Fables of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists/Fable CCXVIII
Fab. CCXVIII.
A Bull and a Goat.
A Bull that was Hard Press'd by a Lyon, ran directly toward a Goats-Stall, to Save Himself. The Goat made Good the Door, and Head to Head Disputed the Passage with him. Well! says the Bull, with Indignation, If I had not a more Dangerous Enemy at my Heels, then I have Before me, I should soon Teach you the Difference betwixt the Force of a Bull, and of a Goat.
The Moral.
REFLEXION.
IT is Matter of Prudence, and Necessity; for People in many Cases to put up the Injuries of a Weaker Enemy, for fear of Incurring the Dilpleasure of a Stronger. Baudoin fancies the Bull to be the Emblem of a Man in Distress, and the Goat Insulting over him; and Moralizes upon it after This Manner. [There’s Nothing that a Courtier more Dreads and Abhors, then a Man in Disgrace; and he is presently made All the Fools and Knaves in Nature upon't: For He that’s Unfortunate is Consequently Guilty of All manner of Crimes.] He Applies This Character to those that Persecute Widows and Orphans, and Trample upon the Afflicted; though not without tome Violence Methinks, to the Genuine Intent of This Figure; for the Goat was only Pasive; and his Bus’ness was, without any Insolence, or Injustice, to Defend his Free-Hold