This Fable Advises Every Man in Prudence to be sure of Knowing his
Company before he Embarque with them in any Great Matter; Though He that
Betrays his Companion, has the Fortune commonly to be Betray’d Himself.
Here’s the Folly of the _Ass_ in Trusting the _Fox_ that he knew to
be a Treacherous Companion; and here’s the _Knavery_ of the _Fox_ in
Betraying the _Ass_, which was but according to his Nature. Now this does
not hinder yet, but that the _Lyon_ Forfeited a Point of Honour in the
Worrying of him; And this Fiction throughout is but the Emblem of Things
that are Familiar to us in the World. The _Lyon_ might have been Allow’d
an Aversion to the _Fox_ as a Perfidious Creature, but the Devouring of
him upon these Terms, was Another Treachery in Himself. There may be this
said at last for the Congruity of the Fancy, that a Just and Generous
_Lyon_, would not have Sunk so Low as to hold any Communication with
a _Fox_, much less to Concert with him in his False Dealing. But this
_Lyon_ was meant for the Figure of a Wicked Governour, Conferring upon
Frauds with Wicked Ministers. Now if he had spar’d the _Ass_, for his
Simplicity, and Pinch’d the _Fox_ for his Perfidy, the Proceding might
have had some Semblance of a Generous Equity: But an Honourable Mind will
scorn to make Advantage of a Treacherous Instrument. That is to say, by
Assenting to the Treachery: So that the Moral seems to carry more Force
with this Biass. Upon the Whole Matter, here’s the Silly _Ass_ pays
Dear for the Credulity and Folly of Keeping Ill Company. The _Fox_ is
Met withal in his Own Way, for Breaking the Faith of Society; but still
there wants some Judgment Methinks, to Attend the _Lyon_; for he that
Encourages One Treason, does not only Practice, but Promote Another; and
lays the Foundation of a Doctrine, that will come Home to Himself in
the Conclusion. When a _Prince_ fails in Point of _Honour_ and _Common
Justice_, ’tis enough to Stagger his _People_ in their _Faith_ and
_Allegiance_. But the _Lyon_ here in the _Fable_ came off better then our
_Political Lyons_ usually do in the _World_.