An _Ape_ and a _Lion_ in his Kingdom.
We are told of a _Lion_, that (after the Laudable Example of other
Princes) pass’d an Act of Grace upon his Accession to the Crown, wherein
he was pleas’d to Declare himself wonderfully in favour of _the Liberties
and Properties of his Subjects_. He did not hold in this Mind long; and
yet he could not think it convenient neither, to make any Attempts upon
the Beasts by open Force; so that he chose rather to take them One by One
in Private to him, and sift them all upon this General Question; _Put
your Nose just to my Mouth, says he, when I Gape, and then tell me truly,
is my Breath Sweet or no_? Some told him that it was not Sweet, others
that it was; and so he pick’d a Quarrel with them Both: The one Sort
went to Pot for their Hypocrisie; and the other for their Insolence. It
came to the _Ape_ at last, to deliver his Opinion upon the Matter; the
_Ape_ Smelt and Snuffled, and consider’d on’t: Why certainly Sir, says
he, You have some Rich Perfume in your Mouth, for I never smelt any thing
so fragrant since I was Born. The Roguy _Ape_ in fine, Wheedled him so
Artificially, that the _Lion_ had not the face to Chop him up immediately
upon the Spot, and yet he was Resolv’d he should not Scape neither: So
the _Lion_ counterfeited Sick, and there was notable Puzzling among the
Doctors I warrant ye, about his Pulse and his Water: But they told him
however upon due consideration, that they found no Mortal Symptoms about
him, only a kind of Heavy Indisposition, that might be easily Rectified
by a Careful Diet; and so they Desir’d him by all means to bethink
himself what Flesh he lov’d best, and e’en make a Hearty Meal on’t. Why
then (says the _Lion_) I have a strange Fancy for a Mouthful of Good
Sound _Apes-Flesh_, if you find it proper for me: Nothing like it, they
cry’d; and so the Poor Flattering _Ape_ was presently Taken up, Dress’d
and Eaten by way of Prescription.
The MORAL.
_There’s no Hope for an Honest Man, where Flattery is Encourag’d and
Rewarded, and Plain-Dealing Punish’d._