Fables of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists/Fable CXXVI

by Roger L'Estrange

Fab. CXXVI.

Wasps in a Honey-pot.

THere was a Whole Swarm of Wasps got into a Hony-Pot, and there they Cloy’d and Clamm‘d themselves, till there was no getting Out again; which brought them to Understand in the Conclusion, that they had pay'd too Deare for their Sweet-Meats.

The Moral.

Loose Pleasures become Necessary to Us by the Frequent Use of them, and when they come once to be Habitnal, there's no getting Clear again.

REFLEXION.

These Wasps in a Hony-Pot are so many Sensual Men that are Plunp’d in their Lusts and Pleasures; and when they are once Glu'd to them, ‘tis a very Hard Matter to Work themselves Out. We have an Emblem here of Those Foolish Voluptuous Men, that Sacrifice the Peace, the Honour, the Comfort, and all other Substantial Satisfactions of Life, to the Temptation of a Liquorish Palate, And so for the Liberties of Wine, Women, Feasting, and Jolly Company; The Pomp and Splendor of Courts and Parades, &c: Ye comes All to the fame Point; for when Men are once Dipt; what with the Engagements of Sense, Custom, Facility; Nay and I might have say’d, with the very Shame of Departing from what they have given themselves up to, they go on with Æsops Flyes, 'till they are Stifled in their very Pleasures.