Æsop's Fables, Embellished with One Hundred and Eleven Emblematical Devices. Read online

  APPLICATION.

  Though there is no quality of the mind more graceful in itself, or thatrenders it more amiable to others, than the having a tender regard tothose who are in distress; yet we may err, even in this point, unless wetake care to let our compassion flow out upon proper objects only. Whenthe innocent fall into misfortune, it is the part of a generous bravespirit to contribute to their redemption; or, if that be impossible, toadminister something to their comfort and support. But, when wicked men,who have been enemies to their fellow-subjects, are entrapped in theirown pernicious schemes, he that labours to deliver them, makes himselfan associate in their crimes, and becomes as great an enemy to thepublic as those whom he would screen and protect.

  When highwaymen and housebreakers are taken, condemned, and going tosatisfy justice, at the expense of their vile paltry lives; who arethey that grieve for them, and would be glad to rescue them from therope? Not honest men, we may be sure. The rest of the thievingfraternity would, perhaps, commiserate their condition, and be ready tomutiny in their favour: nay, the rascally solicitor, who had beenemployed upon their account, would be vexed that his negociations hadsucceeded no better, and be afraid of losing his reputation, among otherdelinquents, for the future: but every friend to justice would have noreason to be dissatisfied at any thing but a mournful reflection, whichhe could not forbear making, that, while these little criminals swingfor some trifling inconsiderable rapine, others, so transcendently theirsuperiors in fraud and plunder, escape with a whole skin.

  FABLE VIII.

  THE FOX IN THE WELL.]

  A Fox having fallen into a Well, made a shift, by sticking his clawsinto the sides, to keep his head above water. Soon after, a Wolf cameand peeped over the brink; to whom the Fox applied himself veryearnestly for assistance: entreating, that he would help him to a rope,or something of that kind, which might favour his escape. The Wolf,moved with compassion at his misfortune, could not forbear expressinghis concern: 'Ah! poor Reynard,' says he, 'I am sorry for you with allmy heart; how could you possibly come into this melancholycondition?'--'Nay, prithee, friend,' replies the Fox, 'if you wish mewell, do not stand pitying of me, but lend me some succour as fast asyou can: for pity is but cold comfort when one is up to the chin inwater, and within a hair's breadth of starving or drowning.'

  APPLICATION.

  Pity, indeed, is of itself but poor comfort at any time; and, unless itproduces something more substantial, is rather impertinentlytroublesome, than any way agreeable. To stand bemoaning the misfortunesof our friends, without offering some expedient to alleviate them, isonly echoing to their grief, and putting them in mind that they aremiserable. He is truly my friend who, with a ready presence of mind,supports me; not he who condoles with me upon my ill success, and sayshe is sorry for my loss. In short, a favour or obligation is doubled bybeing well-timed; and he is the best benefactor, who knows ournecessities, and complies with our wishes, even before we ask him.

  FABLE IX.

  THE WOLVES AND THE SHEEP.]

  The Wolves and the Sheep had been a long time in a state of wartogether. At last a cessation of arms was proposed, in order to a treatyof peace, and hostages were to be delivered on both sides for security.The Wolves proposed that the Sheep should give up their dogs, on the oneside, and that they would deliver up their young ones, on the other.This proposal was agreed to; but no sooner executed, than the youngWolves began to howl for want of their dams. The old ones took thisopportunity to cry out, the treaty was broke; and so falling upon theSheep, who were destitute of their faithful guardians the dogs, theyworried and devoured them without control.

  APPLICATION.

  In all our transactions with mankind, even in the most private and lowlife, we should have a special regard how, and with whom, we trustourselves. Men, in this respect, ought to look upon each other asWolves, and to keep themselves under a secure guard, and in a continualposture of defence. Particularly upon any treaties of importance, thesecurities on both sides should be strictly considered; and each shouldact with so cautious a view to their own interest, as never to pledge orpart with that which is the very essence and basis of their safety andwell-being. And if this be a just and reasonable rule for men to governthemselves by, in their own private affairs, how much more fitting andnecessary is it in any conjuncture wherein the public is concerned? Ifthe enemy should demand our whole army for an hostage, the danger in ourcomplying with it would be so gross and apparent, that we could not helpobserving it: but, perhaps, a country may equally expose itself byparting with a particular town or general, as its whole army; itssafety, not seldom, depending as much upon one of the former, as uponthe latter. In short, hostages and securities may be something very dearto us, but ought never to be given up, if our welfare and preservationhave any dependance upon them.

  FABLE X.

  THE EAGLE AND THE FOX.]

  An Eagle that had young ones, looking out for something to feed themwith, happened to spy a Fox's cub, that lay basking itself abroad in thesun. She made a stoop, and trussed it immediately; but before she hadcarried it quite off, the old Fox coming home, implored her, with tearsin her eyes, to spare her cub, and pity the distress of a poor fondmother, who should think no affliction so great as that of losing herchild. The Eagle, whose nest was up in a very high tree, thought herselfsecure enough from all projects of revenge, and so bore away the cub toher young ones, without showing any regard to the supplications of theFox. But that subtle creature, highly incensed at this outrageousbarbarity, ran to an altar, where some country people had beensacrificing a kid in the open fields, and catching up a firebrand in hermouth, made towards the tree where the Eagle's nest was, with aresolution of revenge. She had scarce ascended the first branches, whenthe Eagle, terrified with the approaching ruin of herself and family,begged of the Fox to desist, and, with much submission, returned her thecub again safe and sound.

  APPLICATION.

  This fable is a warning to us not to deal hardly or injuriously by anybody. The consideration of our being in a high condition of life, andthose we hurt, far below us, will plead little or no excuse for us inthis case: for there is scarce a creature of so despicable a rank, butis capable of avenging itself some way, and at some time or other. Whengreat men happen to be wicked, how little scruple do they make ofoppressing their poor neighbours! They are perched upon a lofty station,and have built their nest on high; and, having outgrown all feelings ofhumanity, are insensible of any pangs of remorse. The widow's tears, theorphan's cries, and the curses of the miserable, like javelins thrown bythe hand of a feeble old man, fall by the way, and never reach theirheart. But let such a one, in the midst of his flagrant injustice,remember, how easy a matter it is, notwithstanding his superiordistance, for the meanest vassal to be revenged of him. The bitternessof an affliction, even where cunning is wanting, may animate thepoorest spirit with resolutions of vengeance; and, when once that furyis thoroughly awakened, we know not what she will require before she islulled to rest again. The most powerful tyrants cannot prevent aresolved assassination; there are a thousand different ways for anyprivate man to do the business, who is heartily disposed to it, andwilling to satisfy his appetite for revenge, at the expense of his life.An old woman may clap a firebrand in the palace of a prince; and it isin the power of a poor weak fool to destroy the children of the mighty.

  FABLE XI.

  THE WOLF IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING.]

  A Wolf, clothing himself in the skin of a Sheep, and getting in amongthe flock, by this means took the opportunity to devour many of them. Atlast the shepherd discovered him, and cunningly fastening a rope abouthis neck, tied him up to a tree which stood hard by. Some othershepherds happening to pass that way, and observing what he was about,drew near, and expressed their amazement at it. 'What,' says one ofthem, 'brother, do you make hanging of Sheep?'--'No,' replies the other;'but I make hanging of a Wolf whenever I catch him, though in the habitand garb of a Sheep.' Then he showed them their mistake, and theyapplauded the
justice of the execution.

  APPLICATION.

  This fable shows us, that no regard is to be had to the mere habit oroutside of any person, but to undisguised worth and intrinsic virtue.When we place our esteem upon the external garb, before we informourselves of the qualities which it covers, we may often mistake evilfor good, and, instead of a Sheep, take a Wolf into our protection.Therefore, however innocent or sanctified any one may appear, as to thevesture wherewith he is clothed, we may act rashly, because we may beimposed upon, if from thence we take it for granted, that he is inwardlyas good and righteous as his outward robe would persuade us he is. Menof judgment and penetration do not use to give an implicit credit to aparticular habit, or a peculiar colour, but love to make a more exactscrutiny; for he that will not come up to the character of an honest,good kind of man, when stripped of his Sheep's Clothing, is but the moredetestable for his intended imposture; as the Wolf was but the moreobnoxious to the shepherd's resentment, by wearing a habit so littlesuiting with his manners.

  FABLE XII.

  THE FOWLER AND THE RING-DOVE.]

  A fowler took his gun, and went into the woods a-shooting. He spied aRing-Dove among the branches of an oak, and intended to kill it. Heclapped the piece to his shoulder, and took his aim accordingly. But,just as he was going to pull the trigger, an adder, which he had trodupon under the grass, stung him so painfully in the leg, that he wasforced to quit his design, and threw his gun down in a passion. Thepoison immediately infected his blood, and his whole body began tomortify; which, when he perceived, he could not help owning it to bejust. 'Fate,' says he, 'has brought destruction upon me, while I wascontriving the death of another.'

  APPLICATION.

  This is another lesson against injustice; a topic in which our justAuthor abounds. And, if we consider the matter fairly, we must allow itto be as reasonable that some one should do violence to us, as we shouldcommit it upon another. When we are impartial in our reflections, thuswe must always think. The unjust man, with a hardened unfeeling heart,can do a thousand bitter things to others: but if a single calamitytouches himself, oh, how tender he is! How insupportable is theuneasiness it occasions! Why should we think others born to hardtreatment more than ourselves? Or imagine it can be reasonable to do toanother, what we ourselves should be unwilling to suffer? In ourbehaviour to all mankind, we need only ask ourselves these plainquestions, and our consciences will tell us how to act. Conscience, likea good valuable domestic, plays the remembrancer to us upon alloccasions, and gives us a gentle twitch, when we are going to do a wrongthing. It does not, like the adder in the fable, bite us to death, butonly gives us kind cautions. However, if we neglect these just andfrequent warnings, and continue in a course of wickedness and injustice,do not let us be surprised if Providence thinks fit, at last, to give usa home sting, and to exercise a little retaliation upon us.

  FABLE XIII.

  THE SOW AND THE WOLF.]

  A Sow had just farrowed, and lay in the stye, with her whole litter ofpigs about her. A Wolf who longed for one of them, but knew not how tocome at it, endeavoured to insinuate himself into the Sow's goodopinion: and, accordingly, coming up to her--'How does the good woman inthe straw do?' says he. 'Can I be of any service to you, Mrs. Sow, inrelation to your little family here? If you have a mind to go abroad,and air yourself a little, or so, you may depend upon it, I will take asmuch care of your pigs as you could yourself.'--'Your humble servant,'says the Sow, 'I thoroughly understand your meaning; and, to let youknow I do, I must be so free as to tell you, I had rather have yourroom than your company; and, therefore, if you would act like a Wolf ofhonour, and oblige me, I beg I may never see your face again.'

  APPLICATION.

  The being officiously good-natured and civil is something so uncommon inthe world, that one cannot hear a man make profession of it withoutbeing surprised, or, at least, suspecting the disinterestedness of hisintentions. Especially, when one who is a stranger to us, or thoughknown, is ill-esteemed by us, will be making offers of services, we havegreat reason to look to ourselves, and exert a shyness and coldnesstowards him. We should resolve not to receive even favours from bad kindof people; for should it happen that some immediate mischief was notcouched in them, yet it is dangerous to have obligations to such, or togive them an opportunity of making a communication with us.

  FABLE XIV.

  THE HORSE AND THE ASS.]

  The Horse, adorned with his great war-saddle, and champing his foamingbridle, came thundering along the way, and made the mountains echo withhis loud shrill neighing. He had not gone far, before he overtook anAss, who was labouring under a heavy burden, and moving slowly on in thesame track with himself. Immediately he called out to him, in a haughtyimperious tone, and threatened to trample him in the dirt, if he did notbreak the way for him. The poor patient Ass, not daring to dispute thematter, quietly got out of his way as fast as he could, and let him goby. Not long after this, the same Horse, in an engagement with theenemy, happened to be shot in the eye, which made him unfit for show,or any military business; so he was stripped of his fine ornaments, andsold to a carrier. The Ass, meeting him in this forlorn condition,thought that now it was his time to insult; and so, says he, 'Hey-day,friend, is it you? Well, I always believed that pride of yours would oneday have a fall.'

  APPLICATION.

  Pride is a very unaccountable vice: many people fall into it unawares,and are often led into it by motives, which, if they considered thingsrightly, would make them abhor the very thoughts of it. There is no manthat thinks well of himself, but desires that the rest of the worldshould think so too. Now it is the wrong measures we take inendeavouring after this, that expose us to discerning people in thatlight which they call pride, and which is so far from giving us anyadvantage in their esteem, that it renders us despicable and ridiculous.It is an affectation of appearing considerable, that puts men upon beingproud and insolent; and their very being so makes them, infallibly,little, and inconsiderable. The man that claims and calls for reverenceand respect, deserves none; he that asks for applause, is sure to loseit; the certain way to get it is to seem to shun it; and the humble man,according to the maxims even of this world, is the most likely to beexalted. He that, in his words or actions, pleads for superiority, andrather chooses to do an ill action, than condescend to do a good one,acts like the Horse, and is as void of reason and understanding. Therich and the powerful want nothing but the love and esteem of mankind tocomplete their felicity; and these they are sure to obtain by agood-humoured, kind condescension; and as certain of being every body'saversion, while the least tincture of overbearing rudeness isperceptible in their words or actions. What brutal tempers must they beof, who can be easy and indifferent, while they know themselves to beuniversally hated, though in the midst of affluence and power! But thisis not all; for if ever the wheel of fortune should whirl them from thetop to the bottom, instead of friendship or commiseration, they willmeet with nothing but contempt; and that with much more justice thanever they themselves exerted it towards others.

  FABLE XV.

  THE WOLF, THE LAMB, AND THE GOAT.]

  A Wolf meeting a Lamb, one day, in company with a Goat--'Child,' sayshe, 'you are mistaken; this is none of your mother; she is yonder;'pointing to a flock of sheep at a distance.--'It may be so,' says theLamb; 'the person that happened to conceive me, and afterwards bore me afew months in her belly, because she could not help it, and then droppedme, she did not care where, and left me to the wide world, is, Isuppose, what you call my mother; but I look upon this charitable Goatas such, that took compassion on me in my poor, helpless, destitutecondition, and gave me suck; sparing it out of the mouths of her ownkids, rather than I should want it.'--'But sure,' says he, 'you have agreater regard for her that gave you life, than for any bodyelse.'--'She gave me life! I deny that. She that could not so much astell whether I should be black or white, had a great hand in giving melife, to be sure! But, supposing it were so, I am mightily obliged toher, truly, for
contriving to let me be of the male-kind, so that I goevery day in danger of the butcher. What reason then have I to have agreater regard for one to whom I am so little indebted for any part ofmy being, than for those from whom I have received all the benevolenceand kindness which have hitherto supported me in life?'

  APPLICATION.

  It is they whose goodness makes them our parents, that properly claimfilial respect from us, and not those who are such only out ofnecessity. The duties between parents and their children are relativeand reciprocal. By all laws, natural as well as civil, it is expectedthat the parents should cherish and provide for the child, till it isable to shift for itself; and that the child, with a mutual tenderness,should depend upon the parent for its sustenance, and yield it areasonable obedience. Yet, through the depravity of human nature, wevery often see these laws violated, and the relations before-mentionedtreating one another with as much virulence as enemies of differentcountries are capable of. Through the natural impatience and protervityof youth, we observe the first occasion for any animosity mostfrequently arising from their side; but, however, there are not wantingexamples of undutiful parents: and, when a father, by using a son ill,and denying him such an education and such an allowance as hiscircumstances can well afford, gives him occasion to withdraw hisrespect from him, to urge his begetting of him as the sole obligation toduty, is talking like a silly unthinking dotard. Mutual benevolence mustbe kept up between relations, as well as friends; for, without thiscement, whatever you please to call the building, it is only a castle inthe air, a thing to be talked of, without the least reality.