REFLEXION.
IT muſt be a Diamond that Cuts a Diamond, and there is No Pleaſanter Encounter then a Tryal of Skill betwixt a Couple of Sharpers to Over-reach one Another. The Boy's beginning ſo Early, tells us that there are Cheats by a Natural Propenſity of Inclination as well as by a Corruption of Manners. It was Nature that taught This Boy to Shark; not Diſcipline, or Experience. And ſo it was with Two Ladies that I have known (and Women of Plentiful Fortunes too) they could not for their Bloods keep themfelves Honeſt of their Fingers, but would ſtill be Nimming ſomething or other for the very Love of Thieving. 'Tis an Unhappy Thing, that the Temperament of the Body ſhould have ſuch an Influence upon our Manners, according to the Inſtance of the Boy in This Fable: For the Morality, or Immorality of the Matter, is not the Whole of the Caſe.
Fab. CCXLII.
A Country-man and an Oxe.
A Country-man had got a Stubborn Oxe, that would ſtill be Puſhing and Flinging, whenever they went to Yoak, or to Tye him up. The Man Cuts off his Horns, and puts him to the Plough, and by That Means Secures Himſelf, both againſt his Head and his Heels; and in the Mean time, He Himſelf Guids the Plough: But though the Oxe, when he was thus Shackled and Diſarmed, could not either Strike, or Gore him, he made a ſhift yet to throw Duſt enough into his Eyes, and his Mouth, almoſt to Blind, and to Choak him.
The MORAL.
REFLEXION.
THERE are ſome Natures ſo Untractable, that there's No Good to be done upon them by Generoſity, Kindneſs, Artifice, or Councel, nay the more pains a man takes to Reclaim them, the Worſe they are; and when they are put out of Condition to do Miſchicf by Violence, they will find a Way yet to Teize and Plague People with Reſtleſs, and Vexatious Importunities. They Love to be Troubleſome, and with the Shrew upon the Cucking-ſtool, when their Mouths are Stopt, they'll call Pricklouſe ſtill with their very Thumbs.
FAB.
