^' y m i r ^vv ^* . /i PERKINS LIBRARY Duke University Kare books n /t. WI T H ;h I S . J ^^ a^, V I T H H I S • L I F E. To which are Added, MORALS AND REMARKS, A<:COMMODATED TO THE YOUNGEST CAPACITIES. By ROBERT BURTON of LONDON, The little knowledge,! 'have gain'd, Was all from fimp^le Nature drain'd. The Shepha-d* and the Philofopher, by Gay. , P H f'L AD E L P H I A: Printed by ROBERT BEL L,* in Third-Street. MDCCLXXVII. f f ji ■^' THE LIFE OF iESOP. WHAT JEfop was by birth, authors don't agree ; but that he was in a mean condi- tion, and his perfon deformed to the higheft degree, is what many affirm : he was flat- faced, hunch-back'd, blubber-lip'd, jolt-headed; his body crooked all over, big-belly *d, baker- legg'd, and of a fwarthy complexion. But the excellency and beauty of his mind made a fuffi- cient atonement for the outward appearance of his perfon : for, the firft account we have of him in hiftory, is. That being fent to Ephefus, in com- pany with other flaves to be fold, his maftcr had a great many burdens to carry, and JE(op begged of his companions not to overload him : they found him a weakling,' and bid him pleafe him- felf. The parcel that he pitched upon was a pannier of bread, twice as heavy as any of the reft : they called him a thoufand fools for his pains, and fo took up their baggage, and away they went* About noon, they had their dinner out of iEfop's bafket, which made his burden one half lighter in the afternoon than it had been in the morning, and after the next meal he had nothing to carry but an empty bafket, which made hil fellow-flaves know that he had more wit than themfelves. Upon the mafter's arrival at Ephclus, he foon fold off all his flaves but JEiop, and the other two, whom he carried to bainos as the likeliefl: place for a chapman. He fl-^cwed ihem in ^ 4 The life of ^SOP. in the open market, and there they were viewed by one Xanthus an eminent philofopher in the city, who was mightily pleafed with the two youths, and afked them what they could do. The one faid, he could do every thing, which fet ^fop a laughing, ; which the philofopher per- ceiving, aflced what he could do ? Nothing at all, fays he. How copies that, fays the phi- lofopher? My companion, fays he, undertakes every thing fo there is nothing left for me to do, "Which gave the philofopher to underftand he was rio fool ; fo he afked the merchant his loweft price for that ill favoured fellow ? Why, fays he, if you'il give me my price for the other two, you fhall have him into the bargain. The philofopher immedi- ately pays the money, and takes JEfop along with him . While he was in this philofopher's lervice, ieveral things happened betwixt them, too long to be mentioned here ; only I cannot omit to fpeak of -^fop's ingenious invention, to bring his miftrefs "back again. After Xanthus's flock of patience was quite fpent in bearing with her, he was re- folved to ufe feverity, fmce nothing could be done by kindncfs : but this made her worfe, and away ibe went. Bad as fhe was, he would have been glad to have her back again : but nothing would do. JE(op feeing his mafter quite out of humour. Come mafter, fays he. TU bring my miftrefs back to you with as much good will as ever (he went from you. JEiop immediately goes to market, and fpeaks what was befl in the leafon, and tells every body that his mafter was going to be mar- ried THELIFEoFiESOP. 5 ried again, and this was to be the wedding feaft. The news flew like liahtnin[^% and coming to his miftrefs's ears, away (he polled hack to her huf- band. No, Xanthus, f^ys (he, don't think that ycu fliall have another wife while J Hve ; and (o kept the houfe clofe afterwards. After this there hap- pened a ftrange thing at Samos : for an eagle had fnatched up the town-feal, and dropt it into the bofom of a flave. They confuhcd all tr.e u'jie men about it, and efpecially Xanihus, who was at a lofs what to think on it. /Efop hearing of it, went before the town council, and told them the meaning of it wa?, that fome great King h&d a defign to take away their liberties : this fatisfied them fo well, that they proclaimed iEfop a free-. man. Shortly after, as he had foretold, there came ambafladors from Croefus king of Lydia, demanding tribute, 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. The king came afterwards to un- derftand how JEiop, by the power of a lew words, diverted them : he fcnt them word that he would put a jflop to the v/ar, if ihcy would deliver up JECop to him. They would not, but he would needs go himfw-lf. When he came before the king, he looked upon him with difdain : but when he heard him fpeak, he was fo moved with the modefty and wifdcm of the man, that he not only pardoned him ; but alfo, for his fake, forgave the bamians the tribute he demanded. After this returning to Samos, he was joyfully received by the citizens, who erefled a ftatue to him. ^'(op,. af;er 6 The LIFE of JESOF.^ after this, travelled tb Babylon and Egypt, where he w^as kindly entertained, and gained great repu- tation by his wifdom. After this he went to Greece, and had the curiofity to vifit Ddphos, for the oracle's fake : when he came there, he found matters to be quite oiherwifc than he expeded ; and having given his opinion of them, the magi- ftrates took great offence at his freedom j and fearing left he fliould give the fame charadcr of them elfewhere, and to lofe the reputation they had in the world for piety and wifdom, entered into a coiifpiracy to take avv^ay his life : fo they caufed a golden cup to be fecretly conveyed into his baggage, when he was going to depart. He was no fconer out of the tov/n, but purfued, taken up and charged with facrilege, and fo hur- ried him away to prifon. He was next day brought into the court, and condemned to die: His fentence v/as to be thrown headlong from a high reck. THE THE PREFACE. HPhE ufual way of teaching by tales, and fables "*" is to pleafant and inftrucflive, and is fo many times over and over recommended by the greateft and wifeft men of all ages, as that which makes the deepeft impreffion on the mind, and comes moft lively to the underftanding, not only of men, but even of children, that it would be loft labour to infift on its commendation. All the precepts and counfels of the antients, for or- dering our Jives and manners, have been handed down to us under fuch veils and figures ; and every one knows the frequent and edifying ufe of them in fcripture. Chrift himfelf has recom^ mended this way of teaching by parables, both in his dodrine and pradlice, well-knowing that the images would much more affedt mens minds, than the ftrongeft and moft perfuading way of reafoning. Befides, we have a convincing proof of this in ancient hiftory : For when the com- mon people of Rome were in a dired mutiny againft their magiftrates, that they would neither pay taxes nor bear arms, the fedition run fo high, that all the arguments the fenators made ufe of could not reclaim them until Mcnenius Agrippa did it by this fable : The 8 The PREFACE; The hands and feet were in a defperate mutiny once ao^ainft the belly : They knew no reafon, they UU, that the one (hould lis idle and pam- pering itfelf v/ith the fruit of the others labour j and if the beliy would not fliare in the work, they would be no longer at the charge of main- taining it UpDn this mutiny they kept the belly too \ n-ig without nouridirnent, and all the other parts foffered for ic ; infomuch that the hands and feet came at laft to Snd their mitlake, and would hav^t been willing to have done their office, but it w?s then too late 5 for the belly was fo pined with overfafting, that it was quite out of condition to rcCL-ive the benefit of relief : v/hich gave them to ur.Jerftand, that the body and members are to live liiid die together. Now. fays he, if you withdraw your fervice, you'll fiad your miftak;^ when il is too late. So by this means he brought them to their wits again. THE B L E O F ^ s o p. FABLE I. The eagle and FOX." J^ HE Eagle and Fox refolving to fiand by, and comfort and relieve each other in the coiirfe of their lives, whatever Aould befal them j they »8''"f 'o t»e neighbours, whereby the bond of fnendfliip they had lately entered into, might be the more iafting and iirn>, fo as never to be vio- lated or broken. The Eagle thereupon made choice of a tall tree for its abode j the Fox, his u l\ "^"'^ ^"'^ ^"y. of a thicket of brambles hard by, to enjoy the friendfhip and fociety of hIs' good neighbour and confederate. The Fox be- ing abroad, fearching afrer prey to maintain her- fclt and young ; in the mean while the Bade being hungry, flew down from her neft to the thicket, where finding the cabs unguarded by their dam, laying her talons upon them, fhe ftraight- way carried them away to her neft, where not B long lo FABLES OF JE S O P. long after, fhe and her young ones feafted upon them. The Fox returning, quickly difcoveted the guilty offender ; the grief arifing from her not being able to revenge the injury, more affliding her than the lofs and untimely death of her cubs : For being unfurnifhed with wings, (he knew not how to ccme at her avowed enemy and robber. In this cafe, not being able to be even with her treacherous friend, (he fell to curfing and banning her, the only returning fhe then could make. Some time after a goat being facrificed in the open field, down flies the Eagle, and fnatches away a piece with the live coals that hung to it, and thus carried the burnt-facrifice to her hungry Eagles. A high wind chanced at that inftant to blow the coals, fet fire to the neft, and down fell the young ones finged with the flames j which the Fox efpying, and haftening to the place, in- ftantly buried them in her guts, to the no little grief of the dam that beheld the adt. The moral. The foregoing tale may ftand us in ftead upon occafion, viz. when injured pcrfons are unable to deal with them that wronged them, divine jufticc will be even with them, and right the fufferer&. The remark. Friendflilp is a large fubjefl, and a very copious theme, had one a mind to enlarge and dwell thereon. Many, and many are they, whofe ftrift and inviolable amity has kept their memorials alive to this day, and preferved their fame and renown from being buried ia the lilent grave of oblivion with them. Antien^ hillories abound FABLES OF ^ S O P. i £ with examples of this kind. And the truth of it is, when all is faid that can be faid about it, it will prove fcanty, and fall very far Ihoi t of the due efteem of the thing they, between which it is found, enjoy. 'Tis th'erefore one of the greateft bleffings heaven can beftow upon mortals. Wherefore, in fpeaking of it 1 fhall be brief. He that broke his word, and difrcgarded the oblicration he lay under, was, from the beginning of the creation, looked upon as a heinous criminal, and grievous offender. The inftance here be- fore us of the infincerity of the Eagle, is fo odieus and abominable, that fcarce one circumftance is wanting to agf^ravate and inhance it. 'Tis painted to the life by -^fop's admirable pen, and the foul mifdeed is, in all refpeds, quite contrary to cordial friendlhip and fair dealing. He, in whofe heart unfeigned love and kindnefs lodges, will cxpofe himfelf to any danger, if thereby he hopes to find and five his friend from the jeopardy and mifchief that threatens him ; which is agreeable to the doftrine of the apoftle Paul, who tells us, ** That for a righteous perfon one would even ** dare to die," FABLE II. The fox and GOAT. Zy 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, ihe Fox to com- fort her, faid, Be of good cheer, and nothing dif- mayed; for I have thought upon a way and means how thou rtialt get up again, and efcape the dang- er thou fo much dreadefl : For if thou ftandeft upright, leaning thy forefeet againft the wall, and bending thy horns that way too, by means of this new devifed ladder, I getting firft out, will after- wards hale thee out hence. The Goat readily confented to do what (he was advifed to. The Fox by this machine fi^ipping out, danced about the mouth of the well, fporting and mer,ry. But the 12 FABLES OF iESOP, the Goat blamed her for not performing her pro- mife, and not being as ^ood as her word : To whom the Fox replied, Had your head been as long as your beard, thou wouldfl not have ven- tured into the well before thou hadil thought of a way to climb out of it again. The moral. The ufe and profit arifing from the tale (hews us, th^t it is the part of a wife man ferioufly and naturally -to confider and weigh the means of at- taining the enterprife, as well as the end and iffue of it, before he goes about it. The R E M a R Ki Rafli and unadvifed attempts nfually mifcarry. What is blindly undertaken, the end feldom anfwers the hopes conceived of it, unlefs chance, which {"eldom falls out to fecond and favour the de- fign. The experience of all ages has fet its feal to this truth, and will, as loijg as time lafts, rati/y and cUablilh it. FABLE IIL The swan and GOOSE. JX MAN ftorcd with riches, and the goods of •^ this world, bred up a Goofe and Swan in his yard, but not for^ the fame ^nd : The Swan 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 to FABLES OF ^SOP. 13 to die, and be upon the fpi*, in the evening the owner intended to kill his Goofc ; but delaying it too long, he could net difcern Vv'hich v/as which, and miitook the one for the other. Death ap- proaching the Swan by misfcrtane, flic falls to finging a melodious long, as a preparatory to her latter end, and by her harmony undeceived her mailer, whereby (lieelcaped the imminent diinger, and the terrible fear (lie was in quickly, vaniihed. The moral. The life of a creature is ihat which is deareft to it, and which is ufually valued above all it enjoys befide ; and therefore a man cannot be too tender and backward in taking it away, when it is in his power to do it. The remark. Melody is often very ufeful, becaufe it prolonors life when death IS ready to put an end to it. 'Tis high time to "look about when death is ready to feize us : All thoughts are nt work to devifc a way how we may efcape. Any fiiift, though ever ib pitiful, if like to fucceed, will ferve the turn. By this'we may fee the fubtileft contrivances mifcarry ; when others, a great deal more fhallow, effcd the bufinefs, and lead to fafety and content. FABLE- IV. A CUCKOO AND A HAWK. Y the beak and claw of a Cuckoo, one would take her for a kind of a Hawk ; only the one lives upon worms, and the other upon flefli 5 infomuch that a Hawk twitted a Cuckoo on B a 14 FABLES OF ^SOP; a time with her coarfe way of feeding. If you would look like a Hawk, why do you not live like a Hawk ? The Cuckco took this a little ill : But flying by a dove-houfe fome time after, (he efpied the fkin of this very H^wk upon a pole planted upon the top of the pigeon houfe. Well, fays the Cuckoo within hcrlelf to the Hawk, And had not you as good have been eating worms as pigeons ? The moral. Pride is an ^abomination in the fight of God, and judgment is juft upon us when the fubjedt of cur vanity becomes the occafion of our ruin. The remark. A fafe mediocrity is much better than an envied and dangerous precedency. They that in their profperity defpife others, fhall be fare in adverfity to be defpiied themfelves. It is much the fame caie with men of prey, that it is with birds of prey ; ihey look on it as a difparagement to fort themfelves with any other than the enemies of the public peace ; but thofe that live upon rapine are let a mark upon as the common enemy, and all heads and hand* are bufy about their dcftrudion. FABLE V. A FLEA AND A MAN. THERE was a fellow, that upon a Flea biting called to Hercules for help. The Flea made her efcape, and the Man is angry upon the matter* Well, Hercules, fays be, you that would not take my part againft a forry Flea, will never FABLES OF iESOP. 15 never be my fccond in a time of need, againft a more powerful enemy. The moral. We flight God in matters and concerns of great- er moment, and petition him for toys ; nay, and take pet, at leaft, if we cannot fpeed and obtaia our defire. The remark: *Tis an argument of a naughty difpofition of mind, to turn office* and duties of piety into matters and words only of courfe, and to fquander away our wiflies and prayers upon what amounts to little more than downright fooleries and play-game ; when life and death, heaven and hell, and the like weighty matters take not up our thoughts, nor bufy our minds, we being wholly unconcerneJ about them. By this impertinent and foolifh way of proceeding towards the Almighty, men Aide by little and little into fome fort of doubt, if not a dire<5l difbelief and contempt of his power. And then, with the country fellow here, if we cannot obtain every vaia thing we aflc for, we prefently take pet at the refufal, and in revenge give over praying for good and all, and fo part with heaven for a iiea-fmart. 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 flioulder of mutton : There was a Fox of thofe days, and of that place, that flood gaping under a vine, and licking his lips at a mod delicious clufter of grapes that he efpied out there. He i6 FABLES OF iE S O R. He fetched a hundred and a hundred leaps at if, 'till at laft he was as weary as a dog, and found he availed nothing by it : Hang 'em, (fays he) they are as four as crabs. And fo away hs went, turn- ing off the difappointment with a jeft. The moral. When man cannot, in due manner, attain what he longs for, and aims at, it is a token he is en- dowed with, prudence and found difcretion, in giving over driving for it. The remark. 'Tis a poin;rofgood difcretion to make a virtue of neceffity, and to cement ourfelves with v/hat we can compafs in an honeft way, tho'joh we eagerly covet to have fomewhat elfe. For it is a notable piece of craft and worldly wifdom, to feem to defpife what we are unable to obtain, and to put oft a mifcarriage with a jeft. Befide it is much more commendable to have people think a man could gain fuch and fach a point, if he would, than that he would, but cannot. This fable affords us a notable piece of dodlrine andin- Jlruction that may prove very ufeful to us, if we heed it, in govern- ing our lives, managing our aiiairs, and direfling our converfation during cur pilorimage in this world. A prudent perfon, whom we fhould always iirive to imitate, cannot, at lead: will not, change his countenance at the frowns and fmiL^s of giddy and inconftant fortune: He '^oes cheerfully on his way, whatever rubs and holes he meets within it: Difappointmcnts that moft of all ruffle us, andcxercife' our patience and conflancy, afflict him very little : He knowa the world, and experts nothing elfe from it. FABLE Vll. A V/OLF AND KID. AK ID being in a place where no harm could reach herj^^efpied a Wolf as he paffed by, a whom ftie prefently fell a railing and fcoffing : To which FABLES OF JE S O ?. 17 which the Wolf replied, 'Tis well you are out of my reach, other wife Fd make you give better words. The moral. Hence* we leara this notable truth, that place and opportunity embolden many to do what otherwiie they could fooner cat their nails than do. The remark. '•' There is nothing more bold and fancy than a coward when he dreads no danger. Thi« way of reviling and clamour is fo arrant a maflcof a daftardly wretch, that he does as good as call hiirifelf. fo that ufes it. FABLE VIIL A COCK AND Precious STONE. ACOCK fceking for food upon a dung-hill, lighted upon a precious ftone, fo called and elleemed by the foolilh world. After he had viewed and confidered it a while, thus thought with himfelf J A barley-corn would have i'crved my turn better, and nouriflied me, which the fight of this glittering ftone cannot do. The moral. Honeft induftry and pains never go unreward- ed. Virtue itfelf is its own reward, if it meet with no other from an ungrateful agc« C The jg FABLES OF iE S O ?*^ The remark. The ufe and benefit this Fable affords us is this, viz. That ne- ceffary things (hould direft and command our choice, before things that are not fo, which tend to nothing elfe but dirappointment and vanity, and to plsafe and gratify an idle mifled paffion. FABLE IX. The wolf, KID, and GOAT. AGO AT having occafion to go abroad, or^ dered her Kid to let nobody in that came to the door that had not a beard, till her return. Soon after a Wolf, that was hard by when the charge was given, approached the door, and de- manded admittance, ufing a counterfeit voice for that purpofe. The Kid, apprehenfive of the danger that was ready to overtake her, bid the Wolf fliew his beard, and his requeft fhould be granted^ The M o'r a L, Hypocrify, as cunning and deceiving as it is,^ cannot conceal all ways of difcovering it. A little attention and trial will difcover the cheat, and re- move the difguife. The remark. This Fable Ihould ferve as a caution to all focieties, not to ad- mit any-perfons as members with whofe temper and character they are not fufficiently acquainted ; for defigning men will facrifice s^e intereft of the fociety to their own private views. And all is not FABLES OF ^SOP. 19 ^iOt gold that glifters : One may have a very fpecious appearance, and yet be an arrant knave at bottom. But wife regulations will do much to prevent this impofition ; and we fhall find it eafier to deny accefs to perfons who are fufpe«5led this way, than, when once they .arc admitted, to exclude them. FABLE X. A SPIDER AND SWALLOW. AS P I D E R feeing a Swallow catch Flics, a foo'ifti fancy or whlmfy fet her to wort how to contrive a net that would catch Swallows, as intruders upon her right, and mere interlopers. But the net proved too weak to hold the prey : And fo the bird flew away with it ; by which the Spider was undeceived, and fo fell to her old trade again. The moral. He that follows a calling he has no genius or fitnefs for, will foon grow weary of it, and lay it down. The remark. It is both fafe and prudent for every one to make trial of his ability, and the force of the advcrfary he is to contend with, be- fore he enters the lift with him : If the enemy be ftrongcr, the other .will certainly lofe the day and his reputation at once. The Spider's attempt was very fooliih, and the wrong fhe conceived to be done her ill grounded. The aim and drift of the Fable is to help us to underftand and explain injuries atight. It is hurtful and injurious to look upon a thing as injury, which is nothing fo. It was a ridiculous project to think of catching a Swallow in a cob- web ; and as much was the Spider millaUen in vainly imagining to ingrofj 20 FABLES OF JE S O P. int^rofs the air to his own Kfe. Thofe men, in fhort, deferve to be accounted great fjols that nre fretful and angry, firft for nothing, fecrdlv to no jT.anner of purpofe. How many are more foolifii than 'his Spider, who feeing their frnitlefs endeavours ard attempts, return to their old tr^de again? Whereas, many men are fo obllinate, that th'-y will never own thev have committed any miiVr.hes, or been guilty of any errors ; and fo, like Pharoah, harden their own hearts, and ufe violence to their own confciences, raiher th^n it fhould be faid th?t they were guilty of the leafl: miftake ; and fo run on, till, at lall, they are drowned in the fea of obllinacy and llubbornnefs. FABLE XL A FOX AND A COCK. A FOX fpied a Cock at'rooft upon a tree with his hens; the unofual fjght whereof made bim afk the Cock, why he chofe a tree for h^s rooir, being no fit place for that purpofe. But, con- tinues Reynard, you do not hear the news per- ijaps, which is certainly true : There is a general peace and concord agreed on between all living creatures, fo that henceforward not one will dare fo ?.nnoy, much lefs prey upon his fellow-creature, Thisjs good news indeed, lays the Cock 5 at the fame time flretching cut his neck, as if he had a mind to fee fomething afar off. At which the Fox afked the Cock, what he gazed at ? Nothing, fays the other, but a coupfe oJ- great dogs yonder, ihat are coming this w^ay open mouthed, as fafi: •r;S they can run. if it be io, fays the Fox, it is time lor me to depart : No, no, replied the Cock, the general peace will fecure you. Ah, fays the Fox, io it wiii 5 but if the found of the proclama- tion FABLES OF iESOP. 21 tion has not yet reached their ears, they may facrifice me to their hunger and hatred they bear me: and (o betjck himfelf to his heels. The moral. Amongft over-reaching, and fuch as trick others out of their right, due refped: ought to be had to honour and jailice. The remark. This is to tell us, that in fome cafes one nail mufl be driven out by another ; and the deceiving of rhe deceiver doubles the pleafure. ^Tis a hard matter to make an agreement between a forger and his forgery ; they are in a manner irreconcilable ; fo that it requires, great care and ficill in a iliammer, to fee that he con- tradi>:l: not himfelf. Wherefore flatterers and liars had need of n-ood memories. A general truce would have put the Fox out of danger as vvlH as the Cock; but if the Fox would not Hand the dorrs, ihe Cock had no rcafon to trull the Fox. All people that are tre'acher- ous in their kind, are narrowly to be fufpcded, when things are told that concern their own intereft; and when they can ma!;e nothing elfe out, they chufe to put it cir with a jeft. FABLE Xir. JUPITER AND THE BE HI AB E E prefented Jupiter wirh a pot of honey, which was fo acceptable to him, that he bid her afk what (he would from him, and (he fliculd have her will. The Bee replied, that the wound made by her fling whenever it happen- ed might prove mortal. Jupiter bid her be con- tent without her vvifli, and be rather inclined to tave life than to deftroy it 3 telling her farther, That if 5.Z FABLES OF ^SOP. Jf /he flung any, and left her fling behind her, \i would become fatal to her. The moral. He that longs to fee mifchief fall en another, and prays to the Almighty it may fo happen, often haflens his own ruin and overthrow. The remark. McrcilefTnefs and icvcnge are quite contrary to God*s gentlen.-fs and forbearance, and the contriver of mifchief commonly feels it iirft himfelf. He that lays a trap for another, generally entangles himfelf in his own gin. Many in the world, how mifchievous "vvoqjd they be, had they power equal to their ill-nature, which fo much abounds in this land ! So it fares with the Bfee here ; fhe had inifchief in her heart already, and wanted only fome mifchievous powers anfwerable to her malicious wifh. FABLE XIIL Of the man and the SERPENT. SERPENT haunted a country-cottage, and bit a child that flruck it, which foon after occafioned his death ; the child's parent being much grieved at it, with a bill he had in his hand, deprived the Sn^ke of his tail s this done, though the utmoft he intended was not done, to conceal Vv^hat he pro'pofed to do further, which was to retaliate and pay him in his own coin, be refclved to endeavour to be friends with him. But the Snake refufed it, telling him, it was morally impoflible a firm and fafe league could be made FABLES OF JE S O V. z^ iti^dc betwixt them, till he had forgot the un- timely death of bis child, and the other the lofs of his tail. The moral. Perfons that have injured each other cannot prefently forget holfilities and outrages done to one another, and forgive them j injuries ufually leaving a fmart behind them, that continue long after. The remark. Friendihip is of that nature, that if not entire and complete, ii dangerous, and proves rather ^ inare thaA a lafcfguard. 'Tis rarely ^een ihai two, who were once enemies, ever aker return to a perfect ami'.y and concord. And no wonder, it is that fo it falls out, real ft-iendfhip being in all ages fo rare and uncommon. FABLE XIV. A FOX ANi> HEDGE-HOG. AF O X meeting a Porcupine or Hedge-hog, wondered to fee him fo armed cap-a-pee, every part having on its armour of defence : afterwards fvll into talk with him, and among oiher things perfuaded him to lay afide that hcftile garb, as not being apprchcnfive of any danger that threatened it. After the Porcupine had liftened a while to his deceitful arguments, he made this reply to the enfnaring beguiler, Methinks I fmcU a Fox : Keep at a diftancc j your eloquent flou- rifhe* 24 FABLES OF JE S O F. rifhes have made no impreffion upon me : Be packing therefore, left yoa feel the keennefs of my anger, and the fmart of prickles. The moral. He that ftrips himfelf of the fence that nature has beftowed upon him for his fafcguard, is miier- ably foolifh, and if he fmarts for it, deferves no compaffion. The remark. Every thing that has not a mind to peri fh, is provided with means to avoid it. Hares are Itored with ways to efcape the dogs that purfue them. Partridges know how to fave themfelves from the claws of their mercilefs enemies the Hawks. The fmaller fry have their feveral tricks ard devices to keep out of harm's way ; feJf-prefervatioa being implanted in every thing that has a being, FABLE XV. The wolf and carved HEAD. A' WOLF entering a Carver's (hop, found a man's head ; after a little gazing and think- ing thereon, imagined it had no fenfe, and then faid, O pretty Head, finely wrought, but void utterly of brains. The moral. Outward comelinefs is fo much the more grace- ful, if the inwarci be anfwerable and agreeable to , it 'y and a handfome outward (hape is fo far from decking FABLES OF ^ S O P. 45 decking a fool, that it renders him the more hate- ful and contemptible. The remark. Ounvard beauty, no doubt, very much fets off and graces a pel'.- fon : but tie m,„d ,s a 1 in all, that vaftly e^eeds^very tC elfe he poffefles and enjoys: All befides this is of no eftcem an! without tt he IS very much beneath a brute, who, when he'd^e, Zt \ T/c ""'■''' """■I'l "« '■« in, if mankind would but bellow the half, nay the twentieth part of their precious time t" adorn and trim their infides, (which is the great thing necXv> which they lavilhly wafte in painting and feling off tioutfide'^ rhnV.i ■•f'"^'"'^" '•'« ^voes pronounced by our Saviour, again* thofe that cleanfed the outfide of the cup and platter, but neglefted hei mortil'h''H-'''"\"°.''°"''V '^% """'"ke fo ^uch paTns o„ their mortal bodies, which arc often like the painted fepulchr.s. FABLE XVh The O X and D O G ,n the Mamger. A ^^U^LISHCurgotintoa manger, I X and there fnaried to Iceep the Oxen from their provender and food, brought thither for them by their careful owner j the meat fitted not the Dog, who, to ftarve others, cared not what became of himfelf. TitE MORAL. Other people's mifery is the proper food of envy and ili-nature, which had rather want itfelf, than fee others enjoy what is convenient and ne- ceflary for them. D (Tub 26 F A B L E S o F iE S O p. The remark. There are but too many in the world of this Dog's temper, that will rather punifh themfelves than not be troublefome and vexa- tious to others. If fome mcA might have their wifli, the very fun in the firmament (hould withdraw his light, and they would fubmit to live in perpetual darknefs themfelves, upon condition that the reft of the world might do fo too for company. Whatfoever their neighbour get?, they lofe ; and the very bread the one eatp, makes the other lean and meagre ; which is the natural meaning and intent of the tale. FABLE XVII. A DOG AND SHADOW. AD O G croffing 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 refleflion only, and that the water did the office of a looking- glafs ; wherefore greedily chopping at it, he loft both fabftance and rtiadow, to his great regret and difappcintment. The moral. Exceflive greedinefs moft in end mifles what it aims at ; diforderly appetites feldom obtain what they would have j paliions miflead men, and often bring them into great ftraits and inconveniencies, through heedleffnefs and negligence. The FABLES of .^SOP. 27 The remark. This Fable (hews people the great dagger and mifchlef they may -fall into by fufferirg thcmfelves to be directed by conceit only, and fancy thai is its own guide. How wcetched is the man who does not knr;w when he is well, but pafTos awav the peace and enjoy- ment of his life for- the humoaring a whidfical appetuc.? He ii never well till he ii at the top, and when he can go no higher, he miifi; either hang in the air, or fall. What can be vainer now, than to laviih out our lives and fortunes in the fcurch and parchafc of trifles, and at the faoie time to ly carking for the needlefs goods of thi^ ^vorld, and in a relli, fs difquiet of thought for what is to come, which is, at the fame time, as uncertain ;:s uncertainty iifelff' FABLE XVUL The viper and FILE. AV I P E R meeting with a Fife, fell to gnaw- ing it. What ails the fool ? fays the File : Doft thou go about to fret me, who am wont to gnaw the hardcft cf metals ? The moral. Splenetic fools neither regard their own intereft, nor that of any body elfe : Fall about it they will, whatever betide them, whatfoevcf mifchief or ca- lamity they thereby run into. The remark. Unadvifed raflinefs hurries men unawares into manifold mif- chiefs. The attempt here of the Viper was exceeding fooliih, and no lefs ridiculous ; for the lofter and weaker gnawer, to bite and gnaw the harder and itronger, looka odd and very wild. FABLE 2? FABLES OF iESOP, FABLE XIX. A WOLF AND LAMB. A WOLF quenching his third: at a fountain- head, perceived at a good diftance below him, a Lamb landing 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 flie thought that her drinking at luch a diftance below him could not have given any difturbance. Nay, fays the other, you will remember what your mother's faucinefs coft ber a while ago j if you have not a care, you*il fare as (he did : If you'll believe me, fays the Lamb, in a trembling pofture, 1 was not then in being. Well, well, irnpudence, fays the Wolf, you talk at this rate out of hatred to our kind and family 5 but now I have you in a convenient place, 1 will be even with you ; and fo immediately facrificed her to his hunger and fevenge. The moral. "Tis an eafy matter to find an occafion to mifufq pne that is below us. Innocence is no armour Hgainft tyrannical power ; no pleas avail againfl a power and a defire of injuring, if they meet toge- The FABLES OF JE S O ?. 119 The remark. PriHe and cruelty never want a pretence to do mifchief ; the plea of not guilty fignifies nothing where arbitrary power is. When innocence is to be born down by miqht, arguments are foolilh things ; nay, the very merit, virtues, and good offices of the perfon accufed, are improved to his condemnation ; nay, fuch is the boldn'^fs of fpiteful cruelty, that people Ihall be charged with things utterly impofiible, and wholly foreign to the mdtrer in queftion ; the Lamb itfelf (hall be made malicious. Thus the jews treated the Lamb of God, and fuch treatment mud all men expeft, who endeavour to follow the Lamb ; for fo great is the corruption of men, that intereft and felf-love are foifted in, and pafs at prefent for true religion and piety ; and under this falfe mafk of godlinefs, perfea:ionis chriilened with zeal, and fury for religion and Chrifti- snity. FABLE XX. An eagle and TORTOISE. A TORTOISE being weary of living in a hole and carrying his houfe about, made a requeft to the Eagle to learn him to lly. The Eagle feemed unwilling to grant it, telling hln? it was againft nature's courfe and appointment, and com- mon fenfe too. But fuch was the freakirtinefs of the Tortoife, that the more the one was agfiinft it, the more the other wis for it. The Eagle perceiving the tirefome isnportunity of the Tor- toife, heaved him up in the air, fteeple high, and then let him fall ^ the firfl: thing that he met with at his return was a rock, which dafhed him to pieces. The 3t> F A B L E S o F iE S O P. The moral. Whatever is unnatural, and goes topfy-tuhVy, cannot but be dangerous, and of ill conicqacncei The remark. This hints to us, how unfafe a vanity it is for a creature ihntwa* tiefiined for one condition of life to affci> another, no way arubeable to it. The Tortoife's place was cpon the fands, not anion? the ftars; and if he had kept his wome-^';habitadon, he \vy di^y laid one egg. Upon this ilie vafely thought within hcrfclf, that if fhe gave her Hen more meat, ihe would lay two eggs a-dary. She tried the experiment upon it, till the Hen waxed fat, and by tint means gave over laying. The MORAL. This Fable is a*kin to that of the Dog and Shadow foregoing* Striving after a great deal, w^hich is both unlikely and uncertain, wc worfb curfelves, not at all mending our condition. The J*:A B L E S OP JE S O P, 3^ The remark. To be dlfcontented \v;th prefent comforts atid enjoyments, is no, hopeful way of attaining either more or greater. What a happi* nels would it be to mankind, did thay but know when they were wt'Il ! Nature has bellowed upon every one hii (hare, were a difcreet ufe made of her bounty. But now a-days many people feelc out ways and means to di'quiet thomfelves ; and what they wiil be, they will be, whitfo^-ver hinders them, or ftands ii their wiy : Hence no wonder if dilapoointment attend them and difqniet their hop-s, thus deceived and brought to nought. If mortals v;ould endeavour to ad and move every one within his own fphere, we Ihoul 1 not fee fo many fai and fatal e5fample3, as we often do, of the ruin and overthrow of man.', whofe ambicious defigns lifted them up, and made them foar for a while as it were with the wings of the Eagle, only that their fall might be the greater. FABLE XXII. A SPIDER AND THE GOUT. AS P I D ER walking abroad to recreate him- felf, lighted upon the Gout, and walked with h'un till even- tide, and akerward took up his lodging in a fine paipce, and fell to fpinning cob-webs, which were as fait fwe^it away -, but the Gout had his quarters in a vzry nafly place, having nothing fit to entertain him. Meeting again the next morning, each gave his fellow an account how it fared with him the night paft. The Spider began his relation firft, which was a complaint of the nicenefs of his landlord ; afterward the Gout requ.ted him with fuch another ftory of ill ufage : Whereupon the next night they took the quite contrary courfe. The Spider got inro a hovel, and the Gout into a hall, where the lord 32 FABLES or iESOPv of the manor had his abode. The Gout met with every thing as he defired, as the Spider was as well pleafed on the other hand. Upon this the Gout refolvcd henceforward to get into fome rich man's houfe, and the Spider into a needy perfon's. The moral. An induftrious poverty in a cell, with quiet thoughts and found deep, is infinitely to be pre- ! :d before a lazy life of pomp and pleafure. The remark* One may be very uneafy with a plentiful fortune, and as happy in - mean condition ; for it is the mind that makes us either one or the other: A plain honeft and temperate condition contents jtielf with a little. Where gluttony and idlenefs rule and bear fvvay, foa.eihing is ftiil wanting. How many foolifh longings and wi'.^i defircs, poifefs and unquiet the fancy in fuch a Hate ! We fee a r.\ilorflefcp quietly in a hammock, without any cares in his head, or indigi.atio'i in his ftcmach ; where perfons of quality lie larking upon a bed or Rate, with the qualms and twinges that accompany riot and excefs. FABLE XXIII. The OLD MAN and DEATH. AN Old Man carrying a burden of wood from the place where jt grew, to his dwelling; by that time he had carried it halfway, grrw tired with it, and fo laid it down, wifliing death would approach and convey him from this life to a better. Death was prefently at his elbow, and demanded why he implored his help? The ^ ^ Old FABLES OP ^ S O P. 3^ Old Man's reply was, he had at prefent no other need of hinfi than to lade him afrefli, by helping him up with his burden. The moral. Life, be it as miferable and wretched as it will be, is ftlll preferable to death, though it have none of its frightful companions about it. The remark. One of the chiefeft lefTons Chriftianity teaches its profefTors, ia chearfully and courageoufly to bear and undergo all the crofTes and temptations they may meet with, during their pilgrimage in this lower and dolcfome world. Death is always the conclufion and period of life; but we muft not call and halten it as often as we pleafe : He that gave us our being has ordered us to preferve and keep it, till he thinks death better for us than our longer abode here ; to whofe bleffed will, as in all things elfe, fo in this greaC point, wemufl fubmit and readily obey. FABLE XXIV. The Old WOMAN and PHYSICIAN. AN Old Widow having a diftemper fallen into her eyes, fent for a Phyfician, telling him, if he could cure her, he fiiould re- ceive a reward from her, otherwife nothing : The Phyfician, upon the fore-cited condition, under- took the cure. He vifited his patient every day, anointing her eyes withr an ointment he had pre- pared for the purpofe. After the anointing waa over, away went the Phyfician, carrying fome- E thing 34 FABLES of iE SO P. thing with him that belonged to his patient, be- ing tempted thereunto, becaufe juft at the anoint- ing (he was wholly bereft of fight by its means. The woman perceivino; her fubilance by this means to decreafe daily, and that, if her fight was re- flored, (lie might have nothing to look upon, the Phyfician demanding the agreed-on reward ; Nay, rather, replied the Old Woman, I fee nothing at this time : When I firft fell amifs, I could fee goods of my own ; but now at this time thou fayeft I can fee, they are got out of fight. The moral. Inthnates to us. That it often falls out, that wicked and unconfcionable men fall under the re- bukes of their own mifdoings, and vile pradticcs^ unv/arily and unwillingly. ^_ The remark. The deeds of unrighteous men at laft find them out, and betray them to ihame and mifery. Whilft the Phyfician was bufy to brir.g the patient to her fight again, he was no lefs aftive in bring- ing his own thievery to light; for which he rather deferved a gibbet, than a reward from his pillaged patient. This is nothing elfc but for a man to cut his fhins with his own hatchet, and to hale down mifchief upon his own empty and fenfelefs noddle. FABLE XXV. The woman and drunken HUSBAND. j^nr^ WAS a woman's misfortune to be joined -*• in matrimony to a drunken Hufband. Be- ing delirous to iTce him from that abominable vice. FABLES OF iESOP, 35 vice, (he took this courfe to efFt How fatal was his fondnefs, and too good humour, not only to his children, but to all Ifrael ? So that parents ought to confider, that in the bad educa- tion they give to their children, they not only do them harm, bat their country. FABLE XXXVIII. The BRAGGER. A GREAT traveller returning home to his native country, bragged of fundry notable exploits which he had performed in foreign parts : Particularly he told how he had jumped fuch a jump in the ifland of Rhodes, that none living could do the like ; and that a great many of the Rhcdians (if they were prefenc) could bear witnefs that what he faid was true. One of the ftanders'by aniwcring, faid. Sir, if what you fay is true, there is no need of vouchers, only fancy this place is Rhodes, and let us fee fuch a jump here. The moral. This Fable fhews us, that if the proof of a thing be not ready and at hand, whatever elfe can be produced FABLES OF iESOP. 49 produced in its behalf is of no force, and altoge- ther innpertincnt. The. remark. Boafting is but very feldom excufable. Yet what abundance of foolilh fops doth this age produce, who, by their b-^afting and bragging, teaze every company they fit in. Wire mtw are, for their own part, fparing of their own actions ; for who dwell molt on that {ubjedt, are commonly looked on to be guilty of par- tiality, and fometimes of untruth. FABLE XXXIX. The dogs. A CERTAIN perfon kept two Dogs, the one for the houfe, the other for game* Whea the game-dog catched any thing, the houfe- dog had a (hare, at which the game-dog grudged, and upbraiding the other, told him, he lived by big labour, and was at no pains to get his own liveli- hood. The houfe- dog, vexed with this fliarp taunt, excufed himfelf, faying, You fliould blame my mader, not me, whom he never taught to do any thing. The moral. Informs us, That fuch as underftand little, are not fo much to be found fault with as their pa- rents, who took no care of their education. Thjb 50 FABLES of JE S O V. The remark. Better unborn than untaught. Good education is the moft va- luable th-pcr a parent can bellow upon his child. The great ad- vantage that attends an early and good education, is what every- one is (o fenfible of, that there is no need to fpeak any more about it. How many born of mean parents have raifed ihemfelves and friends, by their virtuous education, to great honour and much wealth ? A little coft and charge this way has often made a vaft return. FABLE XL. The C A M E L. AT the Camers firfl: appearance in the world, moft creatures were afraid to come near it, by reafon of its unnatural bu k, and odd fhape. But in procefs cf time, they perceiving his gentlenefs, ventured to come near him. Soon after, finding that he was a harmlefs creature, they bridled him, and caukd the very children to lead him up and down, and made him their game. The moral. Cuflom and ufe make things eafy which at firfl: view appeared hard, and that contemptible which at firft was dreadful. The remark. Ufe and cuftom are (I may fay) a fecond nature. They make things eafy and delightful, which at firft view feemed ftrange, hard, and FABLES OF iESOP. 51 and even frightful. Good nature is often abufed : Men, as well as children, are ^pt to make their game, no: only of inferiors, but alfo offuperiors. Good nature has made fubjects turn too familiar even with their fovereigns. FABLE XLI. A HUNTED BEAVER. THE Biavsr (as people fay) can d^y longer ia the Wiitif th^n any foui-toot d bealh His ftones are rc-ckoued !o be good ia phy nc : Wh-^n be fincis himself purJued by the huntcir, he bites them off, iind leaves theai, and by this means hvQS his liie. The MORAL. This Fable (hews, ihat all men ought to part wiih their mod valuable things to fave tneir lives, when in danger. The remark. Nature hath endued all creatures with feif-prefervation. Nor Ihould men take care of ihtmil-ivcs only, buc aiTv^or ih^ir c«;uatry : For w .ca government is in dani^er, every good fubje>t, without grudging and murmuring, ought to part wiin goods and elLita to prevent its ruin. FABLE XLIi. The daw hung by the FOOT. A COUNTRY-fellow catched a Diw, and tied ^ a firing to his leg, and fo gave him to a child to play witnai ; but the Daw turned foon weary of his 52 FABLES oFiESO p. his play-fellow, and gave him the flip as foon as he found his opportunity, and v/ent off to the woods with the firing, which fhackled him fo that he ftarved : But as he was dying, he (ore repented his folly, in going back to ftarvc in the woods, rather than to lead an eafy life among men. The moral. Mens humour and fancy are often the caufe of their uneafinefs ; but where content is, there is happinefs. The remark. How many are impatient let their condition be never fo eafy, and will dill be chopping and changing, though commonly they chacge for the worfe, as the Daw did here in the fable, who brought himfelf to a ftarving condition, feeking after liberty, wheif.as he might have lived eafily and plentifully under a fm.all confinement ? licvv manv are to be feen daily, v^ho, after a loofe and idle life, which bring them to mifery, and often to ruin and difgrace, fee their folly when it is too Ute r Liberty, 'tis true, is a very defirable thing, but iome people milUke it much, who fuppofe ihat they want liberty if they are confined to an honeft trade or employment, whereby they may do their duty in that ftate; whereas, to be wholly l^iven to a lazy and fluggifh temper, which they falfely call Li- berty, is the worft of flaveries. FABLE XLIII. The crow and PIGEON. A PIGEON that was brought up in a dove- houfe, meeting with a Crow, told him in a vain and bragging way, how fruitful (he was, ivhat a number of young ones fl:ie had. I^ever value FABLES OF JE S O ?. 53 value yrurfelf too much upon that (fays the Crow) for the more children, the more forrow. The moral. Many children, when they prove good, are a great bleffing j but if bad they are as great a carle. The remark. Parents are often pufFcd up, and too vain, if they have a number of children ; but they are ieldom taken up with the care of their education Whereof comes to pafs, that they often prove crofles rather 'xian comforts, flow many inftances of this have we heard of in all ages, and fee but too many in this we live in ? FABLE XLIV. The fox and CRAB. AN hungry Fox efpied a Crab lying on thefand by the fea- fide, ran, and fnatched it up. The Crab finding that he was to be eaten, faid thus. No better could come of it, I had no- thing to do here, for my bufincfs was at fca, not upon the land. The moral. No body pities a man for any misfortune that befals him, for meddling v/ith things out of his way. The 54 FABLES of ^SOP. The remark. Some men arc fo very curious in prying into the affairs and con- cerns of others, that taey often gcc a greai deal of ill-will. Others there are, who can never be at rert, but love to be ihifting and changing, and when wdl, cannot hold .hemfdves well. A third fort mtre i^, who, bv meddling with things above their reach, often bring themfelves ^nd friends to utter luin, for which they may thank chemfflves. You fnall hardly, now-adays, fee a Ccbler or a Tinker in auale-houie, but will be nibbling at it ate -affairs. FABLE XLV. The reed and OLIVE. THERE was a difpute between the Reed and the Olive, which was the luftietl, flrongeft, and firmeft The Olive upbraided rhe Reed as frail, and yielding to every wind. The Reed was for foaie time without returning an anfwer, but not long : For a violent wind arifing, the Re d was (haken and tolled by its fury, which the Olive endeavouring to refift, was broken. The MORAL. This Fable (hews, that thofe who on occafion give way iu inch as are ftronger, obtain their ends iociier than lha(e who obftinately refift. The remark. It is folly, we commonly fay, to Urive r.gainft the tide. We often fee the proud and loicy brought down and humbled ; whereas they that are mean and lowly in their own conceit, frequently come FABLES OF iESOP. 5S come either to honoijr or renown, or at lead they efcape thefe checks and turn? of adverfity, that the high and mighty ones are fubjc^ to. Thunder oftener breaks on i^i h mountains than on low vallies ; and tall oaks and cedars are fpht to pieces, when the low Ihrubs go free. How often do we fee thofe ihac ufe all arts and contrivances, to come to the highed of honours and preferments, (from whence, as from a high tower, they look down with contempt and 'legled on thafe they tfiought their inferiors), lliuck dovvn oa a fudden from the height of their grandeur, and become as mean and contemptible in the fight of thofe they defpifcd, as the poorell country-fellow, who, content with his homely condition, never aims at any other advantage than to fecure himfelf and family from po- verty and hunger ? FABLE XLVI. A wicked Wretch undertakes to beguile Apollo. A WICKED Wrefch went to Delphos, with a •^^ defign to trick Apollo, thus : He held a living Sparrow in his hand under his cloak, and ap- proaching the altar, put this quellion to the god : O Apolio ! may it pleafc thee, tell me, whether this which I hold in my hand be living or dead ? Intending to (hew the Sparrow alive, if Apollo (hc/uld fay it was dead j or to ^ueeze it to death in his hand, under his clo^k, (hould Apollo (ay it was alive. But Apollo knov/ing the cunning of the man, anfwered, You need not afic my advice on that head ; for it being in your power, jou may fhow it dead or alive, as you think fit. The MORAL. This Fable fiicws, that 'tis vain for us to thir.k that we can hide any thing from God, who fees and knows all things. The 56 FABLES of ^ESOP. The remark. Men always deceive themfelves when they think to deceive God. They mall have very weak thoughts of God who think to juggle with him as with their fellow-creatures, who are liable to ignorance and miftakes, and therefore can be cafily impofed upon. FABLE XL VII. The Unskilful HARPER. A CERTAIN Harper playing, as he ufually "^^ did, upon his harp in a large hall, which made a mighty found and echo, fancied himfelf to be no mean arlift. Puffed up with this vain conceit^ he muft needs be one of the mufic in the play-houfe ; where having appeared, he began to play; but fo harfh and unpleafant was his mufic, that he was hilled out of the houfe. The moral. This Fable fliews, that many, who think them- felves to be no fmall perfons, are, upon trial, found to be very weak and ignorant. The remark. The world abounds with more pretenders to learning, than truly learned. How many do vye fee daily, who having for fome lime ranged about the ftreets with a Mountebank, and learned a little of his quacking, fet up for able Phyficians, and give out (with a great ftock of impudence) that they can cure all difcafes, when they really know nothing of the matter ? I have known a fellow, who having ferved his apprenticefhip to a Gipfy, immediately fet up for a great Fortune-teller and Aftrologer, when he knew no more FAB L-E S OF ^ S O P. 5; more of it than Serjeant Kite in the play. And To it is in all other fciences and trades. There can be no greater fign offolln than for any oite to be wife in his own conceit ; and thev that are thus fond of the;r filiy performance, feldoni come better off than this un&i lul Harpc-r, who thought that he could as fufficiently pieale the learned by his mufic, as he pleafed himielf. FABLE XLVill. THIEVES BREAKING INTO A HOUSE. As a gang of Thieves were bufy breaking in- to a houfe, a MaP iff that lay within fch a- barking. One of the Thieves fpoke to hioi fair, and offered him a piece of bread to flop his mouth; to whom the Dog anfwcred, I fmell your wicked defign. Do you take me to be fuch a fool as to be bribed, and betray my mafter ? You offer me a piece of bread, but I fcorn your offers For (hould I take it, you would rifle the houfe, and get off while I am eating. The moral. This Fable fliews, that neither fair promifes, nor prefents, (hould tempt any one to betray hi» truU, ^ ^ The remark. There are a great many fervants not half fo true to their nailers as this Dog was to his ; for a loaf of bread was as great a ten^.ptaticn 'lini' /\'' ^'^S of money to a man. Yet very few are proof l^iic truftees, for the greater the tru.l i., the greater the treachery. H FABLE 58 FABLES of ^ S O P.. FABLE XLIX. The dog and the WOLF; A DOG and a Wolf met accidently together upon the highway : The Wolf told the Dog, that he was glad to fee him, and wanted to know how it came to pafs that he looked fo fat and jolly ? What ! fays the Dog, I keep my mafler's houfe from, thieves, and I have very good meat, drink and lodging for my pains. 1 wifti, fays the Wolf, I were as well provided for. Truly, fays the Dog, if you'll go along with me, ril fpeak to my mafter in your favour, and I doubt not but you'll fare as well, if you'll be as good a fervant as I am. The Wolf vfas very well pleafed, promifing fairly : And away they trot together, and w^ere very pleafant company on the way. At length, as they came nigh the houfe, the Wolf fpied a bare place about the Dog's neck, where the hair was v^orrk cfF: Brother, fays he, How comes this, I pray thee ? Oh ! thai's nothing, fays the Dog, but the fretting of my collar a little. Nay, fays the Wolf, if there be a collar in the cafe, I know better things than to fell my libeity for a cruft. The moral. This Fable (hews, how valuable a thing liberty is, and that all other things without it can give no comfort. The FABLES OF iESOP, The remark. 5^ All creatures have a define after liberty, which they will not ex- change tor any thing elfe. The Wolf (you fee here in this fable) was well enourijh plcafed with the good plight the Do? was in ; he thought it a good thing to have me^t, drink, and lodging, a: his conmand ; but had no fancy at all for his collar : And truly he that felJs freedom for the cramming of his gut, makes at beft but a bad bargain ; for though fuch a one looketh weil in the eyes of the filly and if;norant people, who have no furiher view than fine cloaths, plenty of provifion?, and money ; yet he will appear but mean and fervile to fuch as confider him with a more confidering fye, as the Wolf did the Doer's neck. FABLE L. A MAN BIT BY A DOG. ON E that was bitten by a Dog, was adviTed (as the beft remedy in the world) to dip a piece of bread in the blood of the wcund, and give the Dog to eat. Pray hold there, lays the man ; I have no mind to draw all the Dogs ia the town upon me; for that will certainly be the end on't, when they (hall find themfqives reward* ed inftead of puniihed. The moral. Good nature is a great misfortune, when it is not managed with prudence. The R E M a R K.^ Wicked and ill-natured men can never be obliged by kindne/Tes, which ofteatimes make them more infolent ; and it is a great temptation to go en in their courfe, when they fare the better for evil 6o FABLES op ^ESOP. evil doing. Cbriftian cbarity, 'tis true, bids us return good for evil ; but it does not oblige us to reward where we fhould punifli. This way of proceeding is dangerous in public, as well as in pri- vate affairs ; for bad men, when thty find themfelves treated with too much renderncfs, are thereby encouraged to be worfe and worfe. Quarrelf ''ne men, as well as quarrelfome cu:s, arc worfe for fair ufage. We have many examples of this nature at home and abroad. How mai.y kingdoms, as well as private families, have not only been in great danger, but brought to utter ruin, by bold, infolent, and defic;oing villains, when their fuperiors were but too good natured, and thought to reclaim them by gentle and kindly means, which is the wrong way of managing fuch obftinate and perverfe tempers. FABLE LI. A SOW AND A DOG. AS O W and a Dog fell a fcoldlng, and the Sow, in a great wrath, fwore by Venus^ that ihe would tear him to pieces if he did not hold his peace : Ah ! fays the Dog, you do well to fwear by Venus indeed, who cannot abide any creature about her that eais Swine's flc(h. You fool, fays the Sow, do not you know this is a great token of her lovte to me, not to en- dure any thing that hurts me ? But for Dog'u flefli, it is good for nothing, either dead or alive. The moral. This Fable (liews us, how prudent it is, when a quarrel or difpute arifcth, to break it off with The F A B L E S OF iE S O P. 6t The remark. 'Tia a common thing for men to boaft and value themrelves upon their inter2rt and familiarity with great men, whom, it may be, they i ever fpoke to. Others, upon Ilender acquaintance, in» truJe {o much into the company of their betters, that ihey become both uneafv and impertinent. Even when they think themfelres favourites, cannot but expofe them to the fcorn of fuch as know how matters ftand wifh them; as the Sow here in the Fahle ap* pec'i-. to Venus, as her putronefs, before the Dog, when fiie might eafily have forefe'^n, that i.ie Dog could not n.ifs of reproaching her as a liar. However, when people have overiliot themfglves, the bell way is to turn oft the fcandal with ajeit. FABLE LII. A STAG AND LION. A STAG that was clofely purfued by the huntlman, fled for fafety into a den where a Lion chanced to be, and before he was aware, the Lion immediately got hold of him j and as he wis expiring under his paws, Miierable creature that J am, lays he, endeavouring to cfcape the hands of men, 1 have unluckily run into the paws oi the fierctft of hearts. The moral. This Fable fliews, that many, while they think to get rid of fmall danger, run thenifeves head- long into greater mifchief. The 62 FABLES OF ^SOP; The remark. ' Men in this world are threatened with dangers on all hands, feme of which tkey cannot eafily avoid. But when men are brought totnis psfs that they know not lo what hand to tarn them, they fliould follow the advice ot the proverb. Of two evils, the lefler is lobe chofen. How unaecountable is the conduft of fome, who, endeavouring to avoid preffing difficulties, fly for refuge to thieves and murderers, and fo, by engaging in their wicked ways, bring themfelves unto a Ihameful end. The proverb holds good here, viz. That men fhould always look before they leap ; for they that aft without confiderarion, muft reeds repent them of their ralh engagements, whereby they often ruin not only therafelves, buc ahb their whole family, as well in their eftates, as their reputation. FABLE LIII. The pigeon anp WATERPOT. A PIG EON, that was extremely thirfty, 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 too ftrong for him -, he tried then to overturn it, but it was too heavy for him, At laft he bethought himfelf cf a device that did his bufinefs, which was this : He went and brought little pebbles, and dropt them in the water, and fo raifed it till he had it within his reach. The moral. What we cannot compafs by f€>rce, we may by art and invention. The FABLES OF iE S O P. 63 The remark. Neceflity is .very oft the mother of invention ; anJ we find that Tome when they are put to their wit's end, have p/eiently fallea upon a (hift, which otherwife would nev?r entered into their heads. We commonly h^» That wiles help we^k fo.lks ; as we fee in ihu Fable, that the 7iger)n came nearer to his purpofe by his cunning Jd him what great defire he had to become one of his family, that he might have the pleaiure always of hearing his Iwect pipe. Verily friend Reynard, fays the Shepherd, you Inall be very welcome into my family, providing thac you leave your teeth and' naiis behind you. The moral. There is no trufting of fair words from a known and profefied enemy, without the betlfecuriiy that can be had. The R E M a R K. One can never be too \wa.Ty who to^truft. It is the intereft of all men to know well thofe whom they enter into iriendfhip with ; for there arc fome men, let them fpeak never fo h'lr, that are knaves at the bottom ; and there are fome (harpers in the world, that men muft ftand upon their guard for fear of being tricked. FABLE F A B L E S o F^ ^ S O p. 6$ FABLE LVI. "^ . The cockles roasted* AS a country boy was roafting Cockles, he heard them hifs with the great heat^f the fire: What filly wretches are ye, la^s he, thus to fing, while your houfe is burning about your ears ? The moral. This Fable (hews, that every thing done out of feafon, looks ridiculous. The R E M a R K.^ Many a good advice has been loft for not timing it right ; and many have been thought tedious and impertinent, who^ had they taken a fit opportunity, would have been looked upon as wife and prudent counfellors, Solomon Tays very wifely, That there is z time to laugh, and a time to mourn ; fo that people fhould fuie their behaviour with the prefentoccafion. FABLE LVII. The sick KITE. WHEN the Kite lay Cck and like to die, he fends to his mother and defircs her to pray to the gods for his recovery. Alas, my child, fays the mother, how can you expeft tbaC they (hould fend you any relief, feeing you have robbed their altars fo often ? I Tub 66 FABLES of iESOP. Th E M O R A L. We ought to have a great reverence for God, and every thing that belongs to his wor/hip, if wc expedt that he fliould hear us when we call upon him.^Mk ; The remark. This Fable fhews us, that nothing but a good and truly Chriilian life can make death eafy to us. Can we expcft that God fhould hear us on our death-bed, when in all our life we are at no pains to pleafe him, or hearken to his precepts ? This fhews us alio the folly and great madnefs of fuch as truft to a death-bed repentance : When they have lived a wicked life, and can ferve the devil no longer, can it be fappofed, that fuch a Ihort time will be enough for the great work of reconciling ourfelves to God ? The belt way to fecure God's favour in the time of adverfity, is to be mindful of him in our profperity. The preacher's advice, who defires us to re- member our Creator in the days of our youth, is now of little weight with thofe that from their infancy think of nothing but roguery and rapine ; who, to fatisfy their boundlefs luft, fpare nothing either facred or profane. Little do fuch people think, that they mull one day anfwer for all their violences that at prefent they glory in. FABLE LVIIL The shepherd and his FLOCK. A S a certain Countryman was feeding his Sheep -^^ in a fine day, by the Tea fide; and feeing the fea fo calm and fmooth, he thought to fct up for a merchant, and venture fomething. Away he goes in all hafte, fells fome of his flieep, buys a bargain of figs, and to fea he goes. It happened that there arofe fuch a great temped, that the feamen were fain FABLES OF iESOP. 6/ fain to caft their loading x)ver board, to fave their own lives. So our new merchant came home very foon, and betook himfelf to his old trade cgain. If happened, as he was feeding his (beep upon the fame coall, that there was fuch a fine day, and cahn fea, as had tempted him before. Yes, fays he to the fea, you think to flatter me once more, but I am not fuch a fool as to be fo gulled out of the rell of my fheep. The xM O R a L. Experience teaches fools, as we fay in the pro- verb, to be wife 3 and if that do it not, nothing wilK / The remark. How happy may many perfons be in all eftates, if they can but fuit their mind to their condition ! A Shepherd may be as eafy in a cottage as a Prince in a palace. But every man living has his weak *(ide ; and we feldom fee people fo eafy, but that they are difcontented about fomething, and fancy they may be better in another ftation, even following feme trade or bufinefs that they don't, perhaps, underlVand ; and fo when they meet wich difappoint- ments, it fhews them how well they were at firlt, if they wc.uld have kept fo. The reafonof this refilefs temper is, becaufe people do not look upon the ftation they are in, as that wherein God is well pleafed to place them ; which makes them hanker and greedily purfue after fomething elfe, without confidering whether thty can ferve God in that condition, better than in that Hate where prcTvi- deace has been pleafed to call ihem. FABLE I 6S FABLES of ^SOP. 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 bim ; but when none came to his affiftance, he promifed a confiderable 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 (he had done him that good office, claimed his pro- mife. Why now, impudence, fays the Wolf, when you put your he^ into my mouth, and then brought it out again fair and found, i think that's a reward enough j Could not I hav« bit off your head ? So I think you owe mie your life^ and that's a very good rccompence. /*'. '\/*'» * »*•*'. ^- ' The moral. """:.yi:" 'Tis loft kindnefs that's done to an ungrateful perfon. The remark. Tho' it be commonly fe;d, that one good turn requires another; it is different when people have to do with men who are no better than beafts ; they are no way grateful or thankful to their prcfervers. Nay how many are worfe than the Wolf, who had the Crane's head at his mercy, yet did not chop it off? which was a kiridnefs (o far, that he would not take away the life of that creature who preferved his own. But we have nany inftances of thofe who have be;;n their ruin who raifed them from the dunghill. Nay, too m^ny do we fee, who let their parents Harve, who fpent all their fubilance FABLES OF M S O P/' 69 fubftance to put them in a way of living. But to He fare, ven- geance will overtake fuch.wretches, whqfe crueU/ goes beyond that of the moll cruel beafts. • FABLE LX. The husbandman and SERPENT. A COUNTRYMAN happen:-:], in a hard win- ter, to eipy a icrpent under a hedge, that Was half I'rozen to death : The good- Matured man took it up, and kept it in hh byfom till warmth brought it to hfc again ; and fo (oon as it was in a condition to do any thing, it bit the very man that (avcd the hfe on't. Ah I tiicu ungrate- ful wretch, fays he, can thy ill-nature be fatijficd with nothing lefs than the ruin of thy preferver ? The mora L. 'Tis natural for fome men, hke the Serpcnf, to do more mifchief, the more kindntls one do^js them. The re M A R K. 'Tis an excellent faying of the prophet, ** Can any man take fire ** in his bofom, and not be burned ?" So he that takes an uoprate-. ful man into his bofom, maft exped to be betrayed. L'utit is no ^new thing with good-natured men to meet with urgrstefu'l returns : Therefore friendlhip and kindnefs ought to be weli wei^ied and confidered before they are befiowcd. Por 'tis very true, asthe rro- verb fays. Save a thief from the gallows, aiid he will cut your throat. This Fable alfo flrikes at iuch as indulge thdr bafc vices ; thofe are fo msny Snakes, who will certaimy deftroy botli ic^l and body at laft ; if they be kept in the fervice of fin, they will meet J^ith no better reward than the Country mac did from the Serpen:, FABLE 70 FABLES of M S O F. FABLE LXI. A LION GROWN OLD. A LION, who in his younger days had got a great rrany enemies by his fiercenefs and cr-jeiry, came at laft to be^ reduced, in his old age, to a great deal of mifery and contempt j (o that nioft of the beafts out ot revenge, came and fell upon him. Amongll the reft the Ais comes and kicks him with her fion. And though foinetimes a man may lofe his life or eftate witliout being the caufe of it, yet it is impoflible that a man can lofe his foul without bein^ alio-jether the caufe and occafion of it : Which will make all fuchlnexcufable in the day of judgment. This Fable llrikes alfo at fuch who are the ruin of their benefaftors : The wooden handle cue down the wood wherein it grew. How many employ that life and Urength which God gives them to fight againll himfelf? So that in all ages people may be julHy charged with what God upbraids the Jews : " I have nouriQied and brought up people, but they have rebelled ** againft me.'* FABLE LXXIII. A HORSE AND A LION, A LION longed for a piece ©f good Horfe- flefli, but not knowing how to come by it, by reafon of his age and want of ftrength, he made ufc of this contrivance : He comes tp^ta 84. FABLES OF ^SOP. Horfe, and gave out himfelf to be a Farrier, think- irg to amule the Horfc with a long ftory of his art and experience. 1 he Horfe finding his kna- V'.'ry, dtfigned to be ss cunning as he ; thcre»orc pretending to have lately pricked his foot, he in- trcais the Phyiician that he would be pleafed to look upon it, to pull out the thorn and givo hiii> eale. O, fays the Lion, do but hold u:* yiy:i^ ictg z little, and 1 will cure you imnriediateiy. as he was looking to it,, the Horfe gave him a u ;hie blew upon the forehead with his heel, which iid him flat, and fo got off. When the Lion tiad recovered a little. Well, fays he, 1 am rightly ferved for my folly, and 1 fee the Horfe has repaid knavery with knavery. The moral. It often happens, that people are paid home in their own coin, and the deceiver himfelf is de- ceivedo The remark. Though it be commendable in all men to {upply their want of flrength by induftry and invention, yet they ought to keep their fkill %\*ithin the bounds of juftice and honefty ; and when they go beyond it, they may expett (ome time or other to be ferved as the Lion was by the Horfc ; for what mei^fure we give to others, we f^iall be ferved in the fame meafure a^ain, fconer or latter. It •\vou]d be good fSr many that they were i'o fnarp fighted as the Horfc here was, and could diftinguifli between a good Phyfician and a didenibling quack, and fo reward them accordingly; then A'e Ihould net fee {o mary wheedled out of tlicir money, as well as .heir lives^ FABLE FABLES OF ^SOP. 8j FABLE LXXIV. The boar' and HORSE. THERE fell a difpute once betwixt a Boar and a Horfe, and when they had fought n pretty while, the Boar got the better on him, and beat the other out of the field. The Horfe, grieved at this affront, adviled with a man what courfe he fliould take to be revenged on the Boar. The man told him, that if he allowed himlelf to be bridled and faddlcd, and take one on iiis back, with a lance in his hand, he (hould be fufficienily revenged on him. The Horfe agreed to it ; but though he got his enemy killed, yet he loil hiS liberty by it, and mad[e himfelt a Have all the days of his life. The MORAL. Me is a madman, who, to avoid a prefen: and Jefs evil, runs blindfold into a greater. The remark. This Fable difcovers to us the folly of fiich as make themfcJves flaves to their revenge ; for no man fhould be fo angry with another as to hurt himfelf. How many do in hade, what they repent at leifure; and for the gratifying of a froward humour, make them- felves flaves all their days, as the Horfe in the Fable? who hoi better pafled by the aftVont ; but his ftomach was too great, and did, as many others do, ruin himfelf, that he might but ruin his enemy. We may eafily obfcrve, by this, that there is nothing better for a man's body, as well as the fou!, than the Chriflian doc- trine of the forgiving enemies ; though the world look upon fuch as pafs by affronts to be nothing elfe but cowards ; and that nian that 86 FABLES OF ^SOP- that runs himfelf upon the fword of another, whom he would kill, is looked upon to be a brave gallant man, though he be fuch another fool as the Horfc in the Fable, who paid deaf for his revenge. FABLE LXXV. Two YOUNG iVIEN and a COOK. ^ I ""WO young fellows flipt into a Cock's (hop, and while the Cook was buly at his work, one of them ftole a piece of fle(h, and conveyed it to the other ; the Cook miffed it immediately, and challenged him with the theft. He that took, it, fwore he had none of it, and he that had it, fwore as confiderably that he did not take it. Well, my mafters, iays the Cook, thefe tricks may ■ be put upon men, but there is an eye above that fees thro' them. The moral. When we do any thing amifs, and think our- felves fecure by hiding it from men, God who is the fearcher of hearts, iees it. The remark. There is no playing faft and loofe with God ; for double-dealing is what he abhors. And fpppofe this way may lucceed for fomc time among men, who cannot difcover the fecret defigns that lurk in a man's heart ; yet at lail fuch pcrfons never fail of betraying themfelves ; and then how odious do they appear when th^ir kna- very is found out r No truft or credit is given them, though they back their promifes with repeated oaths ; fo that the common proverb holds true, Honefty is the bell policy. FABLE F A B L E S o F iE S O p. 87 FABLE LXXVI. A FOX AND A SICK LION. AL I O N falling fick, all the hearts came to vifit him, except the Fox ; whereupon the Lion fent to tell him, That he longed to fee him, and that his prefcnce would be very accept- able to him. He moreover defired the meffenger to affure the Fox, that, for feveral reafons, he had no occalion to be afraid of him ; becaufe the Lion was one that loved the Fox very well, and there- fore defired to fpeak with him ; befides that, he lay fo fick that he could not ftlr to do the Fox any harm, though he had never (o great a mind to it. The Fox returned a very obliging anfwer, dcfiring the meffenger to acquaint the Lion, that he was very defirous of his recovery, and that he would pray to the gods for it , but at the fame time defired to be excufed for not coming to fee him, as other hearts had done : For, truly, fays Reynard, the traces of their feet freighten me, all of them going towards his Majefty's palace, but none coming back again. The MORAL. Words are not to be trurted, though never (o fair i we muft examine mens adions, as well as their words and promifes, and judge of the one by the other, if we would efcape their mifchievous inventions. The 88 FABLES of yESOPi The remark. The proverb holds true, Larks are not to be catched with chaff c rthc Lion, by his pretended ficknefs and weakncfs, thought that the Fox, in point of civility, ought to pay him a vifit ; but fend- ing fuch a kind invitation, fo full of compliments, was ftill a greater obligation on the Fox to pay his refpefts to him ; but Keynard was toofharp fighted not to fee through his defign ; though truly it is a hard matter fometimes to diftinguilh between a friendly invitation and an hypocritical fnare, fo that a man is often at a lofs, not knowing but he may difoblige a friend, whilft he thinks only to fave himfalf from the hands of an enemy. However, while the world is full of tricks, 'tis always the beft and wifeft method to lake particular care where ^ny figns of fufpicion appear. FABLE LXXVIL A STAG AND A VINE. AS T A G that was hard puflied by the huntimen, ran into' a vineyard, and took (heker under-- the root of a Vine. When the huntimen were- gone, and he thought the danger was -over, he fell prefently to browfing upon the leaves. The ruftling of the boughs made fome of the huntfmen apprehend that he might be there : So, upon a ftrid: fearch, he was difcovered, and (hoi -, and as he was dying, he faid, How juftly am I puniflied for offering to deftroy my protedtor ? The MORAL. 'Tis but juft that fuch who wrong their bene- fadtor, (hould be punifhed with divine vengeance. The FABLES OF yE S O P. 8$ The remark. There is nothing mere abominable in the fight of God and man than ingratitude ; and fuch as repay good with evil, in feeking the ruin of their proteftors, feldom efcape the judgments of God. This Fable expofes the bafenefs of this vice, as many other Fables in ^fop do : but all that God commands, or men preach, or beads pra6life, againft this fin, will not put a ftop to the wicked and un* grateful doings of malicious fpirits ; and a man that can be un- grateful, is capable of any manner of wickednefs. FABLE LXXVIII. The geese and CRANES. AS fome Geefe and Cranes were feeding in a countryman's field of corn, he heard the noife, and came prefently out upon them* The Cranes feeing the countryman, they fled for it; but the Geefc tarrying behind, becaufe of the heavincfs of their bodies, were catched. The moral. This Fable fignifies, that, in taking of a town,- the poor eafily efcape, while the rich, tarrying be- hind to fave their riches, commonly "lofe?- both lives and eftates. . ^ . The remark. It 13 ftrange how riches alter the tempers of men ; how timorous it makes fome who have been brave, and how fecure it makes others, who trurtlng to their money, and thinking to efcape by its means, makes them only the greater prey to their enemies. This Fable is a fevere rebuke to fuch as take no care so provide for M time 90 FABLES op M S O F. time of danger, but go on in their old courfes, until they be fud- denly dellroycd ; and though they have many examples to warn them, yt their vices and corrupt afFeflions fo hang about them, and clog them, that they never will cad them of, until they arc brought to deftruflion. . Had the GscCc been {o wife as to get ofF with the Cranes, they might have faved themfelves ; but the fweet- nefs of the corn whereupon they were feeding, and the weight of their dull bodies, quite flopt them, until they werccatched. FABLE LXXIX. A TRUMPETER taken Prisoner. WHEN an army had been routed, a Tram- peter was taken prifdner : And as the fol- diers were going to kill him, Gentlemen, fays be, why fliould yoa kill a man that has killed no body ? You /hall die the rather for that, fays one of the company 5 when, like a rafcal as you are, you don't fight yourfelf, yet fet other people together by the earSe The moral. He that provokes others to mifchief, is as much, if not more guilty, than the doers themfelves^ The remark. This Fable reproves fuch as take delight in fetting people toge- ther by the ears, which is quiie oppofite to the Chriftian duty of being peaceable and meek. *^* Ulelled are the peace-makers, (fays ** our Saviour), for they fhall be called the children of God." For God is a God of peace and love. Malice, hatred, and envy, which make fuch difference among people, proceed from Satan the Prince of darknefs ; but meeknefs, goodnefs, and brotherly kindnefs, is what Chriil, the Prince of Peace, ftridly commands. We may eafily judge by peoples p)raftice, whofc children they are 3 for FABLES OF iESOP, 91 for whofoever takes pleafure in diviuons, flrife, and difcord, mull be of their father the devil, whofe works they do, let their pretences bff never fo fair. FABLE LXXX. The husbandman and STORK, A POOR innocent Stork had the ill hap to be taken in a net that was laid tor Geefe and Cranes. The Stork's plea for- hcrfelf was limplicity, good-nature, and the love of mankind; together with the fervice (lie did in picking up venomous creatures. This is ail true, Coys the Hufbandman ; bat they that keep ill company (if they be caiched with ill company) mult ex«» pcdt to fuffer With ill company. The moral. A man is efteemed according to the company he keeps ; for it is a common laying, which will be applied in this caie, That birds of a feather flock together. The remark. There are many inconveniencies that attend the keeping- of bad company. A lewd and wicked example will be ready to have in- fluence upon the perfon that frequents vicious company ; and if he fhouldefcape from the plague, which is very rare, yet his credit and reputation fuffers ; fo that when the good and bad are taken tooether, they muft fuffer together ; for it is a common proverb, Shew me the company, and I'll fliew you the man. 'Tis the bad fortune of many a good man to fall into bafe company, and to be undone by it, and yet be no ways guiky of the iniquity of his companions: But was a man never f» innocent, it is a ihame anddifhonour to be taken 92 FABLES OF ^SOP. taken with rogues ; for very /ew eliape from being poifoned wit^ their vices. And it holds very true what the apoftle fays, **That ** evil comiTiUnication corrupts good manners.'* FABLE LXXXL The wasps and PARTRIDGES. A FLIGHT of Wafps, and a covey of Par- -^^ tridges, that were hard put to it for want of water, went to a farmer, and begged a fup of him to quench their third. The Partridges offered to dig his vineyard for it -, and the Wafps promifed to fecure him from thieves. Pray hold your peace, fays the farmer, I have Oxen and Dogs to do me thefe offices already, and am refolved to provide for them in the firft place. T If E MORAL. Charity begins at home: And it is very true which the apoftle fays, " He that does not provide ** for his own family, is worle than an infidel. The remark. People ought to know well how to bellow their chanty. For a man to rob his family of what's neceflary, under pretence of cha- rity, is like the facrifice of the wicked, which is an abomination to the Lord: But people ought not, under the cloak of providing for themfelves and families, when they have afHuence and plenty, refufe to diftribute to the neceilities of the poor; forthiois what will not excufe them ; neither is it poflible that fuch can love God or his neighbour; tor, as the apoftle fays, *' He thatfeeth his brother want, and fhutieth up his bowels of compaflion againll him, how can the love of God be in him ?" A man's prudence will always direft him how to behave himfelf in fuch cafes ; only let a man be fincere in what he does, for God lovcth a chearful giver. FABLE FABLES oif ^ S O P. 93 FABLE LXXXir. A DAW AND PIGEONS. AD A W took particular notice of Pigeons in a dcvc-houie, that they v/ere wcii icd and provided for ; fo he went and painted him- felf of a dove colour, and fed among the Pigeons, So long as he kept fileni, this palkd very well ; but it happened that forgetting himlclf he icll a chattering; upon which difcovery he v^'as turned out of the dove-houfe, and when he cannc to his old companions, they would not receive him. So, by thib means, he loll both parties. The MORAL. He that halts between two opinions, lofes him- felf with both parties 5 for when he isdifcovered, he is found true to neither. The remark. Some, by grafping at too much, lofe all ; and by aiming at what they have not, and cannot well obtain, lofe what they had before. And men do but make themfelves ridiculous, in iniitatii-,g that which they cannot do. For though the Daw painted herfeU like a Pigeon, yet it did not make her one : And though a man put him- felf into another man's (hape, yet he is commonly cifcovered. Tha hypocrite is never fo far fiom being a good' Chrillian, as when he looks like it ; and double-dealers are always difcovered by fome accident or other ; and then both parties beat them away. So thaf every man ought to be true and honelt to what he undertakes. FABLE 94 FABLES of ^SOR FABLE LXXXIIL The fox and SNAKE, A FOX and a Snake chancing to meet, the Snake began to e.:tertain the Fox with a long Itory concerning her beauty, and the plea- fant and charming colours of her (potted (kin. The FojT, weary with the difcourfe, interrupted her, and laid, That the beauty of the mind was of much greater value and excellency than that of a painted outfide. The moral. A good underftanding is a blefling far oKcceding all outward bcaufy. The remark. Many men are re^6y to prefer the outward bleikngs, fuch as beauty, nature, and riches, to wifd m, temperance, and piety, and other inward blefiings, far more valuable, for ihey only repreient man, and diftinguiih him irom the beafts. We have few outward advantages beyond the other creatures, but we are interior to them .in many, fuch as in firengtli, fwiftnefs, hearing, feeing, and all the other fenfes : So that were it not for inward advantages, man would be rather a prey to, than a lord over the creatures. How unaccountable is the mod part of mankind, that run fo much upon their fenftial appetites, and negled the nobler part of man, the foul ! fo that they are worfe than the beafts that perifh. FABLE FABLES aF JE S O Fi 95 FABLE LXXXIV. The chough and SWALLOW. THE Chough and Swallow fell into a warm difpute about their beauty i and as the Swal- low infilled mightily on hers, and claimed the advantage. Nay, lays the Chour^h, you forget that your beauty decays with the ipring, whereas mine lafts all the year round. The moral. Of two things equally good, that is the heft which lafts iongeft. The remark. 'the grcateft bleffings we can enjoy in this world are health and long life, which are lliil more valuable the longer we enjoy them ; but yet the (trongelt man maft exped to fall fick fooner or latter, and the longell life has an end. So that thcfe, together with riche«, honours, and pieaiures, are like the Swallow's beauty, which lafts but for a time. Cut piety and goodnefs are what affords a man not only fatisfadlion in this life, but aUb joys that fhall endure for ever in that life which is to come. Therefore they are fools who value themfelves upon the ftiort-lived pleafures of this life, as the Swallow did upon her fpring beauty, and negleft to fecure to themfelves thofe lafting pleafures which are at God's right-hand for evermore. FABLE LXXXV. A FATHER and his SONS. AN honed man, who had the misfortune to be the Father of a contentious brood of Children, endeavoured all he could to make them to be more friendly 96 FABLES of JE S O ?. friendly towards one another ; and one day, haV* ing called them before him, he brought a bundle of flicks, and defired his Children t> take it, and try, one after another, with all their force, if they could break it : They tried, but could not Well, fays he, unbind it now, and take every one a flick of it apart, and fee what ye can do that way : They did as he defired, and with great eafe they fnapt every one of the flicks to pieces. The Fa- ther then told them, Children, your condition is exadlly that of the bundle of flicks; for if you keep together, you aie fafc ; but if you divide you are undone. The moral. Small things incrcafe by peace and unity, where- as great things decay and dwindle away to no- thing by difcord. The remark. Divifion is what has been the ruin of great and powerful king- doms, as well as of private families. Was it not divifion that cx- pofed Chriftians to the fury of the Turks, Infidels, Barbarians ? and every one knows how fatal divifion is to private families, where all things go to ruin, when one drives againft another. And it is a ftrange thing that men cannot do this with all their knowledge and reafon, what the brutc-beafts do ; for we find, that even the iierceft of them, fucfi as Tygers, Wolves, and Bears, agree among therafelves. Niiy, the very devils, who, tho' they be like fo many firebrands, fetting mankind together by the ears, yet they feem to agree among themfelves. For our Saviour fays, " If Satan be *' divided again ft himfelf, how can his kingdom ftand ?" There is not one precept fo o.'ten enjoined by our Saviour, as unity and brotherly love; for he makes it the diftinguifhing mark of his fervants ; " By this fliall all men know (fays he) that ye are my «* difciples, if ye love one another.*' FABLE FABLES OF ^SOF. 97 FABLE LXXXVr. The fox that lost his TAIL; AF O X having his Tail cut ofF to get out of a trap, when for fliame he thought it death to hve, devifed to perfuade other Foxes to cut off rheirs, under pretence t)t common benefit, but really to leffen his own difgrace. The Foxes therefore iiaving convened, he told chem, that their Tails were not only a dilgrace to them, but an ufelefs burden. One of them who heard him, fmartly anlWered, O brother ! where is your juftice, to advife us all to do a thing which will be to nobody's advantage but your own ? The moral. This Fable belongs to them, who, under a (hew of charity and kindnefs to others, aim at their ov/n profit and advantage. The remark. The mofl part of mankind aPe To wicked, that they never lovti to be miferable without company. When they mhke any falfe flep, or find themfelves guilty of any overfight or miftake, they never think how to come ofl'handfomely, or how to corred their error. No, this is the Jeaft of their thoughts : Then tKeir only ftudy is how to deceive others : And to fucceed the better in their defign, they never fail to ufe fair words, to tender feemingly whol- fome and charitable counf'l without being afked, and never give over till they have perfaaded others to run into the fame fnare wherein they themfelves v/sre caught. In this they imitate the devil, who, hnding himfelf miferable by his own doings, was never »t reft, until he perfuaded cur firft parents to ruin themfelves. N Whar ■g5 FABLESoF ^SOP. What fmooth language did he ufe, how fpecious arguments, W entice two innocent creatures to be partakers of his guilt ? If this fad truth were well imprinted in our memory, rt would prove to us as a beacon to feamen, and fhew us how to efcape thefe dangers, and hidden rocks of flattery and pretended charity, whereupon (o many fuffer ihipwreck. F,A B L E LXXXVII. The fox and HUNTSMEN. AF O X that had been hard run, begged of a country-man, whom he faw hard at work in a wood, to help him to fome hid- ing-place : The man direfted him to his cottage, and thither he went. He was no fooner got in, but the Huntfmen wtrc prefently at his heels, and afked the cottager, if he did fee a Fox that Wray ? No, truly, fays he, I faw none ; but pointed, at the fame time with his finger, to the place where he lay. The Huntfmen, it feems, did not under- ftand bis meaning j but, the Fox fpied him, how- ever, thro' a peeping hole he had found to fee whajt news. So the Foxhunters went away ; and then out ftcals the Fox without one word fpcak- ing. Why, how now, fays the man, have you oot the manners to take leave of your hoft before you go ? Yes, yes, fays the Fox, if you had been as honeft ci your fingers as you were of your tongue, I iTiould not have §jpne without bidding you tarcwel. The FABLES OF m S O P. 99 The moral. Man may difcover things by figns as well as words, and his confcience is as qnfwcrable for his fingers as his tongue. The R E M a R Ki There is no trufting thofe that fay one thing and do another, cfpecially if they follow fair words with foul deeds. It is a bafe and treacherous thing for one 'man to betray one, who commits himfelf to his mercy, efpecially when he lies under all the ties «*f honour, truft, and faith, to preferve him. There be many inftances of the Woodman's double-dealings in ihefe bad times ; tor interefl is the only rule ^'hereby men now walk, svithout regard to God or their neighbour ; and where it intervenes, it difcharges all our ob- ligations. And let people pretend to what religion they will, gold and money is now the god they adore ; which makes the father be- tray the fon, the mother the daughter, and the fervaivt the mailer : So what our Saviour foretold may be applied to thefc times. That a man's enemies fhouid be thofe of his own houfe ; as ihat alio of St. Paul's, •* In the lad days perilous times (hall come; for men ** fliall be lovers of their own felves, covetous, unthankful, iruce- ** breakers, without natural affedtion, traitors, having a form of " godlinefs, but denying the power thereof." FABLE LXXXVin. Thb fox and BRAMBLE. t AF O X that was clafcly purfued took to a hedge 5 the bufiics gave way, and in catch- ing hold of a Bramble to break his fall, "the prickles ran into his feet : Upon this he laid him- felf down ^d fell a I'cking of his paws, with bit- ter complaints againft the Bramble^ Good words, Reynard, fays the Bramble ; one would have thought joo FABLES OF ^ S O P, thought you would have known belter things, than to exped a kindnefs from a common enemy, and to lay hold on that for relief, which catches at every thing elfe for mifchief. The moral. There are fome malicious natures, that place all their delight in doing ill turns j and that man is hard put to it, who is firft brought into a diftrefs, and then to come to fuch people for relief. The remark. 'Tis a great folly to fly for proteftion to pfcple who naturally delight in mifchief. The Fox blames the Brambles here, but he may ihank himfelf ; for how could he expeft any good or kindnefs where there is none? It is a fatal thing for men, when God is cfFended with tHem, to go to the devil for relief. This is what deftroyed Saul, and proves daily the deftrudUon of many. Men commonly, when purfued by an evil confcience, and prelTed hard by the guilt of their fms, run to a tavern, and drown their feijfes in a debauch, or elfe go a whoring or gaming, with a defign to Difle thefe thoughts; though all thtfe ih if ts afford no better comfort than the Bramble did the Fox, rather adding lo, than diminifhing thefe Itings. FABLE LXXXIX. A MAN AND A WOODEN GOD; A MAN that had a great veneration for an ^ image he had in his houfe, found that the more he prayed to it, the more he went down the hill ftill. This put him into fuch a rage, to pray fo Jong and fo earneftly, and yet to fo iitde purpofc, that at laft he daihdd the head of ic FABLES ot ^SOP. lot it to pieces againft the wall, and out conies a con- fiierable qaantity of gold. Why, this it-is, fays he, to adore a perverfe and fenfelels deity, that will do more for blows ihan for vvorfliip. The moral. If we ever exped good from a bad perfon, it is • only when he is forced to do it* The REfvIARK. THiis wooden Image is like a great many in the world, who, not- l^jj^thftanding all the aj5plication that people make to them, and their depeudancc oa them, yet never do any good, either for prayers or entreaties, until they are forced to it by neceffity. This Image refembles alfo thofe bafe and ftupidly covetous wretches, ' with whom neither prnyer:, tears, or the dillrcired condition of their fuftering brethren, nay, nor the neccfTitics of thiir own neareil relations, can prevail to part with their money till they die ; fo mult needs part with it when they can no longer ke<^p ft ; and which often times falls into the hands of thofe who longed moit ' for thcjir death, and (hewed them leall refpedl when alive. FABLE XC. MERCURY AND A TRAVELLER. ONE that v/as entering upon a long journey, made his prayers to Mercury, wiih a pro- mife that he fhould go half with him in whatever he found. It was his good fortune to find a bag of dates and almonds 5 he went to work upon them immediately ; znd when he had eaten the kernels, and all that v/as good of them himfelf, he laid the ftones and ilieils upon the altar. 102 FABLES OF ^SOP. altar, and defired Mercuiy to take notice that he had performed his vows j for here, fays he, are the outfidcs of the one, and the infides of the other. • The moral. 'Tis a vain thing to fuppofe that we can put-a trick upon God, and think, jhat after folemn vow§ . and promifes, we may come off with fuch flender performances. The rem A.R K. Men may talk as if they believed in God, but they live as if thcr^'-'% v\«ere none ; for their very prayers and vows are mockeries ; an4 - what they fay, they never intend to make good. If men did nar- 1 rowly fearch their own hearts, they would find, that, more or lefs, -• they are jugglers in fecret betwixt heaven and iheir own fculs ; many « thcufand wicked and falfe things can they charge them- felves with, which they hide as the greatttl fecret in the world from their neighbours; but did they rightly Gonfider, that the almighty Gcd fees them, from whom nothing can be hid, and who will jua^ the fecrets of all mens hcans in the day of judg- ment ; I fay, did they but ferioufly connder this, they would do nothing in feq-et, but what they might expcfe to the eye of the; whole world. FABLE XCI. A Sick M A N making large Promifes, AP O O R fick Man, given over by the Phyfi- cians, betook himlelf to prayers and vowed to facrifice a thcufand bullocks to t;ither i^.poilo or jffifculapius, which of the two v^^ould deliver him from his difcales. Ah ! my dear, fays his wife, who FABLES OF iESOP: 103. who was ftanding by, have a eare what you pro- mife; for where would you have thsfeoxen (hould you recover ? Wife, fays the fick Man, thou talk- ed like a fool ; have the gods nothing elfe to do, dofl: thou think, than to leave their heavenly bufi- nefs, and come to this lower world to fue me in an adion of debt ? They heard his prayer, how- ever, and reftored 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 of parte made up in the fliape of oxen. For this mockery divine yenge- iance purfued him 5 and he had an apparition came to him in a dream, that bid him go and fearch in fuch a place near the coaft, and he fliould 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, and of- fered a thoufand talents in gold for his ranfdm ; but the pirates would not truft him, and fo carried him away, and fold him afterwards as a (lave for as many groats. T»H E MORA L. Many, in their adverfity, promife to God more than they intend to make g«od in their profperity. The remark. 'TIs the pra, that he Might fomething have to eat. v The Fox goes to the Mare, and aflcs If (he her Foal will fell. And if (he willing be to trade. The lowed price to 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. He knowing the Mare's fubtility, Pretends he could not read, And fo dtfirous to be cxcus'd. Declaring that indeed. It was not for himfelf that he Did come the Colt to buy. But at his uncle Wolfs requeft Who was but juft hard by. Theft I N P R O S E A N D V E R S E, lai Then let him come himfelf, quoth fhe. That he his price may fee. And if he my propoials like. We quickly ihall agree. The Fox this an/wcr carried. Which much the bead amaz'd. That ihey fliould think him fuch an Oaf* He wonderfully gaz*d. Read, quoth the Wolf, cuz, doubt not that I all my time have fpent In learning, and in all known tongues I am moft excellent. He then goes to the Mare, who had Been newly fliod, to read The nails which he thought words ^ but whilft He holdeth clofe his head. The treacherous Mare upon the fkull, Give him fo fmart a blow, As the poor Wolf had almoft kill'd. And backward did him throw. The Fox then cries, Uncle, I find The ancient proverb true. Great fcholars are not always wife, As now 'tis fecn by you. The MORAL. Thofe that pretend to underftand More than they truly know, Are oft abusM and mock'd by them That feek their overthrow. 9. FABLE (22 FABLES FABLE XCIX. The Wolf, the Fox, and the Ape s* A WOLF in the midfl: of winter was ready to die for want, but happening to meet a Fox, whom he obfcrved to be fat, and in good cafe, he alkcd him how h^ came to live fo well in that hard feafon ; the Fox fliev/ed him where the Ape and her young lay in the den, faying, had it not been for that charitable creature, I fhould have wanted as much as you, but there I have oft been invited and found kind entertainment, witnefs the fragments of my fupper laft night, and therewith gave the Wolf feme remains of his meat, which he eat with greedinefs, defiring the Fox to tell him how he might get in favour with the Ape. That is not difficult, quoth he, only by framing ycifrfelf to flattery and lying 5 if that be all, quoth the Wolf, J can foon pradice it, and thereupon runs v/iih all fpeed to the den, but was no fooner in e*re he cry'd out, Ah fob ! what a nafty (link is here; and then feeing the old Ape hugging her deformed young ones ; furely, quoth he, in all my life 1 never favv 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 refl in other places, fo that he was forced to run out with all fpeed to fave his life J and'finding the Fox, related his misfor- tune to hin:> : You are well enough ferved, quoth he, fince you forgot my council, and fpoke truth when IN PROSE AND VERSE. 123 when you (hould have 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 pleafed to fee fuch a beautiful lady have fuch a fine off-fpring of young ones to keep up the family ; upon which the beft in the houfe was (tt before m?, but dur- ing fupper I was very careful not to fpeak a word of truth, and hereby J was treated fo gallantly, or elfe 1 might have (larved as you are like to do e'er you have any relief from her, T n E M ORAL. Moft men are too much pleafed with flattery, and nothing is more difobliging than to tell them their faults, pr impartiaHy to cenfure their adions. FABLE XCIX. The Wolf, the F o x, and the Ape s. AW O L F in winter almoft ftarv'd, Who nothing had to eat, Neither could pofiTibly contrive Provifion how to get. Happened to meet a Fox who look'd Fat, and plump, and well. That the Wolf cries, I prithee cuz But be fo kind, to tell How >24 FABLES How thou doft thus maintain thyfelf. And art in fuch good plight ! Ah, quoth the Fox, ihe Ape's my friend^ Who oft doth me invite. Into his den, who nobly lives, Ahd where 1 need not fear. To meet with Turkies, Geefe, and Hens, And other dainty cheer. But fays the Wolf, can you tell how 1 may her favour get. And thereby be partaker of This plenteous ftore of meat ? Yes, uncle, fays the Fox, if you Can lye and flatter well. But have a care whatever you do. The truth you never telL That's quickly learnt, quoth he, and ihex^ Into the den he goes. And cries, Fob, what a nafty ftink Is this offends my nofe. Then feeing how the young Apes w^rc Embraced by the old, They are the uglieft things, quoth he. That e'er I did behold. The cubs enrag'd upon him fell. And wounded him all o er, So that to fave his life, with Ipeed, H^ run out of the door. And IN PROSE AND VERSE. 125 And meeting with the Fox, he doss His fad misfortune tell. Who cry'd, you for your folly do Dcferve it very well. What do you think I could not fee. And fmell as well as you ? Yet 1 the old cne Lady calTd, And prais'd the young ones too. The MORAL. Moft men love flattery, and f^arce Can ever truly love, Thofe that plainly of their fault?. Or vices them reprove. FABLE C. The Ape turned Carpenter. AN unlucky Ape fitting oppofite to a Car- penter's yard, took much notice how he wrought, and v/as mightily defirous to imitate them difcourfing thus with himfelf; cer- tainly I could eafily be mafter of this trade without feven years flavery to learn it, as no doubt this dull fellow hath had 5 for I am of opinion that it is only for want of pradice, or elfe we Apes could foon outfhinc^ men in all arts and fciences -, and I remember a notable king in India having taken feveral of my elder brethren, called baboons, pnfoners, he was refolved to put them to plough • and 126 F A B T. E S, &c: and fow, and to make foldiers of them, alledging that they would not fpeak, becaufe they were idle and unwilling to work; well, I have a great inch- nation to try my fkill, but 1 hope, 1 fliall have better fortune than a nephew of mine, who living in a houfe over againft a Cobler, and often ob- ferving how he cut his leather to pieces to foal his fhoes, when the Cobler was abfenC, he leaps into his ftall, and ftrives to imitate him, who returning and finding his leather all mangled and fpoiled, refolved to be revenged ; and one day when he faw my coufia Pug look earneftly at him, he took up his fharp cutting knife, and drew it over his throat divers times, aad then going away, my filly kinfman fkipped inftantly into his (hop, and taking his knife, thinking to do the fame, he cut his own throat therewith and died, but Til take more care ; and fo getting into the Carpenter's yard he began to handle his tools, and to fplit wood therewith, but on a (uddtn his foot was catch'd in a cleft-piece of board, and held fo faft, that he could not ftir, but crying out, the Car- penter came, and perceiving his foliy, with many icofts and blows difmift him. This comes of it quoth the Ape to be over conceited of one's own wit, but now I find it is not fo eafy to be a work- man as I at firll imagined. The moral. Some perfons have fo great an opinion of their own ingenuity, as to imagine they can fcon attain to the mod curious inventions j, but upon trial, there appears more difficulty and danger than they could poffibiy forefee. FABLE FABLE CI. The drone and -the SPIDER." In Imitation of Mr. GAY, /\ S, ban ifli'd from th* induftrious hive, jfj^ A Drone, defpairing now to live. Traversed with mournful hum the air. He fell into a Spider's fnare. In hopes to break the flender chain, His wings he (hook, but fhook in vain : The more he ftrove, entangled more, He gave the fruitlefs labour o'er. Ah, moft unhappy Drone, he cry'd j The means of life v/ere firft deny'd j The cruel honey-making weal Drove me all helplefs from the cell : And now, of liberty bereft, I'm to a Spider's mercy left ! Bat all mufl: die, or foon or late ; With patience I fubmit to fate. The Spider lurk'd unheeded by. And heard the fad foliloquy ; Then ruflhing on his Captive, faid -, Shall abjedl cowards patience plead ? Had that firm virtue fteel'd your bread. With freedom you had yet been bleft j Where induftry preferment meets, Had (har*d the toil, and (hai'd the fweets. Obferve laS The DRONE and SPIDER; Obferve this web— What happy art* The fabrick fliews in ev'ry part ! View well the texture and defign j What fi!k was ever half fo fine 1 With what exaftnefs too decreafe The circles regularly lefs ! Thro' each the parting rays extend. And all the curious frame fufpend. This common centre is my throne 2 The mechanifm all my own : Myfelf from out thefe bowels drew The fubtle film, and fpun the clue. How difFVent is your cafe and mine ! Defpis'd, exploded, you repine ; While 1, difdaining to depend. Find in myfelf a real friend. He fpoke, the Drone, his lawful pri^e. Unfit to live, unpity'd dies. FABLE FABLE CIL P L U T U S, C U P I D, and the FARMER, by the late Enfign, John Wilcocks? of the Britifh Army. npHE moon was bright, the Ikies ferene, •■* And not a cloud \vas to be fecn, Hufh'd were the winds, and not a breez,© Was heard to whifper thro' the trees 5 A deep and folemn filence reign'd. The bird of night alone complained, The waves in melancholy roar, •• Roird heaving to the filent (hore : When in a folitary wood, Near which a lontly cottage (lood. The peacefal dwelling of a fwain, Whofc ibul was undifturb'd by gain, The god of riches, and of love, Defcendmg from the courts of Jove, Together met, beneath an c?k, When thus, the god of riches fpoke. Whence is it boy, that with thy dart^ Thou canft enflame each mortal heart. Kindle in Jove a-foft defire. And fct the god of war on fire ! All own the mighty powV of love, On earth below, in heav'n above, Whilft: mortals only worfhip me. Immortals humbly bow to thee. E'en birds and hearts, and filli defpifc. And men alone my treaiure prize : R Nor 13b P L U T U S, C IT P I D, Nor would I Cupid thus complain. If I o'er man could wholly reign : But oft the human foul I find, To wifdom more than gold inclined 5 Not very oft I mufl confefs, But yet my influence feems the lefs. Alas ! with me, it is the fame. The wife I feldom can enflame : Cupid replies, — And oft my dart. Is ufelefs thrown againft their heart: In yon lone cottage lives a fwain. Whom long iVe fought to wound in vain , He baffles my moft wily arts. Is proof 2gainft my kecnefl darts 3 Unm'jv'd would view e'en Sylvia's charms. Nor wi(h to clafp her in his arms. This fwain when evening (hades pervade^ And murky twilight fills the glade. When finifh*d is his rural toil, O'er books con fumes the midnight oil. In books alone he hopes to find, Inftrudions for the human mind -, He does my utmofl pow'r defy. Do you the force of riches try. Agreed fays Plutus, Vm content, And ftraitways to the cottage went : Whilfl Cupid to the town departs On beaux and belles to try his darts. The (liepherd in bis homely cott^ Tuft o'er tne fire had hung his pot. i And AND THE farmer; 131 And feated in his elbow chair, Unknown to envy or to care, But with fweet peace and quiet bleft. Was fondling of his favorite gueft. His faithful dog who us'd to keep, Or find when loft, a ftraggling fheep : And purring in the corner fat. Gravely dtmure his aged cat. Whilft thus employed — as oft before. The God arrives and taps the door ; Loud bark'd the dog, the (hepherd cries, Whofe there ? A friend, the god replies. Friendship profeft, an't worth a pin. He fays, but let his godfliip in. When, thus our god the Twain addrefs'd, I come this night to be thy gueft : You're welcome friend, come pray fit down. Is there aught ftrange ? What news in town? Be not furpris'd, but fliepherd know. That I'm the god, who wealth beftow. Then be advis'd, my council take, Hafte to the town, your fortune make ! Get rich my friend, you'll find in treafure, Confifts the trueft worldly pleafure ; ril crown your wiflies with fuccefs. And all your undertakings blcfs. But will you give me peace of mind ? Or jGball 1 fweet contentment find ? Contentment 1 r PLUTUS, CUPID, &c, Contentment ! poh ! 'tis pauUry ftufF^ Get richej, man, and that's enough ! No— riches^ breed a thoufand fears, A thoufand woes, a thourand cares, Whilft in this lonely Tate retreat, ] live fecure, my joy^ compleat, I afk no more from heav'n than this. My books afford me real blifs. In them I read and know mankind. They both itillrud and pleaie the mind, I've all I afk 5 thus fpoke the fwain. And 'twould be impious to complain, Wifdom ihall ever be my guide, Oer al^ my actions (hall prefide. What ever wildom fays is right. In that aione I'll tak^ delight. The angry god aftonifti'd heard, Frown*d on the iwain and difappear*d^ FABLE FABLE CIIL The fop, the COCK, and THE DIAMOND. By Mr. H. G R E V I L L E. \^EASE, erring man, nor nature blame, 'Tis not from her thy misVy came; Her wants are few, and thofe wc find Suftain the blifs of human kind. They're all fupply'd with eafe, and hence Firft flows the meaner joys of fenfc : Their aim yet nobler, next they prove The fource of bounty and of love : And laft, from love and bounty flow The noblefl joys that minds can know : But vice, in men of wanton heart. Soon forg'd the various wants of art. And thefc indeed are treacherous things ; From thele inveterate evil fprings. Thefe (more than man can e'er fupply, Exempt from toil and mi(ery) Supply 'd, the joy is tranfient, vain. And not fupply'd, fincere the pain. Hence Care his iron reign began. The creature and the curfe of man : This truth that ev'ry head may reach, A tale in ea(y ftrains fhall teach. . 'Tis this : A mortal not content With what for mankind nature meant, Tho' fortune to his juft delire < Had freely giv'n ** meat, clothes and fire. ItiU 134 The FOP, the COCK, Sull reftlefs, wanted fomethmg new, And frantic fchemes of pleafure drew j To uie for ever adding fliow, In fhort, he dwindled to a beau. Straight on his coat he clap'd gold lace. And next with wafhes fpoiTd his face 5 But moft ot all he prized his ring. The deareft, prettieft, fparkling thing !— * *Twas this that gave him half his air, 'Twas this he play'd againft the fair ; Confcious of worth, Vv^hen this was on, He mcv*d as grand as Spanifli Don — But who can tell the cares that ftole With all thefe fopp'ries on his foul f To drefs at firll: the other name For hiding decently our fhame. He made to fignify an grt Which adls a clean contrary part, Which turn'd him on himfelf a foe. And fet his follies out to (how ; This coft him fo much time and pain, 'Twas happinels' and virtue's bane, Bcfides it griev*d his foul to find Some brutes to all his merit blind. To flight him when he'd fpent a day To drefs and paint him for the play 1 'Twas pungent grief fucceeding care. And more than Cat(/s felf cou'd bear 5 Still worfe you'll think it, when I tell ye. That for his back he pinch'd his belly. But ah 1 the worft is Hill behind ; And fortune prov'd yet more unkind : He loft the ring we nam'd before And what could fate to curfe him more ! It's AND THE diamond; 135 It*s borrowed rays withdrawn that fed Thofe weeds his joys by folly bred. As real woe his heart deprcft. 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 fwore*' The dear delighting toy away. No nnore he fparkled at the play, Blufti'd to be feen the gem without. Where once he threw its rays about. Nor could his purfe afford to buy What might as well its place fupply.- At length through difappointed pride The wretch grew ftupid, moap'd and dy'd. Mean while the guiltleis Diamond lay Safe from the beams of rival day. Beneath a dunghill's peaceful load That fac'd a farmer's bleft abode, And long had there been free from prate, Noife, nonfenfe, eflence, pox, and ftate : 'Till once a cock by hunger taught, Rak'd out the gem unpiiz'd, unlbught ; For he ne er turn'd his thought to find The polifh'd woes of human kind. What faithful nature crav'd to gain Was all he fought, nor fought in vain. No fancy 'd want, no diftant prize Had taught th' eternal iigh to rife : Fit bounds his wifhes all controul. And fix the quiet of his foul. In vain the gay temptation prov'd. His virtue fiim remained unmov'd ; And tho* he thought a gem might deck As well his tail as lady's neck, He 136 T H E F P, T H E C O C K, &C/ He fpurn'd the fplendid bait afide With juft difdain and comely pride, And fmiling half he thus expreft The thought farcaftic of his bread ; Whence and what art thou, tawdry thing? From thee what happinefs can fpring ? Let fenfelefs man with antick pride Bid Pageant rife, and ufe fubfide. We birds with nobler fapience bleft. Their pcace-deftroying arts deleft ; Two things aione can give me pain. Dame Partlet's coyneis, want of grain. Their wants fo monftrous grow, their joy A thoufand little turns deflroy 5 A thoufand things muft all unite, E'er they can tafte one hour's delight. Fools'! all to Reafon*s fcale reduce. Arid weigh the value to the ufe. Then one full grain of genVous wheat (Ye powers how wholefome, plump and fweet!) Will dearer prove by far than all The (liining nothings round the ball. Who read this fable with difcerning mind Perhaps this plain advice imply'd will find : Take freely all that nature's wants require. But check the firfl excefs of frail defire. For food (he afks, and raiment, we agree ; But never afk'd brocade or fricafee— Hjwe'er, what cuftom calls genteel and neat. That (if thy purie affords it) wear and. eat. Yet all above thy friend's inferior lot, Stili learn to prize as tho' you priz'd it not. All above thine with care devoutly (hun. Or be ambitious, reftlefs, and—undone. DIOGENES's t) I O G E N E S, Hi5 Account of ALEXANDER the Great, making a Vilit to him. Written near two hundred years ago. In Old EngUHi Verfs. VJREAT Alexajider came to fee my manfion, being a tanne, And flood diredlly oppofite between me and the funne. Morrow (quoth he) Philofopher, I yield thee time of day Marry (faid I) then Emperour I pray thee Hand away, For thou deprived mee of that thy power hath not to give. Nor all thy mighty fellow Kings that on earth's foot-ball live : Stand backe, I fay, and rob mee not, nor wrong me in my right ) The funne would (hine upon mee, but thou tak'll away his light. With this he ftept afide from'mee, and fmiling did entreat That I would be a courtier, fbr he likd my conceit. He have thy houfe brought near my court, I like thy velne fo well : A neighbour very necre to me I meane to have thee dwell. If thou beftow that paine (quoth I) pray when thy worke is done. Remove thy court, and carry that a g©od way from my tunnc, I care not for thy neighbourhood, thy treafure, tralh I hold, And doe efteeme my lantherne home as much as all thy gold. The coftliefl: cheere that earth affords, (take fea and aire to boot) I make farre lefs account thereof, than of a carret root. For all the robes upon thy backe, fd coftely rich and Grange, This plaine poor gowne thou feelt mee weare thread bare, I will not change. For all the pearles and precious flones that are at thy command, I will not give this little booke that hcere is in my hand. For all the countries, cities, townes, and kingdoms thou haft got, I will not give this empty tunne, for I regard them not. Nay, if thou would'ft exchange thy crowne for this fame cap I weare. Or give thy fceptre for my ftafFe, I would not do't, I fweare. S Doitf ^ ii J38 DIOGENES AND ALEXANDER; Doft fee this tub ? I tell thee man, it is my common-wealth. Doft fee yon water ? 'Tis the wine doth keep mee found in health. Doft fee thefe roots that grow about the place of my abode ? Tbefeare the dainties which I eat, my bak'd, my roft, my fod. Doft fee my fimple three foot ftoole ? It is my chaire of ftate. Doft fee my poore plaine wooden difti ? It is my filver plate. Doft fee my wardrob ? Then behold this patched feamrent gowne. Doft fee yon matt and buU-rulhes ? Why they're my bed of downe. Thou call'ft me poore and beggerly ; alas, good careful King, When thou art often /ighing fad, I cheerefull fit and fing. Content dwells not in palaces, and courts of mighty men : For if it did, affure thy felfe I would turn courtier then. No, Alexander, thu'rt deceived, to cenfure on me fo, ^ That I my fweet contented life for troubles will forgoe. Of a repofed life, *tis I can make a juft report. That have morevertues in my tunne, than are in all thy court. For what yeelds that but vanities, ambition, envie, pride, Opprefiion, wrongs, and cruehie ? Nay, every thing befide. Thefe are not fit for my company. He rather dwell thusodde : • Who ever walks amongft (harp thornes, had need to go well fhod :> On mighty men I cannot fawne^^Iet flatterie crouch and creepe : The world is naught, and thati^.an's wife, left leage with it doth keepe. A crowne is heavy wearing. King, it makes thy head to ake : Great Alexander, great accounts thy greatncffe hath to make. Who feeketh reft, and for the fame doth to thy court repaire. Is wife like him that in an egge doth feeke to find an hare. If thou hadft all the world thine owne, that world would not fuffice : Thou art an eagle (mighty man) and eagles catch no flies. I like thee for thy patience well, which thou doft fhow to heare mee : Jle teach thee fomevvhat for thy paines, draw but a little neere mee. Some honeft proverbs that I have, upon thee He bertow : Thou didft not come fo wife to mee, as thou art like to goe. The The Proverbs of DI OG EN E S. In Old Englifh Ver.e. Xl E iJiat performes not what he ought, but doth the fame negled. Let hJm be fure not to receive the thing he doth expedl. When once the tall and lofty tree unto the ground doth fall. Why every Peafant hath an axe to hew his boughs withal!. He that for vertue merits well, and yet doth nothing claime, A double kinde of recompence deferveth for the fame. Acquaint mee but with whom thou goeft, and thy companions tell: I will rcfolve thee what thou doft, \\ hether ill done or well. He knows enough that knoweth nought, if he can fiicnce keep; The tongue oft makes the heart to figh, the eyes to waile and weepe. He takes the beft and choifeft courfe, of any man doth live. That takes good counfell, when his friend doth that rich jewell give. Good horfe and bad (the rider fayes) mull both of them have fpurrs ; And he is fure to rife with fleas, that lies and lleeps with currs. He that more kindnelfe fheweth thee, than thou art us'd unto. Either already hath deceiv'd, or (horily means to doe. Birds of a feather and a kinde, will dill together flocke : H'd need be very ftrait himfelf, that doth the crooked mocke. X have obferv'd divers times, of all forts old and young. That he which hath the lefler heart hath ftiJl the bigger tongue. He that's a bad a wicked man, appearing good to th' eye. May do thee many thoufand wrongs, which thou canll never fpic. In prefent wante deferre not him, which doth thy help require : The water that is farre ofr fetcht, quenthcth not neighbours fire. He that hath money at his will, meat, drink, and leifure takes : ' But he that lacks mufi mend the pace, r.eed a good foot-ma:n makes* He that the office of a friend, uprightly doth refped. Mail firmly love his friend profeft, wiiltejault ard with defeft. 140 The PROVERBS Hs that enjoys a white horfe, and a faire and dainty wife, Muft needs find often caufc by each of difcontent and ftrife. Chufe thy companions of the good, or e!fe converfe with none ; Rather than ill accompanied much better be alone. "Watch over words, for frpm thy mouth, there hath much evil fprung : Its better Humble with thy feet, than flumble with thy tongue. No outward habit, vertue 'tis that doth advance thy fame: The golden bridle betters not a jade that wears the fame. The greateft joys that ever were, at length with forrow meets j Tafte hony with thy fingers end, and furfet not on fweets. Ji liar can do more than much, work wonders by his lies. Turn mountains into mole-hills, and turn elephants to flies. Children that were unfortunate, their parents always praife ; And attribute all unthriftinefs unto their forgone dayes. When ficlcnefs enters health's flrong hold, and life begins to yeeldj Man's fort of flefli to parley comes, and death muft win the field. The flatterer before thy face with fmiling lookes will ftand, Prefeniing hony in his mouth, a rafor in his hand. The truly noble-minded loves, the bafe and fervile fears : Whoever tels a foole a tale, had necde to finde him eares. To meddle much with idle things, would vex a wife man's head ; Tis labour and a weary worke, to make a dogge his bed. The worft whcele ever out of the cart, doth yeeld the greateft noife ; Three women make a market, they have fufficient voice. Firft leafe all fooles delire to learne, with ftedfaft fixed eyes : In this, all other idiots are, and they exceeding wife. When once the lion breathlelTe lies, whom all the foreft fear'd. The yery hares prefumptuoufly, will pull him by the beard. Ceafe not to do the good thou ought'ft, though inconvenience grow : A wife man will not feed- time lofe for fear of every crow. t One man can never doe fo well, but fome man will him blame : Tis vain to feeke to pleafe all men, Jove cannot do the fame. To OF DIOGENES. 141 To Kim that is in mifery do not affiiflion adde : With forrow to load forrowes backe, is moft extremely bad. ^hew mee good fruit on evil tree, or rofe that growes on thiflle : ile undertake at fight thereof, to drinke to thee and whiftle. Cenfure what confcience refts in him, that fweares he jufticc loves r And yet doth pardon hurtfull crowes, to punifn fimple doves. Theres many that to afke might have, but his own filence croft : What charge is fpeech unto thy tongue ? Uy alking, pray whats loft / He ferves for nothing, that is juft, and faithful! in his place : Yet for his duty well performed is not a whit in grace. He makes himfelf anothers flave, and feares doe undergoe. That unto one being ignorant doth his own fecrets /how. On Neptune wrongful! he complains, that oft hath been in danger And yet to his devouring waves, doth not become a ftranger. Age is an honourable thing, and yet though yeeres be fo, j?or one wife man with hoary haires, three dozen foolcs I know. THE END. ^ :N D E X. A A Page. P E and Fox 104 ■Ape turned Carpenter 125^ B . Bragger 48 Camel 50 Chough and Swallow 95 Cock and precious Stone I'j Cockles roafling d^ Crow and Pigeon 52 Cuckoo and Hawk 1 3 D Daw and borrowed Feathers 79 Daw hung by the Foot 5 i Daw and Pigeons , 93 Dog and Shadow " 26 Dogs 49 Dog and Wolf 58 E Eagle and Fox 9 Eagle and Tortoife 29 F Father and his Sons 95 Flea and a Man 14 Flies in a Honey Pot 38 Fox and Goat 1 1 Fox and Grapes 15 Fox and fick Lion 87 Fox and Snake 94 Page. Fox that loft his Tail 97 Fox and Bramble 99 Fox and Cock 20 Fox and Hedge-hog 23 Fox and Hunifman 98 Fox and Crab 53 Fowler and Snake 44 Frogs defiring a King 73 Frog and an Ox 80 G Geefe and Cranes 89 Graihopper and Pifmires 4® H Ha^cs and Frogs 7S Horfe and Lion 83 Hufbandman and his Sons 36 Hufbandman and Serpent 69 Huibandman and the Wood 82 Hufbandman and a Stork 91 Hunted Beaver 51 I Jupiter and a Belt 21 K Kite, Hawk, and Pigeons 'j^ L League betwixt the Wolves and Sheep 108 Lion grown old 70 Lying Mole 41 LioD N E X.' ] Page. Page Lion and Moufe 72 Sick Kite 65 Lion in Love 105 Spaniel and Afs 7» M Swan and Goofe IZ Man bit by a Dog 59 Thieves breaking into a houf< '57 Man and Wooden God 100 Thieves and a Cock ^l Man and Serpent 22 Trumpeter taken Prifoner 90 Mercury and Carver 43 Two young Men and a Cook %^ Mercury and a Traveller lOI Two Cocks a Fighting 107 Miftrefs and her Maid 59 V Miftrefs and her Maids 42 Viper and File 27 Mountain in Labour n U Mule 46 Unflcilful Harper 56 Monkey, Cat, and Chefnuts 1 1 1 W Moufe, Cock, and Cat i'5 Wafps and Partridges 92 O Weafel and File 37 Old Man and Death 32 Wicked Wretch undertakes Old Woman and Phyfician 33 to beguile Apollo l^ Ox and Dog in a Manger 25 Widow and her Hen 30 P R S Witch 45 Pigeon and Water Pot 62 Wolf and Lamb 2g Reed and Olive 54 Wolf and Sow 76 Shepherd and Fox 64 Wolf and Crane 68 Shepherd and his Flock 66 Wolf and Kid 16 Sick Man making large Wolf, Kid, and Goat 18 Promifes I02 Wolf and carv'dHead 24 Son and Mother Sow and Dog Spider and Swallow 47 Woman and drunken Hufband 34 60 Wolf and Mare 1 1 g 19 Wolf, the Fox, and the Apes 1 22 The Drone and the Spider. Fable 101. Page Plutus, Cupid, and the Farmer. Fable. 102.—. The Fop, the Cock, and the Diamond. Fable 103. I^iogenes's Account of Alexander the Great making a Vifit to him. The Proverbs of Diogenes 127 129 139 I N S. i * Philadtlphtay January foth. 1777,^ Latdy publiHied, by ROBERT BELL, in Third-ftreet, Philadelphia, for the ufe of fchools, and for the ufe of all, who wi(h to elevate their fpeech, and to expand their underftandirgs. Ornamented, with C«ne hundred and fifty Defigns, engraved on Copper. plates. In one odavo volume, with neat binding. (Price two dollars.) SELECT FABLE S O F JE S O AND OTHER FABULISTS. IN THREE BOOKS. Containing, L FABLES FROM THE ANTIENTS. II. FABLES FROM THE MODERNS. m. ORIGINAL FABLES NEWLY INVENTED, By ROBEPvT DO'DSLEY. p, Is not the earth With 'various li'ving creatures, and the air Repienijhed^ and all thoje at thy command To come and play before thee ? Knonveji thou not Their la?tguage and their n.vays P They alfo knotVy And reajon not contemptibly : ^ujith thefe Find pafiime. Paradise Lost, b. g. 1. 370, N. B. .At faid BEL L's, may now be had, all the new Publica- tions on the MiLiTAY Art i Alfo, a confiderable .Variety of Books, in Navigation, and other Branches i>i the Mathematics. ( 1 I [ I r