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SELECT FABLES.

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He that will not help himfelf, fhall have
Help from no Body.

FABLE I. Of the Waggoner and Hercules.

A $

Sa Waggoner was driving his Team, his Waggon funk into a Hole, and tuck fast.

The poor Man immediately fell upon his Knees, and prayed to Hercules, that he would get his Waggon out of the Hole again.

Thou Fool, fays Herculet, whip thy Horfes, and fet thy Shoulders to the Wheels; and then if thou wilt call upon Hercules, he will help thee.

The Interpretation.

Lazy Wishes never do a Marany Service; but if he Help from God in the Time of Need, let him not Affistance, but make ufe of his own beft Endear

G

Be mindful of paft Favours.

FABLE II. Of the Hound defpifed by bis Mafter.

A

N aged Hound being in Purfuit of his Game, caught it, but could not hold it, because his Teeth were worn out; for which, his Mafter corrected him very feverely. The Dog begged that he might not be punished, alledging, that he was old; yet he faid, he had been fout in his youthful Days, and therefore hoped he might be pardoned, if it were only for his former Services: But I fee, continues he, nothing pleafeth without Profit.

The Interpretation.

If a Favour is not continued, it is forgot. Many People are ungrateful as to take no Notice of the Ninety-nine good Turns, which they have received, if the Hundredth is denied them.

Young

Young Folks think old Folks to be Fools; but old Folks know young Folks to be Fools. FABLE III. Of the Kid, the Goat, and the Welf. W 7HEN. the Goat was going abroad, fhe charged the Kid to fhut the Door after her, and open it to none, t The fhould return; and then to look out of the Window first. Very well Mother, fays the Kid: If you had not told me, I fhould have Wit enough to keep the Door fhut, and to take care of myself.

i

At the fame time the Wolf happen'd to be behind the Houíë, and heard the Charge given to the Kid.

Some time after the Goat's Departure, the Wolfknocks at the Door, and counterfeiting the Gott's Voice, demands Entrance. The Kid fuppofing it to be her Dam, forgot to look out at the Window, but immediately open'd the Door, and let in the Wolf,, who inftantly made a Prey of her and tore her to Pieces.

The Interpretation.

Children fhould obey their Parents, who are always better abb to advise them, than the Children can themselves. It is convenient alfo for young Men to lend an Ear to the Aged, who being experienced in the Affairs of the World, can give 1! Counsel, whereby they may avoid many Dangers. W

A Man may forgive an Injury; but he cannot eafily forget it.

FABLE IV. Of the Hufbandman and the Snake:

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but being angry with her, ftruck her with his Hatchet, and wounded her, for which Reafon fhe fled from him. Afterwards the Hufbandman falling into Want, imagined that this Misfortune befel him for the Injury done to the Snake, and therefore humbly requested of her that the would come and live with him again.

The Snake replied, That he forgave him, but she would not return to live with one who kept a Hatchet in his House; adding, that although the Smart of the Wound was gone, yet the Mark was left, and the Remembrance of it was till freth in her Memory.

The Interpretation.

It is not fafe to trust that Man, who hath once made n in Friendship, It is God-like to forgive an Injury ; on to remember it, because it deef, us on our Guard.

Make

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Make no Friendship with an ill-natur'd Man. FABLE V. Of the Wolves and the Sheep.

HE Wolves made a League with the Sheep, and Hoftages

TH were given on both Sides. The Wolves gave their young

Ones to the Sheep, and the Sheep gave their Dogs to the Wolves.

Some time after, while the Sheep were quietly feeding in the Meadow, the young Wolves began to howl for their Dams; at which the Wolves came rushing in among them, and charged them with breaking the League.

The Sheep began to excufe themfelves, faying, They were feeding by themfelves, and therefore could not hurt the young Wolves, not having any Dogs with them.

But the Wolves infifted on it, that they were guilty of a Breach of Friendship; alledging at the fame time, That those Innocents, who never did any harm in their Lives, would not make fuch dreadful Lamentations, unless fome Violence had been offer'd to them; and knowing the Sheep to be without their Guard, they fell upon them and tore them to Pieces.

The Interpretation.

Be always upon your Guard when an Enemy is near. He who has always run counter to the Rules of Friendship, will never become a true Friend, though you should bind him by the Arongest Engagements.

Honesty

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