Fables of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists/Fable CLV

by Roger L'Estrange

Fab CLV.

A Shepherd and a Wolves Whelp.

A Shepherd took a Sucking Whelp of a Wolfe, and Train‘d it up with his Dogs. This Whelp Fed with em; Grew up with 'em, and whensoever they went out upon the Chace of a Wolfe, the Whelp would be sure to make One. It fell out sometimes that the Wolfe scap'd, and the Dogs were forc'd to go Home again: But This Domestique Wolfe would be still Hunting on, 'till he came up to his Brethren where he took part of the Prey with them; and so back again to his Master. It happen'd now and then that the Wolves abroad were pretty Quiet for a Fit: So that This Whelp of a Wolfe was fain tomake Bold ever and anon with a Sheep in Private by the By; but in the Conclusion, the Shepherd came to find out the Roguery, and Hang'd him up for his Pains.

The Moral.

False Men are no more to be Reclaim'd then Wolves, and the Leven of the Predecessors Sowres the Bleud, in the very Veins of the Whole Family.

REFLEXION.

Ill Dispositions may be Suppress'd, or Dislembled tor a while, but Nature is very hardly to be Alter’d, either by Councell, or by Education. It may do well enough, for Curiosity, and Experiment, to Try how far Ill Natur'd Men and Other Creatures may be Wrought upon by Fair Usage, and Good Breeding; But the Inclination and Cruelty of the Damm will never out of the Whelp. It may Suspend peradventure, or Intermit, for want of Occasion to shew it selfe; but Nature is like Mercury, there's No killing it Quite. The Wolfe in the House has a Kindness still for the Wolves in the Woods, and continues in the Interest of the same Common Enemy. Cat will to Kind, as they say, and Wicked Men willbe True to their Principles, how Fasse soever to their Masters.

We may read in the Moral of This Fable, the common Practice of the World, and a Doctrine that we find Every day Verify'd, as well in Men, as in Beasts; for there are Wolf-Whelps in Palaces, and Governments, as well as in Cottages, and Forrests. Do we not find in History, and Experience, Instances in abundance, even of Publique Ministers Themselves, that though taken up out of the very Herds of the Common Enemy; Admitted into Special Trusts; Fed by the Hand, and Treated with the Grace and Character of Particular Favourites, have their Hearts in the Woods yet all this while among their Fellows. So that there’s No Reclayming of them. They go out however, as there is Occasion, and Hunt and Growle for Company; but at the same time, they give the Sign out of their Masters hand, hold Intelligence with the Enemy; and Make use of their Power and Credit to Worry Honester Men then Themselves. It wants Nothing after This, but that they may live to have their Due; and with the Dog here in the Fable, go to Heaven in a String, according to the True Intent of the Allegory.