Æsop in select fables ... with A dialogue between Bow-steeple dragon and the Exchange grashoper.

To the Reader.

RIding, of late, to take a little Are, and crossing by some chance the Tunbridge-Road, it was my fortune to find a parcel of Papers, which were doubtless dropt by some un∣wary Passenger, who had made more Haste than good Speed; and taking them up, I found they were the following Fables: which, I imagine, some Young Gentleman of Wit and Leisure, had diverted himself in composing, whilst he was obliged to drink the Waters. The Entertainment they gave me and my Friends, made me think of making them Pub∣lick; and considering the Nature of them, and that they were very fairly Written, it is not at all unlikely that the Author had designed them for the Press himself. There are but two little Reasons to the contrary, which may be also soon answered; First, That they are too small to make a Book; the Se∣cond, That some of the Fables are too bold, and might expose the Author to some Danger or Displea∣sure. As to the first Objection, Whoever would be sure of Pleasing must not be tedious; it happens but to a few great Books to be read through; and many good Authors have defeated their own pur∣pose of instructing the World, by frightning the Reader with Three or four hundred Pages: But besides, the Nature of such a Work as this, requires that the Reader be never cloy'd, but always kept in good Humour and good Appetite, which a long

work could hardly do; and 10 or 12 Morals are e∣now to amuse the Mind, and keep it exercised a good while. But, after all, it may be there were many Fa∣bles more intended to follow these and then I have nothing to say, but that these were all I found, and thought they were too many to be lost to the Publick. To the other Objection, the Author having nothing to answer; for they are publish'd, if not without his Will, yet without his Knowledge. But should it be granted that one or two Fables are a little too old and angry, yet since there is some Foundation for such sort of Mutterings and Complaints from whence can our Rulers learn these Truths more inoffencively, than from such little Stories? They will not, perhaps, at∣tend so easily to wise and good Men as they will to Foxes and Asses; and wise and good Men will not, it may be, dare to tell those Truths these Beasts deli∣ver, which yet our Governours should know.

I will not altogether excuse the Exaggeration of Matters in the Twelfth Fable; for tho' our Bargain be dear enough; yet I can't tell what we should have done without it; and Things, I hope will mend upon our hands, in good time.