Aesop's Fables: Sir Roger L'Estrange (1692)
66. A DOG AND A WOLF (Perry 346)
There was a hagged Carrion of a Wolf, and a jolly sort of a genteel Dog,
with good Flesh upon’s Back, that fell into Company together upon the
King’s Highway. The Wolf was wonderfully pleas’d with his Companion, and
as inquisitive to learn how he brought himself to that blessed State of
Body. Why, says the Dog, I keep my Master’s House from Thieves, and I
have very good Meat, Drink, and Lodging for my Pains. Now if you’ll go
along with me, and do as I do, you may fare as I fare. The Wolf struck
up the Bargain, and so away they trotted together: But as they were jogging
on, the Wolf spy’d a bare Place about the Dog’s Neck, where the Hair was
worn off. Brother (says he) how comes this, I prithee? Oh, that’s nothing,
says the Dog, but the fretting of my Collar a little. Nay says t’other,
if there be a Collar in the Case, I know better things than to sell my
Liberty for a Crust.
THE MORAL. We are so dazzl’d with Glare of a splendid Appearance, that
we can hardly discern the Inconveniences that attend it. ‘Tis a Comfort
to have good Meat and Drink at Command, and warm Lodging: But he that
sells his Freedom, for the cramming of his Gut, has but a hard Bargain
of it.
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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