The fables of young Æsop, with their morals with a moral history of his life and death, illustrated with forty curious cuts applicable to each fable.
Aesop., Harris, Benjamin, d. 1716?
Page  47

The MORAL.

MOnarchy! Thou Witchcraft of Felicity, and Enemy to a State free from the pale Cabals of Blood and Slaughter; in thy Bowels are Vipers, and on thy Brest Vultures! Kings that should be most free from Danger, move as if every step they took were in the Dark; and are (if not Hated) Envied by all. The Courts of Princes, are full of Minions, Parasites, and Favourites, Conspirators in the Palace, and Regicides in the Bed-Chamber; with innumerable Emmissaries without. And though Mor∣tals have universally Consented to the Punishment of Treason, yet they will in∣dulge themselves therein, though they see Quarters expos'd to view on the Ci∣ty-Gates. For my part, I do not love to imbrew my Hands in the Blood of any Creature, especially in the Blood of that Monarch, who hath restor'd me Liber∣ty and Property, unto whom I owe Sub∣jection. Nor is it consistent with Na∣ture, that the Feet should kick against the Head, because it's Elivated above all the other Parts of the Body, and Go∣verns the same.