Fables of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists/Fable CCXLII

by Roger L'Estrange

Fab. CCXLII.

A Country-man and an Oxe.

A Country-man had got a Stubborn Oxe, that would still be Pushing and Flinging, whenever they went to Yoak, or to Tye him up. The Man Cuts off his Horns, and puts him to the Plough, and by That Means Secures Himself, both against his Head and his Heels; and in the Mean time, He Himself Guids the Plough: But though the Oxe, when he was thus Shackled and Disarmed, could not either Strike, or Gore him, he made a shift yet to throw Dust enough into his Eyes, and his Mouth, almost to Blind, and to Choak him.

The MORAL.

A Malicious Man may be Bound Hand and Foot, and put out of Condition of doing Mischief, bat a Malicious Will is never to be Master’d.

REFLEXION.

THERE are some Natures so Untractable, that there's No Good to be done upon them by Generosity, Kindness, Artifice, or Councel, nay the more pains a man takes to Reclaim them, the Worse they are; and when they are put out of Condition to do Mischicf by Violence, they will find a Way yet to Teize and Plague People with Restless, and Vexatious Importunities. They Love to be Troublesome, and with the Shrew upon the Cucking-stool, when their Mouths are Stopt, they'll call Pricklouse still with their very Thumbs.