Fables of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists/The Life of Æsop/Chapter VIII
Cap. VIII.
A Second Treat of Tongues.
XANTHUS's Guests met again The Next day according to The Appointment; and Æsop provided them the very same Services of Tongues and Tongues over and over, As they had the night before. Sirrah (says Xanthus to his Servant) what's the Meaning of This; That Tongues should be the Best of Meats One Day, and the Worst the Other? Why Sr says he, There is not any Wickedness under the Sun, That the Tongue has not a part in. As Murders, Treasons, Violence, Injustice, Frauds, and All Manner of Lewdness: for Councells must be first Agitated, The Matter in Question Debated, Resolv'd upon, and Communicated by Words, before the Malice comes to be executed in Fact. Tongue Whether wilt Thou! (says the Old Proverb) I go to Build (says the Tongue,) and I goe to pull downe.
This Petulant Liberty of Æsop, Gall'd his Master to the very Soul of him, and one of the Guests, to Help forward his Evil Humour; Cry'd out, This Fellow is enough to make a Body Mad. Sr (says Æsop) you have very Little Business to doe of your own I perceive, by the Leizure you have to Intermeddle in Other Peoples Matters; You would find some other Employment else, then to Irritate a Master against his Servant.