There was a _Fox_ taken in a Trap, that was glad to Compound for his Neck
by leaving his _Tail_ behind him. It was so Uncouth a Sight, for a _Fox_
to appear without a _Tail_, that the very Thought on’t made him e’en
Weary of his Life; for ’twas a Loss never to be Repair’d: But however for
the Better Countenance of the Scandal, he got _the Master and Wardens
of the Foxes Company_ to call a _Court of Assistants_, where he himself
appear’d and made a Learned Discourse upon the Trouble, the Uselessness,
and the Indecency of _Foxes_ Wearing _Tails_. He had no sooner say’d out
his Say, but up rises a Cunning Snap, then at the Board, who desir’d to
be Inform’d whether the Worthy Member that Mov’d against the Wearing of
_Tails_, gave his Advice for the Advantage of those that Had _Tails_, or
to Palliate the Deformity and Disgrace of Those that had _None_.
The MORAL.
_When a Man has any Notable Defect, or Infirmity, about him, whether by
Nature, or by Chance, ’tis the Best of his Play, to try the Humour, if he
can turn it into a Fashion._