FABLE XXXI. The Collier and Fuller:
Or, A Man known by his Company.
A sooty
Collier farm'd a House too large;
And, that he might be eas'd of half the Charge,
Desir'd a cleanly Fuller wou'd consent
To be Joint-Partner in the Tenement.
The prudent Fuller modestly refus'd
His Offer, and desir'd to be excus'd:
For Friend, said he, my Neighbourhood with you,
Wou'd spoil my Work, and Reputation too:
For what my Art do's Whiten, wou'd be made
As Smutty as the Coals in which you trade.
The MORAL.
‘With cautious heed beware with whom you sort,
‘For thence proceeds all good or ill Report:
‘The World, that sees who your Associates are,
‘Will, from their Credit, make your Character.
‘If with the Vicious you mis-spend your Hours,
‘Their sully'd Fame will quickly blacken yours.
‘Mankind, that Things by Common Course respects,
‘And knows, One tainted Sheep the Flock infects,
‘Will judge your Morals hardly can be sound,
‘While with your loose, debauch'd Companions found.
‘As Men that from Infected Places come,
‘Must pass Probation, e're admitted Home;
‘So they who live in Vice's pois'nous Air,
‘Waken the Virtuous, and alarm their Care;
‘And e're they can their good Opinion gain,
‘Must undergo a tedious Quarantain.
