Fables of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists/Fable LXXXV
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Fab. LXXXV.
A Bragging Traveller.
A Vain Fellow that had been abroad in the World, would still be Tiring All Peoples Ears at his Return, with Stories of his Wonderful Actions and Adventures in his Travels; and particularly, he told of a Leap he took at Rhodes, that No Body there could come within Six Foot on't. Now This (says he) I am able to Prove by several Witnesses upon the Place. If This be True (says one of the Company) there's No Need of going to Rhodes for Witnesses: Do but You fancy this to be Rhodes, and then shew us the Leape.
The Moral.
Travellers have a kind of Privilege to Romance it; and to Tell Stories at large. And for Those that Doubt the Truth of the Matter, they had e'en better pass it over than go to Difsprove it.
REFLEXION.
'Tis Foolish to Appeale to Witnesses for the Proofe of any thing, when °tis not a Pin Matter, whether the Fact in Question be True or False; and so it is also to talk of Proofes that are not within Call: Bur Vain Boasters are Naturally Impertinent, for they Talk at Random, without any Regard to Truth and Judgment. There may be a Double Use made of this Fable: First, as a Dissuasive to Those that spend their Time in Idle Insipid Compaay. Secondly, As a Caution to Those that are Tainted with this Levity, not to make Themselves Ridiculous any longer. Nature has Written Fool upon the Tip of That Man’s Tongue that will always be telling Stories with an [I did This,] and [I sayd That.] Travelicrs, they say, may lye by Authority; and yet our Travellers Privilege here was not sussicient to Protect him in his Vanity from making Sport to the Company.