Wednesday, December 8, 2010

L'Estrange: An Ass and a Lion.

In Old Time, when a Generous Beast made more Conscience of his Word then many a Modern Christian has done of an Oath; a Lion shook Hands with an Ass, and so they agreed upon't to Jog on up and down in the Woods, Lovingly and Peaceably together. As they were upon this Adventure, they discover'd a Herd of Wolves; the Ass immediately sets up a Hideous Bray, and fetches a Run at them Open Mouth, as if he would have Eaten 'em. The Wolves only Snear'd at him for his Pains, but Scamper'd away however as hard as they could drive. By and by comes the Ass back again, Puffing and Blowing from the Chase. Well, says the Lion, and what was that Horrid Scream for, I Prithee? Why (says t'other), I frighten'd 'em all away, you see. And did they run away from you, says the Lion, or from me, d'ye think?

Noise and Bluster is so far from doing Business, that instead of Awing and Frighting People, it serves only to make them Sport, when the Vanity of it comes to be Discover'd.


Source: L'Estrange 396.
asinus et leo

Click here for a SLIDESHOW of all the colored Steinhowel images. You can see the frightened foxes and rabbits on the run!
M0233 Perry151

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