Vices, to be Pointed at his Perſon, and finds himſelf Wounded in the Morality of the moſt Innocent Reproofs. He's a Slave to All Paſſions, All Accidents, and All ſorts of Men. A Jeſt, a Banter, a Lampoon; Nay a Glance, an Inſinuation, or a Bare Caſuality, with the Help of a Guilty Conſcience, and a Suſpicious Gloſs of Application, is enough to Murder him; for he Conceits himſelf to be Struck at, when he is not ſo much as Thought of: as I dare appeale to the Conſciences of a Thouſand Top-Gallant Sparks, that will fancy their Own Caſe to be the Key to This Moral. He makes himſelf Odious to his Superiours. by his Haughtineſs; to his Equals, by a Reſtleſs Courſe of Factious Competitions; and then he never fails of a Virulent Hatred and Envy, from thoſe that are Below him; So that he's Beſet with Enemies on All hands, the Meaneſt of which is not without Many and Many a Way to the Wreaking of a Malice, and to the Gratifying of a Revenge. As to the Wretchedneſs of his Condition, 'tis all a caſe to Him, whether he be Teiz'd out of his Life by a Judgment of Flies and Lice, or Stung to Death by Fiery Serpents. And he is not only Tormented by Others, but the very Tormenter of Himſelf too. Nay, rather than want a Colourable Ground of Trouble, he Creates it. His Pride is a Continual Drought upon him, and a Thirſt never to be Quench'd. His Conſcience, his Fancy, his Fears, Jealouſies, and Miſtakes; Every thing helps on toward his Undoing. And now to the Infinite Variety of Plagues that Wait upon Pride, there is likewiſe as Great a Diverſity of Imperious Humours for This Miſery to Work upon. As for Example, There is a Pride of Stomach, a Pride of Popularity, a Pride of Brow, Equipage, and Parade. There's a Pride of Tongue without either Brains, or Heart to Support it. There is an Abject, (in fine) and there is a Surly Pride; But to Conclude, there is All This, and a Thouſand times more of the ſame Kind and Colour, that lies Naturally Couch'd under This Allegory. And not One Inſtance at laſt, that is not verify'd by Many and Many an Example.
Now as to the Envy of the Aſs it was a Double Folly; for he Miſtakes both the Horſes Condition, and his Own. 'Tis Madneſs to Envy any Creature that may in a Moment become Miſerable; Or for any Advantage that may in a Moment be taken from him. The Aſs Envies the Horſe to day; and in ſome Few Days more, the Horſe comes to Envy Him: Wherefore let no man Deſpair, ſo long as it is in the Power, either of Death, or of Chance, to Remove the Burden. Nothing but Moderation and Greatneſs of Mind can make, either a Proſperous, or an Adverſe Fortune Eaſie to us. The Only Way to be Happy is to ſubmit to our Lot; for No man can be properly ſaid to be Miſerable that is not wanting to Himſelf. It is Certainly True, that many a Jolly Cobler has a Merrier Heart in his Stall, than a Prince in his Palace.
