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FABLE LIX. The Fox and Lion:

Or, Familiarity breeds Contempt.

When first the Fox the dreadful Lion saw,
He trembled all, and stood in mighty awe:
The second time he met the Princely Beast,
He found his Fear was very much decreas'd:
But at next Interview dismiss'd all Doubts,
And no more fear'd him, than a Beast of Clouts.

The MORAL.

‘Thus Men, unus'd to Dangers, Dangers fear,
‘And represent them greater than they are;
‘But when, by use, familiar with them grown,
‘Despise what they so dreaded while unknown.