Roger L'Estrange (13)

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.

Wasps in a Honey Pot

There was a whole swarm of Wasps got into a Honey-Pot, and there they cloy’d and clamm’d themselves, till there was not getting out again; which brought them to understand in the Conclusion, that they had paid dear for their Sweetmeats.

Loose Pleasures become necessary to us by the frequent Use of them, and when they come once to be habitual, there’s no getting clear again.

illustration from the Medici Aesop

An Ape and a Fox

An Ape found many Inconveniencies by going bare-arse, went to a Fox that had a well spread bushy Tail, and begg’d of him only a little Piece on’t to cover his Nakedness: For (says he) you have enough for both, and what needs more than you have Occasion for? Well, John (says the Fox) be it more, of be it less, you get not one single Hair on’t; for I would have ye know, Sirrah, that the Tail of a Fox was never made for the Buttocks of an Ape.

Providence has assign’d every Creature its station, lot, make and figure; and ‘tis not for us to stand correcting the Works of an incomprehensible Wisdom, and an almighty Power.

illustration from a 15th-century Aesop

A Lyon and a Bull

In the days of Yore, when Bulls liv’d upon Mutton, there was a Lyon had a Design upon a mighty Bull, and gave him a very civil Invitation to come and sup with him; for says he, I have gotten a Sheep, and you must needs take part on’t. The Bull promis’d, and went; but so soon as ever he saw what a clutter there was with huge, over-grown Pots, Pans, and Spits, away he scowr’d immediately. The Lyon presently call’d after him, and ask’d him, whither in such haste? Oh, says the Bull, ‘tis high time for me to be jogging, when I see such Preparation: For this Provision looks as if you were to have a Bull for your Supper, rather than a Mutton.

When a Man has both an Interest and an Inclination to betray us, there’s no trusting him.

A Dog Invited to Supper

A Gentleman invited a Friend to supper with him, and the Gentleman’s Dog was so well bred as to invite the Friend’s Dog to come for Company. The Dog came at his Hour, and into the Kitchen he went, to see what good Cheer was toward: But as he was there, wagging his Tail, and licking his Lips, at the thought of what a Meal he was to make on’t, the roguy Cook got slily behind him, and spoil’d the Jest. He took him up by the tail at unawares, and after a Turn or two in the Air, flung him out of the Window. So soon as ever the poor Devil had recover’d the squelch, away he scampers, bawling like mad, with I know not how many prick-ear’d Curs at the Heels of him, to know how he lik'd his Welcome. Why truly, says he, they have given me as much drink as my Skin will hold; and it has made me so light headed, I could not find the right Way out of the House again.

Love me, love my Dog, says the old Proverb; and there’s somewhat of good Manners, as well as good Nature in’t: For there are certain Decencies of Respect due to the servant for the Master’s sake.

illustration from a 17th-century Aesop

Large Promises

There was a poor sick Man, that according to the Course of the World, when Physicians had given him over, betook himself to his Prayers, and vow'd a Sacrifice of a thousand Oxen ready down upon the Nail, to either Apollo, or Aesculapius, which of the two would deliver him from his Disease. Ah my dear! (says his Wife) Have a care what you promise; for where would you have these Oxen if you should recover? Sweet heart (says he) thou talk'st like a Fool: Have the Gods nothing else to do, dost think, than to leave their Business, and come down to sue me in an Action of Debt? They restor'd him however for that bout, to make Tryal of his Honesty and good Faith. He was no sooner up, but for want of living Oxen, he made out his number upon Paste, and offer'd them up in Form upon an Altar. For this Mockery, divine Vengeance pursu'd him, and he had an Apparition come to him in a Dream, that bad him go and search in such a Place near the Coast, and he should find a considerable Treasure. Away he went, and as he was looking for the Money fell into the Hands of Pyrates. He begg'd hard for his Liberty, and offer'd a thousand Talents of Gold for his Ransome; but they would not trust him, and so he was carried away, and sold afterwards as a Slave for as many Groats.

The Dev'l was sick, the Dev'l a Monk would be; / The Dev'l was well, the Dev'l a Monk was he.

illustration from the Medici Aesop