This Combat of _Two Cocks_ for a _Dunghil_, may be Moraliz’d by an
Application of it to the Competition of the Greatest Princes, for Empire
and Dominion. For what’s the World more than a Mass of Dirt on the One
hand, as to the Subject of the Quarrel; and there’s the same Thirst of
Blood too, betwixt the Combatants, on the other. We have again, the
Various Chance of War Exhibited on Both Sides; For ’tis with _Kings_, as
with These _Cocks_. He that’s a Victor This Moment, may be a Slave the
Next: And this Volubility of Human Affairs, what is it but either the
Sport, or the Judgment of Providence, in the Punishment of Arrogance and
Oppression! We are given finally to Understand, that as the Levity of
Fortune leaves us Nothing to Trust to, or to Presume upon, so at the same
Time there’s Nothing to Despair of. The _Conquering Cock_ was _Cut_ off
in the very _Song_ of his _Triumph_: and the _Conquer’d_ re-instated in
the Possession of his former Pretences.