We are to Learn from hence (says the _Old Moral_) that there’s no
Trifling, Dallying, or Delaying with Men in Power: And that Contentment
in a Mean Condition at Home, is beyond all the Luxurious Treats in the
World, Abroad, with Pomp, and Envy. The Danger of Trifling with Great Men
does not come up methinks, to the Full Force, and Intent of this Fable,
which seems rather to set forth the Mistakes of Impotent Greatness,
in Mis-judging the Test and Standard of Humane Happiness. What’s a
Voluptuous Dinner, and the Frothy Vanity of Discourse that commonly
attends these Pompous Entertainments? What is it but a Mortification,
to a Man of Sense and Virtue, to spend his time among People that take
Good for Evil, and Punish where they should Reward, and Reward where
they should Punish? The _Tortoise_ was Forbidden the Court; That is to
say, he was Banished from the sight of Vain, Wicked, and Unprofitable
Examples. _Jupiter_ gave the _Tortoise_ the Honour of an Invitation,
but that Honour was yet to the Poor _Tortoise_’s Loss; for He that’s
Transported out of his Nature, and out of his Element, let the Change be
what it will, is a Loser by the Bargain. A Plain, and a Homely Home, with
Competency and Content, is beyond all the Palaces under the Heavens;
The Pomp, the Plenty, and the Pleasures of them over and above. To
say nothing of the Surfeits that are gotten by Excesses of Eating and
Drinking; The Restless Nights, Factious Emulations, Fewds, and Disgusts
that attend them: Besides the Slavery of being Ty’d up to other Peoples
Hours, Meals, and Fashions. He that has no Ambition, is Happy in a Cell,
or in a Cottage; whereas the Ambitious Man is Miserable, even upon a
Throne. He that thinks he has not Enough, Wants, and He that Wants is a
Beggar.
The _Tortoise_ came Late, for he came Unwillingly, which is the Case of
many a Worthy Man that Sacrifices his Peace to Formalities of Complement,
and Good Manners. _Jupiter_ took Snuff at the Contempt, and Punish’d
him for’t. And what was the Punishment? He sent him Home again. That is
to say, He Remanded him to his Lot, and to his Choice. Such, in Short,
is the Felicity of a Moderate, and a Steady Mind, that all Comforts are
Wrapt up in’t; for Providence turns the very Punishment of a Good Man,
into an Equivalence to a Reward, by Improving that to his Advantage,
which was intended for his Ruin; and making the _Tortoise_’s Banishment a
Blessing to him.