The Moral.
REFLEXION.
This is to Enform us, that Wicked and Ill-Natur'd Men are not to be Oblig’d by Kindneſſes, Eſpecially when they find they may be the better for Inſolence; for at That Rate, he that Rewards Paſt Affronts, Draws On, and Encourages New Ones. There are Churliſh Currs in the Moral as well as in the Fable, and we are here taught how to Behave our ſelves upon the Biting of All Manner of Dogs. Under the Rule and Correction of This Allegory, we may reckon Calumny, Slander, and Detraction in any Form or Figure whatſoever, and all Manner of Affronts and Indignities upon our Good Names, or our Perſons. There may be Place in All Theſe Caſes for a Generous Charity to Forgive Offences, even of the Higheſt Ingratitude and Malice; But it is not Adviſable to Reward where Men have the Tenderneſs not to Puniſh. This way of Proceeding is Dangerous in All the Affairs Publique, as well as Private, of Humane Life; for 'tis a Temptation to Villany, when People, when a Man fares the Better for Evil Doing. Ill Nature, in fine, is not to be Cur'd with a Sop; but on the contrary, Quarrelſome Men, as well as Quarrelſome Currs are worſe for fair Uſage.
Fab. LXXXIX.
A Hunted Bever.
THE Bever is a kind of an Amphibious Creature, but he lives Moſtly in the Water. His Stones, they fay, are Med'cinal; and it is principally for Their Sake he knows, that People ſeek his Life; and therefore when he finds himſelf Hard Pinch’d, he Bites ‘em off, and by leaving Them to his Purſuers, he Saves Himſelf.
The Moral.
REFLEXION.
We find This Doctrine and Prattice to be Verify’d in State-Chaces, as as well as in Thoſe of the Woods; That is to ſay, where it is made a Crime to be Rich, and where Men are fore'd to lay Violent Hands on Themſelves, to be Safe and Quiet; and with the Bever here, to compound with their Nutmegs to ſave their Lives.
Fab.
