(21)
The sick Lion, the Fox, and the Wolf.
Men, who meditate mischief, suggest the same to others; and generally pay dear for their forward gratifications.
A LION, having surfeited himself with feasting too luxuriously on the carcase ⟨of⟩ a Wild Boar, was seized with a violent ⟨and⟩ dangerous disorder. The beasts of the ⟨forest⟩ flocked in great numbers to pay their ⟨respects⟩ upon the occasion, and scarce one was absent, except the Fox. The Wolf, an ill-natured and malicious beast, seized this ⟨opportunity⟩ to accuse the Fox of pride, ⟨ingratitude⟩, and disaffection to his majesty. In ⟨the⟩ midst of his invective, the fox entered; ⟨who⟩ having heard part of the Wolf's accusation, and observing the Lion's countenance ⟨to⟩ be kindled into wrath, thus adroitly ⟨excused⟩ himself, and retorted upon his accuser. ⟨I⟩ see many here, who, with mere lip-service, ⟨have⟩ pretended to shew you their loyalty; ⟨but⟩ for my part, from the moment I heard ⟨of⟩ your majesty's illness, neglecting useless ⟨compliments⟩, I employed myself day and ⟨night⟩ to enquire among the most learned ⟨physicians⟩, an infallible remedy for your ⟨disease⟩, and have at length happily been ⟨informed⟩ of one. It is a plaister made of part ⟨of⟩ a Wolf's skin, taken warm from his back, ⟨and⟩ laid to your majesty's stomach. This ⟨remedy⟩ was no sooner proposed, than it was ⟨determined⟩ that the experiment should be
