Fab. V.
A Lion and a Bear.
THere was a Lion and a Bear had gotten a Fawn betwixt them, and there were they at it Tooth and Nail, which of the Two ſhould carry't off. They Fought it out, till they were e'en glad to lie down, and take Breath. In which Inſtant, a Fox paſſing that way, and finding how the caſe ſtood with the Two Combatants, ſeiz'd upon the Fawn for his Own Uſe, and ſo very fairly ſcamper'd away with him. The Lion, and the Bear ſaw the Whole Action, but not being in condition to Riſe and Hinder it, they paſs'd this Reflexion upon the whole matter; Here have we been Worrying one another, who ſhould have the Booty, 'till this Curſed Fox has Bobb'd us Both on't.
The Moral of the Two Fables above.
REFLEXION.
This is no more than what we ſee Dayly in Popular Factions, where Pragmatical Fools commonly begin the Squabble, and Crafty Knaves reap the Benefit of it. There is very rarely any Quarrel, either Publique, or Private, whether betwixt Perſons, or Parties, but a Third Watches, and hopes to be the Better for't.
And all is but according to the Old Proverb, While Two Dogs are Fighting for a Bone, a Third runs away with it. Divide and Govern, is a Rule of State, that we ſee Confirm'd and Supported by Dayly Practice and Experience: So that 'tis none of the Slighteſt Arguments for the Neceſſity of a Common Peace, that the Litigants Tear one another to pieces for the Benefit of ſome Third Intereſt, that makes Advantage of their Diſagreement. This is no more than what we find upon Experience through the whole Hiſtory of the World in All Notable Changes, and Revolutions; that is to ſay, the Contendents have been ſtill made a Prey to a Third Party. And this has not been only the Fate and the Event of Popular Quarrels, but the Puniſhment of them; for the Judgment ſtill Treads upon the Heel of the Wickedneſs. People may talk of Liberty, Property, Conſcience, Right of Title, &c. but the Main Buſineſs and Earneſt of the World, is Mony, Dominion, and Power, and how to Compaſs Thoſe Ends, and not a Ruſh matter at laſt, whether it be by Force, or by Cunning. Might and Right are Inſeparable, in the Opinion of the World; and he that has the Longer Sword, ſhall never want, either Lawyers, or Divines to Defend his Claim. But then comes the Kite, or the Fox, in the Concluſion; that is to ſay, ſome Third Party, that either by Strength, or by Craft, Maſters both Plaintiff and Defendent, and carries away the Booty.
