Fables of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists/Fable CCLXXIV
Fab. CCLXXIV.
A League of Beasts and Fishes.
THE Beasts Enter'd into a League with the Fishes against the Birds. The War was Declar’d; but the Fishes, instead of their Quota, sent their Excuse, that they were not able to March by Land.
The MORAL.
The Vanity of a Helpless Alliance.
REFLEXION.
THERE'’s No Contracting of Alliances with Those that are out of Distance of Assisting in a Time of Need, in all Contracts, whether of Publique Alliance, and Commerce, or Particular Friendship, there must a Regard be had to Reciprocal Aid and Assistance, in case of any Distress; So that All the Circumstances of Ability, Disposition, Scituation, Interest, &c. must be Taken into Thought, and Rightly Understood, before the Bargain be Struck; for 'tis a Scandalous Oversight to Err in any of the Essentuals to a Prudential, and a Beneficial Agreement: By which is Intended, any sort of Defect, or Incapacity that may Obstruct, or Frustrate the End of the League. Those Contracts are Ridiculous, and Void in Themselves, that shall pretend to Oblige us against Nature. For 'tis a Banter, not a Confederacy, to talk of Fishes Marching by Land, and Living out of their Element.
Fab. CCLXXV.
A Covetous Ambassador.
A Certain Ambassador that was still Pester’d with Drums and Trumpets every where upon the Way of his Embassy, was willing to save his Money, and so had them put off still with This Answer: That his Excellence was in Deep Mourning for his Mother, and in no Humour for Musique. The Drums and Trumpets were at least as much Troubled at the Tydings, as the Embassador Himself. This News came to the Ear of a Person of Honour, who presently made him a Con-