Page:Fables of Aesop and other eminent mythologists.djvu/442

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E are told of a Lion, that (after the Laudable Example of other Princes,) pas'd an Act of Grace upon his Acceion to the Crown, wherein he was pleas’d to Declare himelf wonderfully in favour of the Liberties and Properties of his Subjects. He did not hold in this Mind long; and yet he could not think it convenient neither, to make any Attempts upon the Beats by open Force; o that he choe rather to take them One by One in Private to him, and to ift them all upon this General Quetion; Put sour Noe jut to my Mouth, ays he, when I Gape, and then tell me truly, is my Breath Sweet or no? Some told him that it was not Sweet, others that it was; and o he pick'd a Quarrel with them Both: The one Sort went to Pot for their Hypocriie; and the other for their Inolence. It came to the Ape at lat, to deliver his Opinion upon the Matter; the Ape Smelt and Snuffled, and conider'd on't: Why certainly Sir, ays he, You have ome Rich Perfume in Your Mouth, for I never melt any thing o fragrant ince I was Born. The Roguy Ape in fine, Wheedled him o Artificially, that the Lion had not the Face to Chop him up immediately upon the Spot, and yet he was Reolv'd he hould not Scape neither: So the Lion Counterfeited Sick, and there was notable Puzzling among the Doctors I warrant ye, about his Pule and his Water: But they told him however upon due conideration, that they found no Mortal Symptoms about him, only a kind of Heavy Indipoition, that might be eaily Rectified by a Careful Diet; and o they Deir'd him by all means to bethink himelf what Fleh he lov‘d bet, and e'en make a Hearty Meal on't. Why then (ays the Lion) I have a trange Fancy for a Mouthful of Good Sound Apes-Fleh if you find it proper for me: Nothing like it, they cry’d; and o the Poor Flattering Ape was preently Taken up, Dres'd and Eaten by way of Precription.