THE SENSIBLE ASS.
An old Man who was feeding his Ass in a fine green meadow, being alarmed by the sudden approach of an enemy, began urging the Ass to put himself forward, and fly with all the speed he was able. The Ass asked him whether he thought the enemy would clap two pair of panniers upon his back? The Man said, No, there was no fear of that. Why then, says the Ass, I will not stir an inch, for what is it to me who my master is, since I shall but carry my panniers as usual.
APPLICATION.
This Fable shews us how much in the wrong the poorer sort of people most commonly are, when they are under any concern about the revolutions of a government. All the alteration which they can feel, is perhaps in the name of their sovereign, or some such important trifle; but they cannot well be poorer, or made to work harder, than they did before. And yet how are they sometimes imposed upon and drawn in by the artifices of a few mistaken or designing men, to foment factions, and raise rebellions, in cases where they can get nothing by success; but if they miscarry, are in danger of suffering an ignominious and untimely end.