Fables of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists/Fable CCXXVI

by Roger L'Estrange

Fab. CCXXVI.

A Curst Dog.

THere was a very Good Honse-Dog, but so Dangerous a Cur to Strangers, that his Master put a Bell about his Neck, to give People Notice before-hand when he was a Coming. The Dog took this Bell for a Particular Mark of his Masler’s Favour, till One of his Companions shew’d him his Mistake. You are Mightily Out (says he) to take This for an Ornament, or a Token of Esteem, which is in truth, no Other then a Note of Infamy set upon you for your Ill Manners.

The Moral.

This may serve for an Admonition to Those that make a Glory of the Marks of their Shame, and Value themselves upon the Reputation of an Ill-Character.

REFLEXION.

'TIS a Bad World, when the Rules and Measures of Good and Evil, are either Inverted, or Mistaken; and when a Brand of Infamy passes for a Badge of Honour. But the Common People do not Judge of Vice or Vertue, by the Morality, or the Immorality of the Matter, so much as by the Stamp that is set upon’t by Men of President and Figure, What's more Familiar then an Oftentation of Wickedness, where Impiety has the Reputation of Vertue? As in the Excesses of Wine, and Women, and the Vanity of bearing up against all the Laws of God and Man. When Lewdness comes once to be a Fashion, it has the Credit in the World that other Fashions have; as we see Many times an Affectation even of Deformity it self, where some Exemplary Defect has brought that Deformity to be a Mode. The Fancy of This Dog was somewhat like the French Womans Freak, that stood up for the Honour of her Family: Her Coat was Quarter'd, the faid, with the Arms of France; which was so far True, that she had the Flower-de-Luce Stamp'd, we muft not say Branded upon her Shoulder.