A Fox and a Cat.
There was a Question started betwixt a Fox and a Cat; which of the Two could make the best Shift in the World if they were put to a Pinch. For my own Part (says Reynard) when the worst comes to the worst, I have a whole Budget of Tricks to come off with at last. At that very Instant, up comes a Pack of Dogs full cry towards them. The Cat presently takes a Tree, and sees the poor Fox torn to Pieces upon the very Spot. Well, says Puss to her self, One sure Trick, I find, is better than a Hundred slippery ones.
Nature has provided better for us, than we could have done for our selves.
Hercules and Pluto
When Hercules was taken up to Heaven for his Glorious Actions, he made his Reverence in Course to all the Gods, 'till he came to Pluto, upon whom he turn'd his Back with Indignation and Contempt. Jupiter ask'd him what he meant by that Dis-respect? Why, says Hercules, that Son of Fortune Corrupts the whole World with Mony, Encourages all manner of Wickedness, and is a common Enemy to all Good Men.
This is only to shew the Opposition betwixt a Narrow, Sordid, Avaritious Humour, and the Publick Spirited Generosity of a Man of Honour, Industry and Virtue.
A Cock and a Fox.
A Fox spy'd a Cock at Roost with his Hens about him. Why how, my Friend, says Reynard, What makes you upon a Tree there? Your Bus'ness lies upon the Terra Firma, and a Cock in the Air is out of his Element, methinks. But you don't hear the News perhaps, and it is certainly true: There's a General Peace concluded among all Living Creatures, and not one of them to presume, upon Pain of Life and Limb, directly or indirectly, to hurt another. The Blessedest Tidings in the World, says the Cock; and at the same time he stretches out his Neck, as if he were a looking at somewhat a great way off. What are you Peering at? says the Fox. Nothing, says t'other, but a Couple of Great Dogs younder, that are coming this Way, Open-Mouth, as hard as they can drive. Why then, says Reynard, I fancy I'd e'ev best be Jogging. No, no, says the Cock, the General Peace will secure you: Ay, quoth the Fox, so it will; but if these Roguy Curs should not have heard of the Proclamation, my Coat may come to be Pink'd yet for all that. And so away he scamper'd.
In all the Liberties of Sharping and Tricking one upon another, there must still a Regard be had to the Punctilio's of Honour and Justice.
Mice, Cat and a Bell.
There was a Devillish Sly Cat it seems, in a certain House, and the Mice were so Plagu'd with her at every turn, that they call'd a Court to Advise upon some way to prevent being surpriz'd. If you'll be Rul'd by me, (says a Member of the Board) there's nothing like Hanging a Bell about the Cats Neck, to give Warning before-hand, when Puss is a coming. They all lookt upon't as the best Contrivance that the Case would bear. Well (says another) and now we are agreed upon the Bell, say who shall put it about the Cats Neck. There was no body in fine that would Undertake it, and so the Expedient fell to the Ground.
The Boldest Talkers are not always the Greatest Doers.
A Lion and a Man.
Among other good Counsels that an Old Experienced Lion gave to his Whelp, this was One; That he should never Contend with a Man; for says he, if ever you do, you'll be Worsted. The Little Lion gave his Father the Hearing, and kept the Advice in his Thought, but it never went near his Heart. When he came to be grown up afterward, and in the Flower of his Strength and Vigour, About and About he Ranges to look for a Man to Grapple with: In his Ramble he changes to Spy a Yoak of Oxen; so up to 'em he goes presently; Heark ye Friends, says he, are you MEN? They told him No; but their Master was a Man. Upon leaving the Oxen, he went to a Horse, that he saw Bridled, and Ty'd to a Tree, and ask'd him the same Question; No, says the Horse, I am no Man my Self, but he that Bridled and Saddled me, and ty'd me up here, he's a Man. He goes after this, to one that was Cleaving of Blocks. D'ye hear, says the Lion, You seem to be a Man. And a Man I am, says the Fellow. That's well, quoth the Lion, and dare you Fight with Me? Yes, says the Man, I dare Fight with ye: Why I can Tear all these Blocks to Pieces ye see. Put your Feet now into this Gap, where you see an Iron Thing there, and try what you can do. The Lion presently put his Claws into the Gaping of the Wood, and with one Lusty Pluck, made it give way, and out drops the Wedge, the Wood immediately Closing upon't; and there was the Lion caught by the Toes. The Woodman presently upon this, Raises the Country; and the Lion finding what a Streight he was in, gave one Hearty Twitch, and got his Feet out of the Trap, but left his Claws Behind him. So away he goes back to his Father, all Lame and Bloody, with this Confession in his Mouth; Alas, my Dear Father, says he, This had never been, if I had follow'd your Advice.
Disobedience to Parents is against the Laws of Nature and of Nations, Common Justice, Prudence and Good Manners; and the Vengeance of Heaven, Sooner or Later, Treads upon the Heels on't.
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