The MORAL.
REFLEXION.
THE Doctrine of this Fable is held forth to us in a Thouſand Caſes of Curioſity, Novelty, &c. We make a Wonderful Matter of Things at a Diſtance, that Signify Little or Nothing at all, nearer hand. And we are as much Impos’d upon in the Proſpect of our Hopes and Fears: The Dangers, and the Bleſſings that we either Dread, or Propoſe to our ſelves, look a great Deal Bigger afar off, then in Effect they are. And what's the Myſtery of All this now, but that we judge of Things by Falſe Images and Appearances, without Entring into the True State and Reaſon of them? So that at this Rate, we divide our Lives betwixt Flattering Illutions, and Reſtleſs Apprehenſions: Never at Eaſe, either on the One ſide, or on the Other. The Miſchief is, that we are Over-ſolicitous about Matters that are out of our Power, and Star-gazing after Fururitics; when in truth, our Bus’neſs lies juſt under our Noſes; That is to ſay, in the Attending, and Emproving of Preſent Opportunities. In few Words, a Wiſe Man Counts his very Minutes: He lets no Time flip him; for Time is Life: which he makes Long, by the Good Husbandry of a Right Uſe and Application of it, from One Moment to Another. This is not yet to Exclude the Provicence of Tracings Premiſſes into Conſequences, or Cauſes into their Effects; but to Caution us not to look at the Wrong End of the Glaſs; and ſo Invert the Proſpect. We ſee Thing at hand, as they really are, but at a Diſtance, only as they ſeem to be Patience and Conſideration will ſet us Right in our Judgments and in our Meaſures. It is much thereabouts with the Common People too, in the Matter of Remote Grievances. They Repreſent, and Fancy to Themſelves, Hell, Slavery and Damnation, at a Diſtance, in many a Caſe, which at hand ſignifies not ſo much as a Flea-biting.
Fab. CLXXXX.
A Wild Afs and a Tame.
AS a Tame Aſs was Airing himſelf in a Pleaſant Meadow, with a Coat and Carcaſs in very Good Plight, up comes a Wild one to him from the next Wood, with this ſhort Greeting. Brother (ſays he) I Envy your Happineſs; and ſo he left him; It was his Hap ſome ſhort time after this Encounter, to ſee his Tame Brother, Groaning under a Unmerciful Pack, and a Fellow at his Heels Goading him forward. He Rounds him in the Ear upon’t, and Whiſpers him, My Friend (ſays he) your Condition is not I Perceive, what I took it to be, for a body may buy Gold too Dear: And I am not for Purchaſing Good Looks and Provender at this Rate.The
