till they were both Starv'd, and left the Care of their Children to Puſs and her Kittens.
The Moral.
REFLEXION.
Buſie-Bodies and Intermedlers, are a Dangerous ſort of People to have to do withal; for there's no Miſchief that may not be wrought by the Craft and Manage of a Double Tongue, with a Fooliſh Credulity to work upon. There's hardly a Greater Peſt to Government, Converſation, the Peace of Societies, Relations and Families, then Officious Tale-bearers, and Buſie-Intermedlers. Theſe Pick-thanks are enough to ſet Mankind together by the Ears; they live upon Calumny and Slander, and cover themſelves too under the Seal of Secreſy and Friendſhip: Theſe are the People that ſet their Neighbonrs Houſes afire to Roaſt their own Eggs. The Sin of Traducing is Diabolical, according to the very Letter; and if the Office be Artificially Manag'd, 'tis enough to put the whole World into a Flame, and no body the Wiſer which way it came, The Miſchief may be Promoted, by Miſrepreſenting, Miſunderſtanding, or Miſinterpreting our Neighbours Thoughts, Words and Deeds; and no Wound ſo Mortal as that where the Poiſon works under a Pretence of Kindneſs. Nay, there are ways of Commendation and Inſinuations, of Affection and Eſteem, that Kill a Man as ſure as a Gun. This Practice is the Bane of all Truſt and Confidence; and it is as att in the Intriguesof Courts and States, as in the moft Ordinary Accidents of Life. ’Tis enough to break the Neck of all Honeſt Purpoſes, to Kill all Generous and Publick-Spirited Motions, and to ſtifle all Honourable Inclinations in the very Conception. But next to the Practice of theſe Lewd Offices, Deliver all Honeſt Men from lying at the Mercy of thoſe that Encourage and Entertain them.
Fab. CCCCIV.
The Frogs and the Bulls.
THere happen’d a Deſperate Duel betwixt a Couple of Bulls; upon a Point of Honour; for the Quarrel was about a Miſtriſs, There was a Frog at the ſame time upon the Bank of a Lake, looking on to ſee the Combat. Ah, ſays the Frog, what will become of Us now? Why prithee, ſays one of his Companions, what are the Bulls to the Frogs, or the Lakes to the Meadows? Very much I can aſſure ye, ſays the Frog again, forhe
