ESOP'S EABLES Translated Grammatically, and also in propriety of our English phrase; and, every way, in such sort as may be most profitable for the Grammar-schoole. The use of it is according to the directions in the prefaces, and more fully set down in Ludus Lit▪ or the Grammar-schoole. LONDON. Printed by H. L. for Thomas man.. 1617. To the Right Worshipful, Sir john Harper, Knight, all true prosperity. RIght worshipful, I may not be forgetful of the love which you have showed towards the furtherance of my endeavours, for the Grammar-schoole. Accept therefore this small pledge of my thankful acknowledgement. Though it be little in value and in the esteem of the most, yet the benefit of it will (I trust) help to make amends, and further the perfecting of my desires. By the right use hereof, may the little ones from their first years get much profitable understanding & wisdom, yea such, as whereof they may have worthy use, all their days, in what place soever they shall be employed; And may moreover have every point & part of the learning in it, so imprinted in their memories as they shall never forget them, but have them, as it were lively before their faces: That so they may learn to embrace the virtues therein taught and to flee the vices, to foresee dangers and how to avoid them, to behave themselves wisely and discreetly in the whole course of their life. As for example, to give a taste hereof; in the first fable of the cock esteeming a barley corn above a precious stone, to see the foolishof men, especially of children preferring play before learning, a little pleasure and folly, before the most excellent and divine wisdom: to teach them to follow after and to embrace learning and wisdom, even from their tender years, and to be ashamed of misspending their precious time in play and idle vanities. So in the second fable of the wolf and the lamb, to teach them to take heed all their life long how they have to deal with or any way provoke cruel men, that are too hard for them: Because they, when they list, can take any occasion to prey upon them, or to do them a mischief, and that this is matter enough, If they be not able to resist them. Thus likewise in the third fable of the mouse and the frog, being at war together, about the regiment of the marish ground, until the kite snatch them both away and devour them, to teach children in all their time to beware of discord and dissension with others, especially contention for superiority & preferment: Because such usually as will go to wa●re, as it were, for every trifle, make themselves a prey to others, especially to the common adversary. And but only to name the fourth, In the Apologue of the dog swimming over the river, which through over much greediness, chopping at the shadow of the flesh which he saw in the water, lost the flesh itself which he carried in his chaps, to teach children always to take heed of too much greediness, and ever to keep a measure in their desi●es, lest that by over much earnestness in seeking more than is fit, they come to lose all & to repent when it is too late. Now beside this sound wisdom, and besides all the other helps concerning the more certain, easy, and speedy means of attaining the Latin tongue (as happy experience hath taught very many, who have given plentiful testimony hereunto; for construing, pa●sing, making Latin, getting phrase and the like, by such translations) they may learn hereby chiefly to make report of a fable, or of any like narration, or history in good sort & fit words, which is no small commendation to any whosoever. For the manner of effecting hereof, I have set it down shortly in the Epistle to the Reader, and more fully in my Grammar-schoole. And thus (that you may see my constant desire in creeping forward by little and little, for performing my promise, in accomplishing my service for the perpetual benefit of schools & of all posterity, by learning still of all the learned to help the unlearned, & by propounding to all what I have found by experience, that they may find the like and be partakers of all my travels) have I presumed upon your love to present this little translation unto you. Which you accepting accordingly I shall be more encouraged to strive forward for perfecting of the whole, and to spend my last thoughts for the common good. And thus with all thankful acknowledgement unto yourself with your worthy Lady and all yours I humbly take my leave, and rest Your Worships in the Lord, I. Brinsley. To the painful Schoolmaster. FIrst, cause your scholar, by reading this translation, to tell you in every fable what the matter of the fable is. Secondly, to what end and purpose it was invented, what it is to teach, and what wisdom he can learn out of it. Thirdly, how to make a good report of the fable, both in English and Latin, especially in English. Fourthly and lastly, to make right use of it, for all matters concerning Grammar, as for construing, parsing, making and proving the Latin; and so for reading forth of English into Latin, according to the directions in my former translations, as namely▪ in Sententiae▪ Ca●o, Cord. etc. And principally for observing the best phrases both English and Latin; thus shall you receive your desire. Those things which are too harsh to be uttered in English, word for word, according to the Latin phrase, I have referred to the margin, with an Asterisk or little Star: and variety of English phrase, I have set also in the margin, noted with a little r. But for these I refer you to that which I have written in my former translations, and in my Grammarschole. Vouchsafe me your better derection, in love; and what is defective, I shall (God willing) labour to supply in the next edition. * The fables of Aesop. r tales or 〈◊〉 devices. Foolish contempt of learning. Esop's Fables. 1 * Of a cock le●ding ben●: or of a dunghill cock. Gallinaceus] signifieth, belonging to a cock or a hen, or hennish, seeming to be added only to distinguish the word from Gallus signifying a French man. Of a Cock. [This fable setteth out the foolish contempt of learning and wisdom.] * Whilst a cook etc. WHen on a time a cock * turned over a dunghill viz. scratching in it turned it up by little and little. scratched in a dunghill, he found a precious stone▪ r what quoth he. saying, what, do I find * a thing so bright or shining. so gay a thing? If a * a lapidary or one that trimmeth and sell●th precious stones. jeweller had found [it] * no thing. none * could be. could have been more * merry o●, joyful. jocund than he, r because he knew the worth of it. as who knew the price [of it.] [But] * truly. in truth r it will serve ●e for no purpose. it is * to me or for me to no use. of no use to me, neither do I * esteem, or reckon it of a great [price] or value. r make any reckoning of it. greatly esteem it: yea * I in truth. I in very deed * malim, ●. ●. magis ve●m, will or would rather have had rather have r a barley corn. a grain of barley, than r all the precious stones in the world all precious stones. r The moral sense▪ or the meaning▪ use and application of this fable for the framing & ordering of our manners. The Moral.] r You must understand. Understand by the precious stone, r learning & knowledge. art & wisdom. * understand by the etc. By the cock a foolish man r sensual or given over to pleasure. given to pleasure. * Neither foolish men do love. Neither fools love r good learning. liberal arts, sith they know not the use of them: nor r a voluptuous man. a man given over to pleasure, r because. as * to whom alone, or one, pleasure can please. whom only pleasure doth delight. 2 Of a Wolf and a Lamb [showing the nature of cruel oppressors, Tyranny. that they can easily take any occasion to prey upon & spoil the poor.] A Wolf drinking at the r top. head of a * fountain. spring, seeth a lamb drinking r a far off or a great way beneath. far beneath. He * runneth to [him] runneth to [and] r chideth or blameth. rateth the lamb, * because. for that he * troubled the fountain. viz. muddied the water. marred the spring. The lamb * trepidare for trepidabat. Euallage. trembled, besought [him,] that he would spare [him] being innocent. * Himself neither indeed to have been able to trouble. That he neither could indeed mar the drink of the wolf, sith he drank far beneath, nor yet * to have been willing. would. The wolf r on the other side. contrarily r speaketh vehemently or rails against the lamb. thundereth: [saying,] Thou r wretch church robber, r this is nothing thou sayst. thou dost nothing: thou always * hurtest [me] always. hurtest [me:] [thy] father, mother, all thy * ended. odious r stock or kindred. kind is against me * diligently or always. by all means. * Thou shalt-give punishment to me to day. Thou shalt r abye. smart for it this day. Mor.] It is an old saying: * a staff to be found easily, that you may be 〈◊〉 a dog. that It is an easy matter to find a stuff to beat a dog. A mighty man easily taketh an * a cause. occasion of hurting, if r he please. he list to hurt. He hath r committed fault enough. offended sufficiently who * could not resist or withstand. cannot resist. 3 Of a mouse and a frog, [setting Discord. out the fruit of discord.] A Mouse r warred or waged battle. made war with a frog. * It was striven. The contention was concerning the r government, ●ule or sovereignty. empire of the r ●rish ground. fen. The r ●ght. battle was r very sore. vehement & doubtful. The crafty mouse r oft lying hid or l●ding himself lurking under the * herbs; viz. wild herbs, or grass. weeds, sets upon the frog by * deceits, or lying in wait. policy. The frog r mo●e strong. being better in strength, * able. pu●lant in breast and in * leaping upon. bouncing, r challengeth. provokes the r mouse. enemy * by open Mars. Mars the God of war▪ for wa●e. in open war. r They had either of them a buliush for their spear. A bulrush was the spear to either of them, which * strife. battle being seen far off, the * glead, or puttock. kite maketh haste unto [them:] and whilst neither [of them] * bewareth, or looketh to. taketh heed to * herself. themselves, for the * study. earnestness of the battle, the 〈◊〉 away, and teareth in pieces * 〈◊〉 of the warriors, al. either warrior. both the warriors. Mor.] It is wont * to happen, or betide after the same manner. even so to fall out to factious citizens, who being * kindled o● set on fire. inflamed with a * lust. desire of bearing rule, whilst they * strive. contend amongst themselves r for magistracy, or to be governors. to be made magistrate's, do put their * riches. wealth and also their life * for most part also their life. very oft in danger. 4 Of a dog and a shadow, [war●ing Unsatiable greediness. to beware of too much greediness.] A Dog swimming over a river carried * flesh. a piece of flesh in [his] * grinning mouth. chap. The sun shining, * so as it cometh to pass, or happeneth. as it fell out, the shadow of the flesh shined in the waters: which r he catching at greedily so soon as he saw. being seen he greedily catching at, lost that which was in his r cheeks, or chaps. jaws. Therefore being r astonished. sore smitten with the loss both of the r flesh. thing and also of his hope, first, he was r astonished. amazed, * and then receiving again courage. afterwards getting heart again, he * barked out. howled out thus: O wretch * a measure was wanting, or thou wast too greedy. there wanted a measure to thy * covetousness. greediness. r Thou hadst enough and too much. The● was enough, & more than enough, * unless thou hadst doted, o● but that thou doted. if thou hadst not doted: * less than nothing is now to thee by thy foolishness. now thou hast less than nothing by thy foolishness. Mor.] We are * admonished of modesty, or to be modest. put in mind of modesty by this fable, we are put in mind of wisdom, that there be a measure * to our co●tousnesse. in our desire; lest we lose certain things for uncertain. Surely that * Terentian Sa●nio. San●io in Terence [speaks] * sub●lly, 〈◊〉. wittily: I, quoth he, will not buy hope * with a price. so dear. 5 Unfaithful dealing of great men towards their 〈◊〉. Of a lion and certain other beasts, [teaching that it is the safest to deal with our equals.] A Lion had * covenanted. made an agreement with a sheep and with certain other [beast,] * a common, or general hunting to be. that there should be a common hun●ing. * It is gone. They go to hunt. * A ha●t or stag is catched. there is a Hart taken. They divide * the heart. [him] * Every one, one by one. Every Al. They divide the several parts to every one. one [of them.] Beginning to take up their * singular parts, o● one by one. several parts, * had been agreed. as it was agreed, the lion roared out: Saying one part is mine, because I am the worthiest. r And. Also another part is mine, because I am r the strongest. most excelling in strength. Furthermore, I challenge a third part, because I have sweat more in * taking. catching the Hart. And lastly, unless you will grant me a fourth part, * it is done, [or there is an end] farewell * This being heard, his fellows do depart. friendship. * concerning friendship. His fellows having heard this, do depart empty and * holding their peace: or quiet, or silent. still, not * daring. being so bold as to mutter against the lion. Mor.] * fidelity, or faithfulness hath been rare ever, or seldom found. Faithful dealing hath been ever rare, it is more rare * at this age, or at this day. in this age: [but] it is and hath been always most rare amongst r men of might, or great men. mighty men. Wherefore it is better [that] you live with your r match. equal. For he that liveth with a mightier [man] * hath it necessary, or of necessity. must necessarily * grant. depart oft times from his own right. * There shall be equal right to thee You shall have r equity. equal right with your equal. 6 Of a wolf and a crane, [teaching Scornful ingratitude. what it is, to do good to a● unthankful body.] A Wolf devouring a sheep, * the bones by chance have stuck r as it happened. bechance the bones stuck in his r gulle●. throat. He r went about. goeth about, desireth help, [but] no man r did help him, or afford him any help. helpeth [him.] * All [men] say often. All say, * him to have borne. that he had got * the price, or hire. a just reward of his * devouring, or greediness. ravening. At length he r persuadeth. induceth a crane by many r fair words flatteries and more promises, that her * longest, or most long. Al. that she would pluck out the bone fastened in, with her most long neck thrust into his throat. Al.; But he mocked [her] ask [her] reward. long neck being thrust into his throat, she would pluck out the bone fastened [in it.] But [she] ask [her] reward, he mocked [her.] * ●●ou foolish crane. Thou fool, quoth he, * go, or get thee gone. go thy way: r Art thou not well that thou scapest with thy life. Hast thou not enough that thou livest? * Thou owest thy life unto me. Thou owest me [thy] life. * If it had listed me. If I had listed, * It hath been lawful [for me] or I might. it was in my power to bite off thy neck Mor.] It is an * a worn, or ●mon [saying] [that thing] to perish which thou dost to an unthankful [man.] old [proverb] that all is lost which thou dost to an unthankful [body.] 7 Of a country man and of * a land snake, or a wood snake. a Mischievous requiting good with evil. snake, [showing also the thanks to be looked for from a wicked man.] A Country man brought home * cast him to. a snake found in the snow almost killed with cold. He * bearing, or not able to abide. laid him to the fire. The snake receiving strength from the fire, and poison, and afterwards not * the heat of the fire enduring the flame, r molested, or endangered to poison. infected all the * poor house, or cottage. shed with hissing. The country man runneth unto [him.] [and] * ● hedgest●ke, [or cudgel] being snatched, or catched up. snatching up a stake, r he demandeth. or debateth with him concerning the wrong ●lateth the injury with him, with words and * stripes, or blows. strokes, Whether r he thus requite him. he requite this thank? whether r he will take away. he be about to take away life * to him. from him, * who gave life to him. who gave him [his] life. Mor.] * It is done. It cometh to pass sometimes, that they will do you an * may be against you. ill turn, to * whom you have profited. whom you have done good, and that they * deserve. will r requite, or use you unkindly. deserve evilly of you, r to whom you have done good. of whom you have deserved well. 8 Of a boar and an ass; teaching Contempt of injuries. to contemn injuries offered from base persons. * whilst. r As a dull ass. AS on a time a sluggish ass r 〈◊〉 at. mocked a boar, he disdaining, r whetted his tusks. gnashed [his] tooth, [saying;] O most sluggish ass, truly thou hadst deserved evil, but all though r thou badst deserved to be plagued thou hadst been worthy of punishment, yet I am * unworthy. unmeet * which may take punishment of thee that I should be revenged of thee. Mock * being safe. safely, * it is lawful for thee unpunished. or without punishment, or danger. thou mayest freely, for thou art safe for thy sluggishness. Mor.] Let us * give our diligence. do our endeavour that when we hear or suffer things * unworthy of us. unbefitting us, we speak not, not do things * unworthy of us. unbeseeming us: for r naughty. evil men & * lost, or desperately evil. past hope, * for most part do rejoice. do for most part rejoice, if * [any man] of good men. any good man resist them. * They way it of great worth. They highly esteem of it, * themselves to be accounted worthy revenge. that they should be accounted worthy r for others to seek to be revenged of. to be revenged of. Mor.] Let us imitate horses and great beasts, which pass by little dogs barking at them, with contempt [of them.] 9 Of a city mouse and a country Bitterness in riches, and the fears and dangers wherein rich men line. mouse, [showing the fears and dangers that rich men are always in. And that therefore a little with safety, is better than abundance with continual fear and danger.] IT pleased a city mouse to walk into the country. A country mouse saw * this mouse. him, inviteth [him,] * it is prepared. preparation is made, * it is gone to sup. they go to supper. The country mouse fetcheth forth whatsoever he had laid up against winter, and * draweth out. bringeth out all his * victuals, or provision. store, that he might * fulfil, or fill. satisfy the daintiness of so great a guest. r nevertheless. Yet notwithstanding, the city mouse * wrinkling his forehead. frowning, condemneth the r poverty. scarcity of the country, r and afterward. and then praiseth the r abundance. plenty of the city. [And] going back, he leadeth the country mouse with him into the city, that he might * give proof and experience of that to him. approve in deed, that which he had bragged of in words. They go to the banquet which the city mouse * had prepared gaily, or richly, excellently. had gorgeously prepared. * Between to feast, or [their] feasting. As they were at the banquet, the noise of a key is heard in the lock. * They [began] to tremble exceedingly, and in flying, often to fly away. They trembled, & running fled away. The country mouse both unaccustomed, and ignorant of the place, * to defend himself hardly, or grievously. hardly saved himself. The servant departing, the city mouse returneth unto the table, calleth the country mouse. * He, his 〈◊〉 ●ing scarcely laid away at length. He, scarcely at length having put away his fear, creepeth out: [And] asketh the city mouse * inviting him to the pots. drinking unto him, whether this r danger. peril be often. He answered, * it to be daily to one to be con●emned. that it was daily, that it ought to be contemned. Then the * country mouse said, or replied. country mouse, daily quoth he? * As Hercules shall help me. In good sooth, your dainties savour more of gall than of honey. I in truth * will rather, or desire. had rather have my scarcity with security, than this abundance with such * anxiety, or care, doubtfulness, or fearfulness. fear. Mor.] Riches * indeed do bear before themselves [or make a show of] pleasure. have indeed a show of pleasure, but if you look within [them] they have r dangers. perils and bitterness. There was one Eutrapilus, who when he would hurt his enemies most of all, made them rich, * saying est. saying that he would * rerevenge them, [or take vengeance of them] too. revenge himself of them, for that * them to receive. they should receive with their riches * a very great, or huge farthel. a great pack of r troubles. cares. 10 Of an eagle and a jackdaw: Crafty and cozening counsel. warning us to beware of whom and what counsel we take. AN eagle having gotten a cockle, could not * pull forth. pluck out the fish by force, or by art. A iackdawe coming unto [her] gives [her] counsel. [She] persuadeth [her] r to mount on by. to fly aloft, and * to cast down headlong. to hurl down the cockle * from an high place. from an high, upon the stones: * for so it to be, [or to come to pa●le] that. For that it would so come to pass, that the shell would be broken. The iackdawe tarrieth upon the ground, that she may wait for the fall. The eagle * east●th it down headlong. * the cockle may be broken. throweth [it] down, the shell is broken, the fish is r catched up. snatched away by the iackdawe, the eagle being deluded * it grieveth her. grieveth. Mor.] Do not * ●aue faith, or ●rust: viz. trust not. give credit * whosoever. to every one, and * make, or take heed. see [that] you look into the counsel which you shall receive of others. For many being * asked counsel of consulted with, do not r consult, or advise. give counsel * to their consultours. for them who ask counsel of them, but for themselves. 11 Of a crow and a fox cub, [advising Greediness of praise us to take ●eed of being over greedy of praise. A crow having gotten a prey, maketh a noise in the boughs [of a tree.] A foxe-cubbe seeth [him] * gesturing, or i●tting, or triumphing vaunting, runneth unto [him.] The fox (quoth [she]) * doth impart, [or greet] the crow with very much salutation. viz. hardly saluteth the crow, or sendeth hearty commendations to the crow. doth very kindly greet the crow. I * had heard. have heard very often r that fame is a liar fame to be a liar, now * I prove it by experience in the thing itself. I find it in very deed. For as bechance I pass by this way, * beholding, or seeing thee. spying you in a tr●, I * flee unto thee. come running unto you, blaming r report. fame. For the fame is, * thee to be blacker. that you are blacker than pitch, and I see [you] whiter than snow. Tru●ly in my judgement you * overcome. viz. goest beyond. surpass the swans, and are fairer than the white ivy. If so be that * you excel so also in voyc●, as you do in feathers. as [you excel] in feathers, you so excel also in voice, in truth, * I might have called you▪ or have said you to be the queen. I will call you the queen of all the birds. The crow being * entiled. alured by this * little flattery. pretty flattery, prepares [himself] to sing. But the cheese falleth our of [his] r beak. bill, * to him preparing as he was preparing [to sing,] which being snatched up, the foxcub taketh up * a laughter as if he were tickled. Al. and shame being mixed to the los●e of the thing he grieveth. a loud laughter. Then at length it shames the miserable crow, and irketh him of himself, and the loss of the thing being mixed with shame it grieveth [him.] Mor.] Some are so r desirous. greedy of praise, that they love a flatterer with their own reproach and loss. Such * dwarves. silly men are [made] a prey to parasites. If so be that you will r shun. avoid boasting, you may ●sily * thou shalt shun, or escape easily. escape [that] pestilent kind of flatterers. If you will be Thraso, * Gnato shall never be wanting unto thee, or thou shalt never want a Gnatho if thou wilt be a Thraso. you shall never want a Gnato. 12 Of a lion spent with old age; The just reward of cruelty. admonishing us ever to beware of cruelty, or being over fierce in prosperity. r render him like recompense. A Lion which had made very many [his] enemies by his r cruelty. fierceness in [his] youth, * paid punishment paid for it in [his] old age. The boar * seeked [him, or smiteth at him.] setteth on him with his * tooth. ●ush, the bull * seeketh [him, or setteth on him] with his horn. * with his horns. Especially, * In the first place, ●r above all. the old ass desiring to * abolish. put out utterly the old name of sluggishness, * insulteth, or leape●h on him, or flingeth at him. layeth at him r Iustily. stoutly with words and with [his] heels. Then the lion * mourning exceedingly, or lamenting. sighing deeply [said,] these whom I have hurt in times past, hurt [me] now again, and * deservedly. worthily. But they whom I have r heretofore. sometimes * profited. done good unto, do not now * profit [me.] do me good * by course. again, * yea also. yea they also * are against me. hurt me without cause. * I have been foolish who have made many enemies. I was a fool that made [me] many enemies, [but] more foolish * who have trusted. that trusted false friends. Mor.] * Thou mayest not▪ ●e lift up in second [or prosperous] things, thou mayst not be fierce or cruel. Be not lift up in prosperity, be not fierce. For if fortune r shall alter, or frown. shall change [her] countenance, they whom you have hurt will r be revenged. avenge [themselves.] And see that you * have viz. put. make a difference amongst [your] friends. For there are * certain. some that are not * friends of thee▪ but [friends] of thy table and fortun● your friends, but of your table & estate. Which * fortune. estate in very deed * as soon as. so soon as ever it shall be changed, they also will be changed: * it shall be done well with thee if they shall not be enemy's. it shall go very well with you if they be not enemies. Ovid complaineth * worthily. justly. * Behold. Lo, I sometimes [was] * fortified, fenced, or environed. guarded * not with a few friends. with no small company of friends, Whilst * a prosperous wind hath blown to my sails, or a prosperous gale of wind. the wind blowed prosperously to my sails: But after that the r cruel viz. raging. fierce seas * have swelled. began to swell with the r tempestuous wind. stormy wind, * my ship being torn I am left in the middle waters. I am left in the midst of the waters, r with my ship all torn. my ship being all torn. 13 Of a dog and an ass, [showing Foolish imitation. the foolishness of them, who will attempt any thing against nature.] * Whilst that. WHenas of a time a dog * did flatter. flattered [his] master and the r household. family, [both] the master and the family r made much of or stroked. cherished the dog. The * little ass. ass seeing that, r mour●eth, or sigheth. groaneth * more deeply very deeply. It began to r repent him. i●ke him of his * lot. condition: he thinks it * [to be] ordered unequally, or appointed. unequally dealt, * the dog to be acceptable to all. that the dog should bewelcome to all, and be fed from his master's table, and also r obtain, or get. attain that by idleness and play, r and that he himself should contrarily bea●e etc. and contrarily himself to carry * packsadles. packs, be r whipped: to be never idle, or never to rest. beaten with a whip, r never to be idle, and yet [to be] odious to all. If these things * be done. be gotten by * flatteries. flatteries, he determineth to follow that art which * may be. is so profitable. Therefore * [his] master returning home at a certain time. at a certain time [his] master returning home, he about to try the matter, runs forth to meet [him▪] he leaps [upon him] bears [him] with [his] * feet. hooves. [His] master crying out, the servants ran unto [him,] and the foolish ass, which * believed. thought himself civil is beaten with a * staff, or cudgel. club. Mor.] All [of] us cannot do all things, as Virgil saith in [his] Bucolics, neither do all things become all men. * Every one may will that. Let every one desire that, let him r assay, or make trial of. try that which he is able. For we know that which is spoken more significantly in Greek, * An ass of the haps, or of the harp. An ass to the harp: So also Boetius, An ass * put. set to the harp. Nature resisting, our labour is in vain. * Thou shalt do or say nothing Minerva [or nature] being unwilling, or against it. You shall neither do nor say any thing, if r Minerva the goddess of wisdom and of all good arts and sciences, feigned to be borne of ●upiters brain without any mother, here taken for nature. Minerva be unwilling, * Horace being witness. as Horace saith. 14 Of a lion and a mouse, [teaching Clementy towards inferiors. great men to deal kindly with the meanest.] A Lion being weary with heat and with running, rested in the shadow upon * a green leaf. green leaves: * but. and a flock of mice running over his back, he awaking catched * one of many of them. one of them. The captive beseecheth him, crieth * him to be unworthy whom the lion should be angry at. that he was not worthy that the lion should be angry at him. He * thinking seriously bethinking himself * no praise to be i● the death of so very small a little ●east. that there was no praise in the death of such a silly little beast, le's go the * captive or mouse being taken. prisoner. * Neither truly so much after. And not very to long after, as the lion bechance runs through the land, he falls into net●, * it is lawful to roar, it is not lawful to go out. he may roar, but he cannot get forth. The mouse heareth the lion roaring miserably, acknowledgeth [his] voice, creepeth into the holes, seeketh the kno●s of the nets, * having sought them findeth the, and having found them gnaweth them, whereby the lion escapeth out of the nets. findeth them being sought, gnaweth them being found, the lion escapeth out of the nets. Mor.] This fable persuadeth r great men to be courteous towards the poor. clemency to mighty men. For as human things are unstable, [so] mighty men sometimes need the help of the base. Wherefore a wise man although he may, will be afraid to hurt any * even any of men. man whosoever. But he that feareth not to hurt another, * doteth greatly. doth exceeding foolishly. Why so? Because although, * enjoying, or relying upon his own power. trusting in his own power, he feareth no man, * it will be peradventure in time to come. it will peradventure come to pass in time that he may fear. For it is evident that it hath happened to famous and great kings, that they have either r stood i● need of. needed the favour * vile dwarves, or men of no reputation. of base men, or r been afraid of their displeasure. feared their anger. 15 Of a sick kite, [showing what Sacrilege, or the miserable state of sacrilegious persons & pro●ane contemners of God. sacrilegious and wicked persons can expect from God in their miseries.] A Kite * lay down. lay sick in [his] bed▪ now * almost dying. ready to die. He entreats his mother to go to pray to the gods. [His] mother answered, that there was no help to be hoped for from the gods, whose holy things and altars he had so oft violated with his rapines. Mor.] It becometh [us] to reverence the gods. For they help the godly, * are against. are enemies to the ungodly, being neglected in * felicity. prosperity they * do not. will not hear us in [our] misery. Wherefore r remember them. be mindful of them in prosperity, that they may be present being * called. called upon * in adverse things or in troubles. in [our] adversity. 16 Of a swallow and other little Want of consideration for preventing dangers, and despising counsel. birds, [teaching to use all ad● and to prevent dangers in time.] AS soon as r line. flax began to be sown, the swallow persuadeth the little birds to hinder the seedness, telling them often, that there was * treacheries to be made to them, or prepared for them. a conspiracy against them. They laugh at her, calling the swallow a foolish prophet. The flax * rising up. growing up and waxing green, he admonisheth them again to pluck up that which was sown. They laugh at her again. The flax waxeth ripe, she exhorts them to destroy * the flax yet standing. the crop. When they would not hear her advising, no not then indeed, the swallow * the comp●ny of birds being left. leaving the company of the birds, gets unto herself the friendship of man, * enters. makes a league with him, dwells together [with him] cheereth him with singing. Nets and snares are made for r the rest of the birds. the other birds, of the flax. Mor.] Many * neither know themselves. neither know to * consult wisely to themselves. advise well for themselves, * nor do hear a man giving them cou●sell well. nor will hear him who adviseth them well. But when they are in perils & losses, then r only. at length they begin to be wise, and to condemn their own slothfulness. * Now is there enough and overmuch counsel. Now are they wise enough. This say they, & that * to be done. Prometheus' wise before. aught to have been done. But it is better Epimetheus wise after. to be Prometheus than Epimetheus. These * hau● been. were brethren. r They are Greek names. The names are Greek. * Counsel hath been to one [of them] before the thing, to ●he other after the thing. One of them took counsel before the thing [to be done,] the other after it: which the interpretation of [their] names doth declare. 17 Of frogs and * the king of them. their king, [●arning Discontēt●dnes with our present estate. us to be content with our present estate.] WHen the nation of * it made supplication to jupiter a king to be given them. the frogs was free, * they besought jupiter to give them a king. jupiter ridere pr● ridebat; Enallage. laughed [at] the r wishes, prayers, or requests. desires of the frogs. They notwithstanding, were r very importunate. instant again & again, until they enforced [him.] * He cast down a block [too them] He casts [them] down r a beam. a block. That vast weight r shakes vehemently. shakes the * river, flood, or fen water with a huge crash. The frogs being r affrighted. terrified r are b●sh. are silent. They * 〈◊〉, worship, or honour. adore [their] king: [And] come nearer * foot by foot. by little and little: at length * fear being cast aw●y. casting away fear, they * leap. bounce upon [him,] and down again [from him.] The r blockish. sluggish king * 〈◊〉 ● spo●t. is made a scorn and a contempt. They * provoke, or instantly beseech. importune jupiter again, they * they pray. beseech him * a king to be given [them] to give them a king, which may be stout: jupiter gives them a stork. He walking through the r marsh, or marish ground. fen very stoutly, devoureth * whatsoever of frogs. what frogs soever * i● before him, or in hi● way. he meeteth with. * Therefore the frogs etc. The frogs than complained all in vain of the cruelty of this [king:] jupiter * doth not hear. heareth [them] not. For * they complain also as yet to d●y. they as yet complain even at this day. For the stork going to bed at evening, they * g●n forth, or going forth. coming forth * out of their holes. of their dens do * murmur. secretly complain with a hoarse * howling, or crying. croaking, but they sing * to one deaf, or God jupiter being deaf. to a deaf man. For * jupiter will, [or jupiters' pleasure is] jupiter will have it so, that they * which refused by supplication, o● or turned away by entreaty. which prayed against a r mild. gentle king, should now endure * should bear now. one merciless. Mor.] It is wont to r 〈◊〉, o●happen. fall * [a king] void of compassion, or pity out to the common people even as to the frogs. Who i● * it hath. they have a king * a little more ge●tle. somewhat more mild, * it allegeth. they charge him to be sluggish and r without valour, or courage. cowardly, and * it wisheth sometimes a m●n to happen unto them. wish that at length * to fall out unto them. they may have r a man of worth, or of spirit. a man. [And] contrarily if at any time * it, viz. the people hath gotten they get a stout king, * it condemneth. they condemn * the cruelty of this. his cruelty, [and] praise the clemency of the former, whether for that * it always repenteth us of things present. we always mislike our present estate; or * that it is. because it is a true word, * New things to be better than old. That new things are better than old. 18 Of pigeons and the glead, [showing what commonly followeth discontentedness with our present estate. discontentedness with our estate.] * Doves. PIgeons on a time made war with the kite: whom that they might * vanquish. conquer, they r did choose. chose the r goshawk. hawk * a king to them. [for] their king. He being made * doth. their king * playeth the r tyrant. enemy, not a king. He * snatcheth. plucketh and teareth them in pieces, * no slo●hfuller, or slower. no less greedily than the kite. It repenteth the pigeons of [their] enterprise, thinking it * to h●ue been. had been better [for them] to * suffer. endure the wars of the kite, than the tyranny of the hawk. Mor.] Let it irk no man too much of his own * lot. condition: [for] ( * Flaccus, viz. Horace being witness, nothing is blessed on every part, or on all parts. as Horace saith) nothing is every way blessed. r I in truth. I in very deed * may not. would not wish my r estate, or condi●. lot to be changed, so that it be tolerable. Many * a new lot being gotten. having gotten a new r condition. lot, have wished the old again. * All for the most part, [or the most of us all] are 〈◊〉 i● 〈◊〉 [or disposition] that it reputes ou● selves of us. That is the nature almost of us all, that we are discontent with our estate. 19 Of a thief and a dogg●, [teaching Flattery & deceit. to beware of flatterers.] * A dog answered sometimes a thief reaching bread [too him] that he may be silent. A Thief of a time reaching bread to a dog, that he would hold his peace, the dog answered, * I have known thy lyings in wait. I know thy treachery. Thou givest [me] bread * whereby I may cease to bark that I should leave off barking. But I hate thy gift: because if I shall take [thy] bread thou wilt carry away all things * from these roofs of the houses, or from under these roofs. out of these houses. Mor.] * Take heed thou lose. Beware you lose [not] a great commodity * for the cause of a little commodity. for a small commodities sake. Take heed * you have trust to every one whom you please. you trust not every man. For there are men who * do not speak bountifully, but also do bountifully will not only speak courteously, but also deal kindly, * by deceit, or in craft. only with purpose to deceive. 20 Of a wolf, and a young sow, Too much officiousness. [teaching us to beware of them a sow. who are too officioiu.] A Young sow was about to r farrow. pig. A wolf promises * himself to be. that he will be the r tender. keeper of [her] r 〈◊〉. young. The * Puerpera signifying a woman traveling or in childbed, here put for a sow pigging. sow answered, that * herself not to ne●d the pliantness [or attendance.] she had no need of the service of the wolf: If he * will be. would be accounted * godly, or courteous. devout, [and] * it 〈◊〉 c●uet to do an 〈◊〉 thing or a pleasure. if he desire to do her a kindness, * th●t he go away further. that he would get him further off. * f●r the office o● 〈◊〉 of the wolf to 〈◊〉. For that the kindness of the wolf should consist not in [his] presence, but in [his] absence. Mor.] * A●l 〈◊〉 g● are not to be credited to all men. We are not to give credit to all things which every one saith. * M●ny doc 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 diligence not by, or for the love of you, 〈◊〉 o● 〈◊〉 Many will promise their help, not for the love of you, but of themselves: seeking their own commodity, * not your [commodity.] not yours. 21 Of the bringing forth of the Boasting and vain fear. mountains [teaching to beware of foolish boasting and vain fears.] IN time past there was a rumour * the mountains to be about to bring forth, or to be in travel. that the mountains brought forth. Men run unto them, stand ●ound about, expecting some monster not without fear. At length the mountains bring forth, a mouse * goeth forth. creepeth out. Then all [the beholders] * all to die with laughter. did almost die with laughter. Mor.] Horace toucheth emori, pro emoriebantur; ●all. this * little. pretty fable. The mountains * a●e about to bring forth. are in travel quoth he, * a mouse to laughed at. a ridiculous mouse will be r borne. bred. But he noteth boasting. For boasters when they profess and * boast of. make ostentation of great matters, scarcely * do little things. perform small. Wherefore those * vain glorious boasters, such as Thraso. Thrasocs are * by right. justly a matter of ●est & * scofts. scorn. This fable doth also forbid vain fears. For the fear of the r danger. peril is for the most part greater than the p●ll [it self,] yea it is [oft] ridiculous which we fear. 22 Of ● * a hunting dog. a hound * a greyhound. despised of his Ingratitude. master, [snewing the nature of ingratitude, and that nothing is loved but that which bri●eth ● which is contemned of his master. commodity.] A Master hastens on [his] hound, which * now had waxen old. was now waxen old. He * exhorts him calls on him in vain. [His] feet are sl●we, he * hasteth not. maketh no haste. He had * catched, or laid hold on. caught a wild beast, the beast slips away from r the dog [or his mouth] being toothless. [him] being toothless. His master * rebukes, or c●ides him. rates him with * a stroke, or stripe strokes and with * a word. words. The dog answered * it to owe to be pardoned to him by right. that he ought of right to be pardoned; that now he was becomne old, * but being young to have been stout. but that he had been stout when he was young. But as I see, quoth he, nothing pleaseth without * fruit. commodity. You * have loved me. loved [me] being young; * you have hated me. you * catching preys. hate me now becomne old. You loved me * kind. bringing in preys, you hate me [now] slow & toothless. But if you were r once, or sometimes. thankful, whom you loved in times past, being young * for the cause of thrift, or of [your] commodity. for [your] commodity sake you would love [now] ●eeing old for the cause of his * fruitful. profitable youth. Mor.] The dog [said] well. For * N●so, or Ovid being witness. 〈◊〉 Ovid saith: Nothing i● * dea●e. loved but that which * profits. brings commodity. Behold, take away from a greedy mind the hope of commodity, no body * will be to be required. will be sought for. There is no remembrance of a commodity past, and the favour of a future [commodity] not great, the chiefest [thankfulness] is * of. for a present commodity. Indeed it i● * a filthy thing. a shame to be spoken, but if we confess the truth, The common sort doth approve * friendships. friendship by [their] commodity. 23 Of hares and frogs, [setting Timorousness. forth the folly of timorousness and the necessity of courage in perils.] A Wood * bellowing. roaring [on a time] with an * unwonted. unaccustomed r storm. whirlwind, the trembling hares begin to r run away. flee away r speedily. swiftly. But as they were fleeing, * when a fen, or marish ground hindered them. whenas there was a fe●ne in their way, they stood doubtful, * comprehended. enclosed with perils on both sides. And which was a * incitement, or cause. provocation of greater fear, they see frogs drowned in the fen. Then one of the hares wiser & more eloquent than the rest, * what, quoth he do we fear. said, why do we fear * vainly. without cause, we have need of a * a mind. courage: * nimbleness of body is indeed to us, but a courage is wanting. we have indeed nimbleness of body, but we want heart. This danger of the whirlwind [is] not to be fled, * but [it is] to be contemned. but to be contemned. Mor.] There is need of courage in every matter. Virtue without r boldness, or courage. confidence * lieth down lieth under foot, for confidence is the * captain, or guide. leader and queen of virtue. 24 Of a kid and a wolf, [teaching Obedience to parents children to obey their parents.] WHenas on a time, a goat was * about to go. to go r to pasture. to feed, she shut up her kid at home, warning * it to be opened him to open to no body until she herself returned. The wolf which * had heard. heard that a far off, * beats on the doors after the dep●rture of his mother. after his dam was gone knocks at the doors, r cries like the goat. imitates the goat in voice, commanding [the doors] to be * unshut. opened. The kid * foreunderstanding. perceiving the * deceit, or guile. treacheatie, * said, I do not open. I will not open them quoth he: for although the voice * imitate the goats be the goats voice, yet indeed I see a wolf through the r cliffs. chinks. Mor.] [For] children to obey their parents, is profitable to themselves, and it becometh a young man to * obey an old [man.] hearken to an old. 25 Of * a heart. astay and a sheep, [showing Extorted promises not to be kept. that extorted promises are not to be kept.] A Stag * made guilty. accused a sheep before a wolf, * crying out, [or complaining clamorously] her to o●ve. clamoring [against her] that she ought him * it is also taken for half a bushel, or a peck and a half, or somewhat less▪ than a peck. a bushel of wheat. * The sheep indeed, or was indeed unknowing. But the sheep was ignorant of the debt. Yet nevertheless, * promiseth herself to give it for the presence of the wolf. for the presence of the wolf, promiseth that she would give it. * A day is spoken, [or appointed] to payment. There is a day appointed for payment; * it is present. it comes. The stag * witness the sheep. puts the sheep in mind [of the debt.] She denieth it. * for she exculeth that thing [to have been] done for fear, which she had promised. For what [she] had promised, she exculeth it done by fear, and for the presence of the wolf: [and] r 〈◊〉, or vow wrested from any one. * an extorted vow rot to be kept. that an extorted promise was not to be kept. Mor.] The sentence of the law is; It is lawful to * drive back. repel * force by force. violence by violence. From this little fable a certain new sentence doth arise. [That] it is lawful to r refute, or confute refel deceit by deceit. 26 Of a countryman and a snake, Giving credit again to them who have deceived us. [teaching us to learn wit, by that which is past.] A Certain countryman had * nourished, or brought up. bred up a snake. [And] being angry of a time, smit * the beast. him with [his] hatchet. He escapeth away not without a wound. Afterwards the coum trie-man * falling. coming to poverty, supposed that r mishap. misfortune * to fall. or chance unto him to betide him for the injury * of the snake. done to the snake. * Therefore he beseecheth. He therefore beseecheth the snake, that he * may return. would return. He saith * himself to pardon it, but to be unwilling to return. that he would pardon it, but that he would not return: * neither to b● safe. al. when as there was to the countryman etc. neither that he could be secure with the countryman, * to whom there was so great a hatchet at home. who had at home such a great hatchet. The blueness of the wound to have ceased, yet the remembrance to remain, or be left. * That the blueness of the wound was gone, yet the remembrance still remained. Mor.] It is scarce safe * to have trust, or to trust. to give credit to him again, who * hath loosed his faith, or fidelity once. hath once broken [his] credit. Indeed to pardon an injury, * is truly of mercy. is verily a point of mercy. But * to beware to himself. to look to a man's self * doth become. is both befitting, and * is of wisdom. a point of wisdom. 27 Of a foxcub and a stork, [teaing The reward of deceit. that deceit deserves to be rewarded with deceit.] A Fox▪ cub [of a time] * called. invited a stork to supper. She poureth out the meat upon the table: the which, * whenas liquid. whereas it was thin, the stork assaying in vain with her * beak, or nib. bill, the * foxcub. cub licketh up [all.] The bird goeth away deluded, it both shameth and irketh her * of the. for the injury. After * somewhat more of days. a few days * the stork returneth. she returneth, inviteth the cub. There was set a glass * vessel. vial full of meat; which vial whereas it was of a narrow throat, the * it was lawful for the fox to see etc. fox might see the meat, and also hunger, but she might not taste. [But] the stork easily drew up all with her bill. Mor.] * laughter. Mocking [deserves] mocking, jest [deserves] jest, * deceit [deserves] deceit. deceit, deceit, and fraud deserves fraud. 28 Of a wolf and a painted head, Outward 〈◊〉 without inward beauty. [showing the vanity of outward fairness without inward beauty.] [OF a time] a wolf r turned about oft. turned oft [up and down] a man● head * being found in the shop of a graver, [or carver] which he found in a carvers shop, wonders at [it,] thinking that which was [indeed] * it to have no sense. that it had no sense. O fair head, quoth he, * there is much art [skill, or cunning] in thee. thou hast * much of art. much art in thee, * nothing of sense. but no sense. Mor.] * external fairness is acceptable. Outward beauty i● pleasing, if the * inward beauty. inward he present * to it. with it. But if * we must want. we are to want either of them, it is better that you want the * outward beauty. outward than the inward; for, that without this doth sometime * bring, or get hatred. incur hatred, that a fool * is more odious by so much, by how much he is fairer. is somuch more odious the fairer he is. 29 Of a Cornish chough, [showing Foolish pride 〈◊〉 those things which are none of ours. how foolish it is to be proud of other bodies feathers.] AChough [of a tim●] tricked up himself with the feathers of a peacock. And then s●eming to himself * somewhat fair, or a fair one. very gay, * his own kind, [or stock] 〈◊〉 disdained. disdaining his own kind, he betook himself to the * st●cke or kind. company of the peacocks. They at length * the ●eceipt being understood. understanding the deceit, * made naked. stripped the foolish bird of [his] colour's, and * affected him strokes, or bet him. whipped him. * Horac● shows this little ●able of a jackdaw in his first book of etc. Horace in ●is first book of Epistles reports this little fable of a jackdaw. He saith that of a time, a jackdaw being * adorned, or tricked up. trimmed with feathers * ●athered together. which she had gathered together, which had fallen from [other] birds, after that every one of the birds plucked again her own feather, * to have been ridiculous. became ridiculous. Lest if perchance the flock of birds shall come * in time to come. hereafter, to fetch again their own feathers, * the daw made naked of [her] stolen colours move. [o● provoke] laugh●er. the ●ackdaw move laughter, being stripped of [her] stolen colours. Mor.] This fable * noteth. raxeth them, who bear themselves more loftily than is meet: who live with them who are both richer and more noble. * wherefore. Whereupon they are oft-times poor * and are a scorn [or mocking stock] and a scorn. 〈◊〉 admonisheth well; This sentence descended from heaven 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, that is, Know thyself. 30 Of a fly and an * pismite. ant, [teaching The quiet life to be preferred. us to use good language to all, and to prefer the quiet kind of life. AFly [of a time] r contended. wrangled with an ant, [bragging] * ●herself to be noble. that she was noble, * her ignoble. the other base, that she did fly, [the ant] crept, that she used to be in kings houses: the other to lie hid in holes, to gnaw corn, to drink water: she bragged * herself to slay, [her] or the plsmire to creep. that she fared daintily, and yet notwithstanding, that she got these things by idleness. * herself to be conversant in the roofs, viz. the houses of kings. Of the other side, the ant [gloried] that she was not * herself to banquet gorgeoully, and yet to get these things by idleness. base, but content with her own * Contrarily. degree, * ignoble. that * grains of corn. the fly was a vagrant, she her * the stream to 〈◊〉 to the ant that which pasties and wine to the fly. self was * stock or pedigree. abiding in a place, * the fly to be wandering. and that corn and * stable. running water did taste as well to the ant, as pasties and wine to the fly, * and to get thesé things. and that she got these things not by sluggish idleness, but by r ●usty, or painful diligence. stout labour. Moreover, * the ant to be merry and 〈◊〉. that the ant was merry and safe, * dear to all. beloved of all, and to conclude an example of labour: * the fly to be doubtful with peril. that the fly was fearful, always in peril, troublesome to all, enured * to all. of all, and finally, an example of slothfulness. r That the ant did think of winter aforehand, and laid up food against it; but that the fly had provision but for the present, either to be ready to clam in winter, o● certainly to die The ant being mindful of winter to lay up food [afore hand,] the fly to live for a day, either to be continually hungry, or certainly to die in winter. Mor.] He that r goeth on. proceeds to say what he will, shall hear what he will not. If the fly had spoken well, she had heard well. But I consent to the ant. For an obscure life with security, seemeth to be more to be wished, than a * shining, or glittering. glorious life with peril. 31 Of a frog and an ox● [showing Foolish emulation. the fruit of foolish emulation.] A Frog being desirous * of matching an ox. to match an ox, stretched out herself. [ r The young frog persuaded the dam Her] son exhorted [his] mother to desist from her enterprise, for * a frog to be nothing to an ox. that a frog was nothing to an ox. She swollen the second time, [her] son * crieth often, or crieth out. crieth [unto her,] Mother * although you crack. you may burst, [but] you shall never overcome the ox. And when [she] had swelled the third time, she burst. Mor.] Every one hath * His own gift is to every one. his own gift. This man [excels] in beauty, r another. he in strength: this in riches, he excels in friends. It becometh every man to be content with his own proper [gift.] He * prevails in body, thou in wit. is able of body, thou in wit. Wherefore let every one * take counsel of himself, or consider himself. advise with himself: [and] let him neither envy [his] superior, * which thing is miserable. which is miserable, nor let him * wish. desire to strive [with him] which is [ * the property of foolishness, or foliy. a part] of foolishness. 32 Of a horse and a lion, [teaching Counterfeit friendship, with the reward of subtlety. that an enemy r pretending, or making a show of. counterfeiting friendship, is most dangerous: and that crafty dealing is ususually requited with craft. A Lion [of a time came to ca●e a horse: but wanting strength * for his old age. by reason of his age, he began to * meditate art devise [some] cunning: he professeth himself a physician; * states, o● 〈◊〉, or draws on the horse. holds the horse with a * circumlocution of words, or with many fair words. long circumstance of words. * Herald r useth deceit against deceit The horse opposeth deceit to deceit, & * art. cunning to cunning. He feigneth * himself to have pricked his foot lately in a thorny place. that he had lately pricked [his] foot in a thorny place, entreateth that r the horse being so good a physician. the physician looking into it * may draw, or pull out. would draw out the thorn. The lion * obeyeth [him.] yieldeth unto him. But the horse * with how great might he could, or was able. with all the might he could * dashed his heel to the lion. smit at the lion with his heel, and * cast himself forthwith unto his feet. forthwith betook himself to his feet. The lion very hardly coming to himself again at length, (for he * had been. was almost * astonished, or amazed, or swooned almost. in a swoon by the blow) ● * bear, or have. bear away (quoth he) a [just] reward for [my] foolishness, and he is * by right. rightly fled away. For he hath revenged deceit with deceit. Mor.] * dissimulation, or 〈◊〉. Dissembling is worthy hatred, and to be catched with dissembling. An enemy is not to be feared which * shew● before himself. shows himself an enemy. But he that feigns good will whenas he is an enemy, is * at length is. indeed to be feared, and most worthy hatred. 32 Of a horse and an ●sse, [showing Insolency of proud men in their prosperity. how it commonly falls out with them who are too insolent in their prosperity.] A Horse [of a time] * trimmed, or set out. adorned with trappings, and with a saddle, ran by the way with a very great r whinnying. neighing. But by chance * 〈◊〉 a●e being loaden stood against [him] [or in his way] 〈◊〉. a loaden ass hindered him as he was running. The horse r 〈◊〉, or storming. raging with anger, and * being fierce biting on the ●roathing bridles. fiercely chewing [his] foaming bridle, What quoth he, thou slow, thou sluggish [ass,] dost thou * stand against the horse, or stand in the horse's wa●. hinder the horse? r depart. Give place, I say, or * I do tread upon thee. I will trample thee with my feet. The ass contrarily not daring to bray, * departs, or yields stilly, or being 〈◊〉 gives place. gives place quietly. But * the horse flying forward. as the horse was swiftly fleeing * the part of the belly about the sheath. forward and speeding his pace [his] groin burst. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * unprofitable. 〈◊〉 for running and show, he i● * spoiled. stripped of [his] * ornaments. furniture, and afterwards is sold to a r 〈◊〉. carman. Afterwards the * 〈◊〉 ass. ass seeth him r drawing in a car, coming with a r or a cart. car and speaks unto him: Ho good sir, what fine furniture is there? where is your golden saddle, [your] * bossed. studded girth? where [is] your * 〈◊〉, or fine. glittering bridle? Oh friend it must needs so fall out to [you] being [so] proud. Mor.] Most men are li●t up in prosperity, neither r remembering mindful of themselves nor of modesty. But because they wax insolent in prosperity, they run into adversity. I * would have admonished. would admonish them to be r heedy. wary who seem [to themselves] to be * happy. in prosperity. For if the wheel of fortune shall be turned about, they shall * fe●le it. perceive it a most miserable kind of misfortune, to have 〈◊〉 * happy. in prospeity. That mischief also * cometh. is added unto the heap of their unhappiness, that they shall be contemned of th●se, whom * they themselves. they have contemned and those will mock them whom they themselves have r mocked. laughed at. 34 Of the birds and four footed Treacherous forsaking of friends. beasts, [showing wh●t it is to leave our friends in adversity.] * A battle was to the birds, or the birds fought. THe birds of a time had a battle with the fourfooted beasts. [There was] hope on both ●ides, * 〈◊〉 [was] on ●oth sides. fear on both sides, [and] danger was on both sides. But the bat * [his] fellows be● left leaving his fellows * 〈◊〉, o● falleth away. falls off to the enemy: The birds overcome, * the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 their 〈◊〉 etc. having the eagle for their captain and * ●outh s●yer. leader. And they * condenine. adjudge the * flyer to the enemy or 〈◊〉. traitorlike bat * that there should not be ever a returning [for her] unto the birds. that she 〈◊〉 never return unto the birds, that * th●t be no flying [to her] in the light. she should never fly in the day time. * This is the caus● to the bat that she doth not fly but in the night This is the cause that the bat never flieth but in the night. Mor.] He that refuseth to be partaker of adversity and perils with his fellows, shall be r without part of prosperity and health [with them] without prosperity and safety [with them.] 35 Of a wolf and a fox, [declaring The reward of envy. the fruit of envy.] whenas of a time a wolf had r pre● enough. sufficient prey, he lived r idly. in idleness. The r fox. foxcub cometh unto him, r 〈◊〉. demandeth of him r why he was idle. the cause of his idleness. The wolf perceived * deceits [or layings in 〈◊〉] to be made to his. that there was a plot laid for his * 〈◊〉. 〈◊〉, * fairneth, or dissembleth a disease to etc. pretendeth sickness ●o be the cause, entreats the fox to go * to 〈◊〉 earnestly, or 〈◊〉 the Gods for pardon. to pray unto the gods for him. She grieving * her wile [or craft] not to succeed. that her wile had no better success, goeth unto a shepherd, * admonisheth him [or puts him in mind] the dens of the wolf to lie open. tells him that the den of the wolf was open, * for the enemy being secure to be able to be oppressed [or overcomne] not thinking of it. and that the enemy being secure might easily be r surprised. taken unawares. The shepherd * sets upon the wolf, kills him. She obtains [both] the den and the prey. But * there was but a short joy to her of her wickedness. she had r comes upon, or invades the wolf of a sudden. but a short joy of her wickedness, for * not so much after not very long after, the same shepherd catcheth r the fox also. her also. Mor.] Envy is a r a foul matter. filthy thing, and sometimes r mischievous. pernicious even to the author himself. * Flaccus. Horace in his first book of Epistles. An enuions [man] * waxeth lean pineth away at the * fat things, or plenty. prosperity of * another man another. The Sicilian tyrants found not a greater torment than envy. 36 Of r ● heart. a stag, [showing that we Desire of things hurtful. commonly desire such things as are most hurtful for us.] A Stag [of a time] * beholding. viewing himself in a very clear r spring, or water. fountain, approves * the tall [or long] and branched horns of his forehead. his high & branching horns, but condemns the smaleness of his * legs. shanks. bechance * whilst ●e beholds whilst he judgeth. as he is viewing and judging himself, the hunter * comes between. comes in the mean time: * The stag flieth away He fleeth more * swift. swiftly than darts, * and more swift than the East wind. and the Eastwind driving the * great rain, or storms. showers. The dogs * earnestly follow, or chase. pursue [him] fleeing. But whenas he * had entered. entered into a very thick wood, [his] horns are * wrapped. entangled in the r branches. boughs, and then r at last. at length he praised his r shanks. legs, and condemned [his] horns, which * made that he should be [or was] caused him to become a prey unto the dogs. Mor.] We desire things to be * fled. avoided, and we r shun. flee the things which are to be desired. [Those things] please [us] which hurt [us,] and those things displease [us] which * profit. do us good. We * covet. desire blessedness, before we understand where it is. We seek the excellency of riches, and the r stateliness. loftiness of honours▪ we think blessedness * to be set. to consist in these things, in which, notwithstanding, there is much labour and grief. That our * Poet making songs to be sung to the harp. harping Poet r expresseth. signifieth * fairly. notably. The r great. huge pine tree * is tossed more often. is more often tossed with the winds, and the r high, or stately lofty towers fall down with the greater fall. * And the lightnings, or thunderbolts. The lightnings also smite the highest mountains. 37 Of a viper and a file, [teaching Foolish opposition against them who are too hard for us. us to meddle with our match.] A Viper [of a time] finding a file in a r workhouse. shop, began to gnaw [it.] The file smiled, * what, quoth it, thou fool? saying, What fool? what dost thou? Thou * shalt wear thy teeth to thee. mayest wear out thy teeth, before thou canst wear me, which am wont to bite upon the hardness of brass. Mor.] See * again & again. carefully, with whom * the matter is to you. you have to do. If you * sharpen. wh●t your teeth against * a strongerman a stronger, you shall not hurt him, but yourself. 38 Of wolves and lambs, [teaching Foolish depriving ourselves of the means of our safety, so laying ourselves open to the enemy. us to beware how we trust our enemies, delivering out of our ●ands the means of our safety.] THere * hath been. was [ * sometimes. of a time] a r truce. league * to the wolves & lambs. between the wolves and lambs, * to which there is discord by nature. which naturally do disagree, * pledges in wa● hostages being given on both sides. The wolves gave their r young ones. whelps, r the sheep [gave] the band. the sheep the company of their dogs. The sheep being quiet & feeding, the * little wolves. young wolves * utter howl howl out for the desire of [their] * mothers. 〈◊〉. Then the r old wolves. wolves rushing in [upon them] * cried out oftentimes [their] fidelity and the league to be dissolved cried out, complaining that they had broken [their] fidelity and the * covenant of peace. league, and tear in pieces the sheep, being left destitute of the r garrison, or defence. aid of [their] dogs. Mor.] * If you deliver your garrisons to the enemy in a league, it is unskilfulness, or folly. It is a foolishness if in a truce you deliver the means of your safety to the enemy. For he that hath been an enemy, hath not yet perchance left off to be an enemy: yea peradventure he will take an * cause. occasion, * wherefore he may come upon you of a sudden being naked, [or destitute] of aid [or defence] that he may set upon you being destitute of succour. 39 Of a wood and a countryman, [teaching us to beware wherein Gratifying our enemies to our hurt. and how we gratify our enemies.] AT what time * their own [or proper] speech was to the trees. the trees spoke, a countryman came unto a wood, desiring * that it may be lawful to take. that he might take a r halme, or stole. helue for his hatchet. The wood * noddeth unto it assenteth unto [him.] The countryman * his hatchet being fitted. having fitted his hatchet, began to cut down the trees. Then r but. and indeed too late it repented the wood of her r readiness to yield, or be entreated. facility. It grieved her to * be. have been the cause of her own destruction. Mor.] r Take heed. See, of whom you deserve well. There have been many, who * a benefit being received. having received a benefit, have abused it * unto. to the destruction of the r giver. author. 40 Of the * members or parts of the body, or joints. limbs and the belly, Necessity of friendship, and gratifying others. [declaring the necessity of gratifying others.] THe foot and hand of a time accused the belly, for that their gains were devoured by it * being idle. living in idleness. They command that it labour, or that it * require. seek not to be nourished. It beseecheth them * once and again. once, or twice: yet notwithstanding, the hands deny * nourishment [or relief] unto it. to relieve it. The belly being * ●pent. consumed r by famine or hunger. through lack of food, when all the limbs began to * fail. faint, then at length the hands would be * dutiful or officious. kind: but that too late. For the belly being * weak. feeble through * disuse lack of use, * bet or put back, or refused. repelled [all] meat: so whilst all the limbs envy the belly, they perish * with the belly perishing. together with the belly. Mor.] * human society hath itself so, even as it is in the society of etc. It is even so in human society, like as in the society of the members. * A member needeth a member. One member needs another, [and] a friend needeth a friend. Wherefore we must use r duties of one another. mutual kindnesses, [and] mutual r good turns works; [for] neither riches, nor the * tops of dignities, honours, or preferments. highest dignities * do defend a man sufficiently. can sufficiently defend a man. The only and chief * garrison, or aid. stay is the friendship of * very many men. very many. 41 Of an ape and a foxcub [teaching Miserableness in the rich, who cannot part with aught to the poor. that the rich had rather hurt themselves with too much, than to part with aught to the poor.] AN ape entreats a foxecub, that she would give her a part of her tail, to cover [her] buttocks: * for [that thing] to be a burden to her [viz. the cub] which would be a use and an honour to herself. for that, that was a burden to her, which would be of use and an honour to herself. * She answereth. The cub answereth, * there to be nothing too much. that she had nothing too much, and * herself to will rather. that she had rather have the ground to be r brushed. swept with her tail, r than to cover the ape● buttocks with it. than the buttocks of the ape to be covered. Mor.] There are which need, there are others * to whom it doth abound who have too much, yet notwithstanding, * that fashion is to none of the rich, that he may bless the needy with his superstitious matter [or goods] it is not the manner of any of the rich, to bless the needy with their superfluity. 42 Of a * heart. stag and oxen, [teaching Difficulty of preserving ourselves in peril. the difficulty of preserving ourselves in extreme peril.] A Stag [of a time] * fleeing the hunter. flying from the hunter, * cast himself into a stall [or stable.] betook himself into an oxe-house; he * prayeth, or beseecheth. entreats the oxen that * it may be lawful to lie hid in the stall or cratch he might hide himself in the crib. The oxen * denyit to be safe. tell him, that it cannot be safe; for * both the master and the servants to be about to be present. that the master and servants would be present by and by: he saith, that he should be safe; so that they betray him not: The servant entereth in, seeth him not, being hid in the hay, goeth out. The stag [began] * to ges●ore, or skip for joy. to be proud, and to fear nothing now. Then one of the oxen being r sage. grave both in age and counsel, * said, it It was an easy thing (quoth he) to deceive was an easy thing to deceive etc. him which is a * molewarpe, or want, as blind as a molewarpe. mole, but that thou shouldest lie hid from the master, who is * Argu●, w●om the Poets f●ne to have had an hundredth eyes. as quick sighted as Argus, this is the work, [and] this is the labour. * S●ight way afterwards. By and by after, the master entereth in: * who viewing [or marking] ●ll things etc. to the end that he may amend. who that he may correct the negligence of his servant, viewing all things with his eyes, and * trying the crib. groping in the crib with his hand, catcheth hold of the horns of the stag under the hay; he r calls out unto cries out unto [his] servants, they run unto [him] * compass in [or enclose] the wild beast. shut in the stag [and] * catch. take him. Mor.] r Places of harbour or succour. Hiding places are hard to be found * in adverse things. in adversity and dangers: either for that fortune doth still * toss, or ve●. pursue * miserable [men.] men in misery as it hath begun, or else because they being hindered by fear, & void of counsel, do betray themselves through their * want of wisdom or foresight, or by their own folly or indiscretion. lack of heed. 43 Of a lion & a foxcub: [warning Believing fair words. us to beware of fair words and how we trust our enemy; to conjecture of words by former deeds.] A Lion was sick, the * living creatures came to see [his] beast's visited him, the foxcub alone deferring [his] * homage, or service. duty. The lion sends an embassage unto [ * this fox. her,] with * an epistle which admonisheth her to come. a letter admonishing her to come. [Saying] * the presence of her only to be a most acceptable thing to [him] being sick. that the presence of her only would be most acceptable [to him] being sick. * nor any thing of danger to be. Neither that there would be any danger wherefore the fox should fear. For * first indeed the lion to be most friendly etc. that first of all the lion was indeed most friendly to the fox, and therefore * to desire. desired earnestly * the speech of her [or conference with her] to have speech with her. Moreover, * to be sick and to lie down. that he was now sick, and kept his bed, that although he * will. would do that which was not [intended] yet he * cannot. could not hurt [her.] The fox writeth back, * herself to wish. that she wisheth that the lion may recover his health again, and * herself to entreat the Gods that thing. that she would pray for that of the God●, but yet * not to visit [him] that she would not come to see [him.] * herself to be terrified. That she was terrified with the footsteps; * which steps indeed when as all are turned towards. which indeed sith they were all towards the den of the lion and none turning back, * that thing to be a token many indeed of the living creatures to have entered in, but none to have gone forth. that it was a token that many beasts had entered in, but that none had come forth. Horace; I will * relate [or return] that, viz. that answer. return that, which * in time past, or sometime. once the wily fox answered the sick lion, because the footsteps terrify [me], All of them looking towards thee, none back again. Mor.] Take heed [how] you trust words, unless you * for that all the footsteps looking towards thee, non● back again, do terrify me. take good heed, * shall beware you * words shall be given you of●time shall r be deceived oft times. oft have words [only] given you. * A conjecture is to be taken or made. We are to take a conjecture both of words and of deeds, and r we are to judge of men's words by their deeds. those are to be judged * of these. by these. 44 Of * a foxcub. a fox and a weasel, Discontent with a mean estate. [teaching us to be content with a mean estate, rather than by prosperity to endanger ourselves.] [OF a time] a fox being * thin or 〈◊〉. slender with long r hunger, or scarcity of victuals. lack of meat, crept bechance into a corn chamber through * a more narrow cleft, chink or 〈◊〉. a very strait hole. In which when she had r well fed herself. b●n well fed, * her belly being over filled hindered her afterwards: 〈◊〉 to go forth again. and afterward trying to go forth again, her belly being overmuch stretched out hindered her. A weasel * beholding her a far off wrestling [or striving] to get out. far off seeing [her] * admonisheth. struggling, at length * adviseth [her] [that] if she desire to go out, that she return to the hole being * lean, or thin. empty, at which she entered in when she was empty. Mor.] You may see very many to be merry and cheerful in * mediocrity. a mean estate, void of cares, r free from. without [all] troubles of mind. But if these shall * be made rich. become rich, you shall see them to go * sad or sorrowful heavily, never * to stretch out their forehead to look cheerfully, [but] full of care, [and] overwhelmed with r griefs. troubles of mind. Horace * sings or sets out in verse. sets out this fable thus; Bechance a * slender or thin. gaunt fox had crept through a narrow * cleft or hole. cranny into * a chamber of corn● a corn chamber, and being fed * stretched herself or endeavoured assayed in vain to go * abroad. forth again * with a full body, or her body being full. when her belly was full. To whom a weasel [seeing her] a far off said, if thou wilt escape thence. * see that thou seek again [or go again] lean [or empty] to the straight hole. Seek to go again being lean [through] the narrow cranny, which thou * wentest under. goest in at when thou wast lean. 45 Of a horse and a stag, [teaching Losing liberty for annoying poverty. us to take heed that for escaping poverty, we lose not liberty.] A Hors● [of a time] * made w●r, or waged battle, or warred. fought with a stag. But being at length driven forth of the pastures, he earnestly entreats the help of man. * He returneth Returns with the man, goeth down into the * field. pasture, [so] he that was conquered before r becomes now. is now made the conqueror. But yet nevertheless, the enemy being overcomn & * sent under the yoke. brought under, * it is necessary that the conqueror himself se●ue the man. the conqueror himself must needs serve the man. [Whereupon] he bears the horseman on his back, & the bridle in his mouth. Mor.] Many * fight. strive against poverty, r which poverty. which being overcomne through [good] fortune and industry, * oft times the liberty of the conqueror perisheth or is lost] they oft-times lose their liberty. For, being indeed Lords and conquerors of poverty, they begin to serve riches, are driven with the whips of covetousness, [and] are kerbed in with the bridles of * overmuch sparing. niggardliness, neither yet do they keep [any] measure in * of seeking [riches] seeking; neither yet indeed dare they use the things which they have gotten, * by the just [or thorough the etc. for a just punishment of their covetousness. Horace [saith] concerning this matter. * A stag being better in fight drove away a horse from the common herbs [or grass] A stag [of a time] being too hard for a horse in fight, drove him form the common pasture, until [the horse] being * less in long flrift or contention. too weak in that long fight, * earnestly besought. Implored the * helps. help of man, and received the bridle [of that condition.] * the horse having now gotten the conquest. So after that, r But. the violent conqueror departed from r the stag. the enemy, He r rejected, or cast off. repelled not the horseman from [his] back, * nor [put away or removed] the bridle. nor the bridle from his mouth. So the * unhappy, or foolish man. poor cayti●e, who fearing * wants. poverty, loseth liberty, better than * metals. gold, shall carry [his] master. And he * shall serve, o● be a seru●nt. shall be a slave for ever who r cannot tell. will not know [how] r to be content with. to use a little. FINIS.