A _Horse_ and a _Lyon_.
There was an Old Hungry _Lion_ would fain have been Dealing with a piece
of Good _Horse-Flesh_ that he had in his Eye; but the _Nag_ he thought
would be too Fleet for him, unless he could supply the want of Heels,
by Artifice, and Address. He puts himself into the Garb, and Habit of
a Professor of Physick, and according to the Humor of the World, sets
up for a Doctor of the College. Under this Pretext, he lets fall a Word
or two by way of Discourse, upon the Subject of his Trade; but the
_Horse_ Smelt him out, and presently a Crotchet came in his Head how he
might Countermine him. I got a Thorn in my Foot T’other day, says the
_Horse_, as I was Crossing a Thicket, and I am e’en quite Lame on’t. Oh,
says the New Physician, Do but hold up your Leg a little, and I’ll Cure
ye immediately. The _Lion_ presently puts himself in posture for the
Office; but the Patient was too Nimble for his Doctor, and so soon as
ever he had him Fair for his Purpose, gave him so Terrible a Rebuke upon
the Forehead with his Heel, that he laid him at his Length, and so got
off with a whole Skin, before the Other could Execute his Design.
The MORAL of the Two FABLES above.
Harm Watch, Harm Catch, _is but according to the Common Rule of Equity
and Retaliation, and a very Warrantable Way of Deceiving the Deceiver_.