The Moral.
REFLEXION.
‘We are many times Preſerv'd or Deſtroy'd, by Thoſe Accidents or Councells, that in All Probability would have had quite Contrary Effects. But it is Our Part yet to Act according to Reaſon, and commit our ſelves to Heaven for the reſt. We have our Blind Sides in the World, as well as the Stag had his by the Sea-ſide, and we have our Enemies too, that are ſtill Watching to make Advantage of that Weakneſs. One Man is Tranſported out of his Reaſon, and his Honeſty, by Senſual Pleaſures: Another by Mony, perhaps, or by Ambition. Every Man, in ſhort, by Somewhat or other: And it is but ſtriking him in the Right Vein, to do his Bus'neſs. The Wiſeft of Men have their Follies; The Juſteſt, their Iniquities, and the moſt Temperate of Men have now and then by Fits, their Exceſſes. Achilles himſelf (after all that his Mother could do for him) was left Vulnerable yet in the Heel, and Paris’es Arrow found him Out there. We are taught further alſo to look to our ſelves on the Blind Side, as the Place that lyes moſt Expos'd to an Attacque. And finally; That it is not in the Power of Humane Wiſdom to ſecure us againſt Plots and Practices upon Humane Frailty: Nay, and when we have done our Beſt to Prevent Miſchief, the very Precaution it ſelf ſerves many times to Contribute to our Ruine. The Stag did All that was to be done here; but the Wayes and Workings of Providence are unſearchable; and it is not in the Power of Humane Prudence to Obviate all the Accidents of Humane Life.
Fab. CXLVIII.
A Stag and a Lyon.
A Stag that was cloſe Purſu'd by Huntſmen, fled for Safety into a Lyons Den; and as he was juſt Expiring under the Paw of the Lyon: Miſerable Creature that I am, ſays he, to Fly for Protection from Men, to the moſt Unmerciful of Beaſts!
The Moral.
REFLEXION.
