Two Neighbour-Frogs
There were Two Neighbour-Frogs; One of them Liv’d in a Pond, and the Other in the High-way hard-by. The Pond-Frog finding the Water begin to fail upon the Road, would have fain have gotten T’other Frog over to her in the Pool; where she might have been Safe; but she was wonted to the Place, she said, and would not Remove. And what was the End on’t now, but the Wheel of a Cart drove over her a while after, and Crush’d her to Pieces?
Some People are so Listless and Slothful, that they’ll rather Lie still and Die in a Ditch, than stir one Finger to Help themselves out on’t.
A Bat, Bramble, and Cormorant
A Bat, a Bramble, and a Cormorant, enter'd into Covenants with Articles, to join Stocks, and Trade in Partnership together. The Bat's Adventure was ready Money that he took up at Interest; the Bramble's was in Clothes; and the Cormorant's in Brass. They put to Sea, and so it fell out, that Ship and Goods were both lost by stress of Weather: But the three Merchants by Providence got safe to Land. Since the time of this Miscarriage, the Bat never stirs abroad till Night, for fear of his Creditors. The Bramble lays hold of all the Cloaths he can come at in hope to light upon his own again: And the Cormorant is still sauntering by the Sea side, to see if he can find any of his Brass cast up.
The Impression of any notable Misfortune will commonly stick by a Man as long as he lives.
A Wife and a Drunken Husband
A Woman that lay under the Mortification of A Fudling Husband, took him once when he was dead Drunk; and had his Body laid in a Charnel-House. By the time she thought he might be come to Himself again, away goes she, and Knocks at the Door. Who's There? (says the Toper) One, says the Woman, that brings Meat for the Dead. Friend, says he, bring me Drink rather. I wonder any Body that knows me, should bring me one without T'other. Nay then, says she, the Humour I perceive has taken Possession of him; he has gotten a habit, and his Case is Desperate.
Inveterate Ill Habits become Another Nature to us, and we may almost as well be Taken to Pieces, and New put together again, as Mended.
A Raven and a Swan
A Raven had a great Mind to be as White as a Swan, and Fancy’d To Himself that the Swan’s Beauty proceeded in a high Degree, from his often Washing and Dyet. The Raven, upon this, quitted his former Course of Life and Food, and betook himself to the Lakes and Rivers: But as the Water did him no Good at all for his Complexion, so the Experiment Cost him his Life for want of Sustenance.
Natural Inclinations may be Moulded and Wrought upon by Good Councel and Discipline; but there are certain Specifick Properties and Impressions, that are never to be Alter’d or Defac’d.
A Bee-Master
There came a Thief into a Bee-Garden in the absence of the Master, and Robb'd the hives. The Owner discover'd it upon his Return, and stood Pausing a while to Bethink himself how this should come to pass. The Bees in this interim came Laden home out of the Fields from Feeding, and missing their Combs, they fell Powdering down in Swarms upon their Master. Well (says he) you are a Company of Senseless and Ungrateful Wretches, to let a Stranger go away Quietly that has Rifled ye, and to bend all your Spite against your Master, that is at this Instant beating his Brains how he may Repair and Preserve ye.
'Tis the Course of the World for People to take their Friends for their Foes, and to use them accordingly.
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