The Moral.
REFLEXION.
These Waſps in a Hony-Pot are ſo many Senſual Men that are Plunp’d in their Luſts and Pleaſures; and when they are once Glu'd to them, ‘tis a very Hard Matter to Work themſelves Out. We have an Emblem here of Thoſe Fooliſh Voluptuous Men, that Sacrifice the Peace, the Honour, the Comfort, and all other Subſtantial Satisfactions of Life, to the Temptation of a Liquoriſh Palate, And ſo for the Liberties of Wine, Women, Feaſting, and Jolly Company; The Pomp and Splendor of Courts and Parades, &c: Ye comes All to the fame Point; for when Men are once Dipt; what with the Engagements of Senſe, Cuſtom, Facility; Nay and I might have ſay’d, with the very Shame of Departing from what they have given themſelves up to, they go on with Æsops Flyes, 'till they are Stifled in their very Pleaſures.
Fab. CXXVII.
A Young Man and a Swallow.
A Prodigal Young Fellow that had fold his Cloths to his very Shirt, upon the Sight of a Swallow that came abroad before her Time, made Account that Summer was now at Hand, and away went That too. There happen'd after This, a Fit of Bitter Cold Weather, that allmoſt ſtarv’d both the Bird, and the Spendthrift. Well (ſays the Fellow to Himſelf) This Sot of a Swallow has been the Ruine of us Both.
The Moral.
REFLEXION.
Every Man Stands or Falls to his Own Reaſon; and it is No Excuſe to ſay, that I was Miſled by Example, or Conjecture, when I had the Means before me of Enforming my ſelf Better. If this Prodigal had but Conſulted the Almanack, or his own Experience, it would have fer him Right in the Courſe of the Seaſons, or the Old Proverb Methinks might have ſatisfy'd him, that One Swallow makes no Summer, Unleſs the Fable perchance ſhould fall out to be the Ancienter of the Two, and the Occaſion of That Proverb: But there are Certain Extravagants among People of all Sizes and Profeſſions, and there muſt be no Drawing of General Rules from Particular Exceptions. Fab.
