Fables of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists/Fable CCXLV
Fab. CCXLV.
A Bull and a Mouse.
A Mouse Pinch'd a Bull by the Foot, and then slunk into her Hole. The Bull Tears up the Ground upon't, and Tosses his Head in the Air, looking about, in a Rage, for his Enemy, but sees None. As he was in the Height of his Fury, the Mouse puts out her Head, and Laughs at him. Your Pride (says she) may be brought down I see, for all Your Blustering, and your Horns; for here’s a Poor Mouse has got the Better of ye, and You do not know how to Help your self.
The MORAL.
REFLEXION.
NO Man lives without Encmics, and no Enemy is so Despicable, but some time or other he may do a Body a shrewd Turn. 'Tis Prudence to pass over Those Indignities, which are either too Little for our Consideration, or out of our Power to Reach, and Punish. For there's Nothing more Ridiculous, then an Impotent Anger, that spends it self to no manner of Purpose: and there's no Better way of Dealing with it, then to Laugh it Out of Countenance. All Men in the World that we fee Transported into Outrages, for small Trivial Matters, fall under the Innuendo be This Bull in the Fable, that ran Tearing Mad for the Pinching of a Mouse.