An _Ape_ and a _Mountebank_.
There was a _Mountebank_ Tric’d up as Fine as a Lord; a certain _Ape_,
that had a Mind to set up for a _Beau_, spies him out, and nothing would
serve him, but he must have a Suit and Dress after the same Pattern; he
press’d the Quack so hard for’t, that at last he told him plainly, Upon
condition, says he, that you shall wear a Silver Chain about your Neck,
I’ll give ye the very Fellow on’t; for you’ll be running away with your
Livery else. _Jack_ agrees to’t, and is presently rigg’d out in his Gold
and Silver Lace, with a Feather in’s Cap, and as Figures go now a-days,
a very pretty Figure he made in the World, I can assure ye; though upon
Second Thoughts, when the heat of the Vanity was over, he grew Sick of
his Bargain; for he found that he had sold his _Liberty_ for a _Fool_’s
_Coat_.
The MORAL.
_’Tis with us in our Lives, as with the Indians in their Trade, that
truck Gold and Pearl, for Beads and Glasses. We part with the Blessings
of Both Worlds for Pleasures, Court-Favours, and Commissions; and at
last, when we have sold our selves to our Lusts, we grow Sick of our
Bargain._