Page:Fables of Aesop and other eminent mythologists.djvu/217

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ſhould in Truth, be kept out of Diſtance, of either Seeing or Hearing Ill Examples: Eſpecially in an Age that is Govern'd more by Preſident then by Reaſon.

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Fab. CLXXXV.

Jupiters Wedding.

WHen the Toy had once taken Jupiter in the Head to Enter into a State of Matrimony, he Reſolv’d for the Honour of his Celeſtial Lady, that the Whole World ſhould keep a Feſtival upon the Day of his Marriage, and ſo Invited all Living Creatures, Tag-Rag and Bob-Tail, to the Solemnity of his Wedding. They all came in very Good Time, ſaving only the Tortoiſe. Jupiter told him ‘twas Ill done to make the Company Stay, and Ask'd him, Why ſo Late? Why rruly ſays the Tortoiſe, I was at Home, at my Own Houſe, my Dearly Beloved Houſe, and [Home is Home, let it be never ſo Homely. Jupiter took it very Ill at his Hands, that he ſhould think himſelf Better in a Ditch, then in a Palace, and ſo he paſs'd this Judgment upon him; that ſince he would not be perſwaded to come out of his Houſe upon that Occaſion, he ſhould never Stir abroad again from that Day forward, without his Houſe upon his Head.

The MORAL.

There’s a Retreat of Sloth and Affectation, as well as of Choice and Virtue; and a Beggar may be as Proud and as Happy too in a Cottage, as a Prince in a Palace.

REFLEXION.

WE are to Learn from hence (ſays the Old Moral) that there's no Trifling, Dallying, or Delaying with Men in Power: And that Contentment in a Mean Condition at Home, is beyond all the Luxurious Treats in the

World, Abroad, with Pomp and Envy. The Danger of Trifling with Great Men does not come up methinks, to the Full Force, and Intent of this Fable, which ſeems rather to ſet forth the Miſtakes of Impotent Greatneſs, in Mis-judging the Teſt and Standard of Humane Happineſs. What's a Voluptuous Dinner, and the Frothy Vanity of Diſcourſe that commonly attends chef Pompous Entertainments? What is it but a Mortification, to

a Man of Senſe and Virtue, to ſpend his time among People that take Good for Evil, and Puniſh where they ſhould Reward, and Reward where they ſhould Puniſh! The Tortoiſe was Forbidden the Court; That is to fay, he was Baniſhed from the ſight of Vain, Wicked, and Unprofitable Examples. Jupiter gave the Tortoiſe the Honour of an Invitation, but that Honour was yet to the Poor Tortoiſe's Loſs; for He that’s Tranſported out of his Nature, and out of his Element, let the Change be what it will, is a Loſer by the Bargain. A Plain, and a Homely Home, with Competency and Content,

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