and Appetite, have no Foreſight; and ſo Poſtpone Prudence as a Vertue of another Seaſon.
Fab. CCCLXXX.
A Gourd and a Pine.
THere was a Gourd Planted cloſe by a Large Well-ſpread Pine: The Seaſon was Kindly, and the Gourdſhot it ſelf up in a ſhort time, climbing by the Bows, and twining about 'em, 'till it topp'd and cover'd the Tree it ſelf. The Leaves were Large, and the Flowers and the Fruit fair; inſomuch that the Gourd had the confidence to value it ſelf above the Pine, upon the compariſon. Why ſays the Gourd, you have been more Years a Growing to this Stature then I have been Days. Well, ſays the Pine again , but after ſo many Winters and Summers as I have endured, after ſo many Blaſting Colds, and Parching Heats, you ſee me the very ſame thing ſtill that I was ſo long ago. But when you come to the Proof once, the Firſt Blight or Froſt ſhall moſt infallibly bring down that Stomach of yours, and ſtrip ye of all your Glory.
The Moral.
Nothing ſo Inſolent and Intolerable as a Proud Upſtart that's rais'd from a Dunghil; he forgets both his Maſter and his Maker.
REFLEXION.
TheGourd here is an Emblem of Vain Pride and Ingratitude; and the Pine bids Princes and Great Men have a care what Favourites they prefer, and what Friendſhips they Entertain; and this for their own ſakes, as well as for the ſake of the Publick. He's a Fool that takes himſelf to be Greater, Richer, Fairer or Better then he is; or that reckons any thing his own, which is either but Borrow'd, or may be taken away next Moment. He that lives barely upon Borrowing, is effectually but a Beggar when his Debts are paid. This Gourd in ſhort, is a Proud Upſtart; his Growth is quick, but his Continuance ſhort: He values himſelf upon the Feather in his Cap; and in a word, upon thoſe Fooleries that a Man of Honour and Subſtance would bluſh at. And nothing elſe will ſerve him neither, but to vye Excellencies with thoſe that took him out of the Dirt; nay, and to elevate himſelf (when a'lls done} to the Diſhonour of his Supporters. And what's the Iſſue at laſt of Encouraging theſe, Minions, but the bringing of a Scandal upon Common Juſtice, by a moſt Pernicious Example, that ends in the very ſtarving as well as the Defaming of their Benefactors; for 'tis impoſſible but theymoſt
