An _Ass_ and a _Lyon_.
In Old Time when a Generous Beast made more Conscience of his Word, then
many a Modern Christian has done of an Oath; a _Lion_ shook hands with
an _Ass_, and so they agreed upon’t to Jog on up and down in the Woods,
Lovingly and Peaceably together. As they were upon this Adventure, they
discover’d a Herd of _Wolves_; the _Ass_ immediately sets up a Hideous
Bray, and fetches a Run at them Open Mouth, as if he would have Eaten
’em. The _Wolves_ only Snear’d at him for his Pains, but Scamper’d
away however as hard as they could drive. By and by comes the _Ass_
back again, Puffing and Blowing from the Chase. Well, says the _Lion_,
and what was that Horrid Scream for, I Prithee? Why, (says t’other,) I
frighten’d ’em all away, you see. And did they run away from you, says
the _Lion_, or from me, d’ye think?
The MORAL.
_Noise and Bluster is so far from doing Business, that instead of Awing
and Frighting People, it serves only to make them Sport, when the Vanity
of it comes to be Discover’d._