The Moral.
REFLEXION.
'Tis a Common Thing for a Maſter to Sacrifice a Servant to his Own Eaſe, and Intereſt; but there’s No Meddling with Men of That Inhoſpitable Humour, where the Domeſtiques, how Faithful ſoever, can never be Secure.
This is according to the Old Moral; but not without ſome Force (in My Opinion at leaſt) to the Natural Biaſs of the Fable. The Farmer has no Liberty of Choice before him, but either to do what he does, or to Periſh: And in ſo Doing, (with all reſpect to the Rules of Honeſty) he does but his Duty; without any way Incurring the Character of an Ill Natur'd Man, or a Cruel Maſter. But there may be alſo Another Doctrine Rais’d from it; which is, That in Caſes of Extreme Difficulty, the Laws of Conveniency, and Ordinary Practice muſt give place to the Laws of Neceſſity. This was the Naked Truth of the Farmers Caſe.
Fab. LXX.
A Camel at Firſt Sight.
UPon the Firſt Sight of a Camel, All people ran away from’t, in Amazement at ſo Monſtrous a Bulk. Upon the Second Sight, finding that it did them No Hurt, they took Heart upon't, went up to’t, and View'd it, But when they came, upon Further Experience, to take notice, how Stupid a Beaſt it was, they Ty'd it up, Bridled it, Loaded it with Packs and Burdens; Set Boys upon the Back on't, and Treated it with the Laſt Degree of Contempt.
Fab. LXXI.
A Fox and a Lyon.
A Fox had the hap to fall into the Walk of a Lyon; (the Firſt of the Kind that ever he ſaw) and he was ready to Drop down at the very ſight of him. He came a While after, to ſee Another, and was Frighted ſtill; but Nothing to What he was Be-fore,
