as to Wound him; That is, either in a Word, or in a Thought. But then 'tis Death perhaps to be Impos’d upon by an Hypocrite under That Maſquce. So that the Character of a Wife Man, lyes at Stake upon Matter of Judgment, One Way, and of a Good Natur'd Man, the Other Way. The Middle Courſe is to Hide our Diſtruſt where we are Doubtful, and to be Free, and Open, where we may be Secure. There's No Living without Truſting ſome body or Other, in ſome Caſes, or at ſome Time or Other: But then if People be not Cautious, Whom, When, and Wherein, the Miſtake may be Mortal; for there muſt be ſomewhat of a Truſt to make way for a Treachery; ſince No man can be Betray’d, that does not either Believe, or ſeem to Believe: So that the Fox did well to Weigh All Circumftances before he came to a Reſolution, The Lion's Deſign was well enough Cover'd under the Diſguife of a Counterfeit Sickneſs, and a Diſlembled Tenderneſs and Reſpect, for the Drawing of the Fox into the Toyle. For there was the Civility of an Invitation, on the One hand, and ſome Colour of a Right co a Viſit, though but out of Compaſſion and Good Manners, on the Other: But the Foxes Sagacity, and the Prints of the Feet Spoil’d All. This Fable in One Word more, bids us be Careful how we Truſt in Any Caſe without looking Well about us: for 'tis Half the Bus'neſs of One part of the World to put Tricks upon T'other. The Heart of Man is like a Bog, it looks Fair to the Eye; but when we come to lay any Weight upon’t, the Ground is Falſe under us. Nothing could be more Obliging and Reſpectful then the Lyon’s Letter was, in Terms and Appearance; but there was Death yet in the True Intent and Meaning on’t.
Fab. LV.
A Fox and a Weazel.
A Slam, Thin-Gutted Fox made a Hard Shift to Wriggle his Body into a Hen-Rooſt, and when he had ſtuff’d his Guts well, he ſqueez’d hard to get out again; but the Hole was too Little for him. There was a Weazle a pretty way off, that ſtood Learing at him all This While. Brother Reynard; (ſays he) Your Belly was Empty when you went In, and you muſt e'en ftay till Your Belly be Empty again, before you come Out.
The Moral.
REFLEXION.
