A _Lion_ and a _Man_.
Among other good Counsels that an Old Experienc’d Lion gave to his Whelp,
this was One; That he should never Contend with a Man; for says he, _if
ever you do, you’ll be worsted_. The Little Lion gave his Father the
Hearing, and kept the Advice in his Thought, but it never went near his
Heart. When he came to be grown up afterward, and in the Flower of his
Strength and Vigour, About and About he Ranges to look for a Man to
Grapple with: In his Ramble he chances to spy _a Yoak of Oxen_; so up to
’em he goes presently; _Hark ye Friends_, says he, _are you MEN?_ They
told him No; but their _Master_ was a Man. Upon leaving the Oxen, he went
to a Horse that he saw _Bridled_, and Ty’d to a Tree, and ask’d him the
same Question; _No_, says the Horse, _I am no Man my Self, but he that
Bridled and Sadled me, and ty’d me up here, He’s a Man_. He goes after
this to one that was cleaving of Blocks. D’ye hear, says the Lion, You
seem to be a _Man_. _And a Man I am_, says the Fellow. That’s well, quoth
the Lion, and dare you Fight with Me? Yes, says the Man, I dare Fight
with ye: Why I can Tear all these Blocks to pieces ye see. Put your Feet
now into this Gap, where you see an Iron Thing there, and try what you
can do. The Lion presently put his Claws into the Gaping of the Wood, and
with one Lusty Pluck, made it give way, and out drops the Wedge, the Wood
immediately closing upon’t; and there was the Lion caught by the Toes.
The Woodman presently upon this, Raises the Country; and the Lion finding
what a Streight he was in, gave one Hearty Twitch, and got his Feet out
of the Trap, but left his Claws behind him. So away he goes back to his
Father, all Lame and Bloody, with this Confession in his Mouth; _Alas,
my Dear Father_, says he, _This had never been, if I had follow’d your
Advice_.
The MORAL.
_Disobedience to Parents is against the Laws of Nature and of Nations,
Common Justice, Prudence and Good Manners; and the Vengeance of Heaven,
Sooner or Later, Treads upon the Heels on’t._