Fables of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists/Fable XV

by Roger L'Estrange

Fab. XV.

An Asse and a Whelp.

A Gentleman had got a Favourite Spaniel, that would be still Toying, and Leaping upon him, Licking his Cheeks, and playing a Thousand pretty Gambles, which the Master was well enough pleas'd withall. This Wanton Humour succeeded so well with the Puppy, that an Asse in the House would needs go the same Gamesom Way to Work, to Curry favour for Himself too; but he was quickly given to Understand, with a Good Cudgel, the Difference betwixt the One Play-Fellow and the Other.

The Moral.

People that live, by Example, should do well to look very Narrowly into the Force and Authority of the President, without Saying, or Doing Things at a Venture: for that may Become One Man, which would be Absolutely Intolerable in Another, under Differing Circumstances.

REFLEXION.

Under the Allegory of the Asse, is Insinuated the License of a Buffoon. There's Mischief and Scandal in the very Sport, and Humour of it. There are some men that seem to have Brutal Minds wrapt up in Humane Shapes, Their very Caresses are Rude and Importune, and with Æsops Asse here, their very Complements deserve a Correction, rather than an Encouragement, or a Reward.

All Creatures have somewhat in them peculiar to their Several Species; and that Practice is still the Best which is most Consonant to the Nature of them, by a Common Instinct. The Fawnings of an Asse are as Unnatural as the Brayings would be of a Dog, and a man would as soon Chuse him for his Bed fellow as for his Play fellow. He that follows Nature is never out of his Way; and that which is Belt for every Man, is Fittest for him too. He does it with Ease and Success, whereas all Imitation is Puti'd, and Servile.