for a Recompence even in This; in Deſpite of Ingratitude and Injuſtice.
REFLEXION.
These Fables are a Reproof to the Ungrateful Cruelty of thoſe that will neither Forgive One Slip, nor Reward a Thouſand Services, but take more Notice of a Particular Unlucky Accident, than of a General Laudable Practice. But One Stumble is enough to Deface the Character of an Honourable Life. It is a Barbarous Inhumanity in Great Men to Old Servants, to make the Failings of Age to be a Crime, without allowing the Part Services of Their Strength and Youth, to have been a Virtue. And This is found in Governments, as well as in Courts, and Private Families; with Maſters and Miſtreſſes, as well as in States.
'Tis a miſerable Thing, when Faithful Servants fall into the hands of Inſenſible, and Unthankful Matters; Such as Value Services only by the Profit they bring them, without any regard to the Zeal, Faith, and Affections, of the Heart, and pay them with Blows, and Reproaches in their Age, for the Uſe, Strength and Induſtry of their Youth. Nay Humane Frailty it ſelf is Imputed to them for a Crime, and they are Treated Worſe than Beaſts for not being More than Men. Here's an Old Drudging Curr turn'd off to Shift for Himſelf, for want of the very Teeth and Heels that he had loſt in his Maſter's Service. Nay, if he can but come off for Starving, it paſſes for an Aft of Mercy. Under Theſe Circumſtances, the Bare Senſe of a Calamity is call'd Grumbling, and if a man does but make a Face upon the Boot, he's preſently a Male-Content. It may be a Queſtion now, whether the Wickedneſs, or the Imprudence of this Iniquity be the more Pernicious; for over and above the Inhumanity, 'tis a Doctrine of Ill Conſequence to the Maſter Himſelf, to ſhew the World how Impoſſible a Thing it is for a Servant to Oblige and Pleaſe him: Nay, it is ſome ſort of Temptation alſo to Impiety and Injuſtice, when Virtue and Duty come to be made Dangerous.
And yet it is not One Maſter perhaps of Twenty, all this while, that either directs, or takes Notice of Theſe Indignities. It goes a Great Way, 'tis true, Barely to Permit them. One while perchance the Maſter is not Aware of what is done, and then in Other Caſes, it may fall out Effectually to be his Own Act, even againſt his Own Will: That is to ſay, when the Paſſions of Imperious, and Ill Natur'd Servants are Cover'd with the Name and Authority of their Patrons, in the Abuſe of a Truſt that was Plac'd in 'em for Honeſter, and for Nobler Ends. It is Congruous enough yet to Apply the Moral of This Fiction, rather to the Driver of the Aſſe, and to the Huntſman that Manag'd the Chaſe, than to the Maſter Himfelf: But the Aſſe and Dog were Beaten however, for being Old, and ſpent, in Deſpite of All the Bonds and Inſtincts of Honour, Piety, and Good Nature.
