The Lion's Share

007. A Lion, An Ass, etc. a Hunting . A Lion, an Ass, and some other of their Fellow-Forresters, went a Hunting one day; and every one to go share and share-like in what they took. They pluck'd down a Stag, and cut him up into so many Parts, but as they were entering upon the Dividend, Hands off says the Lion: This Par tis mine by the Privilege of my Quality: This, because I'll have it in spite of your Teeth: This again, because I took most Pains for't; and if you Dispute the Fourth, we must e'en Pluck a Crow about it. So the Confederates Mouths were all stopt, and they went away as mute as Fishes.

Moral. There's no Entring into Leagues or Partnerships, with those that are either too Powerful, or too crafty for us. He that has the Staff in his Hand will be his own carver. Bought Wit is Best.

[more info; you can read L'Estrange's Reflexion at the online book.]

And here is an illustration by Francis Barlow: