A Hare and a Tortoise
What a dull heavy Creature (says a Hare) is this same Tortoise! And yet (says the Tortoise) I’ll run with you for a Wager. ‘Twas 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 laid himself down about Midway, and took a Nap; for, says he, I can fetch up the Tortoise when I please: But he over-slept himself, it seems, for when he came to wake, though he scudded away as fast as ‘twas possible, the tortoise got to the Post before him, and won the Wager.
Up and be doing, is an edifying Text; for Action is the Business of Life, and there’s no Thought of ever coming to the End of our Journey in time, if we sleep by the Way.
A Wolf and a Lion
As a Wolf and a Lion were abroad upon Adventure together, Hark (says the Wolf) don’t you hear the Bleating of Sheep? My Life for yours, Sir, I’ll go fetch ye Purchase. Away he goes, and follows his Ear, till he came just under the Sheepfold; but it was so well fortify’d, and the Dogs asleep so near it, that back he comes sneaking to the Lion again, and tells him, There are Sheep yonder (says he) ‘tis true, but they are lean as Carrion, and we had e’en as good let ‘em alone till they have more Flesh on their Backs.
‘Tis Matter of Skill and Address, when a Man cannot honestly compass what he would be at, to appear easy and indifferent upon all Repulses and Disappointments.
A Fisherman's Good Luck
A Fisherman had been a long while at work without catching any thing, and so in great Trouble and Despair, he resolv'd to take up his Tackle and be gone: But in that very instant a great Fish leapt into the Boat, and by Providence made a tolerable Day on't.
Patience, Constancy, and Perseverance, is an honest Cause, and Duty can never fail of a happy End, one way or other.
A Doctor and his Patient
Pray, Sir, how d'ye find yourself? Says the Dr. to his patient. Why truly, says the Patient, I have had a violent Sweat; oh the best Sign in the World, quoth the Dr. And then a little while after he is at it again, with a pray how d'ye find your Body? Alas, says t'other, I have just now had such a terrible Fit of horror and shaking upon me! Why this is all as it should be, says the Physician, it shews a mighty Strength of Nature. And then he comes over him a third time with the same Question again; why I am all swell'd, says t'other, as if I had a Dropsy; best of all, quoth the Doctor, and goes his way. Soon after this, comes one of the sick Man's Friends to him with the same Question, how he felt himself; why truly so well, says he, that I am e'en ready to die, of I know not how many good Signs and Tokens.
A death-bed Flattery is the worst of Treacheries.
A Shepherd Turn'd Merchant
A Countryman was feeding his Flock by the Sea-side, and it was so delicate a fine Day, that the Smoothness of the Water tempted him to leave his Shepherd’s Business and set up for a Merchant. So that in all haste he puts off his Stock, buys a Bargain of Figs, gets his Freight aboard, and away presently to Sea. It happen’d to be very foul Weather; so that the Mariners were fain to cast their whole Lading over-board, to save themselves and the Vessel. Upon this Miscarriage, our new Merchant-Adventurer betook himself to his old Trade again: And it happen’d one Day, as he was tending his Sheep upon the very same Coast, to be just such a flattering tempting Sea again as that betray’d him before: Yes, yes, says he, When the Devil’s blind: You’d have some more Figs with a Vengeance, would ye?
Men may be happy in all Estates, if they will but suit their Minds to their Condition. A Shepherd may be as easy in a Cottage, as a Prince in a Palace, with a Mind suited to his Station; but if they will be launching out into Trade, or Business that they do not understand, they have nothing left them to trust to when they are once bewilder’d, but the Hope of some kind Providence to put them in the right way home again.
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