There's an Old Story of Two Asses Travelling upon the Road, the One Laden with Oats, the other with Mony: The Mony-Merchant, I Warrant ye, was so Proud of his Trust, and of his Bell, that he went Juking and Tossing of his Head, and Tabring with his Feet all the way, as if no Ground would hold him. The other Plodding on with his Nose in the Breech of his Leader, as Gravely as One Foot could follow another. While they were Jogging on thus upon the Way, out comes a Band of Highway-Men from the next Wood, and falls upon the Ass that carried the Treasure. They Beat, Wound and Rifle him, and so leave him, without so much as taking the least Notice of his Fellow. Well, (says the King's Ass) and for all this Mischief I may e'en thank my Mony. Right, says the other; and it has been my Happiness that I was not thought worth the Robbing.
Poverty is both Safe and Easie; and Riches a Great Snare to People in many Cases: As it far'd worse here with the State-Ass then the Muletiers.Source:
L'Estrange 417.
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SLIDESHOW of all the Grandville images. This is one of Grandville's marvelously anthropomorphic illustrations!
M0252 Perry491
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