Fables of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists/Fable CCII
Fab. CCII.
A Lyon and a Frog.
A Lyon that was Ranging about for his Prey, made a Stop all on a Sudden at a Hideous Yelling Noise he heard, which not a little Startled him. The Surprize put him at first into a Shaking Fit; but as he was looking about, and Preparing for the Encounter of some Terrible Monster, what should he see but a Pityful Frog come Crawling out from the Side of a Pond. And is This All? (says the Lyon) and so betwixt Shame and Indignation he put forth his Paw, and Pash'd out the Guts on't.
The MORAL.
REFLEXION.
THE Surprize of the Lyon is to teach us that no Man living can be so Present to Himself, as not to be put beside his Ordinary Temper upon some Accidents or Occasions; but then his Philosophy brings him to a Right Understanding of Things, and his Resolution carries him thorough All Difficulties. It is Another Emphatical Branch of This Emblem, that as the Lyon Himself was not Thorough-Proof against This Fantastical Alarum; so it was but a Poor Wretched Frog all this while, that Discompos'd him, to shew the Vain Opinion and False Images of Things, and how apt we are to be Transported with Those Fooleries, which, if we did but Understand, we should Despise. Wherefore 'tis the Part of a Brave, and a, Wise-Man to Weigh, and Examine Matters without Delivering up himself to the Illusion of Idle Fears, and Panick Terrors. It was in truth, below the Dignity of a Lyon to Kill the Poor Creature, but This, however may be said in Plea for't, that he was asham'd to leave behind him a Witness of his Weakness.