Fables of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists/Fable CCXXVII
Fab. CCXXVII.
Two Friends and a Bear.
TWO Friends that were Travelling together, had the Fortune to Meet a Bear upon the Way. They found there was no Running for’t. So the One Whips up a Tree, and the Other throws himself Flat with his Face upon the Ground. The Bear comes directly up to Him, Muzzles, and Smells to him, puts his Nose to his Mouth, and to his Ears, and at last, taking for Granted that 'twas only a Carcass, there he leaves him. The Bear was no sooner gone, but Down comes his Companion, and ask'd him, what it was the Bear Whisper'd him in the Ear. He bad me have a Care, says he, how | keep Company with those, that when they find themselves upon a Pinch, will leave their Friends in the Lurch.
The Moral.
Every Man for Himself, and God for us All.
REFLEXION.
THIS Fable has in a Few Words a Great many Useful, and Instructive Morals. The Man upon the Tree Preaches to us upon the Text of [Charity begins at Home] According to the False and Perverse Practice of the World when their Companions are in Distress. The Bear passes a Judgment upon the Abandoning of a Friend in a Time of Need, as an Offence both to Honour and Vertue; And moreover, Cautions us, above All Things, to have a Care what Company we keep. There’s no Living in This World without Friendship; No Society; No Security without it; Beside that the Only Tryal of it is in Adversity. And yet nothing Commoner in times of Danger, then for States-men, Sword-men, Church-men, Law-men, and in truth, all sorts of Men, more or less, to leave their Masters, Leaders, or Friends, to Bears and Tygers; Shew them a Fair pair of Heels for't, and cry, The Devil Take the Hindmost.