REFLEXION.
THE Same Thing in One Perſon or Reſpect, is not always the Same Thing in Another? The Grooms Grinning at the Gambols of the Aſs, tells us that there are Many Caſes that may make People Laugh without Pleaſing them, as when the Surprize, or Caprice of ſome Fantaſtical Accident happens to ſtrike the Fancy: Nay a Body cannot forbear Laughing Sometimes, when he is yet Heartily Sorry for the Thing he Laughs at; which is, in Truth, but an Extravagant Motion, that never comes near the Heart: Wherefore the Wolfe was Out in his Philoſophy, when he call'd it a Langhing-Matter; Beſides, that he ſhould have Diſtinguifh'd upon the Diſproportion betwixt the Worrying of a Wolfe, and the Pecking of a Raven; That is to ſay, betwixt a Certain Death on the One Hand, and only a Vexatious Importunity on the Other. The Raven underſtood what ſort of Spark he had to do withal, and the Silly Aſs ſtood Preaching to Himſelf upon the Text of No Remedy but Patience.
Fab. CLXXXXIV.
A Lyon, Aſs and Fox.
AS an Aſs and a Fox were together upon the Ramble, a Lyon Meets them by the Way. The Foxes Heart went Pit-a-Pat; but however, to make the Beſt of a Bad Game, he ſets a Good Face on’t, and up he goes to the Lyon. Sir, ſays he; I am come to Offer Your Majeſty a Piece of Service, and I'll Caſt my ſelf upon Your Honour for my Own Security. If you have a Mind to my Companion, the Aſs here, ’tis but a Word Speaking, and You ſhall have him Immediately. Let it be Done then ſays the Lyon. So the Fox Trepann’d the Aſs into the Toyl, and the Lyon, when he found he had Him ſure, began with the Fox Himſelf, and after that, for his Second Courſe, made up his Meal with the Other.
The MORAL.
We Love the Treaſon, but we hate the Traytor.
REFLEXION.
