of the Damm will never out of the Whelp. It may Suſpend peradventure, or Intermit, for want of Occaſion to ſhew it ſelfe; but Nature is like Mercury, there's No killing it Quite. The Wolfe in the Houſe has a Kindneſs ſtill for the Wolves in the Woods, and continues in the Intereſt of the ſame Common Enemy. Cat will to Kind, as they ſay, and Wicked Men willbe True to their Principles, how Faſse ſoever to their Maſters.
We may read in the Moral of This Fable, the common Practice of the World, and a Doctrine that we find Every day Verify'd, as well in Men, as in Beaſts; for there are Wolf-Whelps in Palaces, and Governments, as well as in Cottages, and Forreſts. Do we not find in Hiſtory, and Experience, Inſtances in abundance, even of Publique Miniſters Themſelves, that though taken up out of the very Herds of the Common Enemy; Admitted into Special Truſts; Fed by the Hand, and Treated with the Grace and Character of Particular Favourites, have their Hearts in the Woods yet all this while among their Fellows. So that there’s No Reclayming of them. They go out however, as there is Occaſion, and Hunt and Growle for Company; but at the ſame time, they give the Sign out of their Maſters hand, hold Intelligence with the Enemy; and Make uſe of their Power and Credit to Worry Honeſter Men then Themſelves. It wants Nothing after This, but that they may live to have their Due; and with the Dog here in the Fable, go to Heaven in a String, according to the True Intent of the Allegory.
Fab CLVI.
A Lyon, Fox, and a Wolfe.
THe King of Beaſts was now grown Old, and Sickly, and All his Subjects of the Forreſt, (ſaving only the Fox) were to pay their Duties to him. The Wolfe, and the Fox like a Couple of Sly Knaves, were ſtill putting Tricks One upon Another, and the Wolfe took This Occaſion to do the Fox a Good Office. I can Aſſure your Majeſty, ſays the Wolfe, that 'tis Nothing but Pride and Inſolence that keeps the Fox from ſhewing himſelf at Court as well as his Companions. Now the Fox had the Good Luck to be within Hearing, and ſo Preſented himſelf before the Lyon, and finding him Extremely Enrag'd, begs his Majeſties Patience, and a Little Time only for his Defence. Sir (ſays he) I muſt preſſume to Value my ſelf upon my Reſpect and Loyalty to your Majeſty, Equal at leaſt to any of your other Subjects; and I will be bold to ſay, that put them all together, they have not taken Half the pains for your Majeſties Service now upon This very Occaſion, that I have done. I have been Hunting up and down far and near, ſince your Unhappy Indiſpofition, to find out a Remedy for ye, which with much ado I have now Compaſs'd at laſt, and it is that which I Promiſe my ſelf will Prove an Infallible Cure. Tell me immediately (ſays the Lyon) what it is then: Nothing in the World ſays the Fox, but to Flay a Wolfe Alive, and Wrap your Body up inthe
