ſame Gameſom Way to Work, to Curry favour for Himſelf too; but he was quickly given to Underſtand, with a Good Cudgel, the Difference betwixt the One Play-Fellow and the Other.
The Moral.
REFLEXION.
Under the Allegory of the Aſſe, is Inſinuated the Licenſe of a Buffoon. There's Miſchief and Scandal in the very Sport, and Humour of it. There are ſome men that ſeem to have Brutal Minds wrapt up in Humane Shapes, Their very Careſſes are Rude and Importune, and with Æſops Aſſe here, their very Complements deſerve a Correction, rather than an Encouragement, or a Reward.
All Creatures have ſomewhat in them peculiar to their Several Species; and that Practice is ſtill the Beſt which is moſt Conſonant to the Nature of them, by a Common Inſtinct. The Fawnings of an Aſſe are as Unnatural as the Brayings would be of a Dog, and a man would as ſoon Chuſe him for his Bed fellow as for his Play fellow. He that follows Nature is never out of his Way; and that which is Belt for every Man, is Fitteſt for him too. He does it with Eaſe and Succeſs, whereas all Imitation is Puti'd, and Servile.
Fab. XVI.
A Lion and a Mouſe.
UPon the Roaring of a Beaſt in the Wood, a Mouſe ran presently out to ſee what News: and what was it, but a Lion Hamper'd in a Net! This Accident brought to her mind, how that ſhe her ſelf, but ſome few Days before, had fall'n under the Paw of a Certain Generous Lion, that let her go again. Upon a Strict Enquiry into the Matter, ſhe found This to be That very Lion; and ſo let her ſelf preſently to Work upon the Couplings of the Net; Gnaw'd the Threds to pieces, and in Gratitude Deliver'd her Preſerver.
The Moral.
