Fab. CCXXII.
The Gooſe and Goſſelin.
WHY do you go Nodding, and Waggling ſo like a Fool, as if you were Hipſhot? ſays the Gooſe to her Goſſelin. The Young One try’d to Mend it, but Could not; and ſo the Mother ty’d Little Sticks to her Legs, to keep her Upright: But the Little One Complain’d then, that ſhe could neither Swim, nor Dabble with em. Well, ſays the Mother, Do but hold up your Head at leaſt. The Goſſelin Endeavour'd to do That too; but upon the Stretching out of her Long Neck, ſhe complain'd that ſhe could not ſee the Way before her: Nay then, ſays the Gooſe, if it will be no Better, e'en carry your Head and your Feet, as your Elders have done before ye.
The Moral of the Two Fables above.
REFLEXION.
Example Works a great Deal more then Precept; for Words without Practice, are but Councels without Effect. When we Do as we ſay, 'tis a Confirmation of the Rule; but when our Lives and Doctrines do not Agree, it looks as if the Leſſon were either too Hard for us, or the Advice, not worth the While to Follow. We ſhould ſee to Mend our Own Manners, before we Meddle to Reform our Neighbours, and not Condemn Others for what we do our Selves: Eſpecially where they follow the Nature of their Kind, and in ſo doing, Do as they Ought to do. Let Every thing Move, March, and Govern it ſelf, according to the Proper Diſpoſition of the Creature; for it would be Every Jot as Incongruous, for a Crab to Walk like a Man, as for a Man to Walk like a Crab. This may be apply to the Leſſons that are given us for the Ordering of our Lives and Families, But above All Things, Children ſhould not be Betray'd into the Love and Practice of any thing that is Amiſs, by Setting Evil Examples before them; for their Talent is only Imitation; and ‘tis ill Truſling Mimicks in ſuch a Caſe, without a Judgment to Diſtinguiſh.
This Allegory may paſs for a very Good Lecture to Governors, Parents, and Tutors, to behave themſelves Reverently both in Word and Deed, before their Pupils, with a kind of Awful Tenderneſs forthe
