Fables of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists/Fable CLXXXVI
Fab. CLXXXVI.
A Wolfe and a Sheep.
A Wolfe that lay Licking of his Wounds, and Extremely Faint, and Ill, upon the Biting of a Dog, call’d out to a Sheep that was Passing by, Heark ye Friend (says he) if thou wouldst but Help me to a Soup of Warer out of that same Brook there, I could make a Shist to get my self somewhat to Eat. Yes, says the Sheep, I make no Doubt on't; but when. bring ye Drink, my Carcass shall serve ye for Meat to’t.
The MORAL.
It is a Charitable and a Christian Office to RBelieve the Poor and the Distressed; but this Duty does not Extend to Sturdy Beggars, that while they are Receiving Alms with One Hand, are ready to Beat out a Man's Brains with the Other.
REFLEXION.
THAT Sheep has a Blessed Time on't that runs on a Wolves Errand: But Æsop's Sheep have more Wit, I perceive, then many of our Domestique Innocents. 'Tis a Court-Master-Piece, to draw Chesnuts out of the Fire with other Peoples Fingers; and to Complement a Man into a Post of Honour, a-purpose to have him Knock'd o'th' Head in’t: Now the Sheep’s Case in the Fable, is but an Every-days Case in the World; when People are divided betwixt Charity and Discretion, how far to go, and where to stop. In Offices of This Doubtful Quality, We have only This General Rule ta Walk by, that when we have to do with Known Wolves, we Kuow likewise that they are not to be Confided in. But this Wolfe (I must Confess) with a Lambskin over his Shoulders, might have past Muster for a Gospeller in Sheeps Cloathing; which would have made it a more Dangerous Imposture, We are to Gather from hence, that there’s no Trusting to the Fair Words and Appearances of a False, and a Malicious Enemy; for their very Kindnesses are no better then Snares. Treachery is a kind of a Lay-Hypocrisy, and they are Equally Odious both to God and Man: Over and above the Corruptingg of our Manners, the Hardening of our Hearts; the Dissolving of all the Bonds of Faith, Confidence and Society, and the Extinguishing of Good Nature it self: And all This in our own Defence too.