A Miser and his Bags.
A Covetous Rich Churl finding himself at the Point of Death, caus'd his Coffers to be brought up, and his Bags laid before him. You and I, says he, must part, and I would willingly bequeath ye to Those that will take most Delight in ye. Why then, say the Bags, you must divide us betwixt your Heirs, and the Devils. Your Heirs will have Drink and Whores for your Money, and the Devils will be as well pleas'd on the other hand, that they are to have your Soul for't.
The Money of a Miser is the last Friend he takes his Leave of in this World.
A Woman that brought a Fire into the House.
The Question was put to an honest Man newly marry'd, What might be the Meaning of his New Bride's bringing a Torch out of her Father's House into her Husband's? Why this, says he; I have eas'd my Father-in-law of a Fire-brand, to set my own House in a Flame.
A Contentious Woman puts all into a Flame, wherever she comes.
Oxen and a Piece of Timber.
The Timber was complaining of the Ingratitude of the Oxen. How often, says the Timber, have I fed ye with my Leaves, and reliev'd ye under my Shadow? and for you to drag me now at this Rate, over Dirt and Stones! Alas! cry'd the Oxen: Do not you see how we pant and groan, and how we are goaded on, to do what we do? The Timber consider'd how unwillingly they did it, and so forgave them.
What we are forc'd to do by an Over-ruling Power and Necessity is not properly our own Act.
A Lion and a Hog.
A Lion that found it extreme irksome to live Alone, gave the Beasts of the Forest to understand, that he was resolv'd to make choice of some or other of his Subjects for a Friend and Companion. There was a mightfy Bustle, who should be the Favourite, and the Wonder of all the rest: The Lion pitch'd upon a Hog: For, says the Lion, he is True and Faithful to his Friend, and will stand by him in all Times and Hazards.
A True Friend can ne'er fail of being a Loyal Subject: And That's the Man that a Brave Prince will make choice of for a Particular Favourite.
A Lad Robbing an Orchard.
An Old Fellow took a Boy Robbing his Orchard, Sirrah (says he) come down the Tree, and don't steal my Apples. The Lad never minded him, but went on with his Work. Well (says the Master of the Ground) they say there are Charms in Herbs as well as in Words, and so he threw a Handful of Grass at him; which was so ridiculous, that the Young Thief took the Old Man to be Mop'd. But in Conclusion, if neither Words, nor Herbs will do, says he, I'll try what may be done with Stones; for they say there's Vertue in Them too; and that Way he did his Work.
Those that will not be reclaimd's by Instruction, must be brought to a Sense of their Duty by Feeling.
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