ABSTRACT
BEing now come to the difcourfe of the Lion (juftly ftyled by all writers the King of Beafts) I cannot chufe but remember that pretty fable of JE/op<?, concerning the fociety and honour due unto this beaft. For (faith he) the Lyon, AfTe, and the Fox entred league and friendfhip together, and foraged abroad to feek convenient booties, at laft having found one and taken the fame, the Lion commanded the Affe to make divifion thereof, the filly AfTe regarding eothing but fociety and friendfhip, and not honor and dignity, parted the fame into three equall fhares; one for the Lion, an other for the Fox, andthe third for himfelf: Whereat the Lion difdaining, becaufe he had made him equall unto the refidue, prefently fell upon him and toar him in pieces; then bidding the Fox to make the divifion, the crafty Fox divided the prey into two parts, affigning unto the Lion almoft the whole booty,and referving to himfelf a very fmall portion; which being allowed by the Lion, he asked him, who taught him to make fuch a partition, Marry (quoth the Fox) the calamity of the Affe, whom you lately toar in pieces.
