Fables of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists/Fable CI
Fab. CI.
A Fox that lost his Tayle.
THere was a Fox taken in a Trap, that was glad to Compound for his Neck by leaving his Tayle behind him. It was so Uncouth a Sight, for a Fox to appear without a Tayle, that the very Thought on't made him e'en Weary of his Life; for 'twas a Loss never to be Repair'd: But however for the Better Countenance of the Scandal, he got the Master and Wardens of the Foxes Company to call a Court of Assistants, where he himself appear'd, and made a Learned Discourse upon the Trouble, the Uselessness, and the Indecency of Foxes Wearing Tayles. He had no sooner say'd out his Say, but up rises a Cunning Snap, then at the Bord, who desir'd to be Enform'd, whether the Worthy Member that Mov'd against the Wearing of Tayles, gave his Advice for the Advantage of Those that Had Tayles, or to Palliate the Deformity and Disgrace of Those that had None.
The Moral.
REFLEXION.
'Tis the way of the World to give Other People Councell for their Own Ends. Paradoxing is of Great Use and Service in many Encounters and Accidents that we meet withal in the World; but the Faculty must be so Tenderly Manag'd, as not to Grate upon the Truth, and Reason of Things: And it is of Great Effect, if it can but give some Colour of Probability to the Matter in Question. Nay ther's a Pleasure in the very Tryal of Wits; but when This Talent is Employ’d upon the Topique of Convenience, and Profit; It is a wonderful Force that it has upon the Affections of the Common People. The Fox carry'd it as far as 'twould go; but he had too Hard a Task on't, to Over-rule a Multitude to their Own Pain and Loss.
We may Emprove a Doctrine from This, that Every Man has his Weak Side, either by Mischance, or by Nature; and that he makes it his Bus'ness to Cover it too, the Best he can. In cafe of the Worst, it is some sort of Ease to have Company in our Misfortunes. It puts a Body our of Countenance to be in a Fashion by Himself, and therefore the Fox did well to Try if he could bring his Fellow Foxes to put themselves into His Mode. When we have Carry'd a Point as far as it will go, and can make no more on't, 'tis a Stroke of Art and Philosophy, to look as if we did not so much as With for a Thing that is not to be Had. Every Man's Present Condition has somewhat to be Sayd for’t: If it be Uneasy, the Skill will be, either how to Mend it, or how to Beare it: But then there must be no Clashing with the Methods, the Decrees, and the Laws of Nature. A Man that has Forfeited his Honour and his Conscience, seems to be much in the Condition of the Fox here that had lost his Tayle, and takes as much pains too, to persuade All his Companions to follow his Fashton. He lays down his Arguments, and gives his REASONS, Nay, and he endeavours to Prove it by Scripture too, that Men, in such a Case, ought to go to Old Nick for Company. We are to Consider here, that the Devils have their Traps as well as the Woodmen, and that it is the Case of many a Lawyer and Divine, when they come once to be Hamper'd, to rubb off as well as they can, though they Leave their Consciences behind them, as the Fox did his Tayle, and then Preach up the Blessed Doctrine and Convenience of No Consciences, as well as No Tayles.