Roger L'Estrange, Fables of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists… (1692)
“ REFLEXION. 'TIS an Old Saying, That Listners never hear Well of Themselves; and Mercury's Curiosity Sped accordingly in This Fable. All Vain Men that Affect Popularity, are apt to Fancy, that Other People have the same Opinion of Them,that they have of Themselves; but Nothing goes Nearer the Heart of ’em, then to Meet with Contempt, instead of Applause, Esteem, and Reputation. They Muster up All their Commissions and Charters; as Mercury Values himself here, upon the Relation he had to Jupiter ”
