Roger L'Estrange (12)

Here are some more fables from Roger L'Estrange's Fables of Aesop and Other Eminent Mythologists, and you can click here for all the L'Estrange fables at this blog.

A Smith and his Dog

A Blacksmith took notice of a Cur he had, that would be perpetually sleeping, so long as his Master was at his Hammer; but whenever he went to Dinner, the Dog would be sure to make one. So he ask’d the Dog the Reason on’t. What’s the Meaning of it, says he, that so long as I’m at the Forge, you are still taking your Nap; but so soon as my Chops begin to walk, yours must be walking too for Company? There’s a time to sleep (says the Dog) and a time to wake; and every thing is well done that is done in due season.

All Creatures do naturally look to the main Chance; that is to say, the Business of Food and Propagation.

illustration by Caldecott

A Fowler and a Black-Bird

As a Fowler was bending his net, a Black-Bird call'd to him at a distance, and ask'd him what he was doing. Why, says he, I am laying the Foundations of a City; and so the Bird-Man drew out of Sight. The Black-Bird mistrusting nothing, flew presently to the Bait in the Net, and was taken; and as the Man came running to lay hold of her; Friend, says the poor Black-Bird, if this be your way of Building, you'll have but few Inhabitants.

There is no Sham so gross, but it will pass upon a weak Man that is pragmatical and inquisitive.

illustration from a 19th-century Aesop

A Fawn and a 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. If you have a Mind to stand, y’are better arm’d; and then y’are fleeter if you run for’t. I can’t imagine what should make you so fearful of a Company of pitiful Curs. Nay, says the Stag, ‘tis all true what you say, and ‘tis no more than I say to my self 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.

‘Tis one thing to know what we ought to do, and another thing to execute it; and to bring up our Practice to our Philosophy: He that is naturally a Coward, is not to be made Valiant by Counsel.

illustration by Weir

A Man Bit by a Dog

One that was bitten by a Dog, was advised, as the best Remedy in the World, to dip a piece of Bread in the Blood of the Wound, and give it the Dog to eat. Pray hold your Hand a little (says the Man) unless you have a mind to draw all the Dogs in the Town upon me; for that will certainly be the end on’t, when they shall find themselves rewarded instead of punish’d.

Good Nature is a great Misfortune where it is not manag’d with Prudence. Christian Charity, ‘tis true, bids us return Good for Evil; but it does not oblige us yet to reward where we should punish.

illustration from a 19th-century Croxall

A Boy and his Mother

A School-Boy brought his Mother a Book that he had stollen from one of his Fellows. She was so far from correcting him for’t, that she rather encourag’d him. As he grew bigger, he would be still keeping his hand in ure with somewhat greater Value, and brought to Justice for’t. His Mother went along with him to the Place of Execution, where he got leave of the Officers, to have a Word or two in private with her. He put his Mouth to her Ear, and under pretext of a Whisper, bit it clear off. This impious unnatural Villany turn’d every Body’s Heart against him more and more. Well, good People (says the Boy) here you see me an Example, both upon the Matter of Shame and of Punishment; and it is this Mother of mine that has brought me to’t; for if she had but whipt me soundly for the Book I stole when I was a Boy, I should have never come to the Gallows for pilfering now I’m a Man.

We are either made or marr’d in our Education; and Governments, as well as private Families, are concern’d in the Consequences of it.

illustration by Bewick