Fables of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists/Fable CLXXXV

by Roger L'Estrange

Fab. CLXXXV.

Jupiters Wedding.

WHen the Toy had once taken Jupiter in the Head to Enter into a State of Matrimony, he Resolv’d for the Honour of his Celestial Lady, that the Whole World should keep a Festival upon the Day of his Marriage, and so Invited all Living Creatures, Tag-Rag and Bob-Tail, to the Solemnity of his Wedding. They all came in very Good Time, saving only the Tortoise. Jupiter told him ‘twas Ill done to make the Company Stay, and Ask'd him, Why so Late? Why rruly says the Tortoise, I was at Home, at my Own House, my Dearly Beloved House, and [Home is Home, let it be never so Homely. Jupiter took it very Ill at his Hands, that he should think himself Better in a Ditch, then in a Palace, and so he pass'd this Judgment upon him; that since he would not be perswaded to come out of his House upon that Occasion, he should never Stir abroad again from that Day forward, without his House upon his Head.

The MORAL.

There’s a Retreat of Sloth and Affectation, as well as of Choice and Virtue; and a Beggar may be as Proud and as Happy too in a Cottage, as a Prince in a Palace.

REFLEXION.

WE are to Learn from hence (says the Old Moral) that there's no Trifling, Dallying, or Delaying with Men in Power: And that Contentment in a Mean Condition at Home, is beyond all the Luxurious Treats in the

World, Abroad, with Pomp and Envy. The Danger of Trifling with Great Men does not come up methinks, to the Full Force, and Intent of this Fable, which seems rather to set forth the Mistakes of Impotent Greatness, in Mis-judging the Test and Standard of Humane Happiness. What's a Voluptuous Dinner, and the Frothy Vanity of Discourse that commonly attends chef Pompous Entertainments? What is it but a Mortification, to a Man of Sense and Virtue, to spend his time among People that take Good for Evil, and Punish where they should Reward, and Reward where they should Punish! The Tortoise was Forbidden the Court; That is to fay, he was Banished from the sight of Vain, Wicked, and Unprofitable Examples. Jupiter gave the Tortoise the Honour of an Invitation, but that Honour was yet to the Poor Tortoise's Loss; for He that’s Transported out of his Nature, and out of his Element, let the Change be what it will, is a Loser by the Bargain. A Plain, and a Homely Home, with Competency and Content, is beyond all the Palaces under the Heavens; The Pomp, the Plenty, and the Pleasures of them over and above. To say nothing of the Surfeits that are gotten by Excesses of Eating and Drinking; ‘The Restless Nights, Factious Emulations, Fewds, and Disgusts that Attend them: Beside the Slavery of being Ty’d up to other Peoples Hours, Meals, and Fashions. He that has no Ambition, is Happy in a Cell, or in a Cottage; whereas the Ambitious Man is Miserable, even upon a Throne. He that thinks he has not Enough, Wants, and He that Wants is a Beggar.

The Tortoise came Late, for he came Unwillingly, which is the Cafe of many a Worthy Man that Sacrifices his Peace to formalities of Complement, and Good Manners. Jupiter took Snuff at the Contempt, and Punish'd him for't. And what was the Punishment? He sent him Home again. ‘That is to say, He Remanded him to his Lot, and to his Choice. Such, in Short, is the Felicity of a Moderate, and a Steady Mind, that all Comforts are Wrapt up in’t; for Providence turns the very Punishment of a Good-Man, into an Equivalence to a Reward, by Improving that to his Advantage, which was intended for his Ruine; and making the Tortoise’s Banishment a blessing to him.