A _Horse_ and an _Asse_.
In the Days of Old, when _Horses_ spoke _Greek_ and _Latin_, and _Asses_
made _Syllogisms_, there happen’d an Encounter upon the Road, betwixt
a Proud Pamper’d _Jade_ in the Full Course of his Carriere, and a Poor
Creeping _Asse_, under a Heavy Burden, that had Chopt into the same Track
with him. Why, how now Sirrah, says he, D’ye not see by these Arms, and
Trappings, to what Master I belong? And D’ye not Understand that when
I have That Master of mine upon my Back, the Whole Weight of the State
rests upon My Shoulders? Out of the way thou slavish Insolent Animal, or
I’ll Tread thee to Dirt. The Wretched _Asse_ immediately Slunk aside,
with this Envious Reflexion betwixt his Teeth. [_What would I give to
Change Conditions with That Happy Creature there._] This Fancy would
not out of the Head of Him, ’till it was his Hap some Few Days after to
see This very _Horse_ doing Drudgery in a Common Dung-Cart. Why how now
Friend (says the _Asse_) How comes This about? Only the Chance of the
War, says the Other: I was a _Soldiers Horse_, you must know; and my
Master carry’d me into a Battel, where I was Shot, Hack’d, and Maim’d;
and you have here before Your Eyes the Catastrophe of My Fortune.
The MORAL.
_The Folly, and the Fate, of Pride and Arrogance. The Mistake of Placing
Happiness in any thing that may be taken away, and the Blessing of
Freedom in a Mean Estate._