Fables of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists/Fable CLXXVIII
Fab. CLXXVIII.
A Crow and a Raven.
YOur Raven has a Reputation in the World for a Bird of Omen, and a kind of small Prophet. A Crow that had Obferv'd the Raven's Manner and Way of Delivering his Predictions, sets up for a Foreboder too; and so gets upon a Tree, and there stands Nodding and Croaking, just over the Head of some People that were Passing by. They were a little Surpriz'd at first; but so soon as they saw how 'twas. Come, my Masters (says One of the Company) let's e'en go forward, for This is but the Chattering of a Foolish Crow, and it signifies Nothing.
The MORAL.
REFLEXION.
THE Affectation of Powers and Faculties, that are Above us, is not only Vain, and Unprofitable, but Ridiculous; for the Matter, upon Examination, will not abide the Test. Your Empyricks, Piss-Pot-Prophets, Fortune-Tellers, and Buffoon-Pretenders to State and Government, fall under the Lash of This Moral. And so do All your little Smatterers in Arts and Siences of what Kind, or Quality soever: But there goes more to the Making of a Prophet, then Nodding, and Croaking. 'Tis not the Gown and the Cap that Makes the Doctor; Neither is it the Supercilious Gravity of Countenances and Forms, that presently Dubbs any Man a Philosopher. Not but that a Fool may Put himself in the Garb, and so far Imitate the Meen, and Motions of a Wise-man, as at first Blush to Put a Body to a Stand what to Make of him: But upon further Consideration, the Original is as Easily known from the Copy, as the Ass in his borrow'd Skin was from the Lyon: Or I might have said, as the Crow here from the Raven: Their Ears and their Tongues Betray them.