196 FABLES. 



treasure, which being found on the waste, belonged 

 to his Majesty. The Ape presently went to take 

 possession of the prize; but no sooner had he laid 

 his paws upon the bait, than he was caught fast in 

 the trap. In this situation, between shame and 

 anger, he chattered out many bitter reproaches 

 against the Fox, calling him rebel and traitor, and 

 threatening revenge : to all which Reynard gravely 

 replied, that this was nothing but a beginning of 

 what he would meet with in the high station his 

 vanity had prompted him to aspire to, as it was 

 only one of the many traps that would be laid for 

 him, and in which he would be caught; but he 

 hoped this one might be a treasure to him, if it 

 operated as a caution, and served to put him in 

 mind of the false estimate he had put upon his 

 abilities, in supposing, that with his inexperienced 

 empty pate, he could manage the weighty affairs of 

 state. He then, with a laugh, left him to be re- 

 lieved from his peril by one or other of his foolish 

 loving subjects. 



APPLICATION. 



WHEN Apes are in power, Foxes will never be 

 wanting to play upon them. Men shew their folly, 

 rashness, and want of consideration, when they 

 elect rulers without the qualifications of integrity 

 and abilities to recommend them to the office; and 

 the higher it is, the more important it is to the in- 

 terests of the community that it should be properly 

 filled. The Fable also shews the weakness of those 

 who, through self-conceit, aspire to any high sta- 

 tion without the requisites to befit them for it, and 

 the want of which exposes authority to scorn. 



