A Boar and a Horse
A Boar happened to be wallowing in the Water where a Horse was going to drink, and there grew a Quarrel upon’t. The Horse went presently to a Man, to assist him in his Revenge. They agreed upon the Conditions, and the Man immediately arm’d himself, and mounted the Horse, who carried him to the Boar, and had the Satisfaction of seeing his Enemy kill’d before his Face. The Horse thank’d the Cavalier for his Kindness, but as he was just about to take leave, the Man said he should have further occasion for him, and so order’d him to be ty’d up in the Stable. The Horse came by this time to understand, that his Liberty was gone, and no help for’t, and that he had paid dear for his Revenge.
Let every Man make a truer Measure of himself, what he is able to do, and what not, before he comes to any peremtory Resolution how to proceed. He is a Madman, that to avoid a present and less Evil, runs blindfold into a greater; and for the gratifying of a froward Humour, makes himself a Slave all the Days of his Life.
A Collier and a 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 Conveneince; for (says he) as fast as I make any Thing clean, you’ll be smutting it again.
‘Tis a necessary Rule in Alliances, Matches, Societies, Fraternities, Friendships, Partnerships, Commerce, and all manner of civil dealings and Contracts, to have a strict Regard to Humour, the Nature, and the Disposition of those we have to do withal.
A Farmer and his Dogs
A certain Farmer was put to such a pinch in a hard Winter for Provisions, that he was forc’d 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 call’d a Council upon’t, and resolv’d to shew their Master a fair pair of Heels for’t, 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 cannot be expected that he will ever spare us.
There’s no contending with Necessity, and we should be very tender how to censure those that submit to’t. ‘Tis one thing to be at liberty to do what we would do, and another thing to be ty’d up to do what we must.
An Estrich, Birds, and Beasts
The Estrich is a Creature that passes in common Reputation, for Half-Bird, Half-Beast. This amphibious Wretch happen’d to be taken twice in the same Day in a Battle betwixt the Birds and Beasts, and as an Enemy to both Parties. The Birds would have him to be a Beast, and the Beasts concluded him to be a Bird; but upon shewing his Feet to prove that he was no Bird, and upon shewing his Wings, and his Beak, to prove that he was no Beast, they were satisfy’d both upon the whole Matter, that though he seem’d to be both, he was yet in Truth neither the one nor the other.
Trimming, in some, Cases, is foul and dishonest; in others laudable, and in some again not only honest but necessary. The Nicety lies in the Skill of distinguishing upon Cases, Times, and Degrees.
An Ant and a Fly
There happen’d a warm Dispute betwixt an Ant and a Fly. Why, where’s the Honour, or the Pleasure in the World,says the Fly, that I have not my Part in? Are not all Temples and Places open to me? Am I not the Taster to Gods and Princes in all their Sacrifices and Entertainments? Am I not serv’d in Gold and Silver? And is not my Meat and Drink still of the best? 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? Why, says the Ant, you value your self upon the Access you have to the Altars of the Gods, the Cabinets of Princes, and to all publick Feasts and Collations: And what’s all this but the Access of the Intruder, not of a Guest; for People are so far from liking your Company, that they kill ye as fast as they can catch ye. You are a Plague to ‘em where-ever you come. Your very Breath has Maggots in’t, and for the Kiss you brag of, what is it but the Perfume of the last Dunghill you touch’d upon, once remov’d? For my Part, I live upon what’s my own, and work honestly in the Summer to maintain my self 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.
Here’s an Emblem of Industry, and Luxury, set forth at large; with the sober Advantages, and the scandalous Excesses of the one and of the other.
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