Fables of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists/Fable CLI
Fab. CLI.
A Gardiner and his Dog.
A Gardners Dog dropt into a Well, and his Master let himself down to Help him Out again. He reach'd forth his Hand to take hold of the Dog, and the Curr Snape him by the Fingers: For he thought ‘twas only to Duck him Deeper. The Master went his Way upon't, and e'en Left him as he Found him. Nay (says he) I'm well enough Servd, to take so much pains for the Saving of One that is Resolvd to make away Himself.
{{c|The Moral.
REFLEXION.
THERE’s No Fastening an Obligation upon Those that have neither Justice, Gratitude, nor Good Faith; and it is the same Case in Effect, with Those that do not Understand when they are Well-Us'd: From whence we may Inferr This Doctrine, that Fools and Knaves, are Not Company for Honest Men. The Course and Violent Part of the Common People have much in them of This Currs Humour. They Plunge themselves into Difficulties by Mistaking their Way, and then fly in the face of Those that would Set them Right again. In This Opposition to Duty and Diseretion, they Pursue their Errors, ‘till in the End, they are left to the Fate of their Own Madness and Folly; and Consequently Perish withour Any Hope, or Means of Pity or Redress, The Gard’ner would have sav’d his Dog from Drowning, and the Curr bit his Master by the fingers for his pains.