Fables of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists/Fable XLII
Fab. XLII.
A Wolfe and a Fox.
A Wolfe that had a mind to take his Ease, Stor'd himself Privately with Provisions, and so kept Close a while. Why, how now friend says a Fox to him, we han't seen You abroad at the Chace this many a day! Why truly says the Wolfe, I have gotten an Indisposition that keeps me much at Home, and I hope I shall have Your prayers for my Recovery. The Fox had a Fetch in't, and when he saw it would not Fadge; Away goes he presently to a Shepherd, and tells him where he might surprize a Wolfe if he had a mind to't. The Shepherd follow'd his Directions, and Destroyed him. The Fox immediately, has his Next Heir, repairs to his Cell, and takes possession of his Stores; but he had Little Joy of the Purchase, for in a very short time, the same Shepherd did as much for the Fox, as he had done before for the Wolfe.
The Moral.
REFLEXION.
'Tis Impossible for an Envious Man to be Happy. He makes the World his Enemies, and the Mischiefe that he does to Others, returns in a Judgment upon his Own Head. There's No Trusting of a Crafty Designing Knave. I do not speak of the Trust of Privacy and Confidence only; but a Wise Man would not so much as Venture himself in such Company, nor let him come within distance of so much as knowing how to put a Trick upon him. This Fable shews us the Danger of such Conversation. And it shews us likewise the Just Fate that Attends the Treachery, even of One Traytor to Another: The Wolfe had a Design upon the Fox; The Fox had a Counter-Design upon the Wolfe: (which was no more then a Couple of Crafty Knaves well Match'd) And the Shepherd did Justice upon them Both.