Fables of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists/Fable CCCCIII
Fab. CCCCIII.
The Eagle, Cat and Sow.
THere was an Eagle, a Cat and a Sow that bred in a Wood together. The Eagle Timber'd upon the top of a High Oak; the Cat Kitten'd in the Hollow Trunck of it, and the Sow lay Pigging at the Bottom. The Cat's Heart was set upon Mischief, and so she went with her Tale to the Eagle. Your Majesty had best look to your self, says Puss; for there is most certainly a Plot upon ye, and perchance upon Poor me too; for yonder's a Sow lies Grubbing Every Day at the Root of this Tree; Shee'll bring it down at last, and then your Little Ones and mine are all at Mercy. So soon as ever she had Hammer’d a Jealousie into the head of the Eagle, away to the Sow she goes, and Figs her in the Crown with another Story; Little do you think what a Danger your Litter is in; there's an Eagle Watching constantly upon this Tree to make a Prey of your Pigs, and so soon as ever you are but out of the way, she will certainly Execute her Design, The Cat upon this, goes presently co her Kittens again, keeping her self upon her Guard all Day, as if she were afraid; and steals out still at Night to Provide for her Family. In one Word, the Eagle durst not stir for fear of the Sow; and the Sow durst not budge for fear of the Eagle: So that they kept themselves upon their Guard 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.