REFLEXION.
It is Wiſdom to Conſider the End of Things before we Embarque, and to Forecaſt Conſequences. It is alſo to be Expected that Men in Ditſreſs will look to themſelves in the Firſt Place, and leave their Companions to Shift as well as they can, When a Knave, and an Honeſt Man happen to be Embarqu’d together in the ſame Common Intereſt, the Sharper will be ſure, if ever it comes to a Pinch, to ſhift for Himſelf; and leave T'other in the Lurch. It is the way of the World for Men to Abandon their Benefactors, and to make ſport with Thoſe that Rais'd them. This was the Trick, that the Fox ſerv’d the Goat here in the Well; to ſhew us that He that Helps Another out at a Plunge, runs the Riſque of being left in the Mire himſelf. No Matter for the Morality of the Thing, ſo long as it is the Faſhion; And that He that Advances himſelf upon the Ruine of Another gets the Reputation of a Man of Art, and Addreſs. The Facility, in fine, and the Simplicity of the Goat, ſhews us what an Honeſt Man is to Truſt to that keeps a Knave company.
We find in This Fox, the Roguery, the Invention, and the Wilyneſs of the Crafty People we meet with Abroad, and a Lively Image of the Faith, Friendfhip, Good Nature, and Juſtice that we are to Expect from them. We cannot therefore keep too ſtrict an Eye upon the Life and Converſation of Thoſe we have to do withall. If they be Men of Fraud, they'll never ſtick at bringing their Friends and Companions into Dangers, Loſſes, and Inconveniences; Scoure off themſelves, and leave Thoſe that Truſt them to pay the Reck’ning. But, in a Word, This Application extends to Men of Trick and Deſign of All Sorts; let it be in Pleaſure, Fortune, Pride, Envy, Vain-Glory, Trade, Law, Marriages, Quarrels, Travels, Ambition, &c. Wherefore it Behoves us to Look before we Leape, and in Caſe of the Worſt that can befall us, to ſecure an After-Game. The Want of this Foreſight was the Goats Ruine.
Fab. LXXXIV.
Cocks and a Partridge.
A Cock-Maſter bought a Partridge, and turn‘d it among his Fighting Cocks, for them to Feed together. The Cocks beat the Partridge away from their Meat, which ſhe layd the more to Heart, becauſe it look'd like an Averſion to her purely as a Stranger. But the Partridge finding Theſe very Cocks afterwards Cutting one Another to piees ſhe comforted her ſelf with This Thought, that ſhe had no Reaſon to expect they ſhould be Kinder to Her, than they were to One Another.
The
