A _Stag_ and a _Horse_.
Upon a Dispute betwixt a _Stag_ and a _Horse_ about a piece of Pasture,
the _Stag_ got the Better on’t, and beat the Other out of the Field. The
_Horse_, upon This Affront, Advis’d with a _Man_ what Course to Take; who
told him, that if he would Submit to be Bridled, and Sadled, and take a
_Man_ upon his Back with a Lance in his Hand, he would undertake to give
him the Satisfaction of a Revenge. The _Horse_ came to his Terms, and for
the Gratifying of a Present Passion, made himself a Slave all the days of
his Life. _Stesichorus_ made use of This Fable to Divert the _Himerenses_
from Chusing _Phalaris_ the Tyrant for their General. This _Horses_ Case,
says he, will be Yours, if you go on with your Proposals. ’Tis true,
You’l have your _Revenge_, but you’l lose your _Liberties_; Upon which
Words the Motion fell.
The MORAL of the Two FABLES above.
_Let every Man take a True Measure of Himself, what he is Able to do, and
what Not; before he comes to any Peremptory Resolution how to Proceed.
He is a Madman, that to Avoid a Present, and a Less Evil, runs Blindfold
into a Greater; and for the Gratifying of a Froward Humour, makes himself
a Slave All the Days of his Life._