Fab. LXIV.
A Collyer and a Fuller.
A Fuller had a very kind Invitation from a Collyer to come and Live in the Houſe with him: He gave him a Thouſand Thanks for his Civility; but cold him that it would not Stand with his Convenience; for (ſays he) as faſt as I make any thing Clean, You'll be Smutting it again.
Fab. LXV.
A Thruſh and a Swallow.
AH my Dear Mother! ſays the Thruſh, Never had any Creature ſuch a Friend as I have, of this ſame Swallow. No, ſays ſhe, nor ever any Mother ſuch a Fool to her Son as I have, or this ſame Thruſh: To talk of a Friendſhip betwixt People that cannot ſo much as live together in the ſame Climate and Seaſon. One is for the Summer, T'other, for Winter; And that which keeps You Alive, Kills your Companion.
The Moral of the Two fables above.
REFLEXION.
This is to bid us have a care what Friendſhips we Contract, and what Company we keep; for Contrary Humours and Manners will never agree together. There can be no Thought of Uniting Thoſe that Nature it ſelf has Divided. And this Caution holds good in all the Bus'neſs of a Sober Man's Life; as Marriage, Studies, Pleaſures, Society, Commerce, and the like: 'Tis in ſome ſort, with Friends (Pardon the Courſeneſs of the Illuſtration) as it is with Dogs in Couples. They ſhould be of the ſame Size, and Humour; and That which Pleaſes the One ſhould Pleaſe the Other: But if they Draw Several Ways, and if One be too Strong for T'other, they'll be ready to Hang themſelves upon Every Gate or Style they come at. This is the Moral of the Friendſhip betwixt a Thruſh and a Swallow, that can never Live together.
Fab.
