Aesop's Fables: Sir Roger L'Estrange (1692)
113. A DOCTOR AND A PATIENT WITH SORE EYES (Perry
57)
A Physician undertakes a Woman, with sore Eyes, upon the terms of a No
Cure, No Money. His way was to dawb 'em quite up with Ointments, and while
she was in that pickle, to carry off a Spoon or Porringer, or somewhat
or other, at the End of his Visit. The Woman’s Eyes mended, and still
as she came more and more to her self again, there was every day less
and less left in the House to be seen. The Doctor came to her at last,
and told her, Mistress, says he, I have discharg’d my part, your Eyes
are perfectly well again, and pray let me be paid now according to our
Agreement. Alas, Sir, says she, I’m a great deal worse that I was the
first Minute you undertook me; for I could see Plate, Hangings, Paintings,
and other Goods of Value about my House, till you had the ordering of
me; but now I am brought to such a pass, that I can see nothing at all.
THE MORAL. There are few good Offices done for other People, which
the Benefactor does not hope to be the better himself for’t.
 L'Estrange originally published his version of the fables in 1692. There is a
very nice illustrated edition in the Children's Classics series by Knopf: Sir
Roger L'Estrange. Aesop
- Fables which is available at amazon.com.
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