Fables of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists/Fable CII

by Roger L'Estrange

Fab. CII.

A Fox and a Bramble.

A Fox that was close Pursu'd, took a Hedge, The Bushes gave way, and in Catching hold of a Bramble to break his Fall, the Prickles ran into his Feet. Upon This, he layd himself down, and fell to Licking his Paws, with Bitter Exclamations against the Bramble. Good Words, Reynard, says the Bramble, One would have thought you had known Better Things, then to Expect a Kindness from a Common Enemy, and to lay hold on That for Relief, that Catches at Every Thing else for Mischiefe.

The Moral.

There are some Malicious Natures that Place all their Delight in doing Ill Turns, and That Man is hard put to't, that is first brought into a Distress, and then forc'd to Fly to such People for Relief.

REFLEXION.

'Tis Great Folly to Fly for Protection to People that Naturally Delight in Mischief, The Fox Blames the Bramble here, but he may Thank Himself. They that make themselves the Common Enemies of Mankind, by Breaking All the Measures of Good Faith, Truth, and Peace, and by lying in Wayte for Innocent Bloud, let them Turn their Heads which way they will, they shall be sure of an Enemy in the Face of them: Nay they meet with their Punishment, where they look for Safety, and which way foever they go, Divine Justice either Meets them, or Pursues them. The Foxes Charging his Misfortune here upon the Bramble, is the very Case and Practice of Wicked Men, that Snarle at the Instruments, without so much as Thinking of the Providence, But the Bramble did only according to its Nature, and Consequently was not to Blame.