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lestrange22

Page history last edited by Laura Gibbs 14 years, 8 months ago

 

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220. An Eagle and a Tortoise.

A Tortoise was thinking with himself how irksome a sort of a Life it was, to spend all his Days in a Hole, with a House upon his Head, when so many other Creatures had the Liberty to divert themselves in the free, fresh Air, and to ramble about at Pleasure. So that the Humour took him one Day, and he must needs get an Eagle to teach him to fly. The Eagle would fain have put him off, and told him, 'twas a Thing against Nature and common Sense; but (according to a Freak of the wilful Part of the World) the more the One was against it, the more the Other was for it: And when the Eagle saw that the Tortoise would not be said Nay, she took him up a matter of a Steeple-high into the Air, and there turn'd him loose to shift for himself. That is to say, she dropt him down, Squab, upon a Rock, that dash'd him to Pieces.

The Moral. Nothing can be either safe, or easy, that's unnatural.

 

221. An Old Crab and a Young.

Child (says the Mother) you must use your self to walk strait, without Skiewing, and Shailing so every Step you set: Pray Mother (says the Young Crab) do but set the Example your self, and I'll follow ye.

 

222. The Goose and Gosselin.

Why do you go Nodding and Waggling so like a Fool, as if you were Hipshot? says the Goose to her Gosselin. The Young One try'd to mend it, but could not; and so the Mother ty'd little Sticks to her Legs, to keep her upright: But the Little One complain'd then, that she could neither Swim nor Dabble with 'em. Well, says the Mother, do but hold up your Head at least. The Gosselin dendeavour'd to do that too; but upon the Stretching out of her long Neck, she complain'd that she could not see the Way before her: Nay then, says the Goose, if it will be no better, better, e'en carry your Head, and your Feet, as your Elders have done before ye.

The Moral of the two Fables above. Ill Examples corrupt even the best Dispositions, but we must distinguish betwixt natural and moral Evils.

 

223. The Sun and the Wind.

There happened a Controversy betwixt the Sun and the Wind, which was the Stronger of the Two; and they put the Point upon this Issue: There was a Traveller upon the Way, and which of the Two could make that Fellow Quit his Cloak should carry the Cause. The Wind fell presently a Storming, and threw Hail-shot over and above in the very Teeth of him. The Man wraps himself up, and keeps advancing still in spight of the Weather: But this Gust in a short Time blew over: And then the Sun brake out, and fell to Work upon him with his Beams; but still he pushes forward, Sweating and Panting, till in the End he was forc'd to Quit his Cloak, and lay himself down upon the Ground in a Cool Shade for his Relief: So that the Sun, in the Conclusion, carry'd the Point.

The Moral. Reason and Resolution will Support a Man against all the Violence of Malice and Fortune; but in a wallowing Qualm, a Man's Heart and Resolution fails him, for want of Fit Matter to work upon.

 

224. An Ass and a Lion's Skin

There was a Freak took an Ass in the Head, to Scoure abroad upon the Ramble; and away he goes into the Woods, Masquerading up and down in a Lion's Skin. The World was his own for a while, and where-ever he went, Man and Beast fled before him: But he had the Hap in the Conclusion, partly by his Voice, and partly by his Ears, to be Discover'd, and consequently Uncased, well Laugh'd at, and well Cudgell'd for his Pains.

The Moral. The World abounds in Terrible Fanfarons, in the Masque of Men of Honour: But these Braggadocio's are easy to be detected; for no Counterfeit of any good Quality or Virtue whatsoever will abide the Test.

 

225. A Fox and a Worm.

A Worm put forth his Head out of a Dunghill, and made Proclamation of his Skill in Physick. Pray, says the Fox, Begin with your own infirmities before you Meddle with other Peoples.

The Moral. Physician Cure thy self.

Reflection. Saying and Doing are Two Things. Physician Cure thy Self, Preaches to us upon this Fable. Every Man does best in his own Trade, and the Cobbler is not to go beyond his Last. We have of these Dunghill-Pretenders in all Professions, and but too many of them that Thrive upon their Arrogance. If this Worm had met with an Ass to Encourage his Vanity, instead of a Fox to Correct it, he might have been Advanc'd to a Doctor of the College perhaps; or to some more Considerable Post of Honour, either in Church or State.

 

226. A Curst Dog.

There was a very good House-Dog, but so Dangerous a Cur to Strangers, that his Master put a Bell about his Neck, to give People Notice beforehand when he was coming. The Dog took this Bell for a particular Mark of his Master's Favour, till One of his Companions shew'd him his Mistake. You are mightly Out (says he) to take This for an Ornament or a Token of Esteem, which is in Truth, no other than a Note of Infamy set upon you for your Ill Manners.

The Moral. This may serve for an Admonition to Those that make a Glory of the Marks of their Shame, and Value themselves upon the Reputation of an Ill Character.

 

227. Two Friends and a Bear.

Two Friends that were Travelling together, had the Fortune to meet a Bear upon the Way. They found there was no running for't. So the One Whips up a Tree, and the Other throws himself Flat with his Face upon the Ground. The Bear comes directly up to him, Muzzles, and Smells him, puts his Nose to his Mouth, and to his Ears, and at last taking for granted that 'twas only a Carcase, there he leaves him. The Bear was no sooner gone, but down comes his Companion, and ask'd him what it was the Bear Whisper'd him in the Ear. He bad me have a Care, says he, how I keep Company with those that when they find themselves upon a Pinch, will leave their Friends in the Lurch.

The Moral. Every man for Himself, and God for us All.

 

228. A Horse-man's Wig Blown off.

There was a Horse-man had a Cap on with a False Head of Hair tack'd to it. There comes a Puff of Wind, and blows off Cap and Wig together. The People made sport, he saw, with his bald Crown, and so very fairly he put in with them to laugh for Company. Why Gentlemen (says he) would you have me keep other Peoples Hair better than I did my own.

The Moral. Many a Man would be extreamly Ridiculous, if he did not spoil the Jest by playing upon himself first.

 

229. Two Pots.

There were Two Pots that stood near one another by the Side of a River, the One of Brass, and the Other of Clay. The Water overflow'd the Banks, and carry'd them both away; the Earthen Vessel kept Aloof from t'other, as much as possible. Fear nothing, says the Brass Pot, I'll do you no Hurt: No, no, says t'other, not willingly; but if we should happen to knock by Chance, 'twould be the same Thing to me: So that You and I shall never do well together.

The Moral. Unequal Fellowships and Alliance are dangerous. Not but that Great and Small, Hard and Brittle, Rich and Poor, may sort well enough together so long as the good Humour lasts, but wherever there are Men, there will be Clashing sometime or other, and a Knock or a Contest spoils all.

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