Roger L'Estrange (8)

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 Fowler and a Pigeon

As a Country Fellow was making a Shoot at a Pigeon, he trod upon a Snake that bit him by the Leg. The Surprize startled him, and away flew the Bird.

We are to distinguish betwixt the Benefits of good Will, and those of Providence: For the latter are immediately from Heaven, where no humane Intention intervenes.

illustration by Barlow

A Woman and her Two Daughters

A Woman that had Two Daughters, Bury'd one of them, and Mourners were provided to Attend the Funeral. The Surviving Daughter wonder'd to see Strangers so much concern'd at the Loss of her Sister, and her Nearest Relations so little. Pray Mother, says she, what's the Reason of this? Oh, says the Mother, We that are a-Kin to her, are never the Better for Crying, but the Strangers have Money for't.

Mourners are as mercenary as Common Prostitutes; They are at his Service, that bids Most for them.

illustration from the Medici Aesop

A Sheep and a Crow

There was a Crow sat chattering upon the Back of a Sheep: Well! Sirrah, says the Sheep, you durst not ha’ done this to a Dog. Why, I know that, says the Crow, as well as you can tell me, for I have the Wit to consider whom I have to do withal. I can be as quiet as any body with those that are quarrelsome, and I can be as troublesome as another too, when I meet with those that will take it.

‘Tis the Nature and Practice of Drolls and Buffoons, to be insolent toward those that will bear it, and as slavish as others more than their Match.

illustration by Eksergian

A Peacock and a Pye.

In the Days of Old, the Birds liv'd at random in a lawless State of Anarchy; but in Time they began to be weary on't, and mov'd for the setting up of a King. The Peacock valu'd himself upon his gay Feathers, and put in for the Office: The Pretenders were heard, the Question debated; and the Choice fell upon the Poll to King Peacock: The Vote was no sooner pass'd, but up stands a Pye with a Speech in his Mouth to this Effect: May it please your Majesty, says he, We should be glad to know, in Case the Eagle should fall upon us in your Reign, as she has formerly done, how will you be able to defend us?

In the Bus'ness of either erecting or changing a Government, it ought to be very well consider'd beforehand, what may be the Consequences, in case of such a Form, or such a Person.

illustration from a 19th-century Croxall

A Peacock to Juno

The Peacock, they say, laid it extremely to Heart, that being Juno’s darling Bird, he had not the Nightingal’s Voice super-added to the Beauty of his own Plumes. Upon this Subject he petition’d his Patroness, who gave him for Answer, that Providence had assign’d every Bird its Proportion, and so bad him content himself with his Lot.

The Boundaries of Heaven are in such manner distributed, that every living Creature has its share; beside, that to desire Things against Nature, is effectually to blame the very Author of Nature itself.

illustration by Neighway