Fables of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists/Fable CCCCXLVII

by Roger L'Estrange

Fab. CCCCXLVII.

Demetrius and Menander.

When Demetrius Phalaræus (a Tyrant and an Usurper,) took Possession of Athens, how was he Beset and Pursu'd with the Huzza's and Acclamations of the People! Nay, and the Leading Men of the City too, with Joy in their Looks, and Gall in their Hearts, striving who should be Foremost in the Solemnity, to cry Vive Demetrius, and Kiss the Hand that Enslav'd chem. After them follow'd the Men of Ease, Luxury and Pleasure, for fear of being thought Wanting in point of Affection and Respect. Menander the Famous Comical Poet was one of the Number, but in so Loose a Garb and Dress, and with so Unmanly a kind of March and Motion, that Demetrius had his Eye upon him presently, and call'd Aloud to know how such an Effeminate Sot durst presume to Appear in his Presence. Somebody gave the Tyrant immediately a Whisper, and told him, Sir says he, This is the Poet Menander that you your self have been pleas'd to own so Great an Admiration and Esteem for. Demetrius recollects himself, and changes his Humour in the very instant; calls Menander to him, and Treats him with all the Instances imaginable of a singular Liking and Respect.

The Moral.

This Fable sets forth the Slavish Humour and Practice of the World, upon all Violent Changes, let them be never so Impious and Unjust: And it shews us again, that no Tyrants Heart can be so Harden'd, but it may be Soften'd, and wrought upon by the Force of Wit and Good Letters.

REFLEXION.

'Tis no Wonder, where there’s Power on the One Side, to find Flattery and Slavery on the Other: Nor is there any Inference to be drawn from the Outward Pomp of Popular Addresses and Applause, to an_Inward Congruity of Affections in the Heart: For Blessings and Cursings come out of the same Mouth. These Noisy Acclamations are rather made of Mode and Ceremony, then of Zeal and good Will; and the Huzza's of the Rabble are the same to a Bear that they are to a Prince, and signify no more to the One, then they do to the Other. The Tyrants Reproof here of Menander for his Meen and Garb, and his Recollection then, upon being better Inform'd, are First, to the Honour of his Character, in being so Generous as upon so solemn an Occasion, to own his Mistake: And Secondly, Inftructive to us, that we are not to Judge of the Man by his Outside.