Aesop's Fables: Sir Roger L'Estrange (1692)
189. A WILD ASS AND A TAME (Perry 183)
As a Tame Ass was Airing himself in a Pleasant Meadow, with a Coat and
Carcase in very good Plight, up comes a Wild One to him from the next
Wood, with this short Greeting. Brother (says he) I Envy your Happiness;
and so he left him: It was his Hap some short time after this Encounter,
to see his Tame Brother Groaning under an Unmerciful Pack, and a Fellow
at his Heels Goading him forward. He rounds him in the Ear upon't, and
Whispers him, My Friend (says he) your Condition is not, I perceive, what
I took it to be, for a Body may buy Gold too Dear: And I am not for Purchasing
good Looks and Provender at this Rate.
THE MORAL. Betwixt Envy and Ingratitude, we make Our selves twice Miserable;
out of an Opinion, First, that Our Neighbour has too Much; and, Secondly,
that We are Selves have too Little.
 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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