Twenty times their Eſtate, and therefore muſt needs Burſt in the Concluſion! But Pride and Ambition Puſhes men forward, not only to Extravagances, but Impoſſibilities, though to the Certain Undoing of the Weaker and the Meaner: When they come to Vie Power and Expence with Thoſe that are too High, and too many for them.
Men that would be Bigger than God has made them, muſt e'en Expect to fall to Nothing. This Affectation ſtrikes upon All the Weakneſſes that Pride, Envy, or Ambition can fancy to it ſelf, provided always that we do not take Emulation for Envy. In One Word, when men's Hearts and Thoughts are puff'd up into a Deſire of Things Unnatural, the Tumour is Incurable. But they are Weak Minds commonly, that are Tainted with This Evil. They take Falſe Meaſures, both of Themſelves, and of Others, without conſidering the Limits, Bulk, Fortune, Ability, Strength, &c. or in truth, the very Nature of the Things, Matters, or Perſon in Queſtion. They let up Competitors for Learning, Power, Eſtate, Policy; They Cenſure their Betters, Deſpiſe their Equals, and Admire Themſelves: But their Greatneſs all this while, is only in Imagination, and they make All fly with the Frog at laſt, by Straining to be Bigger than they Are, and Bigger than 'tis poſſible for them to Be.
Fab. XXXVI.
An Aſſe and a Wolf.
AN Aſſe had got a Thorn in's Foot, and for want of a Better Surgeon, who but a Wolf at laſt, to draw it out with his Teeth! The Aſſe was no ſooner Eas'd, but he gave his Operator ſuch a Lick under the Ear with his Sound Foot for his Pains, that he Stunn'd him, and ſo went his way.
Fab. XXXVII.
A Horſe and a Lion.
THere was an Old Hungry Lion would fain have been Dealing with a piece of Good Horſe-Fleſh that he had in his Eye; but the Nag he thought would be too Fleet for him, unleſs he could Supply the want of Heels, by Artifice and Addreſs. He puts himſelf into the Garb, and Habit of a Profeſſor of Phyſick, and according to the Humour of the World, ſets up for a Doctor of the College. Under this Pretext, he lets fall a Word or two by way of Diſcourſe, upon the Subject of his Trade; but the Horſe Smelt him out, and preſently a Crotchet came in his Head how he might Countermine him. I got a Thorn in my Foot T'other
