Fables of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists/Fable CLII
Fab. CLII
A Sow and a Dog.
THERE pass'd some Hard Words betwixt a Sow and a Dog, and the Sow swore by Venus, that she'd Tear his Guts out, if he did not Mend his Manners. Ay, says the Dog, You do well to call upon her for Your Patroness, that will not so much as Endure any Creature about her that Eates Swines Flesh. Well (says the Sow) and That's a Token of her Love, to Hate Any thing that hurts me; but for Dogs Flesh, ‘tis good neither Dead, nor Living.
The Moral.
REFLEXION.
'Tis an Ordinary Thing for People to Boast of an Interest where they have None, and then when they are Detected, ’tis a Stroake of Art to Divert the Reproach, by Emproving a Spitefull Word, or Thing, to a bodies Own Advantage. This way of Dialogue, is a kind of Tick-Tack; Where the One’s Bus’ness is to keep from making a Blot, and the Other’s is to Hit it when 'tis made. It is a Happy Pretence of Mind, to Anticipate Another man’s Thought, by Considering Well beforehand what Construction, or Allusion his Own Words will bear; for Otherwise, the Casting out an Inconfiderate Hint, is but the Setting of a Trap to Catch Himself. As the Son's Appealing to Venus here was as Good as an Answer thrown into the very Mouth of the Dog, which she might Easily have foreseen would be turn'd back upon her in the Bitterness of a Reproach: For the Reply lay so Open, the Other could not Well Miss it: But when All is done, Both Parts are to keep themselves upon their Guard; Or if either of ’em has Overshot himselfe, it is some sort of Reputation still, to make the Best of a Bad Game: As the Sow turn’d off the Scandal here with a Jest.