Fables of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists/Fable CLXXX
Fab. CLXXX.
A Raven and a Snake.
AS a Snake lay Lazing at his Length, in the Gleam of the Sun, a Raven Took him up, and Flew away with him. The Snake kept a Twisting and Turning, till he Bit the Raven, and made him Curse himself for being such a Fool, as to Meddle with a Purchace that had cost him his Life.
The MORAL.
Nature has made All the Necessaries of Life, Safe and Easie to us, but if we will be Hankering after Things that we Neither Want nor Understand, we must take our Fortune, even if Death it Self should happen to be in the Case.
REFLEXION.
IF Men would but Ballance the Good and the Evil of Things, the Profit and the Loss, they would not Venture Soul, Body, and Reputation, for a Little Dirty Interest. 'Tis much the same Thing betwixt Us, and our Sensual Acquisitions, that it is betwixt the Raven and the Snake here. Men of Eager Appetites Chop at what comes next, and the Purchase seldom fails of a Sting in the Tayl on’t. Nor is it to be Expected, that Passion without Reason should Succeed better. Our Senses are Sharp-set upon All Fleshly Pleasures, and if they be but Fair to the Eye, Rellishing to the Palate, Harmonious to the Ear, Gentle to the Touch, and Fragrant to the Smell, 'tis all we Look for, and all we Care for. 'Tis true, all This while, that our very Nature Requires a Dose of These Enjoyments; nay, and that Provi-dence it self does not only Allow, but Prescribe it; for the Common Comfort and Benefit of Humane Society, and of Mankind; for Life would be no longer Life without it. But the Crime and the Danger lies in the Excess, and in the Immoderate Love and Use of them. Was not the Apple in Paradise Fair to the Eye, and Graceful to the Tast, and yet there was Death in't. What were the Poets Sirens, but Figures of our Seducers, that Charm us by the Ear, and Tempt us to leap Over-board: That is to say by Debauching us into False Doctrines and Opinions, which do but Answer, In the One side,the Moral of the Songs on the Other. And so for the Touch, and the Smell, the Former ‘tis true, has made more Havock in the World, but yet a Man may be Poyson'd with a Perfume, as well as with a Nauseous Potion. To Conclude, we have Snakes in our Beds, in our Cups, in our Dishes, and whoever dips too deep, will find Death in the Pot.