Providence has Assign’d Every Man his Post and Station, and He that
either Relinquishes his Own Natural Right, or Invades Anothers, seldom
fails of a Disappointment in the Conclusion. Or however, in case of the
most Successful Injustice, Oppression, and Usurpation, there follows
a Restless Anxiety in the keeping of what is Injuriously Gotten; an
Insatiable Thirst after More and More still, and Nothing but Shame and
Confusion in the End, when he comes to Cast up Profit and Loss at the
Foot of the Reck’ning. This Ambitious _Pike_ is but the Figure of some
Petty Prince, that sets himself up to be Troublesome, and to give Laws
to a more Powerful Neighbour. The _Dolphin_ Represents such a _Power_
that’s more then’s _Match_, and Beats him _Home again_. The Case of
the _Fishes_ in the _Fable_, is much the same with that of _Kings_ and
_States_ in _Common Practice_. And to carry the _Allegory_ yet further;
As the _Ocean_, on the One hand, so the Whole _World_, on the Other, is
made the Field of Battel. Now All This in the Moral, serves only to bid
us Moderate our Desires; Keep our Affections within Bounds, and Live
contented with our Lot.