Fables of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists/Fable CIV

by Roger L'Estrange

Fab. CIV.

A Fox and Huntsmen.

A Fox that had been Hard-run, begg’d of a Countryman that he saw at Work in a Wood, to help him to some Hiding-Place. The Man Directed him to his Cottage, and thither he went. He was no sooner got in, but the Huntsmen were presently at the Heels of him, and asked the Cottager if he did not see a Fox That Way? No tnuly, says he, I saw None; but Pointed at the same time with his Finger to the Place where he lay. The Huntsmen did not take the Hint, it seems; but the Fox spy'd him, it seems, through a Peeping Hole he had found out to see what News: so the Fox-Hunters went their Way, and then Out steals the Fox, without One Word speaking, Why how now, says the Man, Han't ye the Manners to take leave of your Host before you go? Yes, yes, says the Fox; If you had been as Honest of your Fingers, as you were of your Tongue, I should not have gone without bidding ye Farewell.

The MORAL.

A Man may tell a Lye by Signs, as well as in Words at length, and his Conscience is as Ansierable for his Fingers, as for his Tongue.

REFLEXION.

There's No Trusting of Those that Say One Thing, and Do Another, Especially if they follow Fair Words with Foul Deeds. Here's a Case of Honour, and of Conscience, Both in One, upon the Matter of Hospitality, and of Trust. The Laws of Hospitality are Sacred on the One Side, and so are the Duties we Owe to our Country on the Other. If we Consicer the Trust, Faith must not be Broken; If the Common Enemy, his Councel is not to be kept. The Wood Man did as good as Tacitly promise the Fox a Santuary; but not being Sui Juris, he promis’d more then he could War-rantably Perform; for a Subsequent Promise to Connceale the Fox could not Discharge him of a Prior Obligation to Destroy him. 'Tis true, it would have been more Generous to have don’t at first, and while he had as yet No Colour of any Tye of Honour upon him to Preserve him. The Fox begg’d for Protection, which he had No Reason to Expect. First it was upon Force, and Necessity, not Choice. Secondly, It was at his own Peril, without any Conditions for his own Security. Thirdly, He Committed himself to the Mercy of a Man that was bound ro Kill him. Fourthly, The very Address was scandalous; for he must needs have an Ill Opinion of the Countryman, so much as to Imagine that He could be Wrought upon to Betray his Country for the fake of a Beast. But let the Rest be as it will, there’s no Excuse for the Woodman's Double Dealing.