day, ſays the Horſe, as I was Croſſing a Thicket, and I'm e'en quite Lame on't. Oh, ſays the New Phyſician, Do but hold up your Leg a little, and I'll Cure ye immediately. The Lion preſently puts himſelf in poſture for the Office; but the Patient was too Nimble for his Doctor, and ſo ſoon as ever he had him Fair for his Purpoſe, gave him ſo Terrible a Rebuke upon the Forehead with his Heel, that he laid him at his Length, and ſo got off with a whole Skin, before the Other could Execute his Deſign.
The Moral of the Two Fables above.
REFLEXION.
There's No Truſting to the Fair Words of Thoſe that have both an Intereſt, and an Inclination to Deſtroy us, Eſpecially when the Deſign is carry'd on under the Maſque of a Friendly Office. It is but reaſonable to Oppoſe Art to Art, and where we ſuſpect Falſe-Play, to Encounter One Trick with Another: Provided always that it be Manag'd without breach of Faith, and within the Compaſs of Honour, Honeſty, and Good Manners. The Wolfe had the ſame Deſign upon the Aſſe, that the Lion had upon the Horſe and the Matter being brought to a Trial of Skill between them, the Countermine was only an Ad of Self Preſervation.
Fab. XXXVIII.
A Horſe and an Aſſe.
IN the Days of Old, when Horſes ſpoke Greek and Latin, and Aſſes made Syllogiſms, there happen'd an Encounter upon the Road betwixt a Proud Pamper'd Jade in the Full Courſe of his Carriere, and a Poor Creeping Aſs, under a Heavy Burden, that had Chopt into the ſame Track with him. Why, how now Sirrah, ſays he, D'ye not ſee by theſe Arms, and Trappings, to what Maſter I belong? And D'ye not Underſtand that when I have That Maſter of mine upon my Back, the Whole Weight of the State reſts upon My Shoulders? Out of the way thou ſlaviſh Inſolent Animal, or I'll Tread thee to Dirt. The Wretched Aſſe immediately Slunck aſide, with this Envious Reflexion betwixt his Teeth. [What would I give to Change Conditions with That Happy Creature there.] This Fancy would not out of the Head of him, 'till it was his Hap ſome Few Days after to ſee This very Horſe doing Drudgery in a Common Dung-Cart. Why
