L'Estrange: An Ape and a Dolphin

People were us’d in the Days of Old, to carry Gamesome Puppies and Apes with ‘em out to Sea, to pass away the Time withal. Now there was One of these Apes, it seems, aboard a Vessel that was cast away in a very great Storm. As the Men were Padling for their Lives, and an Ape for Company, a certain Dolphin that took him for a Man, got him upon his Back, and was making towards Land with him. He had him into a safe Road call’d the Pyraeus, and took occasion to ask the Ape whether he was an Athenian or not? He told him Yes, and of a very Ancient Family there. Why then (says the Dolphin) you know Pyraeus: Oh! Exceedingly well, says t’other (taking it for the Name of a Man). Why Pyraeus is my particular good Friend. The Dolphin upon this, had such an Indignation for the Impudence of the Buffoon-Ape, that he gave him the Slip from between his Legs, and there was an end of my very good Friend, the Athenian.

Bragging, Lying, and Pretending, has Cost many a Man his Life and Estate.

Source: L'Estrange 167.

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