Roger L'Estrange, Fables of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists… (1692)
“ From the Emblem of the Bat and Weazle, we are to Gather, that there are Certain Ways, Cases, and Occasions, wherein, Disguises, and Artificial Evasions are in some Measure Allowable, provided only that there be No Scandalous, or Malicious Departure from the Truth. This Shuffling of the Bat in the Paw of the Weazle, was but making the Best of what he had to say, and to shew for Himself, toward the saving of his Life. ”
Roger L'Estrange, Fables of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists… (1692)
“ A Bat and a Weazle. A Weazle had seizd upon a Bat, and the Bat begg'd for Life. No, No, says the Weazle, I give No Quarter to Birds. Ay (says the Bat) but I'm a Mouse you fee; look on my Body else: and so she got off for That Bout. The same Bat had the Fortune to be Taken a While after by Another Weazle; and there the Poor Bat was forc'd to beg for Mercy once again. No, says the Weazle, No Mercy to a Mouse. Well (fays 'Tother,) but you may see by my Wings that I'm a Bird; and so the Bat scap'd in Both Capacities, by Playing the Trimmer. Fab. XL. A Bat, Birds, and Beasts. ”
Roger L'Estrange, Fables of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists… (1692)
“ A Wise and an Honest Man will always Mean the same Thing; but he's a Fool that always says the same Thing. Æsop however Condemns the Double Practices of Trimmers, and All False, Shuffling, and Ambidextrous Dealings. He gives also to Understand, that Those that pretend at the same time to serve Two Masters, are True to Neither. ”
