. Fables of Aesop and others. eness and inconvenienceof being solicitous about what may happen hereafter, and want- iESOPS FABLES. 119 ing to pry into the womb of futurity. Which, if we could do,all we should get for our pains would be to spoil our pleasureby anticipation, and double our mistbrtunes by a previous senseand apprehension of them. There are some things that entertain and delight us veryagreeably, while we view them at a proper distance, which per-haps would not stand the test of a too near inspection. Teautybeing only the external Ibrm of a thing which strikes the e^ e ina pleasin
. Fables of Aesop and others. eness and inconvenienceof being solicitous about what may happen hereafter, and want- iESOPS FABLES. 119 ing to pry into the womb of futurity. Which, if we could do,all we should get for our pains would be to spoil our pleasureby anticipation, and double our mistbrtunes by a previous senseand apprehension of them. There are some things that entertain and delight us veryagreeably, while we view them at a proper distance, which per-haps would not stand the test of a too near inspection. Teautybeing only the external Ibrm of a thing which strikes the e^ e ina pleasing manner, is a very thin glossy being, and like somenice paintings of a peculiar composition, will not bear even tobe breathed upon. To preserve our good opinion of it, we mustnot approach too close; tor if, like the man in the fable, we havea mind to search lor a treasure within, we may not only fail ofour expectations there, but even lose the constant relish weenjoy from a remoter contemplation. FAB. LVIIl. The Wanton A Calf, full of play and wantonness, seeing the Oxat plough, could not forbear insulting him. What asorry poor drudge art thou, says he, to bear that heavyyoke upon your neck, and go all day drawing a ploughat your tail, to turn up the ground for your master!but you are a wretched dull slave, and kiaow no bet- 120 ^SOPS FABLES. ter, or else you would not do it. See what a happylife I lead. I go just where I please; sometimes I liedown under the cool shade; sometimes frisk about inthe open sunshine; and when I please, slake my thirstin the clear sweet brook; but you, if you were to pe-rish, have not so much as a little dirty water to refreshyou. The Ox, not at all moved with what ne said,went quietly and calmly on with his work, and in theevening was unyoked and turned loose. Soon afterwhich, he saw the Calf taken out of the field, and de-livered into the hands of a priest, who immediatelyled him to the altar, and prepared to sacrifice head was hun
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