Fables of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists/Fable CCXII

by Roger L'Estrange

Fab. CCXII.

Bustards and Cranes.

SOme Sports-men that were abroad upon Game, spy'd a Company of Bustards and Cranes a Feeding together, and so made in upon ’em as fast their Horses could carry them, The Cranes that were Light, took Wing immediately, and sav'd themselves, but the Bustards were Taken; for they were Fat, and Heavy, and could not Shift so well as the Other.

The MORAL.

Light of Body and Light of Purse comes much to a Case in Troublesome Times; Only the One saves himfelf by his Activity, and the Other scapes because he is not worth the Takings

REFLEXION.

CAMERARIUS makes This to be an Emblem of the Taking of a Town, where the Poor scape better then the Rich; for the One is let go, and the Other is Plunder’d and Coop’d up. But with Favour of the Moralifts, it was not at the Fowler's Choice, which to Take, and which to Let go; for the Cranes were too Nimble, and got away inspite of him: So that This Phansie seems rather to Point at the Advantages that some have over Others, to make Better shift in the World then their Fellows, by a Felicity of Make, and Constitution, whether of Body or of Mind: Provided always, that they Play Fair, and Manage all Those Faculties with a Strict Regard to Common Honesty and Justice.