Fable 31
Fox and Stork
A Fox on a time invited the stork to a treat.
They had several soups served up in broad dishes and plates; and so the fox sell to
lapping himself, and bade his guest heartily welcome to what was before him.
The stork found he was put upon, but set a good face upon his entertainment, and told
his friend, that by all means he must take a supper with him that night in return.
The fox made several excuses, but the stork, in sine, would not be said nay; so that at
last he promised him to come. The collation was served up in glasses with long narrow
necks, and the best of every thing that was to be had. Come, says the stork to his friend,
pray be free as if you were at home, and so sell to it very heartily himself. The fox
quickly found this to be a trick, and sneaked away under the consciousness of being
justly requited for his own inhospitable frolic.
MORAL
Nothing looks so silly as a crafty knave outwitted, and beaten at his own flay.
Fable 32
Fox and a carved Head
A Fox in a carver's shop, admiring, among others, one particular fine bust, said, after he
had confidered it very attentively, Well, thou art really a beautiful piece; but what pity it
is that thou hast not one grain of sense!
MORAL
A beautisul outside does not always indicate an ingenious mind. No faith is to be given to
mere external appearances.
Fable 33
Daw and borrowed Feathers
A Daw that had a mind to be sparkish, tricked himself up with all the gay seathers he
could muster together; and valued himself upon them ubove all the birds in in the air.
This got him the envy of all his companions, who, upon a discovery of the truth, sell to
pluming of him by consent; and when every bird had taken his own feather, the silly daw
was reduced to his primitive state, and found a lasting contempt added to his former
poverty.
MORAL
Where pride and beggary meet, people are sure to be made ridiculous in the conclusion.
Fable 34
Ant and Fly
Where's the honour, or the pleasure in the world, says the fly, in a dispute for
pre-eminence with the ant, that I have not my part in? Are not all temples and places
open to me? Am not I the taster to gods and princes in all their facrisices and
entertainments? And all this without either money or pains? I trample upon crowns, and
kiss what ladies lips I please.
And what have you now to pretend to all this while? Vain boaster! says the ant, dost thou
not know the difference between the access of a guest, and that of an intruder?
for people are so lar from liking your company, that they kill you as soon as they catch
you. You are a plague to them wherever you come.
Your very breath has maggots in it: And for the kiss you brag of, what is it but the
perfume, of the last dunghill you touched upon, once removed? For my part, I live upon
what is my own, and work honestly in the summer to maintain myself in the winter;
whereas the whole course of your scandalous life is only cheating or sharping one half of
the year, and starving the Other.
MORAL
The happiness of life does not lie so much in enjoying small advantages, as in living free
from great inconveniences. An honest mediocrity is the happiest state a man can wish for.
Fable 35
Frog and Ox
As a huge ox was grazing in a meadow, an old envious frog that stood gaping at him
hard by, called out to her little ones, to take notice of the bulk of that monstrous beast;
and see, says she, if I do not now make myself the bigger of the two: So she strained
once, and twice, and went still swelling on, till in the conclusion she over-strained herself,
and burst.
MORAL
Weak minds frequently fancy themselves to be bigger or tworthier than they are, and
other people to be less or more unworthy; and the consequence os this wretched pride is
often fatal to the possessors of it, or at least serves to render them contemptible in the
eyes of those whose good opinion they art fondest to engage.
Fable 36
Ass and Wolf
An ass had got a thorn in his foot, and for want of a better surgeon, who but a wolf at
last offers himself to draw it out with his teeth: The ass was no sooner eased,
but, knowing the wolf's bad intention, he gave his operator such a kick under the ear
with his found foot, that he stunned him, and so ran away as fast as he could.
MORAL
Harm watch, harm catch, is but according to the common rule of equity and retaliation.
Fable 37
The Ignorantnorant Sea-passenger
A Man went passenger in a ship, who never was at sea before. It happened that a storm
arose, and after a while the ship struck upon a sand-bank. Every one else was but too
sensible of their danger; but he, for his part, thanked God for bringing him once more
into shallow water, where he could seel the bottom.
MORAL
We sometimes mistake that for our benefit, which in the end turns to our greatest
misfortune.
Fable 38
Horse and Ass
A Proud pampered horse, bedecked with gaudy trappings, met in his course a poor
creeping ass, under a heavy burden, that had chopt into the same track with him.
Why, how now, Sirrah, says he, do you not see by these arms and trappings to what
master I belong? And do you not understand, that when I have that master of mine upon
my back, the whole weight of the state rests upon my shoulders? Out of the way,
thou slavish insolent animal, or I will tread thee to dirt.
The wretched ass immediately slunk aside, with this envious reflection between his teeth,
What would I give to change condition with that happy creature there! This fancy would
not out of the head of him, till it was his hap, a little while after, to see this very horse
doing drudgery in a common dung-cart.
Why, how now, friend, says the ass, how comes this about? Only die chance of war,
says the other: I was a general's horse, you must know; and my master carried me into
a battle, where I was hacked and maimed; and you have here before your eyes the
catastrophe of my fortune.
MORAL
This fable shews the folly, and the fate, of pride and arrogance; and the mistake of
placing happiness in any thing that may he taken away; as also the blessing of freedom
in a mean estate.
Fable 39
Bat and Weasel
A Weasel had seized upon a bat, and the bat begged for life. No, no, says the weasel,
I give no quarter to birds. Ah, says the bat, but I am a mouse, you see; look on my body
else: And so me got off for that bout. The same bat had the fortune to be taken a while
after by another weasel; and there the poor bat was forced to beg for mercy once again.
No, says the weasel, no mercy to a mouse.
Well, says the other, but you may see by my wings that I am a bird; and so the batescaped
in both capacities.
MORAL
Where no treachery to another is designed, but only to save one's self from imminent
danger, innocent subterfuges are not unworthy of an honest mind.
Fable 40
The Neutral Bat
Upon a desperate and doubtful battle betwixt the birds and the beasts, the bat stood
neuter, till he found that the beasts had the better of it, and then went over to the
stronger side.
But it came to pass afterwards (as the chance of war is various) that the birds rallied
their broken troops, and carried the day; and away he went then to the other party,
where he was tried by a council of war as a deserter; stript, banished, and sinally
condemned never to see day-light again.
MORAL
This fable is a true emblem of a base time-server; and the bat richly merited the
punishment he met with.
Fable 41
Wolf and Fox
A Wolf having got together a large store of provisions, kept close for sear of losing it.
Why, how now, friend, says a fox, who had long watched for his absence, we have not
seen you abroad at the chace this many a day! Why truly, says the wolf, I have an
indisposition that keeps me much at home, and I hope I shall have your prayers for my
recovery.
The fox seeing his stratagem would not take, goes to a shepherd, and tells him where he
might surprise a wolf. The shepherd followed his directions, and destroyed poor Isgrim.
The fox immediately repairs to his cell, and takes possession of his stores; but he had
little joy of the purchase; for in a very short time the same shepherd did as much for the
fox, as he had done before for the wolf.
MORAL
This fable shews us the just fate that attends the treachery even of one traitor to
another.
Fable 42
A Stag drinking
A Stag drinking upon the banks of a clear stream, and seeing his image in the water;
Well! says he, if these pitiful shanks of mine were but answerable to this branching head,
I cannot but think how I should defy all my enemies.
The words were hardly out of his mouth, but he discovered a pack of dogs coming full cry
towards him.
Away he scours across the sields, casts off the dogs, and gains a wood; but pressin
through a thicket, the bushes held him by the horns, till the hounds came in and plucked
him down.
The last thing he said was this; What an unhappy fool was. I, to take my friends for mine
enemies, and mine enemies for my friends! I trusted to my head that has betrayed me;
and I found fault with my legs, that would otherwise have brought me off.
MORAL
He that does not thoroughly know himself, may be well allowed to make a false judgment
upon other matters that nearly concern them.
Fable 43
Snake and File
A Snake having got into a smith's shop, licked a siler till she made her tongue bloody,
and imagining it was the sile that bled, she licked the more eagerly. In conclusion, when
she could lick no longer, she sell to biting, till she broke her teeth, and then was obliged
to leave off, half dead, and quite difarmed of all her desences.
MORAL
Every man should consider hit own strength and abilities and act accordingly.
Fable 44
Wolves, Sheep and Dogs
A war was once waged between the sheep and .the wolves; and so long as the sheep had
the dogs for their allies, they were a match for their enemies.
The wolves finding this, sent ambassadors to treat about a peace, and till it could be
concluded, hostages were given on both sides; the dogs on the part of the sheep, and
the wolves whelps on the other part.
While they were upon treaty, the whelps fell a howling; the wolves cried cut treason;
and pretending an infraction in the abuse of their hostages, fell upon the sheep in the
absence of their dogs, and made them pay for the improvidence of leaving themselves
without a guard.
MORAL
It is the highest degree of folly to think of establishing an alliance among those that
nature herself has divided, by an irreconcileable haired.
Fable 45
An Ax and Forest
A Carpenter begged of the forest only so much wood as would make a handle to his ax.
The matter seemed so small, that the request was easily granted; but when the timber
trees came to sind that the whole wood was to be cut down by the help of this handle;
There's no remedy, they cried, but palience, when people are undone by their own folly.
MORAL
Nothing goes nearer a man in his misfortunes, than to find himself accessary to his own ruin.
Fable 46
Belly and Members
The hands and the feet on a time were in a desperate mutiny against the belly.
They knew no reason, they said, why the one mould pamper itself with the fruit of the
other's labour; and if the belly would not work for company, they would be no longer at
the charge os maintaining it.
Upon this mutiny, they kept the body so long without nourishment, that all the parts
suffered for it: Insomuch that the hands and seet came in conclusion to sind their
mistake, and would have been willing then to have done their office; but it was now too
late, for the body was so pined with over-fasting, that it was wholly out of condition to
receive the benesit of a relief; and so they all perished together.
MORAL
The public is but one body, and the fable cautions the particular members of it how they
withdraw themselves from their duties, till it shall be too late for their superiors to make
use of them for their mutual advantage.
Fable 47
Lark and her Young
In a field of corn, just ripe for reaping, a lark had a brood of young ones, and when she
went abroad to forage for them, laid a strict charge upon her little ones to pick up what
news they could get against me came back again.
They told her, at her return, that the owner of the field had been there, and ordered his
neighbours to come and reap the corn. Well, says the old one, there is no danger as yet.
They told her the next day that he had been there again, and desired his friends to do it.
Well; well, says she, there is no hurt in that neither; and so she went out progging for
provisions as before.
But upon the third day, when they told their mother, that the master and his son agreed
to come next morning and do it themselves; nay, then, says she, it is time for look about
us: As for the neighbours and friends, I sear them not; but the master I am sure will be
as good as his word, for it is his own business.
MORAL
He that would be sure to have his business well done, must either do it himself, or see
the doing of it. Many a good servant is spoiled by a careless master. Men will be true to
themselves, how faithless soever to one another.
Fable 48
Sick Lion and Fox
A Lion that had got a politic sit of sickness, made it his observation, that of all the beasts
in the forest, the fox never came to him: And so he wrote him word how ill he was, and
how mighty glad he should be of his company.
The fox returned the compliment with a thousand prayers for his recovery; but as for
waiting upon him, he desired to be excused; for, says he, I find the traces of abundance
of seet going into your majesty's palace, but not one of any that comes back again.
MORAL
We ought to he careful how we place a confidence in the templimental professions of
cunning and designing men; for it is half the business of one part of the world to put
tricks upon the other.
Fable 49
Boar and Horse
A Boar wallowing in the water where a horse was going to drink, a quarrel ensued upon
it. The horse went presently to a man, to assist him in his revenge. They agreed upon the conditions, and the man immediately armed himself and mounted the horse, who
carried him to the boar, and had the fatisfaction of seeing his enemy killed before his
face. The horse thanked him for his kindness; but as he was just about to take leave,
the man said he should have further occasion for him, and so ordered him to be tied up
in the stable. The horse came by this time to understand, that his liberty was
irretrievably gone, and that he had paid dear for his revenge.
MORAL
Many a man, to avoid a present and less evil, runs blindfold into a greater; and there are
others, who, to gratify a reveigeful humour, lay a foundation for repentance for all their
life to come.
Fable 50
Two young Man and a Cook
Two young fellows slipping into a cook's shop, one of them stole a piece of flesh, and
conveyed it to the other. The master missed it immediately, and challenged them.
With the theft: He that took it, swore he had none of it; and he that had it, swore as
desperately that he did noe take it. Well, my masters, says the cook, these frauds and
fallacies may pass upon men, but there is an eye above that sees through them.
MORAL
There is no putting of tricks upon an all-seeing Power; as is he that made our hearts,
and knows every corner of them, could not see through the childish fallacy of a double
meaning.
Fable 51
Dog and Butcher
As a butcher was busy about his meat, a dog snatches a piece of meat off of the block,
and runs away with it. The butcher seeing him upon the gallop with it, Hark ye; friend,
says he, you may even for this once make the best of your purchase; I shall take care to
lay my meat out of your reach another time.
MORAL
He that loses any thing, and gets wisdom by it, is a gainer by the loss.
Fable 52
Cat and Venus
A young fellow was so passionately in love with a cat, that he made it his humble suit to
Venus to turn her into a woman.
The transformation was wrought in the twinkling of an eye, and out she comes a very
handsome lass.
The sot took her home to his bed; but was hardly laid down, when the goddess having
a mind to try if the cat had changed her manners with her shape, turned a mouse loose
into the chamber. The new-made woman, upon this temptation, started out of the bed,
and directly made a leap at the mouse; upon which Venus turned her into a puss again.
MORAL
The extravagant transports of love, and the propensions of nature, are unaccountable;
the one carries us out of ourselves, and the other brings us hack again.
Fable 53
A Father and his Sons
A very honest man happened to have a contentious brood of children.
He called for a rod, and bade them try one after another, with all their force, if they could
break it. They tried, and could not. Well, says he, unbind it now, and take every twig of it
apart, and see what you can do that way.
They did so, and with great ease, by one and one, they snapped it all to pieces.
This, says he, is the true emblem of your condition: Keep together, and you are fase;
divide, and you are undone.
MORAL
The breach of unity puts the world into a state of war, and turns every man's hand
against his brother; but so long as that band holds, it is the strength of all the federal
parts of it gathered into one, and is not easily subdued.
Fable 54
Laden Ass and Horse
As an horse and an ass were upon the way together, the ass cried out to his companion
to ease him of his burden, though never so little; he should fall down dead else.
The horse would not; and so his fellow-servant sunk under his load.
The master, upon this, had the ass flayed, and laid his whole pack, skin and all, upon the
horse: Well, says, he, this judgment is befallen me for my ill-nature, in refusing to help
my brother in the depth of his distress.
MORAL
It is a Christian, a natural, a reasonable, and a political duty, for all members of the
same body to assist one another.
Fable 55
Collier and Fuller
A Fuller had a very kind invitation from a collier to come and live in the house with him.
He gave him a thousand thanks for his civility, but told him, that it would not stand with
his convenience; for, says he, as fast as I can make any thing clean, you'll be smutting
it again.
MORAL
It is a necessary rule in alliances, societies, fraternities, friendships, partnerships,
commerce, and all manner of civil dealings and contracts, to have a strict regard to the
humour, the nature, and the disposition of those we have to do withal.
Fable 56
Fowler and Pigeon
As a country fellow was making a shoot at a pigeon, he trod upon a snake, which bit him
by the leg. The surprize startled him, and away flew the bird.
MORAL
A mischievous intent is sometimes repaid in tht very act, and when it is least expected.
Fable 57
A Trumpeter taken Prisoner
Upon the rout of an army a trumpeter was made a prisoner, and as the soldiers were
about to cut his throat, Gentlemen, says he, why should you kill a man that kills nobody?
You shall die the rather for that, cries one of the company, for being such a rascal as to
fet other people together by the ears, without sighting yourself.
MORAL
He that provokes and incites to mischief, is the doer of it. It is the man that kills me;
the bullet is only a passive instrument to serve his end that directs it.
Fable 58
Dog and Wolf
A haggard carrion of a wolf, and a jolly dog, with good flesh upon his back, fell into
company together upon the king's highway.
The wolf was very inquisitive to learn how he brought himself to that happy plight.
Why, says the dog, I keep my master's house from thieves, and I have very good meat,
drink, and lodging, for my pains.
Now, if you will go along with me, and do as I do, you may fare as I fare.
The wolf agreed, and so away they trotted together; but as they were jogging on the
wolf espied a bare place about the dog's neck, where the hair was worn off.
Brother, says he, how comes this, I pr'ythee? Oh! that's nothing, says the dog, but the
fretting of my collar a little.
Nay, says the other, if there be a collar in the case, I know better things than to sell my
liberty for acrust.
MORAL
We are so dazzled with the glare of a splendid appear-once, that we can hardly discern
the inconveniences that attend it: It is a comfort to have good meat and drink at
command, and warm lodging: But he that sells his freedom for the gratifying of his
appetite, has but a hard bargain of it.
Fable 59
A Farmer and his Dogs
A certain farmer was put to such a pinch in a hard winter for provision, that he was
forced to feed himself and his family upon the main stock.
The sheep went first to pot; the goats next; and after them, the oxen; and all little
enough to keep life and soul together. The dogs called a council upon it, and resolved to
shew their master a fair pair of heels for it, before it came to be their turn: For, said
they, after he has cut the throats of our fellow-servants, that are so necessary for his
business, it can never be expected that he will spare us.
MORAL
There is no contending with necessty, and we should be very tender how we censure
those who submit to it. It is one thing to be at liberty to do what we would, and another
to be tied up to do what we cannot avoid.
Fable 60
Eagle and Fox
A Treaty of amity and good neighbourhood was once struck up betwixt the eagle and the
fox. Notwithstanding which, one day when the fox was abroad a-foraging, the eagle sell
into her quarters, and carried away a whole litter of cubs at a swoop.
The fox returned time enough to see the eagle upon the wing, with the prey in her foot,
and to send many a heavy curse after her.
In a very short time after, upon the sacrificing of a goat, the fame eagle made a swoop
at a piece of flesh upon the altar, and took it away to her young: But some live coals,
it seems, that stuck to it, set the nest on fire.
The birds were not as yet fledged enough to shift for themselves, but upon sprawling and
struggling to get clear of the flame, down they tumbled, half-roasted, into the mouth of
the fox, who stood gaping under the tree, expecting such an event, and who greedily
devoured them in the very sight of the dam.
MORAL
Justice is a sacred thing, and no necessity can warrant the violation of it.