There are some sorts of Commendation; and some Cases and Seasons of
Applying it, that are more Malicious, and Mischievous, then the Worst
of Calamities. Here’s a _Fox_ at a Pinch; and what’s his Bus’ness now,
but to Stop the Dog’s Mouth with a Piece of _Hare_’s _Flesh_, for the
Saving of his Own Skin! A _Puss_, says he, is much Better Meat then a
_Fox_, and This Good Office over the Left Shoulder, is the Civility that
he Values himself upon. He gives her his Good Word, (as we call it) to
the very End, that she may be Eaten. How many Thousands of These _Foxes
Complements_ do we meet with in Our Dayly Practice and Conversation. But
a Crafty Knave is never without somewhat or Other to say for Himself,
and a Bad Excuse is Better then None. The _Fox_’s Civility, in fine, was
_Roguery_ all over; and his Praising the _Hares-Flesh_ to the _Dog_,
was Effectually no more then _a Letter of Recommendation to the Common
Hang-man_.