Pages 49-50 from: AESOP'S FABLES A New Edition with PROVERBS AND APPLICATIONS Sands & Co. London, MCMVI --- FABLE XXII. The Lion and other Beasts. The Lion and several other Beasts entered into an alliance offensive and defensive, and were to live very sociably together in the forest. One day, having made a sort of an excursion by way of hunting, they took a very fine, large, fat deer, which was divided into four parts; there happening to be then present his majesty the Lion, and only three others. After the division was made, and the parts were set out, his majesty advancing forward some steps, and pointing to one of the shares, was pleased to declare himself after the following manner: "This I seize and take possession of as my right, which devolves to me, as I am descended by a true, lineal, hereditary succession from the royal family of Lion: that (pointing to the second) I claim by, think, no unreasonable demand; considering that all the engagements you have with the enemy turn chiefly upon my courage and conduct; and you very well know, that wars are too expensive to be carried on without proper supplies. Then (nodding his head towards the third) that I shall take by virtue of my perogative; to which, I make no question, but so dutiful and loyal a people will pay all the deference and regard that I can desire. Now, as for the remaining part, the necessity of our present affairs is so very urgent, our stock so low, and our credit so impaired and weakened, that I must insist upon your granting that, without any hesitation or demur; and hereof fail not at your peril." --- Might overcomes Right. "By oppression, I mean that open and barefaced robbery of seizing upon the possessions of others, and owning and avowing the doing so. For the doing of this there are several instruments; as first, That of power, by which many nations and princes have been turned out of their rights, and many private men out of their estates; sometimes again, Law is made the instrument of it; he that coverts his neighbour's land or goods, pretendes a claim to them, and then by corrupting of Justice, by brives and gifts, or else overruling it by greatness and authority, gets judgment on his side; this is a high oppression, and of the worst sort, thus to make the law, which was intended for the protection and defence of men's rights, to be the means of overthrowing them; and it is a very heavy guilt, that lies both on him that procures and on him that pronounces such a sentence; yea, and on the lawyer too that pleads such a cause, for by so doing he assists in the oppression." [-- The Whole Duty of Man.] ---