HOME | L'Estrange: Previous - Next

150. A GARDINER AND HIS DOG (Perry 120)

A Gardiner's Dog dropt into a Well, and his Master let himself down to help him out again. He reach'd forth his Hand to take hold of the Dog, and the Cur snapt him by the Fingers: For he thought it was only to Duck him deeper. The Master went his Way upon't, and e'en left him as he found him. Nay (says he) I'm well enough serv'd, to take so much Pains for the Saving of One that is resolv'd to make away Himself.

THE MORAL. Obligations and Benefits are Cast away upon Two Sorts of People; Those that do not understand them, and Those that are not sensible of them.

151. A SOW AND A DOG (Perry 222)

There pass'd some hard Words betwixt a sow and a Dog, and the Sow swore by Venus, that she'd tear his Guts out, if he did not mend his Manners. Ay, says the Dog, you do well to call upon her for your Patroness, that will not so much as endure any Creature about her that Eat Swine's Flesh. Well (says the Sow) and that's a Token of her Love, to hate any Thing that hurts me; but for Dog's Flesh, 'tis good neither Dead, nor Living.

THE MORAL. Where the Matter in Controversy will not bear an Argument, 'tis a Turn of Art to bring it off with a Paradox

152. AN ASS, A LION, AND A COCK (Perry 82)

As a Cock and an Ass were Feeding together, up comes a Lion Open-mouth'd toward the Ass: The Cock presently cries out; away Scours the Lion, and the Ass after him: Now 'twas the Crowing of the Cock that Frighted the Lion, not the Braying of the Ass, as that Stupid Animal vainly Fancy'd to himself; for so soon as ever they were gotten out of the Hearing of the Cock, the Lion turn'd short upon him, and tore him to pieces, with these Words in his Mouth: Let never any Creature hereafter that has not the Courage of a Hare, provoke a Lion.

THE MORAL. The Force of Unaccountable Aversions, is Insuperable. The Fool that is Wise and Brave only in his Own Conceit, runs on without Fear or Wit; but Noise does no Bus'ness.

153. A SOW AND A BITCH (Perry 223)

A Sow and a Bitch had a Dispute once, which was the Fruitfuller of the Two. The Sow Yielded it at last to the Bitch; but you are to take Notice at the same time, says she, that your Puppies are All Blind.

THE MORAL. The Question among all Sorts of Competitors is not Who does most but who does Best.

154. A SNAKE AND A CRAB (Perry 196)

There was a Familiarity Contracted betwixt a Snake and a Crab. The Crab was a Plain Dealing Creature, that Advis'd his Companion to give over Shuffling and Doubling, and to Practise Good Faith. The Snake went on in his old Way: So that the Crab finding that he would not MenD his Manners, set upon him in his Sleep, and Strangled him; and then looking upon him as he lay Dead at his Length: This had never befall'n ye, says he, if you had but liv'd as Straight as You Dy'd.

THE MORAL. There's Nothing more Agreeable in Conversation, than a Frank, Open way of Dealing, and a Simplicity of Manners. 

155. A SHEPHERD AND A WOLF'S WHELP (Perry 267)

A Shepherd took a Sucking Whelp of a Wolf, and Train'd it up with his Dogs. This Whelp fed with 'em, grew up with 'em, and whensoever they went out upon the Chace of a Wolf, the Whelp would be sure to make One. It fell out sometimes that the Wolf 'scap'd, and the Dogs were forc'd to go Home again: But this Domestick Wolf would be still Hunting on, 'till he came up to his Brethren, where he took part of the Prey with them; and so back again to his Master. It happen'd now and then, that the Wolves abroad were pretty quiet for a Fit, so that this Whelp of a Wolf was fain to make Bold ever and anon with a Sheep in Private by the Bye; but in the Conclusion, the Shepherd came to find out the Roguery, and Hang'd him up for his Pains.

THE MORAL. False Men are no more to be Reclaim'd than Wolves, and the Leven of the Predecessors Soures the Blood, in the very Veins of the Whole Family.

156. A LION, FOX, AND A WOLF (Perry 258)

The King of Beasts was now grown Old, and Sickly, and All his Subjects of the Forrest, (saving only the Fox) were to pay their Duties to him. The Wolf and the Fox, like a couple of Sly Knaves, were still putting Tricks One upon Another, and the Wolf took this Occasion to do the Fox a good Office: I can assure your Majesty, says the Wolf, that ‘tis nothing but Pride and Insolence that keeps the Fox from showing himself at Court as well as his Companions. Now the Fox had the good Luck to be within Hearing, and so presented himself before the Lion, and finding him extreamly Enrag’d, begs his Majesty’s Patience, and a little Time only for his Defence. Sir (says he) I must presume to Value my self upon my Respect and Loyalty to your Majesty, equal at least to any of your other Subjects; and I will be bold to say, that put them all together, they have not taken half the Pains for your Majesty’s Service now upon this very Occasion, that I have done. I have been Hunting up and down far and near, since your unhappy Indisposition, to find out a Remedy for ye, which with much ado I have now Compass’d at last, and it is that which I promised my self will prove an Infallible Cure. Tell me immediately (says the Lion) what is it then: Nothing in the World, says the Fox, but to Flay a Wolf alive, and Wrap your Body up in the Warm Skin. The Wolf was by all this while; and the Fox in a Snearing way advised him for the future, not to irritate a Prince against his Subjects, but rather to Sweeten him with Peaceable and Healing Councels.

THE MORAL. The Bus’ness of a Pickthank is the Basest of Offices, but yet Diverting enough sometimes, when One Rascal happens to be Encounter’d with Another.

157. A WIFE AND A DRUNKEN HUSBAND (Perry 246)

A Woman that lay under the Mortification of A Fudling Husband, took him once when he was dead Drunk; and had his Body laid in a Charnel-House. By the time she thought he might be come to Himself again, away goes she, and Knocks at the Door. Who's There? (says the Toper) One, says the Woman, that brings Meat for the Dead. Friend, says he, bring me Drink rather. I wonder any Body that knows me, should bring me one without T'other. Nay then, says she, the Humour I perceive has taken Possession of him; he has gotten a habit, and his Case is Desperate.

THE MORAL. Inveterate Ill Habits become Another Nature to us, and we may almost as well be Taken to Pieces, and New put together again, as Mended.

158. A SWAN AND A GOOSE (Perry 399)

The Master of a House brought up a Swan and a Goose both together; the One for his Ear, and the Other for his Belly. He gave Orders for the Goose to be taken up and Dress’d for Dinner. But the Place was so Dark, that the Cook took One for T’other. This Mistake had Cost the Swan her Life, if she had not Sung in that very Instant, and discover’d her self; by which Means she both sav’d her Life and Express’d her Nature.

THE MORAL. A Man cannot be too Careful of what he does, where the Life of any Creature is in Question.

159. A SWALLOW AND A CROW (Perry 229)

Upon a Dispute betwixt a Swallow and a Crow, which was the Greater Beauty of the Two: Yours, says the Crow, is only a Spring-Beauty, but mine lasts all the Year round.

THE MORAL. Of two Things equally Good, that’s the Best that lasts the longest.