The Moral.
REFLEXION.
'Tis an Ordinary Thing for People to Boaſt of an Intereſt where they have None, and then when they are Detected, ’tis a Stroake of Art to Divert the Reproach, by Emproving a Spitefull Word, or Thing, to a bodies Own Advantage. This way of Dialogue, is a kind of Tick-Tack; Where the One’s Bus’neſs is to keep from making a Blot, and the Other’s is to Hit it when 'tis made. It is a Happy Pretence of Mind, to Anticipate Another man’s Thought, by Conſidering Well beforehand what Conſtruction, or Alluſion his Own Words will bear; for Otherwiſe, the Caſting out an Inconfiderate Hint, is but the Setting of a Trap to Catch Himſelf. As the Son's Appealing to Venus here was as Good as an Anſwer thrown into the very Mouth of the Dog, which ſhe might Eaſily have foreſeen would be turn'd back upon her in the Bitterneſs of a Reproach: For the Reply lay ſo Open, the Other could not Well Miſs it: But when All is done, Both Parts are to keep themſelves upon their Guard; Or if either of ’em has Overſhot himſelfe, it is ſome ſort of Reputation ſtill, to make the Beſt of a Bad Game: As the Sow turn’d off the Scandal here with a Jeſt.
Fab. CLIII.
A Sow and a Bitch.
A Sow and a Bitch had a Diſpute once, which was the Fruitfuller of the Two. The Sow Yielded it at laſt to the Bitch; but you are to take Notice at the Same time ſays ſhe, that your Puppies are All Blind.
The Moral.
REFLEXION.
We are not to put an Eſtimate upon Things by the Quantity, or the Number of them, but by their Quality and Virtue: Taking for Granted, that Æſops Bitch was Fruitfuller then our Sows. See the Moral of A Lyoneſs and a Fox. Fab. 283.
Fab. CLIV.
A Snake and a Crab.
THere was a Familiarity Contracted betwixt a Snake and a Crab. The Crab was a Plain Dealing Creature that Advis’dhis
