Aesop's Fables: Sir Roger L'Estrange (1692)
124. A FAWN AND A STAG (Perry 351)
A Fawn was reasoning the Matter with a Stag, why he should run away from
the Dogs still; for, says he, you are bigger and stronger than they. If
you have a Mind to stand, y’are better arm’d; and then y’are fleeter if
you run for’t. I can’t imagine what should make you so fearful of a Company
of pitiful Curs. Nay, says the Stag, ‘tis all true what you say, and ‘tis
no more than I say to my self many Times; and yet whatever the Matter
is, let me take up what Resolution I please, when I hear the Hounds once,
I cannot but betake myself to my Heels.
THE MORAL. ‘Tis one thing to know what we ought to do, and another
thing to execute it; and to bring up our Practice to our Philosophy: He
that is naturally a Coward, is not to be made Valiant by Counsel.
 L'Estrange originally published his version of the fables in 1692. There is a
very nice illustrated edition in the Children's Classics series by Knopf: Sir
Roger L'Estrange. Aesop
- Fables which is available at amazon.com.
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