Miſcellany Fables.
Fab. CCCLXXIV.
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 toward them. The Cat preſently takes a Tree, and fees 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.
The Moral.
REFLEXION.
One Double Practice may be diſappointed by another; but the Gifts of Nature are beyond all the Shams and Shuffles in the World. There's as much difference betwixt Craft and Wiſdom, as there is betwixt Philoſophy and Slight of Hand. Shifting and Shufflling may ſerve for a Time, but Truth and Simplicity will moſt certainly carry it at the long run. When a Man of Trick comes once to be Detected, he's Loſt, even to all Intents and Purpoſes: Not but that one Invention may in ſome Caſes be Honeſtly Countermin'd with another. But this is to be ſaid upon the whole matter, That Nature provides better for us, then we can do for our ſelves; and inſtructs every Creature more or leſs, how to ſhift for it ſelf in caſes of Ordinary Danger. Some bring themſelves off by their Wings, others by their Heels, Craft or Strength. Some have their Cells or Hiding Places; and upon the Upſhot, they do more by Vertue of a Common Inſtinct toward their own Preſervation, then if they had the whole Colledge of the Virtnoſe for their Adviſers. It was Nature in fine, that brought off the Cat, when the Foxes whole Budget of Inventions fail'd him.
Fab
