Same Time he makes a Mock on’t, and Provokes it. He ſtands Convinc'd that God knows All the Secrets of his Heart, and yet tells him a Lye to his Face. There is No ſuch Maſque, in fine, for the Greateſt of Impietyes, as a Veil of Religion. This Praying Carpenter here would have made Mercury a Broaker to his Knavery: and we have a world of Praying Chriſtians too, that write after his Copy.
Fab. CXXIX.
A Fox and Grapes.
THere was a Time, when a Fox would have Ventur'd as far for a Bunch of Grapes, as for a Shoulder of Mutton, and it was a Fox of Thoſe days, and of That Palate, that ſtood Gaping under a Vine, and licking his Lips at a moſt Delicious Cluſter of Grapes that he had Spy’d out there; He fetch'd a Hundred and a Hundred Leaps at it, till at laſt, when he was as Weary as a Dog, and found that there was No Good to be done; Hang 'em (ſays He) they are as Sour as Crabs; and ſo away he went, turning off the Diſappointment with a Jeſt.
Fab. CXXX.
A Wolfe and a Lyon.
AS a Wolfe and a Lyon were abroad upon Adventure together, Heark, (ſays the Wolfe) Don't you hear the Bleating of Sheep? My Life for Yours Sir, I'le go fetch ye a Purchaſe. Away he goes, and follows his Eare, till he came juſt under the Sheepfold: But it was ſo well fortify d, and the Dogs aſleep ſo Near it, that back he comes Sneaking to the Lyon again, and tells him, There are Sheep Yonder (ſays he) 'tis true, but they are as Lean as Carrion, and we had e'en as good let ‘em alone ‘till they have more Fleſh on their Backs.
The Moral of the two Fables above.
RE
