Page:Fables of Aesop and other eminent mythologists.djvu/80

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26
Æſop's FABLES.

Fab. XXVI.

An Aſſe, an Ape, and a Mole.

AN Aſſe and an Ape were Conferring Grievances. The Aſſe complain'd mightily for wane of Horns, and the Ape was as much troubled for want of a Tail. Hold your Tongues Both of ye, ſays the Mole, and be Thankful for what you have, for the Poor Moles are Stark Blind, and in a Worſe Condition than either of ye.


Fab. XXVII.

The Hares and the Frogs.

ONce upon a time the Hares found themſelves mightily Unſatisfyd with the Miſerable Condition they Liv'd in, and call'd a Council to Adviſe upon't. Here we live, ſays one of 'em, at the Mercy of Men, Dogs, Eagles, and I know not how many Other Creatures and Vermine, that Prey upon us at Pleaſure; Perpetually in Frights, Perpetually in Danger; And therefore I am abſolutely of Opinion that we had Better Die once for All, than live at This rate in a Continual Dread that's Worſe than Death it ſelf. The Motion was Seconded and Debated, and a Reſolution Immediately taken, One and All, to Drown Themſelves. The Vote was no ſooner paſs'd, but away they Scudded with That Determination to the Next Lake. Upon this Hurry, there leapt a Whole Shoal of Frogs from the Bank into the Water, for fear of the Hares. Nay, then my Maſters, ſays one of the Graved of the Company, pray let's have a little Patience. Our Condition I find is not altogether ſo bad as we fancy'd it; for there are Thoſe you fee that are as much affraid of Us, as we are of Others.

The Moral of the Two Fables above.

There's No Contending with the Orders and Decrees of Providence. He that Made us knows what's Fitteſf for us; and Every man's Own Lot (well Underſtood and Manag'd) is Undoubtedly the Beſt.

REFLEXION.

'Tis the Intent of Theſe Two Fables, to ſhew, that no People are ſo Miſerable, but that at ſome Time or Other, in ſome Thing or Other, they have Reaſon to Account themſelves Happy. And if they would but duly

conſider,