a Fool, and Security makes many a Fool of a Wiſe Man. We have an Inſtance of the Former in the Cocks Over-reaching the Fox, and of the Other, in the Foxes Supine Confidence, that made him ſo Intent upon his Prey, as to neglect his Safety. Now the Cock, that upon Long Tryal and Obſervation, knew the Fox to be the Common Enemy of all Poultrey; had likewiſe a Dread and Suſpicion of him by Inſtint, which made him Naturally Cautious upon the very Principle of Selfe-Preſervation. Whereas the Fox, that Truſted to his Addreſs and Manage, without ſo much as Dreaming of a Croſs-Bite from ſo ſilly an Animal, fell Himſelf into the Pit that he had Digg’d for Another. It is much the ſame Caſe in the World when Providence is pleas’d to Confound the Falſe, the Mighty, and the Bloud-Thirſty, by Judgments of Lice and Frogs: That is to ſay, by the moſt Deſpicable of Inſtruments. To put an End to This Moral, It is a wonderful Thing how the very Force of Nature will Exert it ſelf, in the Meaneſt and the Weakeſt of Creatures, in Caſes of Extreme Neceſſity and Danger: As it made the Cock here too hard for the Fox.
Fab. CXLIV.
A Bat, Bramble and Cormorant.
A Bat, a Bramble, and a Cormorant Enter'd into Covenants with Articles, to joyn Stocks, and Trade in Partnerſhip together. The Bat's Adventure was Ready Mony that he took up at Intereſt; The Bramble's, was in Cloaths; and the Cormorants, in Braſs. They Put to Sea, and it ſo fell out, that Ship and Goods were Both Loſt by Streſs of Weather: But the Three Merchants by Providence got ſafe to Land. Since the Time of this Miſcarriage, the Bat never Stirrs abroad till Night, for fear of his Creditors. The Bramble lays hold of All the Cloaths he can come at in hope to Light upon his Own again: And the Cormorant is ſtill Sauntering by the Sea-ſide, to ſee if he can find any of his Braſs caſt up.
The MORAL.
REFLEXION.
