
and as he was dying, he faid, how juftly am
1 puniflied for offering to deftroy my pro-
MORAL.
*Tis but juft that fuch who wrong their
benefa&or, fliould be punifhed with divine
vengeance.
FABLES OF JE S G F« 109
i
?he REMARK.
There is nothing more jbominable in the sight of
God and man than ingratitude ; and such as repay good
with evil, in seeking the mm of their protectors, seldom
escape the judgements of God. This Fable exposes
the baseness of ihis vice., as many other Fables in JEsop,
do : but all that God commands, or n.en preact;, or
beasts practise, against this sin, will not put a stop to
the wicked and ungrateful doinps of malicious spirits ;
ar.d a man that can be ungrateful, 'is capable of any
manner of wickedness.
FABLE LXXVIIL
The GEESE and CRANES.
fame Gecfe and Cranes were feeding
in a countryman's field of corn,"he heard
the noile, and came prelently out upon them,
The Cranes feeing the countryman, they fled
fir it ; but the Geefe tarrying behind, be-
caufe of the hcavinefs of their bodies, were
catched.
The MORAL.
This Fable figniues, that, in taking of a
town, the poor eafily efcape> while the rich,
no FABLES OF & S O P.
tarrying behind tb fave their riches, ccm»
monly lose both lives andeftates.
The REMARK.
It is strange how riches alter the tcrrfpers of men,; — *
Jhofv timorous it makes some who have been brave, and
fcow secure it makes others, who trusting to their mo-
jiey, and thinking to escape by its means, make them
only the greater prey to their enemies* This Fable is a
severe rebuke' to such as take no care to provide for
time of danger, but go on in their old courses, until
they be suddenly destroyed ; and -though they have ma
ny examples to warn them, yet 'their vices and corrupt
affections so hang about them, and clog them, that they
never will cast them off, until they are brought to de
struction. Had the Geese fyeen so wise as to get off
•with the Cranes, they might have saved themselves ; —
but the sweetness of the corn whereupon they were
feeding, and the weight of tlreir dull "bodies, quite stop t
them, until they were catched.
FABLE LXXIX.
A TRUMPETER taken PRISONER.
WHEN an arrriy had been routed, a,
Trumpeter was taken prifoner :—
And as thefoldiers were going to kill him,
Gentlemen, fays he? why fhould you kiil a
man that has killed no body ? You fliall die
FABLES OF /£ S OR m
the rather for that, %s one of the com-
pany ; when, like a rafcal as you are, yoa
dou't fight yourfeif, yet fet other people to*
gether by the ears.
The MORAL
He -that provokes others to mifchlef, is as
much , if not more guilty, than the doers
themfelves.
The RBMA&K.
This- fable reproves- such as take delight in setting
people together by the ears,- Which is quite opposite to
the Christian duty oi being peaceable and meek.
-«' Blessed are the peace-makers, (says ".our Saviour)5
for they shall be called the children of God." For God
is a G,od of Peace: and £/we. Malice, hatred, and en
vy, which makes such difference among people, proceed
from Satan the Pnnce of, darkness; but meeknes?3 jrood-
nessj and brotherly kindness, is what Qirist, the Prince
of Peace, stri&lyVoimr/anrls. We may eatiiy jud.^e by
peoples practice, whose children they are ; for whosoe
ver takes pleasure jn divisions, strife, and discord, must
be of their father the devil, whose \vorks they do, lc^
{their pretencqs be. never «o fair.
rra F ABLES OF JESQP.
FABLE LXXX.
The HUSBANDMAN and STORK.
A POOR innocent Stork had the ill hap
to be taken in a net that was laid for
Geefe and Cranes. The Stork's plea for
herfelf was fimpiicity, pood-nature, and the
love of mankind ; together with the fervice
foe did in picking up venomous creatures.
This is all «rues fays the Duflbandman ; —
but they that keep ill company (if they be
catched with ill company) imift expeft to
faffer with ill company.
7 he MORAL.
A man is efteemed according to the com
pany he keeps, for it is a common faying,
which will be applied in this cafe, that
birds of a feather flock together*
Ibs REMARK.
There are many inconveniences that attend the keep-
Ing of bad company. A lewd and wicked example will
be ready to have influence upon the peisotvthat firquents
vicious company ; and it he should es4 pe from the
plague, which is very rare, yet bis credit, and reputation
F< A B L E S o* JE S O P. 113
suffers; so that when the good and bad are taken to-
gethr r, they mint suffer together ; for it is a common
proverb, Shew me the company, and I'll shew you the
man. Tis the bad fortune of many a good man to fall1
into base company, and to be undone by it, and yet bo
no ways guilty of the iniquity of his companions : But
was a man never so innocent, it is a shame and dis-
honour to be taken with rogues ; for very few escape
fb'ii being poisoned with their vices. And it holds
very true what the apostle says, " That evil communi*
cation corrupts good manners."
FABLE LXXXL
The WASPS and PARTRIDGES.
A FLIGHT of Wafps, atid a coveyof Pat-
C* tridges, that were hard put to it for J
want of water, went to a farmer, an-d begged
afup^of him to quench their third, The
Partridges off red to dig his vineyard for it;
and the WTafps promifed to fecure him frorti
thieves. Pray hold /our peace, fays the far- j
nier, I have Oxen and Dogs to do me thefe
offices already, and am relblved to provide
for them in the firft place.
ii"4 FABLES OF & S O P.
MORAL
Charity begins at home : And it is very
trus which the apoftle fays, " He that d >e*
not provide " for his own family, is worfe
than an infidel."
The REMARK,
People ought to know well how to bestow their charU
If. For a man to rob liis family of what is necessary,
tinder pretence of charity, is like .the sacrifice of the
wicked, which is an abomination to the L^rd : But peo
ple ought not, under the cloak of providing for them-
selves and' families, when they have affluence and plenty,
refuse to distribute to the necessities of the poor ; for
this is wh« will not excuse them ; neither is it possible
that such can love God or his neighbour; for, as the
apostle says, " He that seeth his brother want, and shut-
teth up his bowels ot compassion against him, how can
the love of God be in him 2" A man's prudence will
always dired him how to behave himself in such cases ;
only let a man be sincere in what he does, for God
loveth a chearful giver.
FABLE LXXXIL
A DAW and PIGEONS.
AD 1W took particular notice of Pigeon $
in a dove-houfe, that they were well fed
F A B L E S cj 2E S O P. 1 15
and provided for ; fo he went and painted
, himfclf of a dove colour, and ftd among the
pigeons, fco long as he kept filent. this
pafied very well ; but it happened that for*
getting himfelf he fell a chatterirg ; upon
which difcovery he was turned out of the
dove hocfe, and when he came to his old
companions, they would not receive him.
So, by this means, he loft both parties,
He that halts between two opinions, lofes
himfelf with both parties ; for when he i$
diicovered, he is found true to neither.
the REMARK
Some, by grasping at too much, lose all ; and b|f
aiming at what they have not, and cannot well obtaii,|
lose what they had before. And men dc but make
iherrselvee ridiculous, in imitating that which they can*
not do. For though the Daw painted hti.sc If like ft
Pigeon, yet ic did not' make her ore : And though 4
man put himself into another man's shape, yet i e i*
comironly discovered. The hypocrite is never so tar
from being a gocd Christian, as \\iien he IcoU like it f
and double-dealers are always disco\ered by srine accU
dent or other ; and then both p'-rtits beat them away*
So that eveiy man ought to be true a^d hoiitst
Jte undertakes.*
3i6 CABLES OF JESOP.
FABLE LXXXIII.
The FOX and SNAKE.
A FOX and a Snake chancing to meet, the
Snake began to entertain the Fox with
a long ftory concerning her bcau(y, and the
pkaiant and:charming colcurs of her fpotted
Jkin. 1 he Fox, weary with the difccurfe,
interrupted her, and laid, that the beauty x>f
the mind was of much greater value and
excellency than that of a painted outfide.
the MORAL
A good underftanding is a bleffing far ex
ceeding all outward beauty,
The REMARK.
Many men are ready to prefer the outward blessings,
iuch as beauty, nature, and riches, to wisdom, tem
perance, and piety, and other inward blcrsings, lor iv, ore
valuable, for they only represent man, and distinguish
him frptn the beasts. We have lew oiuuard advan
tages beyond the other creatures, but -we are inierioi to
them in many, such as in strength, swiftness, bfciiii;;g,
seeing, and all the other senses : So that \veie it not kr
iirward advantages, man -would be rather a prey to, than
» lord over the creatures. How unaccountable is tjic
FABLES OF MSCT. 117
most part of mankind, that run so much upon their sen
sual appetites, and regka the uobler.part c-f irau, the
soul ! so that they are \vorse than the beasts that
perish.
FABLE LXXX1V.
The CHOUGH and SWALLOW.
THfe Chough and Swallow fell into a
warm difpute about ihtir beauty ; and
as the K wallow infifted mightily en hers,
and claimed the advantage, fray, fay& the
ChoUgh, you forget that your beaury de
cays uith the fpring, whereas mice lafts all
the year round.
The MORAL,
Of two things equally good, that is the
beft which lafts loigt ft.
The greatest lie -ssings we can enjcy in this worWart
ai.ci Icrg i;fc? vsl^h jit st,,i n-.r,re valuable the
or-cr we e, j y then, ; br.t yet the njor^tU man must
) iiil' s,c:L S(r,,ei LT later, ardti^e Jon.-est "ife
has an ci;d. cx> :.Lat tl.est, ugeti er wal) ricY-es, l,o-
flcurs, . and pleasurts, 4jr« like tlw bwaiiow's beaut
n8 FABLES CT" JESOP.
\vhich lasts bin for a time. But piety and goodnci
are \vhat affords a mai net only satisfaction in this lite,
hut also joys diat shall ?idu re for ever in that life
\vhich is to come,. Therefore they are fools who value
themselves upon die short- lived pleasures of this life, as
the Swallow did upon her spring beauty and negleft to
Secure to themselves those lasting pleasures which are
at Gcd's right hand for evermore.
FABLE LXXXV.
A FATHER and his bONS.
A
N honeft man, who had the misfortune
- L to be the Father of a contentious brood
of Children, endeavoured all he could to
make them to be more friendly towards one
another ; and cne day, having called them
before him5 he brought a bundle of flicks,
and defired his children to take it, and try,
cne after another, with all their fence, if they
could break it : They tried but could not.
Well, fays he: unbind it now, and take e-
very one a flick of it a part, and fee what ye
can do that way: They did as he defired,
and with great eafe they fnapt every one of
the Aicks to pieces. Jhe Father then told
.*hem, Children, yc-ur condition is exsftly
¥ A BLES OF JE S OP. 119
that of the bundle of flick* ; for if you keep
together, you are fafe j but if you divide you
are undone*
7/je MORAL
Small things increafe by peace and unity,
whereas great things decay and dwindle »•
way to nothing by difcord.
The REMARK.
"Division is what has been the ruin of great and p^-*
*rful kingdoms, as well as of private families. Was it
not division that exposed Christians to the fury of the
Turks, Infidels, Barbarians? and every one.knows hovr
fatal division is to private families, where all things go
to ruin, when one strives against another. And it is a
strange thin* that men cannot d:> this with all their
knowledge and reason, what the brute beasts do ; for
•we find, that even the fiercest of them, such as Tygers>
Wolves, and Bears, agree among themselves. Nay»
the very Devils, who though they be Tike so many fire-,
brands, setting mankind together by the ears, yet they
stern to agree among themselves. For our Saviour says?
<4 If Satan be divided against himself, how can his king*
dom stand ?" There is not one precept so often enjoin
ed by our Saviour, as unity and brotherly love ; for he
makes it the distinguishing mark of his servants ; —
44 By this siiall all men know (says he) that ye are my
-«c disciples, if yei Jove one another.1*
F ABLE 5 OF JE3OP.
FABLE LXXXVL
The EOX that lost his TAIL*
A FOX having hi* tail cut off to get
out of a trap, when for fhame he
thought it death to live, devif. d to perfuade
other iioxes to cut off theirs, under pretence
of common benefit, but really to leflen his
own difg-ace. The Foxes therefore having
convened, he toH them, that their tails were
not only a dif^race to them, but an ufelefe
burden. One of them who heard him,
fmartly anfwered, O brother ! where Is your
justice, to advife us ail to do a thing which
will be to no body's advantage but your
own ?
The MORAL.
This Fable belongs to them, who under a
fli'ew of chanty and kindnefs tc? others, aim
at their* own profit and advantage.
'
The most part of mankind are so ^icVed, that tlier
never love to be miserable with->uc compiny. ,Wlie:i'
they make any false step, oy fi.^ themselves guilty of
FABLES OF JESOP. 121
iny oversight or mistake, they never think how to come
off handsomely, or how to corred their error. Noythis
is the least of their thoughts : Then their only study
is how to deceive others : And to succeed the better in
their design, they never fail to use fair words, to tender
seemingly wholesome and charitable counsel without
being asked, and never 31 ve over till they have persuad
ed others to run into the same snare wherein they them-,
selves were caught. In this they imitate the devil, wha
finding himself miserable by his own doings, was never
at rest, until he persuaded our first parents to ruin
themselves. What smooth language did he use, how
specious the arguments to entice two innocent creatures
tobepartakersofhisguilt?lf the sad ttuth were well im
printed in our memory, it would prove to us as a bea
con to sgamen, and shew us how to escape these dangers
and hidden rocks of flattery and pretended charity,
Whereupon so many suffer shipwreck.
FABLE8 LXXXVIL
The FOX and HUNTSMEN.
FOX that had been hard run, begged
tage, and thither he went. He was no foon-
cr got in, but the Huntfinen were prefently
at his heels, and alkedthe cottager, if he did
fee a Fox that way? No, truly, faid he, I
F ABLES OF JESOP.
fawnone , but pointed, at the fame time
with his fingei, to the place where he lay.—
The Huntfmen, it feems* did not underftand
his meaning ; but the Fox fpled htm, howei.
ver, through a peeping hole he had f »und tq|
iee what news. So the Foxhunters werxt|
away ; and then out deals the Fox withou^
one word ipeaking. Why, how now, lays '••;]
the man, have you not the iranners to take
leave of your hod before you go f Yes, yes*
lays the Fox, if you had been as hoaeii oij
your fingers as you were of yov?r tongue, I
fliould not have gone without bidding yovf
farewell
The MORAL
Man may difcover things by figns as well
as words, and his confcience is as anfwerable
for his fingers as his tongue.
The REMARK.
There is no trusting those that say one thing andcfo
another, especially if "they follow fair words with foul
deeds. It is abase and treacherous thing for one man
to betray one, who commits himself to his mercy, espe
cially when he lies under all the ties of honour, trust,
and faith, to preserve him. There be. many instances
F ABLES OF .2ES O P. 123
of the Woodman's double dealings in these bad times ;
for interest is the only rule whereby men now walk,
without regard to God or their neighbour ; and where
it intervenes, it discharges all our obligations. And
let people pretend to what religion they will, gold and
money is now the ,God they adore ; which makes the
father betray the son, the mother the daughter, and the
servant the naster: So that what our Saviour fc retold maj
be applied to these times',. That a man's enemies should
be those of his own house ; as that also df St. Paul's,—
" In the last days perilous times shall come ; lor mep
shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, unthankful,
truce breakers, without natural affection, traitors, hav
ing a ibrm of godllfcess, but denying the power there
of."
FABLE LXXXVltl.
The FOX and BRAMBLE.
A FOX that was clofely purfued took to
a hedge ; the bufhes gave way, and in
catching 'hold of a Bramble to bt£ak his^all,
the prickles ran ifito his feet : Upcn this he
laid himfelf down and fell a licking of bis
paws, with bitter complaints agamft the
Bramble, Good words, Reynard, lays the
Bramble 5 one would have tl ought you
would have known better things, than to
" a kindnefs from a common enemy,
124 FABLES OF M S O P.
and to lay hold on that for relief, which
catches at every thing elfe for mifchief.
?he MORAL.
There are fome malicious natures, that
place all their delight in doing ill terns ;— .
and that man is hard put to it. who is firft
brought into a diftrefs, and then to come to
luch people for relief.
4
The REMARK.
Tis a great folly to fly for proteaion to people who
naturally delight in mischief. The Fox blaires the
Bramble here, but he may thank himself; for how
could be expea any good or kindness where there i*
Jwne ? It is a fatal thing for men, when God is offend-
ed with them, to go to the devil for relief. This is what
istroyed Saul, andpioves daily the "destruction of ma-
uy. Men commonly, when pursued by an evil con- j
science, and pressed hard by the guilt of their sins, run
to a tavern, and drown their senses in a debauch, or
5 go a whoring or gaming, with a design to stifle
these thoughts ; though all these shifts afford no bet-
ter comfort than the Bramble did the Fox, rather ad-
to, than diminishing these stings, *
FABLES OF M SO P. 125
FABLE LXXXIX,
A MAN and a WOODEN GOD.
A MAN that had a great veneration for
an image he had in his houfe5 found that
the more he prayed to it, the more he went
down the hill fliil. This put him into fuch
a rage, to pray fo long and fo earntftly, and
yet to fo little purpole that at laft he c,afhed
the head of it to pieces againft the wall, and
out comes a confkkrab e quantity of gold*
Why, this it iss fays he to eu'o-e a perverfe
and feitfelefs deity that w Hi GO more for
blows than for worlhip.
* the MORAL
If we ever expeft good from a bad perfon,
it is only when he is forced to do iu
1he REMARK.
This wooden Image is like many in the world, wh*
notwithstanding all the application that people make to
them, and their dependence on them, yet never do any-
good, either tor prayers or entrtaties, until tiny arc
forced to it by necessity. This Image resembles alsb
those base and stupidly covetous wretches, w t;; whom
neither prayers, tears, or the distressed condition ottfrdr
F AB LE8 OF JE S O P.
suffering brethren, nay nor the necessities of their ow»
nearest relations, can pievail to part with their money
till they die ; so must netds part "with it when they can
no longer keep it; and which often times tails into the
hands of those who longed most fci their death, and
shewed them least respeft when alive.
FABLE
MERCURY and a TRAVELLER.
ONlE that was entering upon a .long
journey > made his prayers to Mercury,
witha promife that he ihould go half with
him in whatever he found. It was his good
fortune to find a bag of dares and almonds j
he went to work upon them immediately ;
and when he .had eaten the kerrfals, and all
that was good of them himfeif. he laid the
ftones and (hells upon the altar, and defired
Mercury to take notice that he had perform*
ed his vows j for here, fays he, are the out-
fides of the one, and the infides of the
other.
T&e MORAL.
5Tis a vain thing to fuppofe that we can
put a trick upon God, and think, that after
F ABLE 3 OF JE BO P. 127
folemn vows and promofes, we may come
offwith fuch flend^r performances.
The REMARK.
Men may talk as if they believed in God, but tbey
live as if there were none ; for their very prayers and
vows are mockeries •, and what they say, they never
intend to make good. If men did narrowly search their
own hearts, they would find, that more or less, they are
iugglers in secret betwixt hearen ai.d their own souls ;
many a thousand wicked and false things can they
charge themseivrs with, which they hide as the greatest
secret in the woiid from their neighbours ; but did they
rightly consider, that the almighty God sees them, from
Vhom nothing can be hid, and who will judge the secrets
of all mer-s hearts in the day of judgment ; I say, did
they but seriously consider this, they would do nothing
in secret, but what they might expose to the eye of the
ole world* ,
FABLE XCI.
A SICK MAN making large PROMISES.
POOR fick man, given over by the
Fhyficians, betook himfelf to prayer* &
vowed to facrifice a thoufan 1 Bullocks to
either ^po!lo or ^Iculapius. which of the
two would deliver him from his difeafes • —
Ah ! my dear, fays his wife, who was ftaud-
1*8 F AB£ES OF .ESOP.
ing by, have a cirewhat'you promife ; for
where would you have thefe oxen fltould
you recover ? Wife, fays the fick man, thou
talkeft like a fool ; have the Gods nothing
elfe to do, doft thou think, than to leave
their heavenly bufmefs, and eome to this
lower world to fue me in an aftion of debt?
They heard his prayer, however, and reftor-
ed him for that time to make trial of his
honefty and good faith. He was no fooner
up, but for want of living oxen, he offered
upon an altar fo many pieces ofpafte made
up in the fhape of oxen. For this mockery
divine vengeance purfued him ; &he had an
apparition can^e to him in a dream that bid
him go and fearch in fuch a place near the
coaft, and he fhould find a confiderable
treafure. Away he went, and as he was
looking for money, he fell into the hands of
pirates. He begged hard for his liberty, &
offered a thoufand talents in gold for his ran-
fom ; but the plates would not truft him,
and fo carried him away, and fold him af«
'let wards as a flave for as many groats.
FABLES OF .ESOP*
Ihe MORAL.
Many, in their adverfity, promife to God
more than they intend to make good ijn
their profperity.
7ht REMARK
'Tis the practice of the world, for people in distres^
to serve God and mankind alike. For when they fie
under any heavy affliction, and find they have need of
another's help, how do they vow and promise, and yet
are conscious to themselves, that they neither intend or
are able to make any one article good ? What a rash
& knavish promise was it in this poot fellow, who could
pot but know that he was in no case able to perform his
Vow ? So his design could be nothing else but to put
ja triclc upon God, if he could : The foolish attempt*
jpf men, who while they ihink to cheat God, only cheat
themselves. What the apostle says is very applicable
jin this case, " Be not deceived, for God will not be mock-
:ed ; ior " as *ou sowliere, so shall ye reap hereafter.*
And so we sec vengeance overtook this wretch at last*
FABLE XCII.
An APE and a FOX.
UPON the death of the Lion, the beads
met incouncil to choofe a King : Se
eral put in for it j but one wanted brain$f
vera put n
FABLES OP 2ESOP.
another ftrensjth, and a third ftature, or
fomething elfe : At lafl the Buffoon Aps,
with his grimaces, carried it from the whole,
by I do not know how many voices The
Foxbeing one of the pretenders, was not well
pleafed to fee the choice go againfl him, and
prefently whifpered the new King in the ear,
that he couid do him a piece of fecret fer-
vice : Sir, fays he, I have difcovered fome ••
hidden treafare yonder ; but feeing it is a.
right belongs to your Majeity, I have no-t
thing to do with it. Ho he carried the «*pej
to take poffeffion ; and what (hou'd th||
treafure be,- but a bait in a ditch ? rlhe «.pe
lays his hand upon it, ard the trap fprings^
and catches him by the finger. 6h! thouj
perfidious wretch, cries the ^pe ! ah ! thott)
filly Prince, rat her, replies the Fox ; them a
governor of others, with a vengeance, that
hath not wit enough to look to your owa
fingers !
^ he MORAL
*Tis a great unhappinefs to people, to hare
fach a governor as can neither take care of
F ABLE S OF ^ES O P.
them, nor of himfelf, by diftinguifhing be
tween bad and good counfellors.
The REMARK.
'Tis the greatest blessing of a kingdom to have *
Vise and prudent Prince ; neither can there be a grea
ter sign of the divine favour towards it ; " Happy are
the people (says the Queen of Shtbato Solomon) that
hear thy wisdom ; because the Lord loved Israel,
-therefore made he thee King to do judgment and jus
tice." And indeed, no kingdom was so flourishing a$
that cf Israel, under the reign of the wisest of Kings.
But how miserable and distracted was' it, when such a
weak Prince as his son Rehoboam reigned, who forsook
the counsel of the old men who stocd before his father
Solomon, and followed the counsel of, the young men.
And such will be the fate of all nations that have weak.
Kings, and cunning and designing counsellors,
FABLE XCIlC
A LION in LOVE.
A LION was in love with a country-,
lafs. and defired her father's content
to have her in marriage. The anfwer he
gave was churlifh enough: He would ne
ver agree to it, he faid, upon any terms, to
marry his daughter to a bead, ^ I he i ion
gave him a very four look, which brought
132 FABLES OF ^E S O P.
the fellow, upon fccond thought, to /hike
up a bargain with him, upon thcfe concli-
lions, that his teeth fliould be drawn, and his
nails pared ; thefe were things, he faid, that
the fcolifh girl was terribly afraid of. The
Lion fends immediately for a furgeon to do
the work j and as foon as the operation was
orcr, he goes and challenges her father up.
on his promife. The countryman feeing the
Lion difarmed, plucked up a good heart, &
with a fwinging cudgel fo ordered the mat-
ter, that he broke off the match.
7 be MORAL
What will not love make a body do !—
It confults neither life, fortune, nor reputa-
don ; but fecrifices all that can be dear to
men of fenfe and honour, to an extravagant
paffion.
?he REMARK^
What strange alteration does this passion make on
the minds of men ? Theie is nothing so fierce or savage,
fcut love \vill soften it : Nothing so sharp sighted in
other matters, but it makes it stupid and blind. ° V, hat
a vast number of examples do all ages furnish us with of
•Jbiskind I The strongtst men both of sacred and pro-
FABLES OF MS OP. 133
fane history, •vrere slaves to it : All the wisdom of Solo
mon could not resist it, who, to his sad experience, said
*' That love \vas strong as death ; that many water*
could npt quench love, neither could the floods drow»
it." And how often does he caution men to take care
of this, and advises them to think seriously upon the
laws of God, as the only antidote against it ; for the
commandment, says he, i€ Is a lamp, and the law is a
light, to keep thee from the evil woman, from toe
flattery of a strange woman ; lor by means of a whor-
Ssh woman a man is brought to a piece of breaal "—
We have sad objects every day in our view, who are
'convincing proofs of the dismal consequences of this
blind and bewitching passion.
FABLE XCIV.
Two COCKS Fighting.
nnWO Cock* fought a duel for the mat.
J[ tery of a dunghill. He that wa$
•worded, Hunk away into a corner, and hid
himfelf : The other took his flight up to the
top of a houfe, and there, with crowing and
clapping his wings, makes a proclamation
of his vi&ory/ ^n E$gle made a flop at
him in the middle of his gallantry, and car
rying the conqueror away with him, his ri
val took poffeffion of the dunghill they con
tended for, and had all hit miftrdfes
Jetf again.
134 FABLES OF .ESO P.
MORAL.
This Fable (hews, that he who is foer
proud in profperity, often falls headlong in
to adverlity*
The REMARK*
Solomon observes very truly, that pride goeth before
destruction. And how many instances have we of such
\vhose pride and ambition were the fore-runners of their
falU What a short time was there betwixt Raman be
ing the greatest favorite at court, and his being hanged
on the gallows he had prepared for another ? And it is
no wonder that proud men should meet with such falls,
•when they have such a strong and mighty enemy to
grapple with : For the apostle assures usa " That God
rcsisteth the proud." It fares often with the greatest
monarchs, as with these Cocks ; he that is vidorious
to day, may he made a slave to-morrow* "With \vhat
proud and blasphemous words did the king of byria in
sult over the Israelites ? but we sec to what a low p^ss
he was brought by the destroying hand of God. Bel-
shpzzar in the midst of his glory and pomp, had the
mortification to see, by a hand- writing on the wall,
himself und his kingdom condemned into the hands pt"
the Persians.
FABLE xcv.
A League betwixt the WOLVES and SHEEP,
A
WAR once broke out between the
Wolves and Sheep, wherein the S
FABLES OF /SSOP.
had for the mofl part the better being,
affifted by the Dogs, with whom they had
made an alliance. ! he Wolves taking this
into cenfideratiori, fent embafladors to the
Sheep with propofaU of peace. The Sheep
having heard the propofals, by which they
were to have the Wolves whelps delivered
up to them for th?ir fecurity, as the Wolves
were to have the Dogs for theirs delivered
up to them; a peace was immediately patch*
^d up, Some time after as the Iheep were
feeding, as they thought, very fecurely, be-
caufe of the late agreement, the Wolves
whelps fell a howling; whereupon the Wolves,
came prefently ruihing in, complaining loud
that the (heep had broke the peace, and
were ufing their hoftages with cruelty. The
{heep denied the charge, but to little or no
purpofe ; for the Wolves fell upon them,
and eafily deftrcyed them, knowing that they
had no more Dogs to ft and by them.
7 be MORAL
fTis the greatefl folly and madnefs imagi
nable, to think true and fincere friendfliip
can be fettltd where nature herfelf has placed
135 F ABLES o* JESOP.
an unalterable averfion and difagreemem.—
A bloody and expenfive war does not half
fo much harm to a nation, as a foolifh and
ill-grounded peace.
The REMARK.
Though we are advised in scripture to be harmless as
doves, yet we arc not less warned to be prudent as
serpents. No nation ought tamely to listen to the
v/heedling proposals of an enemy, who prefers an a-
greemeiu of a suspension and cessation of arms, only to
gain time or advantage, either to save himself when he
finds he is too hard pin to it by his opposers ; or to work
their ruin, by enticing them to part with their surest
attics and defender-*, who by their assistance have obli
ged him to change his method, and lay aside his open
force, and have recourse to a seeming agreement, which
never lasts longer than he can break it with convenience.
Not only nations, but private persons also, ought ak
ways to be upon their guard, not to expose themselves-
to the cunning and cruelty of self-designing neighbours, '
ivho unfair mearrs when they find the foul will not do,
to ruin those they find in the way to hinder their mis
chievous and unwarrantable designs. And as we are
obliged to be upon our guard against our temporal
enemies, we are much more against our spiritual ones,
who are worse than the Wolves here mentioned in the
Fable ; for when they cannot, by open force get any. ad-
vantage over BS, .they presently have recourse to
Bmoothei terms, and even put on Sheep's clothing, that
they may the more~coiwmently devour the flock.
FABLES
IN
P R O S E AND V E R S E.
FABLE XCVL
The MONKEY the CAT, and the. CHESNUTS,
A MONKEY obferving his Mafter to
lay fome Chefnuts iri the fire to roaft,
he was very defirous to tafte of them, but
was likewife much afraid of burning his fin
gers, fo that though he often attempted to
take them out, yet he was as often difcoura-
ged by the heat of the >fire ; whereupon he
was a long time contriving with himfelf,
how to attain his end ; at length he per
ceived a young Kitling lie fleeping by the
fire, whereupon he prefently refolves that
Pufs lhall be his inftrument to gain his pur«
8
138 FABLES
pofe : and catching her up in his arms not>
withftanding her (quailing, and all the re-
fiftance fhe could make, yet Pug being (Iron-
ger, takes her forefoot in hi* hmd and
thrufting it into the fire, gets out the Ohefr
nuts, which he with much greedinefi de
vours* The poor cat had her foot miferably
burnt, and a(ks him weeping, why he would
ufe her fo crueliy without any provocation
given him: the iy'onkey knewhe had wrong*
ed her^ and could fay little in his own vindi
cation, yet willing to make a lame defence
rather than none impudently replies ; I
muft confefs the jtft was fomewhai fevere,
but yet it is" not fo much as you juftly de-
ferve to fuffer. confidering tae wicked, floth-
ful, and flcepy life that you lead.
J'be MORAL.
Some men care not what abufes they put
upon others, nor what troubles and danger
they bring them into, fo they can but com*-
pals their own ends and purpofes ; and how
many are made ufe of to bring about the
defigns and contrivances of ill: men, who
when their turn is fervedj are fo far froj»
IN PROSE AVD VERSE.
gratifying them, that they feoff and laugh at
th^ir eafinefs and folly.
FABLE XCVI.
The MONKEY, the CAT, £ the CHESNUTS.
A MONKEY frw bis Matter rosfl,
Soms Che (huts by the fire,
A;,d Pug hri^g very liquorife
To u8«* then) did dttire ;
But was afraid to burn Ivrnftlf,
Neither could he cot'itrive
Which way fie without truuble might
Tu his delign arrive-
Bwt feeing Pufs lye by the fire,
He was relel^'d that fhe
'I he p<3:u\ «nd dana^r fhould endure
His inftrumeiM iu be.
catching her into hi$
He with herfcot doth get
The rosiird Chefi uts, v\ hich he
jVicil gretuily elid cat,
The Cat's foot is feverdy burnt,
Who weeping with the pain,
Aga'flt the iVioi k^y's mK.liy
140 FABLES
Quoth fbf , why haft thou us'd me thus,
What mifchief have 1 wrought
To thee or thine, that thou h Jt now
This mifcry on me brought.
Pug knew that he had wronged her,
And little had to plead
In vindication of himfelf
For this ir jurious deed :
You Ike a villain he replies,
You need not cry and roar,
Since for your flothful vrcked life,
You ought to fufFc'r more.
For you and all your kindred to
IHoft idly fpend your time ;
fYea, but to wet your feet forfooth,
You think a grievous crime.
For thefe and other faults, whereof
I an account could give,
Jf you but your juft merits had
You don't deierve to live.
The MORAL.
Ill men do very feldom mind
What hszards cthersrun,
On their behalf, fo that they cnn
: But have their bcfinefs done*
IN PROSE AKD VERSE. 14*
FABLE -XCV-IL
The Young MOUSE, the COCK, and the CAT,
A YOUNG Moufeand an only fon, had
been fo carefully bred up by his mother,
that flie would never permit him to go be
yond the mouth of h- r hole. But growing
tip, the young creature had a defire to look
abroad into the world, which his mother
was very fearful he fhould do ; alas child,
faid fhe, there is fo much treachery abroad,
that if you once go out of my %ht, I never
exped to fee you again , . ear mother,
qucth he, fear nothing, I will only go and
look through the crevice of the door, and
come back inltantly ; his importunity pre
vailed, and fb he goes intp the next room,
and peeps into the yard, where he faw a
Cat walk very demurely by the door, who
laid herfeU down in the warm fun ; the
young ^oul'e much wondred at her gravily,
and was extremely taken with her fliape and
fober carriage; foon after a Cock comes by
very brifkly, who clapping his wings fet up
a ioud crow, whereat our ycung traveller
was fo affrighted, that all pale and trem-
FABLES
bling, he runs back to his irother, who glad
cf his return, hugged him tenderly, demandT
ing the caufeof his great furprize and fright;
ah mother quoth he, I faw a dreadful crea
ture with a red piece of fleih on his head like
a crown, and the like under his chin, and
horns on his heels, who with things like
arms, beating his fides, made fuch a horri
ble noife, as almcft (cared me out of my
wits, juft when I was admiring a very fine
creature, of fo modcft a look, and fo cleanly
and neat, lying in the fun, that I hardly
could forbear running to kifs and hug her ;
the old Mouft perceiving his miftake, my
dear, fays (he, that proud ftrutting thing will
never hurt thee, but be fure to avoid that
other modeft one .who will certainly be the
deaifa of thee with the firft opportunity.
^ he MORAL
Vvre muft not always judge of men by
their looks and carriage, neither aie feme
roaring fparks fo much to be dreaded ar
fome demure and fober knaves.
JN PROSE AND VERSE. 143
FABLE XCVIL
the Young MOUSE, ths COCK, and the CAT.
A YOUNG Moufe and an only fan.
With crodfFDefs sndcare,
Was by his mother bred, who of
His life flood in much f ear*
And kept him clofe within her hole
Till grown, who then doth creep
Into the H( joining room where through
A crevice he duth peep*
And in the yard he there efpies,
A Cat dt mure «snd grave.
Wrh whom he wifti stftat he coulJ
But fome acq^mnlance have*
Soon after he ohferv^s a Cock,
That hy the door doth go,
Who vvith his wings did clap his fides^
And cheerfully did crow.
At which the Moufe was almoft fcar'dp
Our cf his wics, and run
Peft-hafte unto hfs mother, who
With joy receives her fon.
FABLES
emanng what the reafon was
Of his fo great sffright ;
Oh mother, I hwe teen, qu^th he,
A very dreadful fight*
A Manfter with a crbvfrn on's head,
And horn'J heels marched by,
Who with his arms clapping his fides,
Sent forth a hideous cry.
Whereat I wasfurpriz'J, being then
Admiring of a creature*
Sober and mod? ft in her look,
And of a handfome feature.
With whom 1 was refolv'd to make
A league of amity,
The mother ft idirg by his talk,
Her fon's fimplicity.
She tells him from that ftruiting thing
He n«ed no danger fear,
But for his lite, he never fh^uld
Thai fcricus one curce near.
7 he MORAL
Bymod^ft looks we fcarcc can jurfge,
What rtaliy men are,
3«or rhe demure arc eft more falfe,
Than huffing (parks by far*
IN PROSE AND VERSE. 145
FABLE XCVIIL
The WOLF and the MARE-
THE Fox and Wolf travelling together
they met with a Mare which had a
Foal by her fide, that was very fat and
fmooth, the Wolf was almoft farnifh'd with
hunger, and defired his coufm Reynard to
go and afk the Mare what {he would take
for her celt ; truly fays the Mare, I am in*
great want of money, and would willingly
fell him ; and what do you value him at, ,
quoth the Fox ? Why, brother, fays fhe, the
price is written in my hinder foot, and if
you pleafe you may read it ; excufe me,
Brother, cries the Fox, for I cannot regd,
neither do 1 defire to buy your foal for my-
felf, but am only fent as a meffenger from the
Wolf, who has a great mind tp him j well,
faid the Mare, let him come himfelf, and no
doubt but we fhatl bargain : f he Fox went
to the Wolf, and carried this anfwer, afeiag
him if he could read writing; read, quorhi
he, do you doubt it ? Let me tell the coufin,
I can read both Latin, French, Dutch and
Englifh ; I have ftudhd at the univerfity,
and difputed with feveral do&ors.; I have
feeu many famous plays, and heard di
T
FABLES
trials in courts of judicature ; I have
my degrees in the law, and there is no
writing but I can readily urulerftand ; well
come on then quoth the ,4ox, and read the
v&lue of the colt in the Mare's hinder foot *
Away he goes and defires to re id the price,
fhe lifts up her foot, which had a ftrong
iron fhoe newly put ou with many fharp
headed nails ; and while the Wolf was eat-
neft to read the writing, jthe ftruck him fo
full in the forehead, that he fell over and
oven and lay a long while for dead, alt
bloody and forely wounded, while the
Mare went trotting away with her coh, and
laughing at his folly anl ftupidity, At
length recovering, Coufin Reynard, quoth
he, what a roguiih trick has this jide ferved
me ? for thinking the nails had been letters,
while I was reading them, (he hit me fa
ftrongly on the face, that I fcar my fkull is
broken. Alas Coufin, quoth the tfox, I
find the proverb true in you, That the grea-
teft fcholars are not alwas the wifeft men.
MORAL
Thofe that pretend to the moft learning,
and are much conceited of their own know
ledge, do many times fall inta great misfor-
IN PROSE A*D VERSE. 147
tunes, and are made a fcornof by thofe that
bring them ijito mifchief.
FAB,LE XCVIIL
The WOLF and the MARE.
npHE Fox and Wolf together walked
JL Along the PVreft, where
1 hey law a tat briflc wanton colt,
W hich fock'd a lufty fnsi;e.
The Wolf was almoft £brv*d, arjd fa
He Reynard dcesirmeat
To sfk the price of him, that he
Might fcfnething have to, eat*
The Fox goes to the Mare, and ^fifcs.
If (he her FoM will fell,
And if fhe willing be to trade,
The lowcit price co tell.
The Mare cries, I will fell him if
I can a chapman find,
And for the price 'tis plainly writ,
Upon my foot behind.
,>'?-^
lie knowing the Mart's (ubtility,
Pretends he could not read, "
And fo defncus to be excufe'd,
Declaring that indeed.
It was not for himfelf that he
Did ccmt the Culs to buy,
• i48 FABLES
But at his uncle Wolf's re queft
Who was but juft bard by.
Then let him come nimftlf, quoth (be,
That he his price m^y fee, ^
And if he my prcpolals like,
We quickly thall agree-
The Fox this anfwer carried,
Which much the bead amaz'd,
That they fhould thirk him luch sn Oaf,
He wonderfully gazM»
Read, quoth the Wolf, cuz, doubt not that
I all my time have fpent
In learning, and in all known tongues
«I am mod excellent*
He then g«eg to the Mare, who had
Been newly /hod, to read
PThe nails which he thought words; but whilft
Heboldethclofelm head,
The treacherous Mare upon the ikull,
Gave him fo fmart a blow,
As the poor WoH had almoft kiH'd,
And backward did him throw.
The Fox then cries, Uncle, I find
The ancient prevefb true
Great fchclars are not always wiff,
^ As now 'tis fcen by you*
.ax PROSE AND VERSE. -14*
7 he MORAL.
Tbrfe that pretend ro undcrftand
More than thty trcly k-ow,
Are oft 2-busM -and mtdcM by them
That fetfc. tfceflr overthrow.
F A B L E XCIX*
The W-OLiF, the FCX, apd-ch*8 APES,
WOLF in the midft of winter was
ready to die for want, but happened to
meet a Fox, whom he oblerved to be fat,
and in good eafe^ he afked him how he
came to Jive fo well in that hard feafon ; —
the Fox (hewed him where the #pe and
her young 'ay in the den, faying had it not
been fcr that charitabie creature, I fhouid
have wanted as much as you but there 1
have oft been invited and found kind enter-
tairment, witrief- the fragments of my fup-
|>er Jaft night, and therewith gave the Wolf
feme remains of his meat, which -he-eat with
greedinefs, defiring the F< x to tell him how
he might get in tavour with the Ape, I hat
-is not difficult, quoth he c>n!y by draining
ycurfelf to flattery and lying; if that be all
quoth the VJolf, I can foon prafticeit, and
thereupon runs with ail fpced to the
150 FABLES
but was no fooner in e're he cryM cut, Ah
foh ! what a naily lliuk is here ; and then
feeirg the old i*pe hugging her deformed
young ones ; furely. quoth he, in ail my life
I never faw fuch ugly creatures as thefe ;—
whereat the Apes being inraged, they all
fell upon him together, one biting him by
the nofe, another by the neck, and the relt
in other places, fo that he was forced to run
out with ail fpeed to fave his life j and find
ing the Foxj related his misfortune to him :
You are well enough fervid, qucth he,
finceyou forget my council, and fpoke truth
when you fhculd haTe told lies ; Do you
think I had loft my fmelling and eye- fight ?
and yet I told the Ape that her houfe was
perfumed with fweet wood, and that I was
mightily plcafed to fee fuch a beautiful lady
have fuch a fine off fpring of ycung ojies to
keep up the family ; upon which the beft ia
the houfe was fet before me, but during fyp-
per 1 was very careful not to fpeak a word
of truthj and hereby I was treated fo gallant-
]y, or eife I might have ftarved as you are
like to do e'er ycu have any relief from her*
*lhe MORAL.
Moft men are too much pleafed with flat
tery, and nothing is more difobliging than
IN PROSE ANI> VERSE. 151
to tell them thVir faults, or impartially to
eenfure their a&ions.
FABLE XCIX.
The WOLF, the FOX, and the APES.
A WOLF in winter alma ft ftarv'd,
vVho nothing had to eat,
Neither could poflibly contrive
Provifion how to get*
R-pper/d ro meet a Fox who tookM
Far, and plump, and well,
That the Wolf cries, I prithee cux
Butbs fo kind, co tell
How thondoft thus maintain thyfelf,
Aod art in (uch g )od plight ;
Ah, quoth th: Fox, the Ape's my friend,
Who oft doth nra invite.
Into his den, who nobly lives,
And where I need not fear,
To meet with Turkies, Geefe, and Hens,'
And other dainty cheer*
But Oys the Wolf, can you tell how.
1 i»*y her favour get,
And thereby be partaker of
This plenteous (lore of meat {
Yes, uncle, ftys the Fox, if you
Can lye and flatter well,
FABLES
But have a care what e'er you dj,
The truth you nevtr tell*
That's quickly learnt, quoth he, and then
Into the rlen he g'jes,
And cries, Foh, what a natty ftink
Is ihi* offends my nofe.
Than feeing how the young Apes were
Embraced by the? old,
Thry an? the ugli*ft things, quath he,
That e'er I did behold*
The cubs enrag'd upon him fell,
And wounded him ail o'er,
So that to fave his fife, with fpeed,
He run our of the door.
meeting with the Fox, he does-
His fad misfortune tell,
Who cry'd, you tor your folly do
Deferve it very well-
What do you thi; k I cnuU n* fee,
And fmcll as well as you >
Yet I the old one Ltdy call'd,
And praised the young ocies,roo»
7 be MORAL
men love fl ttery, and (caret
Can ever truly love,
bM" thit pl«inly of their
Or vices tbcai reprove*
IN PROSE AND VERSE. 153
FABLE C.
Th« APE turned CARPENTER.
AN unlucky Ape fitting oppofite to a Car
penter's yard, to >k much notice how
he wrought and was mightily defrous to
imitate him difcourfmg thus with himfelf ;
certainly 1 could eafily be matter of this
trade without feven years flavery to learn it,*
as no noubt this dull fellow hath had ; for i"
am of opinion that it is only for want of
ps adice, or elfe we \pes could foon outfhine
men in all arts and fciences ; and I remem
ber a notable king in .'ndia having taken fe-
veral of my e^der brethren, called baboons,
prisoners, he was relblved to put them to
plough and fow, and to make foldiers of
them, alledging that they would not fpeak,
becaufe they wf re idle and urtwillhig to
work ; well, I have a great inclination to
try my (kill, but I hope, I fhall have better
fortune than a nephew of mine, who Hung
in a houfe over againfl a ( obler, and ottea
obferving how he cut his leather to p^ces
to foal his (hoes, when rhe obler was ab-
e n t, be leaps into his 1-talU and drives to
mi tate him, who returning and finding his
154 FABLES
leather all mangled and Ipoiled, refolved to
be revenged ; and one day when he faw my
coufm Pug look earneftly at him, he took
up his , (harp cutting knife, and drew it over
hi$ throat divers times, anl then goinsj a-
way, my filly kinfman (kipped inftantly into
hisihop, and taking his knife, thinking to
do the fame, he cut his o*vn throat there*
with and died, hut Til take more care ; and
To getting into the Caroeater's y^rd he be*
gan to handle his tools, and to fpUt wood
therewith; but on a fudden his foot was
catch'd in a deft-piece of board, and heldfo
faft, that he could not ftir, but crying out,
the Carpenter came, and perceiving his fjlly,
with many feoffs and blows diimift hinr—
This, comes of it quoth the Ape to be over
conceited of'oae*s own wit, but now I find
it is not fo eafy to be a workman as I at firft
imagined 4
the MORAL
Some perfons have fo great an opinion of
their ownmgenuity, as to imagine they can
foon attain to the mod .curious inventions j
but upon trial, there appears more difficulty
and danger than they could poffibly forefee.
IN PROSE **D VERSE.
FAB L E CL
The DRONE and the SPIDER.
IN IMITATION OF MR. GAY.
AS, banifh'd frotnth* induftrious hive,
A Drone, deipairing now to live,
TravertM with mournful hum the air,
He fell into a Spider's fnare.
IB hopes to break the fl:nder chain,
His wings he fhook, buc fhotk in vain :
The moie he flrcve, entangled more,
He gave the fruitless labour o'er.
Ah, inoft unhappy Drone, he cry'd j
The ipeans ot life w«re firft deny'd 5
The druel honcy-fnaking weal
Drove me all helplefs from the cell 3 ,
And now, of libeny bereft,
I'm to'a Spider'^ mercy lei t!
But all muft die, or foon or late ;•**——
With patience I fubniit to fate.
The Spider lurVd unheeded by,
And heard the fad folilcquy j
Then ruftiingon his Capiive, faid
Shall fbjedfc cowards patience .plead ?
Had that firm virtue fteel'd your bread,
With freedom .you t a i yet been bleit •
W here Widuftry preferment meets,
Had (har'd the toil, and (bar'd ihe iweets.
*56 FABLES
Obferve this web— What happy art.
The fabrick (hews in every parr I
View Wfll the texture and ddigo;
What (ilk was ever hah fa fine I
With what ex^dnefs toodecre^fe
The circles regularly lefsj
Thro' each the parting rays extend,
And all the curious frame iufpend.
This common centre is my throne;
The mechaniim all my own :
IVIyfelf from out thefe bowels drew
The fubtlc film, and fpun the clue.
How different is your cafe and mine }
Defpis'd, exploded, yeu repine ;
While I, difdaining to depend,
Findinmyfelf a "real friend.
He fpoke, the Drone, his lawful prize,
Unfit to live, unpity'd dies.
FABLE CIL
PLUTUS, CUPID, AND THE FARMER, BY
THE LATE ENSIGN, JOHN WILCOCKS,
OF THE BRITISH ARMY.
THE moon was bright, the fides ferene,
Aud riot a cloud was to be feen,
Hii/h'd were the wirds, and not a breeze
^J/as beard tu whifper thru; che trees;
IN PRCSE AW> VERSE. 157
A deep and folcmn filence rcign'd,
The bird of night alone complained,
The waves in melancholy roar,
Rolled heaving to the filent ilhorc :
When in a fblitary wood.
Near which a lonely couage flood,
The peaceful dwelling of a fwain,
Whofe foul was undifturb'd by gain,
The god of riches, and of love,
Defcendirg frorc the courts of Jove,
Together met, beneath an oak,
When thus, the ggd of riches (poke.
Whence is it boy, that with thy dart,
Thru canfterflunecacb mortal toeart,
Knciie in Jove a foft defire,
And let the god of war on fire !
All own the mighty pow'r of love,
On earth below, in beav'n above,
Whilft m« rt^ls only wor/h;p me,
Immortals huiwDly bow to ihee,
E'en birds a: d beai«St and fiih d
Avd men alont my treaiurr priz-
Nr»r wculd I Cupid thus complain,
If I oVr man cuuld wholiy reign:
But i- ft the human (cul I fiod,
lo wiidcm more thangc.ld ir.clin'd ;
Not very oft I muftcuufcfi,
But yet my i fluaite Iccms the Ids.
A!-?s! with me, it is the ftroe,
The «4(e i feldom can ei^uje ;
I58 FABLES
Cupid replies,— And oft my dart,
Is ufelefs thrown againft their heart :
In yon lone cottage lives a fwa t),
Whom long I've fought to wound in vain j
He b ffles my mud wily arts,
Is proof againfi my -keened darts ;
Unmoved would view e^n Sylvia's charms,
Nor wifti to cUfp feer m his arms*
Thisfwain when evening (hades pervade,
And murky t * ilight fills the glade,
When finifhM in his rural toil,
O'er bocks confume* the m;d night git.
In borks alone he hcpcs to find, '
Inftrii6tions for the humankind;
H« does my a&moft po^'r defy,
Do you the force ot riches try*
Agreed fays Plutas, Para content,
And (trait way to the cottage we*H :
Whiltt Cupid to the town departs
On beaux and belles to try his darts.
The fcrpherd in his homely cot t,
Juft o'er the fire had -htiug his pot,
And feated in his elbow chair,
Urknown to envy or to care.
But with fweet peace arid quiet bleft,
Wis fond'lmg oi his fav'rite goeft,
Histaithful d'gwho us?d to keep,
Or find when left, a ftraggling
And purring in the .cecneriat,
Gravely demure his «ged cat.
IN PROSE AND VERSE. 159
Whilft thus employed — as off bafore,
The God arrives and taps the door ;
Loud bark'J the dog, *h* fbepherd cries,
Whofe there? A friend, the god replies*
Friendship profeft, an't worth a pity
He f«ys, but let his godfliip in*
When, thus our .god the fwain addrefc'd,
I come this night to be thy gu <t :
You're welcome friend; com* pray fit down,
Is i here aught ftrarigt- ? What news in town ?
Be not furpris'd, bur uVpherd know,
That Pm th? g0<^j who wealth b*ftow,
Tfoo be sdvis'd, my cbunctl take;
Hafte to the town, your fortune make !
Ge-t rich my friend, yju*il find in treafure,
C fii^s rhetrucft worldly plealure ;
1*11 crown your wifh>s w-th luccels^
And all your undcrtak'u g>-blds»
But will you give me pecice of mind?
Or (hall I fweet contentment find?
Contentmrnt! pohr! Ms pa ul try ftuff,
Gr r riches, mar», and (hat's enough 1
No— riches breed a tboufaod fears,
A thmiiand woes, a theufandcaivs,
WhiHl in this lor><?!y fare retreat,
Iliv* fecure, roy jay's coropleat,
I alk no mdre from htsv*,- (ban
My bocks afford me real bills,
160 FABLES
In them I read and knew mankind,
They both inftruft and oleafe the mind,
I've all I afk; rhusfpi.ke the f Aral n
And 'twould be impious to complain,
Wifdom frnll ever b* rny guide,
O'er all my aftions (hall prelide,
What ever w'fdom Oys i$ right,
In that alone I'll tuke dtlighu
The angry god aftonifli'd henrd,
JFrown'd on the fwain and difappearM.
FABLE CHI.
THE FOP, THE COCK, AND THE DIAMOND*
BY MR- H. GREVILLE.
CEASE, erring mao, nor nature blame,
>ris not from her thy misVy came ;
H i wants are few, and thofe we fiad
Suftain the blift of human kind,
ThryVe all fupply?d with eafe, and hence
Firlt flows tht nwner j ys uf feufe :
Thc-ir aim yet ncbltr, next they prove
The fcurce of bounty and of love :
And Idlt, from l«>ve and bounty fljw
The noblell j .ys thaf miv.dscaii k ;ow:
But vice, in men of wanton he^rr.
Soon torg'd the various wants of art,
And thtie indeed are creachV'-us things j
From thefe invetVateevil Jpnngs.
PROSE .,AND VERSE. 161
Thefe (more than man can e'er
Exempt rroim toil and mifery)
Suppiy'd the JCT is tranfient, vain,
And not fupply'd fincere the pain.
Hence Gare his iron reig« bsgan,
The creature and the curfe of man :
This truth that ev'ry head may reach,
A tale in eafy (trains (hall teach*
fTisthis:
A mortal not content
With what for mankind nature meant,
Tho* fortune to his juft defire
Had freely giv'a " meat, clothes and fire,'
Still reftlefs, wanted iometjiing new,
And frantic fchemes of pka fare drew ;
To ufe for ever adding fhow? *
In fhortj he dwindled to a beau.
Straight on his coat he clap'd gold lace,
And ntxt with waffaesfpoiPd his face ;
Bat moft of all he priz'c! his ring,
The dearefyprettitft, fparkling thing !—
3 Fwas this that gave hmi half hii sir,
'Tw^s this he play?d againft the fair;
Conicious of worth, when this was on,
He mav'd as grand as Spanifli Don—
But who can tell the cares chat dole
With all thefe foppYies on h Wouli
To drefs at fir it the other names
For hiding decently our fhame,
He made to (ignify an art
Which a£t a quite contrary part/
FABLES
Which turned him on himfelf a foe;
And fee his follies ont to fhow;
This coft him fo much time and paify'
'Twashappinefsand virtue's bane.
Befides it grieved his fcul to find
Some brutes to all his merit blind,
Tc flight him when he'd (pent a daf
To drefs and paiat him for the play I
*Twas pungent grief fucceeding care,
And moretnan Cato's felf cou'd bear ;
StUl worfe you'll think it, whew I tell ye,
?That for hlsback hepinch'd his belly.
But ah I the word is ftlll behind ;
And fortune proved yet more unkind t
Us loft the ring we nam'd before
And what could fate to curfe him more f
It's borrowed rays withdrawn that ted
Thofe weeds his joys by folly bred,
As real woe his heart depreft,
As ever heav'd a patriot's breaft
He wept, he rav'd, and o'er and o'er
His vitals ftab'd, and ftamp'd and fworc*
The dear delighting toy away,
Mo more he fparkled at the play,
Bluih'd to be feen the gem without,
Whes * one he threw its rays abouu
If or could his purfe afford to buy
What might as well its place fupply.
Ar lengtb through difappointed pride
The wrerch grew (lupid, moap'd and dy'i
Mean while the guiltlefs Diamond lay
Safe from the beams of rival day,
PROSE AVD VERSE.
Beneath a dunghill'* peaceful lead
That fac'd a farmer'* Weft abode,
And long had there been free from prate,
Nolle, noufenfe, effence, poxf and ftate : ?
'Till once a cock by hunger taught,
R;«k'd out the gem unprized unfought ;
For he ne'er tura'dhis thought* to find
The polifli'd woes of burna?-. kitid.
Wfcat faithful nature crav'd to gain
Was all he fought, nor fbiaght in vain*
No fancy'd want, no dUlant prize
Had taught th> eternal figh to rife :
Fit bounds his wifties all controul,
And fix the quiet of his foul.
In vain the gay temptation prov'd,
His virtue firm remained unmo^'d ;
And tho* he thought a g^m might deck
As wt4l h*s tail as lady's neck,
He ipurri'd the fplerided bait afide
With juft (iiidain and comely pride,
And imiliog half he tt^us expreft
The thougbt iarcafttc of his breaft ;
Whence aod what art thoa, tawdry thing 25
Fromthee what happinefs can fpring?
Let fenfelcfs man with antitk pride
Bid Pageant rile, and ufe fubfide,
We birds with nobler fapience bleft,
Their peace-deftroying arts deteft ;
Two things alone can give me pain,
Dime Pmlct's coyneis, want of grain.
Their wants fo monftrous grow, their joy
A tboufand little turns deftroy ;
FABLES
A thoufand things muft all unite,
E'er tn^y can tafte one beur's delight.
Fools ! %ll to Reaf or/s fcale reduce*
A:d wfigh the value to the ufe.
Thr 11 one full grain of ge^rous wheat
(Ye powers bow ^vholelume, plump and fweet I)-
Will dearer prove by far than all
The (hining nothings round the ball.
Who read this foble with difcereing mind
Fcrhips tfeis plain advice implyd will find s
T <ke fre« ly all th^t nature's wants require,
But che^k thr firfi excsfs of frail dtfire.
For "Vi d (hfc fk?, and raiment, we agree ;
But nevt r a{k:a bfocads or fricafee—
HowcVr, whatcuftom calls gentctl aod neat;
That (=f ihe purie Affords it) wear and cat,
Yet all above thy h-iend's inferior lot,
Sail lesrn to priz': a* i hc? you prized it nou
All ?ibove thrne with care devoutly (hun^
Or be ambilicui; reftlefs, a ad— undone*
f 1 N I 5.