Fables of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists/Fable CCXVIII

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3933486Fables of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists — Fable CCXVIII: A Bull and a GoatRoger L'Estrange


Fab. CCXVIII.

A Bull and a Goat.

A Bull that was Hard Press'd by a Lyon, ran directly toward a Goats-Stall, to Save Himself. The Goat made Good the Door, and Head to Head Disputed the Passage with him. Well! says the Bull, with Indignation, If I had not a more Dangerous Enemy at my Heels, then I have Before me, I should soon Teach you the Difference betwixt the Force of a Bull, and of a Goat.

The Moral.

'Tis no Time to Stand Quarrelling with Every Little Fellow, when Mes of Power are Pursuing us upon the Heel to the very Death.

REFLEXION.

IT is Matter of Prudence, and Necessity; for People in many Cases to put up the Injuries of a Weaker Enemy, for fear of Incurring the Dilpleasure of a Stronger. Baudoin fancies the Bull to be the Emblem of a Man in Distress, and the Goat Insulting over him; and Moralizes upon it after This Manner. [There’s Nothing that a Courtier more Dreads and Abhors, then a Man in Disgrace; and he is presently made All the Fools and Knaves in Nature upon't: For He that’s Unfortunate is Consequently Guilty of All manner of Crimes.] He Applies This Character to those that Persecute Widows and Orphans, and Trample upon the Afflicted; though not without tome Violence Methinks, to the Genuine Intent of This Figure; for the Goat was only Pasive; and his Bus’ness was, without any Insolence, or Injustice, to Defend his Free-Hold