Fab. CCXXVII.
Two Friends and a Bear.
TWO Friends that were Travelling together, had the Fortune to Meet a Bear upon the Way. They found there was no Running for’t. So the One Whips up a Tree, and the Other throws himſelf Flat with his Face upon the Ground. The Bear comes directly up to Him, Muzzles, and Smells to him, puts his Noſe to his Mouth, and to his Ears, and at laſt, taking for Granted that 'twas only a Carcaſs, there he leaves him. The Bear was no ſooner gone, but Down comes his Companion, and ask'd him, what it was the Bear Whiſper'd him in the Ear. He bad me have a Care, ſays he, how | keep Company with thoſe, that when they find themſelves upon a Pinch, will leave their Friends in the Lurch.
The Moral.
Every Man for Himſelf, and God for us All.
REFLEXION.
THIS Fable has in a Few Words a Great many Uſeful, and Inſtructive Morals. The Man upon the Tree Preaches to us upon the Text of [Charity begins at Home] According to the Falſe and Perverſe Practice of the World when their Companions are in Diſtreſs. The Bear paſſes a Judgment upon the Abandoning of a Friend in a Time of Need, as an Offence both to Honour and Vertue; And moreover, Cautions us, above All Things, to have a Care what Company we keep. There’s no Living in This World without Friendſhip; No Society; No Security without it; Beſide that the Only Tryal of it is in Adverſity. And yet nothing Commoner in times of Danger, then for States-men, Sword-men, Church-men, Law-men, and in truth, all ſorts of Men, more or leſs, to leave their Maſters, Leaders, or Friends, to Bears and Tygers; Shew them a Fair pair of Heels for't, and cry, The Devil Take the Hindmoſt.
FAB.
