Fable 91
A boasting Mule
A Favourite mule, high-fed, and in the pride of flesh and mettle, would still be bragging
of his family and his ancestors. My father, says he, was a roble courser; and, though
I-say it that should not say it, I myself take after him.
He had no sooner spoken the words, but his father, an old ass that stood by,
sell a braying; which minded him of his original, and the whole field laughed him to
scorn, when they found him to be the son of an ass.
MORAL
A bragging fool, who is raised out of a dunghill, and sets himself up for a man of quality,
is ashamed of nothing so much as of his own father and poor relations.
Fable 92
Dog and Wolf
A Wolf took dog napping at his master's door, and when he was just about to worry him,
Alas! says he, I am as lean at present as carrion; but we are to have a wedding at our
house within these two or three days, that will plump me up with good cheer; and when
I am in a little better case, I will throw myself in the very mouth of you.
The wolf took his word, and let him go; but passing some few days after by the fame
house again, he espied the dog in the hall, and bade him remember his promise.
Hark ye, my friend, says the dog, whenever you catch me asleep again on the wrong side
of the door, never trouble your head to wait for a wedding.
MORAL
It is good to provide against all chances, both sleeping and waking; a man cannot be too
circumspect, provided his condition do not make him too solicitous for his peace of mind.
Fable 93
Lion in Love
A Lion was in love with a country lass, and desired her father's consent to have her in
marriage. The father, afraid of disgusting so formidable a beast, pretended to consent,
provided he would have his teeth drawn, and his nails pared; for the foolish girl, he said,
was terribly afraid of those things. The lion undergoes the operation, and then challenges
the father upon his promise.
The countryman seeing the lion disarmed, plucked up a good heart, and with a swinging
cudgel so ordered the matter that he broke off the match.
MORAL
An extravagant love consults neither life, fortune, nor reputation; but sacrifices all that
can be dear to a man of sense and honour, to the transports of an inconsiderate passion.
Fable 94
Lioness and Fox
A Fox cast it in the teeth of a lioness, that she brought forth but one whelp at a tittle.
Very true, says the other; bat then that one is a lion.
MORAL
Things ought not to be valued for their number, but their excellency.
Fable 95
Two Cocks fighting
Two cocks fought a duel for the mastery of a dunghill. Me that was worsted slunk away,
and hid himself in a corner; the other takes his flight up to the top of the house,
and there, with crowing and clapping of his wings, makes proclamation of his victory.
An eagle made a stoop at him in the middle of his exultation, and carried him away;
and the vanquished cock got the sole possession both of mistresses and dunghill.
MORAL
A wise and generous enemy, will make a modest use of a victory; for fortune is variable.
Fable 96
Fawn and Stag
A Fawn was reasoning the matter with a stag, why he should run away from the dogs
still; for, says he, you are bigger and stronger than they, and you are also better armed;
I cannot therefore imagine what should make you so searful of a company of pitiful curs.
Nay, says the stag, it is all true that you say, and it is no more than I say to myself many
times; and yet, whatever the matter is, let me take up what resolution I please, when I
hear the hounds once, I cannot but betake myself to my heels.
MORAL
It is one thing to know what we ought to do, and another to execute it: He that is
naturally a coward, is not to be made valiant by counsel.
Fable 97
Jupiter and Bee
A Bee made Jupiter a present of some honey, which was so kindly taken, that he bade
her aft what she would, in reason, and it should be granted to her.
The bee desired, that wherever she should set her sting, it might be mortal.
Jupiter was loth to leave mankind at the mercy of a little spiteful insect, and was so far
from giving her more power, that he bade her have a care how she used that she bad;
for what person soever she attacked, if she left her sting behind her, she should not long
survive it.
MORAL
Spiteful prayers generally prime curses to those who make them; and the mischief they
intend to others, usually falls upon their own heads.
Fable 98
Wasps in Honey-pot
A whole swarm of wasps got into a honey-pot, and there they cloyed and clammed
themselves, till there was no getting out again; and when they found themselves
perishing in their beloved sweets, they too late discovered how dear they paid for their
past delights.
MORAL
When once sensual pleasures come to le habitual, it is exceeding difficult to get clear
of them; but the mind, immersed in the inordinate pursuit of them, runs the fate of the
wasps in the fable.
Fable 99
Young Man and Swallow
A prodigal spendthrift had sold his coat, and upon the sight of a swallow that came
before her time, made account that summer was now at hand, and away went his
waistcoat too, so that he was naked to his shirt. A sit of bitter cold weather happened
after this, which almost starved both the bird and the spendthrift.
Well, says the fellow, seeing the swallow perishing with cold, what a wretched sot art
thou, thus to ruin both thyself and me!
MORAL
Irregular accidents and instances are not to be drawn into precedent.
Fable 100
Mercury and Carpenter
A Carpenter dropt his ax into a river, and put up a prayer to Mercury, the god of artizans,
to help him to it again.
Mercury dived for it, and brought him up a golden one; but that was not it the fellow
said: And so he plunged a second time, and setched up another of silver: He said that
was not it neither.
He tried once again, and then up comes an ax with a wooden handle, which the
carpenter said, was the very tool that he had lost.
Well, says Mercury, thou art so just a poor wretch, that I will give thee all three now for
thy honesty.
The rumour of this story being spread, it came into a knave's head to try the fame
experiment: And so away goes he, and down he sits, sniveling and yelping upon the bank
of a river, that he had dropt his ax into the water there!
Mercury heard his lamentation, and dipping once again for his ax, as he had done for the
other, up he brings him a golden ax, and asks the sellow if that were it: Yes, yes, says
he, this is it.
O thou impudent sot, cries Mercury, to think of putting tricks upon him that sees through
the very heart of thee! — And so he sent him away without any.
MORAL
The great Searcher of our hearts is not to be imposed upon; but he will take his own time,
and his own manner, either to reward or punish.
Fable 101
Fox and Grapes
A liquorish fox stood gaping under a vine, and licking his lips at a delicious cluster of
grapes he had espied out there; he fetched a hundred leaps at it, till at last, when he
found there was no good to be done, hang them, says he, they are as four as crabs;
and so away he went.
Fable 102
Wolf and Lion
As a wolf and a lion were abroad upon an adventure together; Hark, says the wolf,
do not you hear thebleating of sheep? My life for yours, Sir, I will go fetch you a
purchase. Away he goes, and follows his ear, till he came just under the sheep-fold;
but it was so well forified, and the dogs asleep so near it, that back he comes sneaking to
the lion again, and tells him. There are sheep yonder, it is true; but they are as lean as
carrion, and we had even as good let them alone till they have more flesh on their backs.
MORAL of the two Fables
A man should never repine at the want of things that are out of his power to attain.
Fable 103
Boy and Snake
A Boy groping for eels laid his hand upon a snakes; but the snake finding it was pure
simplicity, and not malice against himself, admonished him of his mistake:
Keep yourself well while you are well, says the snake; for if you meddle with me,
you will repent your bargain.
MORAL
It is wisdom, as well as justice, to distinguish betwixt actions of misadventure and of design.
Fable 104
Fowler and Partridge
A Partridge taken by a fowler offered to decoy as many of her companions into the snare
as she could, upon condition that he would give her quarter. No, says he, you shall die
the rather for that very reason, because you would be so base as to betray your friends
to fave yourself.
MORAL
Treachery is never to be approved, how convenient soever in some cafes; for it
undermines the very foundations of society.
Fable 105
Hare and Tortoise
What a dull heavy creature, says a hare, is this fame tortoise! And yet, says the tortoise!
I will run with you for a wager. It was done and done, and the fox by consent was to
be the judge.
They started together, and the tortoise kept jogging on still, till he came to the end of
the course.
The hare to shew his contempt for his competitor, scipt about here and there, till he had
tired himself, and then securely laid himself down about mid-way, and took a nap;
for, says he, I can fetch up the tortoise when I please.
But, as he had over-tired, so he over-slept himlelf, it seems; for when he came to wake,
though he sendded away as fast as he was able, the tortoise got to the pott before him,
and won the wager.
MORAL
Up, and be doing, is an edifying text; for action is the business of life, and there is no
thought of coming to the end of our journey in time, if we supinely sleep by the way.
Fable 106
Apples and Horse-turds
Upon a very great fall of rain, the current carried away a huge heap os apples, together
with a dunghill that lay in the water-course.
They floated a good while together like brethren and companions; and as they went thus
dancing down in the stream, the horse-turds would be every foot crying out, Alack-a-day,
how we apples swim.
MORAL
The most worthless fellows are oftentimes the vainest, and attribute to themselves the
glory of every thing, though they contribute nothing to any good purpose.
Fable 107
Mole and her Dam
Mother, says a mole to her dam, Here is strange smell, methinks. And then she was at it
again; There is a mulberry-tree, I perceive. And so a third time; What a clattering of
hammers do I hear! Daughter, says the old one, you have now quite betrayed yourself;
for I thought you had wanted only one sense, and I find you want three; for you can
neither hear, nor smell, any more than you can see.
MORAL
Men labour under many imperfections, that nobody woula take notice of, if they did not
betray themselves.
Fable 108
Bees and Partridges
A flight of bees, and a covey of partridges, that were hard put to it for water in a great
drought, went to a farmer, and begged a sup of him to quench their thirst.
The partridges offered in return to dig his vineyard for it, and the bees with their stings
to secure him from thieves.
I have oxen and dogs, says the farmer, that do me these ossices already, without
standing upon terms.
To them therefore I shall extend my benevolence; and have no occasion for your service.
MORAL
Charity begins at home: But the necessary duty of it in one place, does not discharge the
Christian exercise of it in another.
Fable 109
Man bit by a Flea
A Fellow upon being bit by a flea, called out to Hercules for help. The flea gets away,
and the man peevishly expostulates: Well, Hercules, says he, you that would not take my
part against a sorry flea, will never stand by me in time of need, against a more powerful
enemy. Little deservest thou any assistance from me, says the god, in thy greater affairs,
that canst invoke my aid on so trifling an occasion.
MORAL
We ought not to put up our petitions to Heaven for every trifle that we may think we
want, or to be relieved from any petty vexation; much less ought we to take pet, is our
impertinent prayers are rat immediately answered.
Fable 110
Man and two Wives
A more than middle-aged man, who was half greyheaded, took a fancy to marry two
wives, one in years equal to his own, the other much younger.
They took mighty care of him to all manner of purposes, and still, as they were combing
the good man's head, the matronly wise plucked out all the brown hairs, and the younger
the grey: So that they left the man no better than a bald buzzard betwixt them.
MORAL
Inequality of years in matrimony is of all things to he avoided.
Fable 111
Frogs wanting Water
Upon the drying of a lake, two frogs, upon a search for water elsewhere, discovered a
very deep well.
Come,says one to the other, let us even go down here, without looking any further.
You say well, says her companion; but if the water should fail us here too, how shall we
get out again?
MORAL
It is good to look before we leap, as the proverb says; for hasty resolutions are seldom
fortunate, and it is a piece of necessary prudence for a man, before be resolves upon any
things to consider what may be the consequences of it.
Fable 112
Dog, Cock and Fox
A Dog and a cock took a journey together. The dog kennelled in the body of a hollow
tree, and the cock roosted at night upon the boughs.
The cock crowed about midnight (at his usual hour;) which brought a fox, that was
abroad upon the hunt, immediately to the tree; and there he stood licking of his lips at
the cock, and wheedling of him to get him down.
He protested he never heard so angelical a voice since he was born; and what would not
he do now, to hug the creature that had given him so admirable a serenade! Pray, says
the cock, speak to the porter below to open the door, and I will come down to you:
The fox, little dreaming of the dog so near, did as he was directed, and the dog presently
seized and worried him.
MORAL
When a man has to do with an adversary who is too crafty or ton strong for him, it is
right to turn him off to his match.
Fable 113
Bat, Bramble and Cormorant
A Bat, a bramble, and a cormorant, entered into partnership together.
The bat's adventure was ready money, which he took up at interest; the bramble's was
in clothes; and the cormorant's in brass.
They put to sea, and ir fell out, that the ship and goods were both lost by stress of
weather: but the three merchants got safe to land. Since the time of this miscarriage,
the bat never stirs abroad till night, for sear of his creditors.
The brambie lays hold of all the clothes he can come at in hope to light upon his own
again: And the cormorant is still sauntering by the sea-side, to see if he can find any of
his brass cast up.
MORAL
The impresion of any notable misfortune will commonly stick by a man as long as be lives.
Fable 114
Lark and Fowler
A poor lark taken by a bird-catcher, who was just about to put her to death, lamented
heartily that she should be sacrificed for so small a fault as having taken one pitiful grain
of corn when she was hungry. Why, tit for tat, says he, you have taken corn to fatisfy
your hunger, and I have seized upon you to appease mine.
MORAL
Passion, appetite, and partiality, govern the world.
Fable 115
Miser burying his Gold
A Covetous wretch turned his effects into gold, melted that down, and buried it in the
ground, and never failed visiting of it every morning. This being observed, his hoard one
night was carried off; which he finding out next morning, was almost distracted.
What is all this rage for? says one of his neighbours; while you were resolved not to use
your gold, you could inot be said to have it. It is but laying a stone where you laid your
money, and fancying that stone to be your treasure, and there is your gold again.
MORAL
Better no estate at all, than the cares and vexations that attend the possession, without
the use of it.
Fable 116
A one-eyed Stag
A one-eyed stag that was afraid of the huntsmen at land, kept a watch that way, and fed
with his blind-side toward an arm of the sea, where he thought there was no danger.
In this hope of security, he was struck with an arrow from a boat; and so ended his days
with this lamentation: Here am I destroyed, says he, where I reckoned myself to be safe
on the one hand; and no evil has befallen me where I most dreaded it, on the other.
But it is my comfort that I intended the best.
MORAL
We are liable to many accidents that no care or foresight? can prevent: But we are to
provide however the best we can against them, and leave the rost to Providence.
Fable 117
Stag and Lion
A Stag, closely pursued by the huntsmen, fled for safety into a lion's den; and as he was
just expiring under the paw of the lion: Miserable creature that I am! says he, to fly for
protection from one enemy, and to fall into the jaws of a worse!
MORAL
Out of the frying-pan into the fire, says the proverb. Many men, to avoid one danger,
have run into a greater.
Fable 118
Goat and Vine
A Goat, hard pressed by the huntsmen; took sanctuary in a vineyard, and there lay
close, under the covert of a vine. So soon he thought the danger over, he fell to
browzing upon the leaves; and broke down by this means the very branches that
concealed hishorns.
This discovered him to one who happened to be the hindermost in the chase; he called
back the others, and the goat was killed with this conviction upon him, that his
punishment was just, for offering violence to his protector.
MORAL
A speedy and exemplary vengeance often pursues those who repay evil for good,
and seek the ruin of their protectors.
Fable 119
Ass, Lion and Cock
As a cock and an ass were feeding on one ground together, up comes a lion
open-mouthed towards the ass: The cock happened just then to crow, as the ass,
through fear, began to bray; and away scours the lion, who is said to be scared at the
crowing of a cock. The ass brayed on, vainly imagining it was that which was so terrible
to the lion; and had the folly to pursue him: But so soon as they were got out of the hearing
of the cock, the lion turned short upon him, and tore him to pieces.
MORAL
Many a bragging coxcomb has been ruined by a mistake of fear in an adversary, and a
fancy of courage in himself.
Fable 120
A Gardener and his Dog
A Gardener's dog dropt into a well, and his master letting himself down, reached forth his
hand to help him out. The cur, thinking it was only to duck him deeper, snapt him by the
fingers: The master hereupon got up again, and left him as he found him. Nay, says he,
I am well enough served, to take so much pains for the saving of one that knows not
how to take the favour.
MORAL
Obligations and benefits are cast away upon twosorts of people; those that do not
understand them, and those that are not sensible of them.