Fables of Æsop and other eminent mythologists with morals and reflexions / by Sir Roger L'Estrange, Kt.

FAB. LXXII. An Eagle and a Fox.

THere was a Bargain struck up betwixt an Eagle and a Fox, to be Wonderful Good Neighbours and Friends. The One Took-up in a Thicket of Brushwood, and the Other Timber'd upon a Tree hard by. The Eagle, One Day When the Fox was abroad a Forraging, fell into his Quarters and carry'd away a Whole Litter of Cubbs at a Swoop. The Fox came time enough back to see the Eagle upon Wing, with her Prey in the Foot, and to send many a Heavy Curse after her; but there was No overtaking her: It happen'd in a very Short time after This, upon the Sacrificing of a Goat, that the same Eagle made a Stoop at a piece of Flesh upon the Altar, and she took it away to her Young: But Some Live Coales it seems, that Stuck to't, set the Nest a fire. The Birds were not as yet Fledge enough to Shift for Themselves, but upon Sprawling and Struggling to get Clear of the Flame, down they Tumbled, half Roasted into the very Mouth of the Fox, that stood Gaping under the Tree to see the End on't: So that the Fox had the satisfaction at last, of Devouring the Children of her Enemy in the very Sight of the Damm.

The MORAL.

God Reserves to Himself the Punishment of Faithless, and Oppressing Go∣vernours, and the Vindication of his Own Worship and Altars.

REFLEXION:

THIS is to give Great Men to Understand, that No Power upon Earth can Protect them in the Exercise of Tyranny and Injustice; but that Sooner, or Later, Vengeance will Overtake Oppressors. It does likewise Condemn Treachery, and breach of Faith, even toward the most Per∣fidious▪

The Morality of This Fiction looks several Ways. Here's first a League betwixt an Eagle and a Fox; which would be a most Incongruous Ally∣ance, if it were not in the case of That Princely Birds Departure from the Dignity of her Character, and from the Obligation of Royal Justice: so that Aesop has aptly enough Match'd a Faith-Breaking Prince, with a Per•…•…idious Subject, and Fancy'd a Knavish Favourite, as the Fittest Mini∣ster for such a Governour. In the Eagles Destroying the Foxes Cubbs, there's Power Exercis'd with Oppression, and the Curses of the Fox that Pur∣su'd the Oppressor, were not sent in Vain neither, as appears by the Se∣quel▪

We are likewise to take Notice that Justice is Sacred, and that No Provocation, either of Insolent Language, or Behaviour, can Warrant the Violation of it.

And it is further Suggested to us, that when People are in a Train of Wickedness, One Sin Treads upon the Heel of Another. The Eagle be∣gins with an Invasion upon the Rights of Hospitality, and Common Faith; and at the Next Step Advances to Sacrilege, in Robbing the Altar. And what follows upon it now, but a Divine Judgment, that sets fire to her Nest, and Avenges the Cause of the very Fox, though One of the Falsest of Creatures! From hence we are to Gather These Two Doctrines for our Instruction. First, That the Misdemeanors of Temporal Sovereign Powers are subjected only to the Animadversion of the supreme Lord of the Universe. And secondly, That in the Case of Tyranny it self, it is not for Private Men to pretend to any Other Appeal.