Fables of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists/Fable CCCCV
Fab. CCCCV.
The Frogs and the Sun.
IN the Innocent Age of the World, when there were no Children in Nature, but those that were begot in Lawful Wedlock, it was in every Bodies Mouth, that the Sun was about to Marry. The Frogs in General were ready to Leap out of their Skins for Joy at it; 'till one Crafty Old Slut in the Company, advis'd ‘em to Confider a little Better on’t, before they appointed a Day of Thanksgiving for the Blessing. For (says she) if we are almost Scorch’d to Death already, with One Sun, what will become of us when that Sun shall have Children, and the Heat Encrease upon us with the Family!
The Moral.
REFLEXION.
It requires Great Care and Circumspection, that we Weigh and Ballance things before we pronounce them to be either Good or Evil: For Men are Thankful many times for direct Maledictions, and Mortify themselves upon the Mistake of Imaginary Blessings. 'Twas a Wise Frog that Advis’d her Fellows to think well on't, before they rung the Bells for the Sun's Wedding. This Fancy looks toward the Case of a Republican Humour that has got a-head in a Monarchial State, Now Empire is not to be shar’d in Comfort; and when Sovereignty Marries, 'tis no longer Single but Popular; and still the Greater the Number of Governors, the Heavier is the Height of the Government. Now though the Order of Superiority and Subjection be of Absolute Necessity for the good of Mankind, this does not yet hinder it in many respects, from being Grievous to those that live under it; every common Man would be Free, and thinks himself Wrong’d if he be not so. Now this is for want of Understanding the True and Natural Reason of the Matter; which is, that when One Government comes to be Dislolv'd, the First thing to be done is to fall to Cutting of Throats toward the setting up of Another.