. Fables of Aesop and others. efeat and disappoint them, have, time out of mind, been lashedwith the recital of this fable. How agreeably surprising- it is tcsee an unpromising favourite, whom the caprice of fortune hasplaced at the helm of state, serving the Commonwealth withjustice and integrity, instead of smothering- and embezziling thepublic treasure to his own private and wicked ends! and onthe contrary, how melancholy, how dreadfull or rather, howexasperating and provoking a sight is it, to behold one, whoseconstant declaration for liberty and the pubhc good, have rais- ^SOPS FABLES. 67
. Fables of Aesop and others. efeat and disappoint them, have, time out of mind, been lashedwith the recital of this fable. How agreeably surprising- it is tcsee an unpromising favourite, whom the caprice of fortune hasplaced at the helm of state, serving the Commonwealth withjustice and integrity, instead of smothering- and embezziling thepublic treasure to his own private and wicked ends! and onthe contrary, how melancholy, how dreadfull or rather, howexasperating and provoking a sight is it, to behold one, whoseconstant declaration for liberty and the pubhc good, have rais- ^SOPS FABLES. 67 ed peoples expectations of him to tne hig-hest pitch, as soonas he is got into power exerting his whole art and cunning toruin and enslave his country! the sanguine hopes of all thosethat wish well to virtue, and flattered themselves with a reforma-tion of every thing that opposed the well-being of the conimu-nity, vanish away in smoke, and are lost in the dark, gloomy,ancomfortable prospect. FAB. XXVII. The FIv and the One day there happened some words between theant and the fly about precedency, and the point was ar-gued with great Avarmth and eagerness on both the fly, it is well known what my pretensions are,and how justly they are grounded; there is never a sa-crifice that is offered, but I always taste of the entrails,even before the gods themselves. I have one of theuppermost seats at church, and frequent the altar asoften as any body; I have a free admission at court;and can never want the kinfrs ear, for I sometimes situpon his shoulder. There is not a maid of honour,or handsome young creature comes in my way, but if 68 a:sopS fables. I like her, I settle betwixt her balmy lips. A nd then Ieat and drink the best of every thing, without havingany occasion to work for my living. What is therethat such country pusses as you enjoy, to be compa-red with a life like this? The Ant, who by this timehad composed herself, replied with a great deal of tem-per, a
Size: 1762px × 1418px
Photo credit: © Reading Room 2020 / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookauthoraesop, bookcentury1800, books, booksubjectchristianlife
