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AESOP’S FABLES. 
 
THREE HUNDRED AND FIFTY 
 
 AZSOP’S FABLES, 
 
 Literally Translated prom the Greek. 
 
 BY THE 
 
 REV. GEO. FYLER TOWNSEND, M. A. 
 
 With One Hundred and Fourteen Illustrations, Designed by 
 Harrison Weir, and Engraved by J. Greenaway. 
 
 CHICAGO: 
 
 DONOHUE, HENNEBERRY& CO. 
 
 407-425 Dearborn- Street 
 1890 
 
0ONOHUE & HENNEBERRY. 
 
 Printers and Binders, 
 Chicago. 
 
PF* 
 
 h-T- 
 
 A3.£t 
 
 18^0 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 The Tale, the Parable, and the Fable are all common 
 and popular modes of conveying instruction. Each 
 is distinguished by its own special characteristics. 
 The Tale consists simply in the narration of a story 
 either founded on facts, or created solely by the im- 
 agination, and not necessarily associated with the 
 teaching of any moral lesson. The Parable is the 
 designed use of language purposely intended to con- 
 vey a hidden and secret meaning other than that 
 contained in the words themselves ; and which may 
 or may not bear a special reference to the hearer, or 
 reader. The Fable partly agrees with, and partly 
 differs from both of these. It will contain, like the 
 Tale, a short but real narrative ; it will seek, like the 
 Parable, to convey a hidden meaning, and that not 
 so much by the use of language, as by the skilful 
 introduction of fictitious characters ; and yet unlike 
 to either Tale or Parable, it will ever keep in view, 
 
as its high prerogative, and inseparable attribute, 
 the great purpose of instruction, and will necessarily 
 seek to inculcate some moral maxim, social duty, or 
 political truth. The true Fable, if it rise to its high 
 requirements, ever aims at one great end and purpose 
 —the representation of human motive, and the im- 
 provement of human conduct, and yet it so conceals 
 its design under the disguise of fictitious characters, 
 by clothing with speech the animals of the field, the 
 birds of the air, the trees of the wood, or the beasts 
 of the forest, that the reader shall receive advice 
 without [perceiving the presence of the adviser. 
 Thus the superiority of the counselor, which often 
 renders counsel unpalatable, is kept out of view, and 
 the lesson comes with the greater acceptance when 
 the reader is led, unconsciously to himself, to have 
 his sympathies enlisted in behalf of what is pure, 
 honorable, and praiseworthy, and to have his indig- 
 nation excited against what is low, ignoble, and un- 
 worthy. The true fabulist, therefore, discharges a 
 most important function. He is neither a narrator, 
 nor an allegorist. He is a great teacher, a corrector 
 of morals, a censor of vice, and a commender of 
 virtue. In this consists the superiority of the Fable 
 over the Tale or the Parable. The fabulist is to 
 create a laugh, but yet, under a merry guise, to cou- 
 
Preface. 
 
 Vll 
 
 vey instruction. Phsedrus, the great imitator of 
 iEsop plainly indicates this double purpose to be the 
 true office of the writer of fables. 
 
 Duplex libelli dos est : quod rlsum movet, 
 
 Et quod prudenti vitam consilio monet. 
 
 The continued observance of this twofold aim 
 creates the charm, and accounts for the universal 
 favor, of the fables of iEsop. “The fable,” says 
 Professor K. O. Mueller, “ originated in Greece, in an 
 intentional travestie of human affairs. The ‘ainos,’ 
 as its name denotes, is an admonition, or rather a 
 reproof, veiled, either from fear of an excess of 
 frankness, or from a love of fun and jest, beneath 
 the fiction of an occurrence happening among 
 beasts ; and wherever we have any ancient or au- 
 thentic account of the JSsopian fables we find it to 
 be the same.” * 
 
 The construction of a fable involves a minute 
 attention to (1), the narration itself ; (2), the deduc- 
 tion of the moral ; and (3), a careful maintenance of 
 the individual characteristics of the fictitious person- 
 ages introduced into it. The narration should relate 
 to one simple action, consistent with itself, and 
 neither be overladen with a multiplicity of details, 
 
 *A History of the Literature of Ancient Greece, by K. O. Mueller. Vol, i„ 
 p. 191. London, Parker, 1858, 
 
vii! Preface. 
 
 nor distracted by a variety of circumstances. The 
 moral or lesson should be so plain, and so intimately 
 interwoven with, and so necessarily dependent on, 
 the narration, that every reader should be compelled 
 to gr:e to it the same undeniable interpretation, 
 x he introduction of the animals or fictitious charac- 
 ters should be marked with an unexceptionable care 
 and attention to their natural attributes, and to the 
 qualities attributed to them by universal popular 
 consent. The Fox should be always cunning, the 
 Hare timid, the Lion bold, the Wolf cruel, the Bull 
 strong, the Horse proud, and the Ass patient. Many 
 of these fables are characterized by the strictest 
 observance of these rules. They are occupied with 
 one short narrative, from which the moral naturally 
 flows, and with which it is intimately associated. 
 “ ’Tis the simple manner,” says Dodsley,* “ in which 
 the morals of HCsop are interwoven with his [fables 
 that distinguishes him, and gives him the preference 
 over all other my thologists. His ‘ Mountain delivered 
 of a Mouse,’ produces the moral of his fable in ridi- 
 cule of pompous pretenders ; and his Crow, when 
 she drops her cheese, lets fall, as it were by accident, 
 the strongest admonition against the power of 
 
 * Select Fables of J3sop, and other Fabulists. In three books, translated 
 by Robert Dodsley, accompanied with a selection of notes, and an Essay on 
 Fable. Birmingham, 1864. P. 60. 
 
Preface. 
 
 IX 
 
 flattery. There is no need of a separate sentence to 
 explain it ; no possibility of impressing it deeper, by 
 that load we too often see of accumulated reflec- 
 tions. ”f An equal amount of praise is due for the 
 consistency with which the characters of the ani- 
 mals, fictitiously introduced, are marked. While 
 they are made to depict the motives and passions of 
 men, they retain, in an eminent degree, their own 
 special features of craft or counsel, of cowardice or 
 courage, of generosity or rapacity. 
 
 These terms of praise, it must be confessed, can- 
 not be bestowed upon all the fables in this collection. 
 Many of them lack that unity of design, that close 
 connection of the moral with the narrative, that 
 wise choice in the introduction of the animals, which 
 constitute the charm and excellency of true ^Esopian 
 
 + Some of these fables had, no doubt, in the first instance, a primary and 
 private interpretation. On the first occasion of their being composed they 
 were intended to refer to some passing event, or to some individual acts of 
 wrong doing. Thus, the fables of the “ Eagle and the Fox ” (p. 219), of the 
 “Fox and Monkey” (p. 86), are supposed to have been written by Archilo. 
 chus, to avenge the injuries done him by Lycambes. So also the fables of 
 the “Swollen Fox” (p. 132), of the “Frogs asking a King” (p. 55), were 
 spoken by iEsop for the immediate purpose of reconciling the inhabitants 
 of Samos and Athens to their respective rulers, Periander and Pisistratus; 
 while the fable of the “ Horse and Stag ” was composed to caution the 
 inhabitants of Himera against granting a body-guard to Phalaris. In a 
 similar manner, the fable from Phsedrus, the “ Marriage of the Sun,” is 
 supposed to have reference to the contemplated union of Livia, the daugh- 
 ter of Drusus, with Sej anus the favorite, and minister of Trajan. These 
 fables, however, though thus originating in special events, and designed at 
 first to meet special circumstances, are so admirably constructed as to be 
 fraught with lessons of general utility, and of universal application. 
 
X 
 
 Preface, 
 
 fable. This inferiority of some to others is suffi- 
 ciently accounted for in the history of the origin and 
 descent of these fables. The great bulk of them are 
 not the immediate work of ASsop. Many are obtained 
 from ancient authors prior to the time in which he 
 lived. Thus the fable of the “ Hawk and the Night- 
 ingale” is related by Hesiod;* the “Eagle wounded 
 by an Arrow, winged with its own Feathers,” by 
 ASschylus ;f the “Fox avenging his wrongs on the 
 Eagle,” by Archilochus. I Many of them again are 
 of later origin, and are to be traced to the monks of 
 the middle ages : and yet this collection, though thus 
 made up of fables both earlier and later than the 
 era of iEsop, rightfully bears his name, because he 
 composed so large a number (all framed in the same 
 mould, and conformed to the same fashion, and 
 stamped with the same lineaments image, and 
 superscription) as to secure to himself the right to 
 be considered the father of Greek fables, and the 
 founder of this class of writing, which has ever 
 since borne his name, and has secured for him, 
 
 * Hesiod. Opera et dies, verse 202. 
 
 + vEschylus. Fragment of the Myrmidons. -Eschylus speaks of this 
 fable as existing before his day. See Scholiast on the Aves of Aristophanes, 
 line 808. 
 
 % Fragment, 38, ed. Gaisford. See also Mueller’s History of the Literature 
 of Ancient Greece, vol. i., pp. 100-193. 
 
Preface. xi 
 
 through all surrounding ages, the position of the first 
 of moralists.* 
 
 The fables were in the first instance only narrated 
 by ^Esop, and for a long time were handed down by 
 the uncertain channel of oral tradition. Socrates is 
 mentioned by Platof as having employed his time 
 while in prison, awaiting the return of the sacred 
 ship from Delphos which was to be the signal of his 
 death, in turning some of these fables into verse, but 
 he thus versified only such as he remembered. De- 
 metrius Phalereus, a philosopher at Athens about 
 300 b. c., is said to have made the first collection of 
 these fables. Phsedrus, a slave by birth or by subse- 
 quent misfortunes, and admitted by Augustus to the 
 honors of a freedman, imitated many of these fables 
 in Latin iambics about the commencement of the 
 Christian era. Aphthonius, a rhetorician of Antioch, 
 a. c. 315, wrote a treatise on, and converted into Latin 
 prose, some of these fables. This translation is the 
 the more worthy of notice, as it illustrates a custom 
 
 * M. Bayle has well put this in his account of ^Esop. “II n’y a point 
 d’apparence que les fables qui portent aujourd’hui son nom soient les 
 memes qu’il avait faites; elles viennent bien de lui pour la plupart, quant 
 a la matiere et la pensee; mais les paroles sont d’ un autre.” And again, 
 “C’est done a Hesiode, que j’aimerais mieux attribuer la gloire de l’inven- 
 tion; mais sans doute il ledssa la chose tres imparfaite. Esope la perfect- 
 ionne si heureusement, qu’on l*a regarde comme le vrai pere de cette sorte 
 de production.”— Bay le Dictionnaire Historique, 
 
 + Plato ip Phaedope, 
 
Preface* 
 
 •• 
 
 XU 
 
 of common use, both in these and in later times. 
 The rhetoricians and philosophers were accustomed 
 to give the fables of JEsop as an exercise to their 
 scholars, not only inviting them to discuss the moral 
 of the tale, but also to practice and to perfect them- 
 selves thereby in style and rules of grammar, by 
 making for themselves new and various versions of 
 the fables. Ausonius,* the friend of the Emperor 
 Yalentinian, and the latest poet of eminence in the 
 Western Empire, has handed down some of these 
 fables in verse, which Julianus Titianus, a contem- 
 porary writer of no great name, translated into 
 prose. Avienus, also, a contemporary of Ausonius, 
 put some of these fables into Latin elegiacs, which 
 are given by Nevelet (in a book we shall refer to 
 hereafter), and are occasionally incorporated with 
 the editions of Phsedrus. 
 
 Seven centuries elapsed before the next notice is 
 found of the fables of JEsop. During this long pe- 
 riod these fables seem to have suffered an eclipse, to 
 have disappered and to have been forgotten ; and it 
 
 *Apologos en! misittibi 
 Ab usque Rheni limite 
 Ausonius nomen Italum 
 Prseceptor Augusti tui 
 ASsopiam trimetriam; 
 
 Quam vertit exili stylo 
 Pedestre concinnans opus 
 Fandi Titianus artifex. 
 
 “Ausonii Epistola,” xvi. 75-S0« 
 
Preface xiii 
 
 is at the commencement of the fourteenth century, 
 when the Byzantine emperors were the great patrons 
 of learning, and amidst the splendors of an Asiatic 
 court, that we next find honors paid to the name and 
 memory of iEsop. Maximus Planudes, a learned 
 monk of Constantinople, made a collection of about 
 a hundred and fifty of these fables. Little is known 
 of his history. Planudes, however, was no mere re- 
 cluse, shut up in his monastery. He took an active 
 part in public affairs. In 1327 a.d. he was sent on a 
 diplomatic mission to Venice by the Emperor An- 
 dronicus the Elder. This brought him into immedi- 
 ate contact with the Western Patriarch, whose inter- 
 ests he henceforth advocated with so much zeal as 
 to bring on him suspicion and persecution from the 
 rulers of the Eastern Church. Planudes has been 
 exposed to a two-fold accusation. He is charged on 
 the one hand with having had before him a copy of 
 Babrias (to whom we shall have occasion to refer at 
 greater length in the end of this Preface), and to have 
 had the bad taste “to transpose,” or to turn his poet- 
 ical version into prose : and he is asserted, on the other 
 hand, never to have seen the fables of iEsop at all, 
 but to have himself invented and made the fables 
 which he palmed off under the name of the famous 
 Greek fabulist. The truth lies between these two ex- 
 
XIV 
 
 Preface. 
 
 tremes. Planudes may have invented some few fa- 
 bles, or have inserted some that were current in his 
 day; but there is an abundance of unanswerable in- 
 ternal evidence to prove that he had an acquaintance 
 with the veritable Fables of iEsop, although the ver- 
 sions he had access to were probably corrupt, as con- 
 tained in the various translations and disquisitional 
 exercises of the rhetoricians and philosophers. His 
 collection is interesting and important, not only as 
 the parent source or foundation of the earlier printed 
 versions of iEsop, but as the direct channel of attract- 
 ing to these fables the attention of the learned. 
 
 The eventful re-introduction, however, of these 
 
 Fables of JSsop to their high place in the general 
 literature of Christendom, is to be looked for in the 
 W est rather than in the East. The calamities gradu- 
 ally thickening around the Eastern Empire, and the 
 fall of Constantinople, 1453 a.d. combined with other 
 events to promote the rapid restoration of learning 
 in Italy; and with that recovery of learning the re- 
 vival of an interest in the Fables of iEsop is closely 
 identified. These fables, indeed, were among the 
 first writings of an earlier antiquity that attracted 
 attention. They took their place beside the Holy 
 Scriptures and the ancient classic authors, in the 
 minds of the great students of that day. Lorenzo 
 
preface. 
 
 XV 
 
 Valla, one of the most famous promoters of Italian 
 learning, not only translated into Latin the Iliad of 
 Homer and the Histories of Herodotus and Thuyci- 
 dides, but also the Fables of iEsop. 
 
 These fables, again, were among the books brought 
 into an extended circulation by the agency of the 
 printing press. Bonus Accursius, as early as 1475- 
 1480, printed the collection of these fables, made by 
 Planudes, which, .within five years afterwards, Cax- 
 ton translated into English, and printed at his press 
 in W estminster Abbey, 1485.* It must be mentioned 
 also that the learning of this age has left permanent 
 traces of its influence on these fables, f by causing 
 the interpolation with them of some of those amusing 
 
 * Both these publications are in the British Museum, and are placed in the 
 library in cases under glass, for the inspection of the curious. 
 
 t Fables may possibly have been not entirely unknown to the mediaeval 
 scholars. There are two celebrated works which might by some be classed 
 amongst works of this description. The one is the “Speculum Sapientiae,” 
 attributed to St. Cyril, Archbishop of Jerusalem, but of a considerable later 
 origin, and existing only in Latin. It is divided into four books, and con- 
 sists of long conversations conducted by fictitious characters under the 
 figures of the beasts of the field and forest, and aimed at the rebuke of par- 
 ticular classes of men, the boastful, the proud, the luxurious, the wrathful, 
 etc. None of thej stories are precisely those of AIsop, and none have 
 the concinnity, terseness, and unmistakable deduction of the lesson in- 
 tended to be taught by the fable, so conspicuous in the great Greek fabulist. 
 The exact title of the book is this: “Speculum Sapientiae, B. Cyrilli Episcopi : 
 alias quadripartitus apologeticus vocatus, in cujus quidem proverbiis om- 
 nis et totius sapientiae speculum claret et feliciter incipit.” The other is 
 a larger work in two volumes, published in the fourteenth century by 
 Caesar Heisterbach, a Cistercian monk, under the title of “Dialogus Mira- 
 culorum,” reprinted in 1851. This work consists of conversations in which 
 many stories are interwoven on all kinds of subjects. It has no corres- 
 pondence with the pure ^Esopian fable. 
 
Preface. 
 
 *vi 
 
 stories which were so frequently introduced into the 
 public discourses of the great preachers of those days, 
 and of which specimens are yet to be found in the 
 extant sermons of Jean Raulin, Meffreth, and Ga- 
 briel Barlette.* The publication of this era which 
 most probably has influenced these fables, is the 
 “Liber Facetiarum,”f a book consisting of a hun- 
 dred jests and stories, by the celebrated Poggio 
 Bracciolini, published a. d. 1471, from which the two 
 fables of the “Miller, his Son, and the Ass.” p. 133, 
 and the “Fox and the Woodcutter,” p. 125, are un- 
 doubtedly selected. 
 
 The knowledge of these fables rapidly spread from 
 Italy into Germany, and their popularity was in- 
 creased by the favor and sanction given to them by 
 the great fathers of the Reformation, who frequently 
 used them as vehicles for satire and protest against 
 the tricks and abuses of the Romish ecclesiastics. 
 The zealous and renowned Camerarius, who took an 
 active part in the preparation of the confession of 
 Augsburgh, found time, amidst his numerous avoca- 
 tions, to prepare a version for the students in the 
 university of Tubingen, in which he was a professor. 
 
 ♦Post-mediaeval Preachers, by S. Baring-Gould. Rivingtons, 1865. 
 
 •tPor an account of this work see the Life of Poggio Bracciolini, by tho 
 Rev. William Shepherd. Liverpool, 1801. 
 
Preface . xvii 
 
 Martin Luther translated twenty of these fables, and 
 was urged by Melancthon to complete the whole; 
 while Gottfried Arnold, the celebrated Lutheran 
 theologian, and librarian to Frederick I., king of 
 Prussia, mentions that the great Reformer valued 
 the Fables of AEsop next after the Holy Scriptures, 
 In 1546 a.d. the second printed edition of the collec- 
 tion of the Fables made by Planudes, was issued from 
 the printing-press of Robert Stephens, in which were 
 inserted some additional fables from a MS. in the 
 Bibliotheque du Roy at Paris. 
 
 The greatest advance, however, towards a re-in- 
 troduction of the Fables of JEsop to a place in the 
 literature of the world, was made in the early part 
 of the seventeenth century. In the year 1610 , a 
 learned Swiss, Isaac Nicholas Nevelet, sent forth the 
 third printed edition of these fables, in a work en- 
 titled “ Mythologia .ZEsopica.” This was a noble ef- 
 fort to do honor to the great fabulist, and was the 
 most perfect collection of AEsopian fables ever yet 
 published. It consisted, in addition to the collection 
 of fables given by Planudes and reprinted in the vari- 
 ous earlier editions, of one hundred and thirty-six 
 new fables (never before published) from MSS. in the 
 Library of the Vatican, of forty fables attributed to 
 Aphthonius, and of forty-three from Rabrias. It also 
 
xviii Preface . 
 
 contained the Latin versions of the same fables by 
 Phaedrus, Avienus, and other authors. This volume 
 of Nevelet forms a complete “ Corpus Fabularum 
 JEsopicarum;” and to his labors MCsop owes his res- 
 toration to universal favor as one of the wise mor- 
 alists and great teachers of mankind. During the 
 interval of three centuries which has elapsed since 
 the publication of this volume of Nevelet’s, no book, 
 with the exception of the Holy Scriptures, has had a 
 wider circulation than Hilsop’s Fables. They have 
 been translated into the greater number of the lan- 
 guages both of Europe and of the East, and have been 
 read, and will be read, for generations, alike by Jew, 
 Heathen, Mohammedan, and Christian. They are, 
 at the present time, not only engrafted into the lit - 
 erature of the civilized world, but are familiar as 
 household words in the common intercourse and 
 daily conversation of the inhabitants of all countries. 
 
 This collection of Nevelet’s is the great culminate 
 ing point in the history of the revival of the fame 
 and reputation of Aesopian Fables. It is remarkable, 
 also, as containing in its preface the germ of an idea, 
 which has been since proved to have been correct by 
 a strange chain of circumstances. Nevelet inti- 
 mates an opinion, that a writer named Babrias would 
 be found to be the veritable author of the existing 
 
Preface * 
 
 xix 
 
 form of JEsopian Fables. This intimation has since 
 given rise to a series of inquiries, the knowledge of 
 which is necessary, in the present day, to a full urn 
 derstandihg of the true position of H2sop in connect 
 tion with the writings that bear his name. 
 
 The history of Babrias is so strange and interest- 
 ing, that it might not unfitly be enumerated among 
 the curiosities of literature. He is generally sup- 
 posed to have been a Greek of Asia Minor, of one of 
 the Ionic Colonies, but the exact period in which he 
 lived and wrote is yet unsettled. He is placed, by 
 one critic,* as far back as the institution of the 
 Achaian League, b.c. 250.; by another as late as the 
 Emperor Severus, who died a.d. 235; while others 
 make him a contemporary with Phoedrus in the time 
 of Augustus. At whatever time he wrote his ver- 
 sion of H2sop, by some strange accident it seems to 
 have entirely disappeared, and to have been lost 
 sight of. His name is mentioned by Avienus; by 
 Suidas, a celebrated critic, at the close of the elev- 
 enth century, who gives in his lexicon several iso- 
 lated verses of his version of the fables; and by John 
 Tzetzes, a grammarian and poet of Constantinople, 
 who lived during the latter half of the twelfth cen- 
 
 * Professor Theodore Bergh. See Classical Museum, No. viii. July, 1849. 
 
XX 
 
 Preface. 
 
 tury. 1ST evelet, in the preface to the volume which 
 we have described, points out that the Fables of 
 Planudes could not be the work of AEsop, as they 
 contain a reference in two places to “Holy monks,” 
 and give a verse from the Epistle of St. James as an 
 “Epimith” to one of the fables, and suggests Babrias 
 as their author. Francis V avassor, * a learned French 
 jesuit, entered at greater length on this subject, and 
 produced further proofs from internal evidence, from 
 the use of the word Piraeus in describing the harbor 
 of Athens, a name which was not given till two 
 hundred years after AEsop, and from the introduction 
 of other modern words, that many of these fables 
 must have been at least committed to writing pos- 
 terior to the time of AEsop, and more boldly suggests 
 Babrias as their author or collector, f These various 
 references to Babrias induced Dr. Richard Bentley, 
 at the close of the seventeenth century, to examine 
 more minutely the existing versions of AEsop’s Fables, 
 
 * Vavassor’s treatise, entitled u De Lndicra Dictione” was written a.d. 
 1658, at the request of the celebrated M. Balzac (though published after his 
 death), l’or the purpose of showing that the burlesque style of writing adopt- 
 ed by Scarron and D’Assouci, and at that time so popular in France, had no 
 sanction from the ancient classic writers.— M Francisci Vavassoris opera 
 omnia.” Amsterdam, 1709. 
 
 + The claims of Babrias also found a warm advocate in the learned French- 
 man, M. Bayle, who, in his admirable Dictionary, (“ Dictionnaire Historique 
 et Critique de Pierre Bayle.” Paris, 1820,) gives additional arguments in 
 confirmation of the opinions of his learned predecessors, Nevelet and 
 Tavassor. 
 
Preface . 
 
 xxi 
 
 and he maintained that many of them could, with a 
 slight change of words, be resolved into the Sca- 
 zonic* iambics, in which Babrias is known to have 
 written: and, with a greater freedom than the evi- 
 dence then justified, he put forth, in behalf of Babrias, 
 a claim to the exclusive authorship of these fables. 
 Such a seemingly extravagant theory, thus roundly 
 asserted, excited much opposition. Dr. Bentley f met 
 with an able antagonist in a member of the Univer- 
 sity of Oxford, the Hon. Mr. Charles Boyle,]; after- 
 wards Earl of Orrery. Their letters and disputations 
 on this subject, enlivened on both sides with much 
 wit and learning, will ever bear a conspicuous place 
 in the literary history of the seventeenth century. 
 The arguments of Dr. Bentley were yet further de- 
 fended a few years later by Mr. Thomas Tyrwhitt, a 
 well-read scholar, who gave up high civil distinc- 
 tions that he might devote himself the more unreserv- 
 edly to literary pursuits. Mr. Tyrwhitt published, 
 a.d. 1776, a Dissertation on Babrias, and a collec- 
 
 * Scazonic, or halting, iambics; a choliambic (a lame, halting iambic) dif- 
 fers from the iambic Senarius in always having a spondee or trochee for its 
 last foot; the fifth foot, to avoid shortness of metre, being generally an 
 iambic. See Fables of Babrias, translated by Rev. James Davies. Lock- 
 wood, 1860. Preface, p. 27. 
 
 + See Dr. Bentley’s Dissertations upon the Epistles of Phalaris. 
 
 % Dr. Bentley’s Dissertations on the Epistles of Phalaris, and Fables of 
 4£sop examined. By the Honorable Charles Boyle. 
 
Preface. 
 
 Mon of his fables in choliambic metre, found in a MU 
 in the Bodleian Library at Oxford. Francesco de 
 Furia, a learned Italian, contributed further testi- 
 mony to the correctness of the supposition that Bab- 
 rias had made a veritable collection of fables by print- 
 ing from a MS. contained in the Vatican library sev- 
 eral fables never before published. In the year 1844, 
 however, new and unexpected light was thrown upon 
 this subject. A veritable copy of Babrias was found 
 in a manner as singular as were the MSS. of Quinc- 
 tilian’s Institutes, and of Cicero’s Orations by Poggio 
 in the monastery of St. Gall a.d. 1416. M. Menoides, 
 at the suggestion of M. Villemain, Minister of Public 
 Instruction to King Louis Philippe, had been entrust- 
 ed with a commission to search for ancient MSS., and 
 in carrying out his instructions he found a MS. at the 
 convent of St. Laura, on Mount Athos, which proved 
 to be a copy of the long suspected and wished-for 
 choliambic version of Babrias. This MS. was found 
 to be divided into two books, the one containing one 
 hundred and twenty -five, and the other ninety-five 
 fables. This discovery attracted very general atten- 
 tion, not only as confirming, in a singular manner, 
 the conjectures so boldly made by a long chain of 
 critics, but as bringing to light valuable literary treas- 
 ures tending to establish the reputation, and to con- 
 
I 
 
 Preface. xxiii 
 
 firm the antiquity and authenticity of the great mass 
 of iEsopian Fable. The Fables thus recovered were 
 soon published. They found a most worthy editor 
 in the late distinguished Sir George Cornewall Lewis, 
 and a translator equally qualified for his task, in the 
 Reverend James Davies, M.A., sometime a scholar 
 of Lincoln College, Oxford, and himself a relation of 
 their English editor. Thus, after an eclipse of many 
 centuries, Babrias shines out as the earliest, and 
 most reliable collector of veritable Aesopian Fables. 
 
 Having thus given a complete synopsis of the 
 origin, descent, and history of these fables, it only 
 remains to explain the reasons which have induced 
 the Publishers to prepare a new edition of ASsop, and 
 to state the grounds on which they hope to establish 
 a claim for support and public approval in their un- 
 dertaking. They boldly assert that the new light 
 thrown upon these fables by the discovery of the 
 metrical version by Babrias, renders a new transla- 
 tion an inevitable necessity. The two chief existing 
 English versions of HCsop are those by Archdeacon 
 Croxall, and by the late Rev. Thomas James, canon 
 of Peterborough. The first of these deviates so very # 
 far from the text, that it degenerates into a parody. 
 The fables are so padded, diluted, and altered, as to 
 give very little idea to the reader either of the terse- 
 
XXIV 
 
 Preface. 
 
 ness or the meaning of the original. The second of 
 these is an improvement on its predecessor, but Mr. 
 James, either out of compliance with the wishes of 
 the publishers, or in condescension to the taste prev- 
 alent some twenty years ago, has so freely intro- 
 duced as the point of the fable conventional English 
 sayings which are not sanctioned by the Greek, and 
 which in many instances are scarcely equivalent to 
 it, that his version frequently approaches a para- 
 phrase rather than a translation. 
 
 The Publishers therefore ground their first claim for 
 public approval on the necessity for a new transla- 
 tion. They trust further that their present work will 
 have met that necessity in a satisfactory manner. 
 They have sought to give as nearly a literal transla- 
 tion as possible of the Greek text; and they hope that 
 if the reader should miss the smoothness and thor- 
 oughly English tone which characterized the pre- 
 vious version of these fables, he will be more than 
 repaid, by gaining a nearer approach to the spirit, 
 thoughts, and (in some cases) to the epigrammatic 
 terseness of the original. The publishers trust to 
 vindicate, on another ground, their claims to a share 
 of public patronage. They have inserted an hun- 
 dred new fables, and they have the satisfaction of 
 knowing that this edition, on which they have spared 
 
Preface . 
 
 xxv 
 
 no pains nor cost, will afford a larger choice, and 
 greater variety, to the numerous and increasing cir- 
 cle of the admirers of iEsopian Fables. Whatever 
 be the result of their labors, they will be content to 
 have contributed towards promoting a wider ac- 
 quaintance with fables, the wisdom, excellency, and 
 wonderful suitableness of which to every condition 
 of humanity has been attested and confirmed by the 
 experience of so many generations; and, which, in 
 all ages amidst the ever changing fluctuations of 
 human opinion, are adapted alike to amuse the young, 
 and to instruct the thoughtful, and are well fitted to 
 teach all who study them lessons useful for their 
 guidance in every position of political, social, civil, 
 or domestic life. 
 
 The Editor must claim the privilege of adding a 
 few words on a matter personal to himself. He has 
 already within the last few months been connected 
 with one edition of HCsop, and it may seem strange 
 that he should be willing to undertake the superin- 
 tendence of another. His answer is, that the two 
 works on which he has been engaged were totally 
 distinct, and entirely independent of each other. The 
 first was a request to furnish new morals and appli- 
 cations to a definite number of fables; the other was 
 a commission to add a large number of additional 
 
Preface. 
 
 \ 
 
 icxvi 
 
 fables and to make a wholly new translation. The 
 necessity of a new and improved translation the 
 Editor then recognized, and would have willingly 
 undertaken. It was a wish he had much at heart, 
 and when the proposal was voluntarily made to him 
 by the present Publishers to undertake the task of 
 a new translation of an enlarged number of .Esop’s 
 Fables, he saw no reason for refusing the offer be- 
 cause of his prior discharge of a totally different de- 
 sign; and he resolved to comply with the request 
 submitted to him, and to do his best toward the at- 
 tainment of so desirable an object as a purer trans- 
 lation, and more literal rendering of fables so justly 
 celebrated. 
 
 The following are the sources from which the pres- 
 ent translation has been prepared: 
 
 Babrii Fabulae ^Esopeae. George Cornewall Lewis. Oxford, 1846. 
 
 Babrii Fabulae iEsopeae. E codice manuscripto partem secundam edidit 
 George Cornewall Lewis. London : Parker, 1857. 
 
 Mythologica iEsopica. Opera et studia Isaaci Nicholai Neveleti. Frank* 
 fort, 1610. 
 
 Fabulae iEsopiacae, guales ante Planudem ferebantur cura et studio 
 Francisci de Furia. Lipsiae, 1810. 
 
 Ex recognitione Caroli Halmii. Lipsiae, 1851. 
 
 Phaedri Fabulae Esopiae. Delphin Classics. 1&&. 
 
THE LIFE OF ASOP. 
 
 The knowledge of the Egyptians was concealed 
 'j.i hieroglyphics and other mysterious characters ; 
 that of the Grecians in symbols and emblematical 
 allusions ; but iEsop, having penetrated through the 
 veil they had thrown over her, brought all their mys- 
 teries to light, and wrapped them up in fables. His 
 life, as recorded by Planudes and other writers of 
 antiquity, is here faithfully presented to the public. 
 
 He was born at Ammonius, in Phrygia the Great- 
 er ; a town in itself obscure, though, from its being 
 the birthplace of vEsop, might successfully have 
 entered into competition as a rival with those cities 
 that with a noble emulation contended for the birth 
 of Homer. 
 
 All agree that his person was uncommonly de- 
 formed, insomuch that the Thersites of Homer 
 seems to be but an imperfect transcript of him. His 
 head was long, nose flat, lips thick and pendent, a 
 hump back, and complexion dark, from which he 
 contracted his name (A£sopus being the same with 
 <35thiops), large belly, and bow legs ; but his great- 
 est infirmity was, that his speech was slow, inartic- 
 ulate, and very obscure. Such was the person of 
 JEsop. But, as Nature often sets the most refulgent 
 gems where they would be least expected, so she en- 
 dowed this extraordinary man with an accomplished 
 
xxviii 
 
 Life of JEsop. 
 
 mind, capable of the most sublime and elevated 
 ideas. His station in life also, as well as his person, 
 was mean and contemptible ; the former part of 
 which was spent in the most abject poverty, and the 
 latter in slavery, till a few years before his death. 
 
 His first master (under whose dominion he then 
 groaned), finding him incapable of any domestic 
 business, employed him in the field, where, not long 
 after, he gave the first testimony of his ingenuity. 
 It happened one day, when his master was walking 
 in the field, that a laborer presented him with some 
 delicious figs ; which he immediately gave to the 
 care of Agathopodus (another of his servants) 
 till he returned from the bath. But he, in league 
 with his fellow-servant, agreed to eat them, and lay 
 the guilt upon iEsop. When the master returned, 
 they loudly accused ASsop of eating the figs. The 
 master, enraged, sent for A3sop, and asked him 
 what could induce him to eat the figs he had ordered 
 to be reserved? Not answering readily in his de- 
 fence, he was ordered to be punished. But, falling 
 at his master’s feet, he implored him to suspend the 
 punishment. In which interval he ran and fetched 
 some warm water, and drank it ; then, putting his 
 finger down his throat, he caused the water to re- 
 turn, for he had eaten nothing that day. He then 
 requested that his accusers might be ordered to do 
 the same ; which, his master approving, they were 
 told to do ; and the consequence was, that ASsop's 
 innocence was apparent, and his enemies were given 
 to the punishment they justly deserved. 
 
 The day following his master returned to the city, 
 and ACsop was remanded to his labor ; when he met 
 two priests of Diana who had lost their way. They 
 
Life of JEsop. 
 
 xxix 
 
 commanded him, in the name of Jove, to direct them 
 into the most regular track; which he not only per- 
 formed, but refreshed them with meat ; for which 
 kindness he gained ’their good wishes, as well as 
 their prayers. 
 
 ^Esop, returning to his task, oppressed with care 
 and labor, lay down to sleep; and in a dream beheld 
 Fortune standing by him, gratifying him with volu- 
 bility of language, and the ability of wrapping up 
 his ideas in the form of apologues. Immediately 
 starting up, he exclaimed, “O wonderful! in what a 
 charming trance have I been ; for, behold, I speak 
 fluently, and can register each creature by its name. 
 This certainly is the reward of my compliance and 
 kindness to the strangers.” Overjoyed, he went to 
 his labor. Having committed some fault, Zenas 
 (overseer of the field) struck him. — “ You are 
 always,” said ^Esop, “punishing him that offends 
 you not. If my master knew it, he would, no doubt, 
 revenge these stripes.” Zenas, filled with enmity, 
 and astonished to hear him speak fluently, resolved 
 (by way of prevention, lest he should be discharged 
 as an unjust steward,) to accuse him to his master; 
 whom, not long after, he accosted, desiring the gods 
 to protect him. Upon which his master inquired, 
 what it was that discomposed him? Zenas replied, 
 
 Something wonderful in the field.” The master 
 asked, what the wonder could be? He answered, 
 “iEsop, who was thought dumb, has now found 
 utterance and elocution.” His master observed, 
 “This will be ruinous to thee, in whose estimation 
 he was reputed a monster.” Zenas rejoined, “What 
 he hath spite fully spoken against me I should have 
 buried in silence ; but against you and the gods he 
 
XXX 
 
 Life of JEsop. 
 
 hath uttered intolerable curses.” This so incensed 
 his master, that he ordered him to be sold for a slave 
 as a recompense for his ingratitude and impiety. 
 
 No sooner had Zenas got AEsop in his power than 
 he informed him how lie was to be disposed of. To 
 whom he replied, “Do your pleasure.” Shortly 
 after which a merchant, coming to buy cattle, met 
 Zenas ; who told him, that though he had no cattle, 
 he had a man slave to sell. The merchant, hearing 
 this, desired to see him. AEsop being introduced, he 
 burst into laughter, saying, “ Had I not been con- 
 vinced by his voice, I should have taken him for a 
 blown bladder. Why did you draw me aside to 
 shock my eyes with such a deformed monster? ” As 
 he departed, AEsop desired him to stop. The mer- 
 chant replied, “Be gone, you filthy cur.” AEsop 
 then requested to know for what cause he came 
 thither. He replied, “To buy something of value, 
 not such a worthless thing as thou art.” AEsop then 
 pressed him to buy him, promising he should find 
 him worth his money. The merchant desired him 
 to explain himself. “Have. you at home,” said 
 
 AEsop, “any testy children? — I shall supply the 
 place of bugbear, to terrify them into silence.” 
 Zenas was then asked, what he would take for that 
 uncouth creature? “ Three half-pence,” said he. 
 The merchant paid the price, observing that with 
 nothing he had bought nothing. 
 
 When they were come near home, two of the mer- 
 chant’s children, seeing AEsop, testified their fear of 
 him by crying. “ Now, sir,” said AEsop, “you see 
 the effect of my promise.” As they went into the 
 house the merchant, smiling, commanded AEsop to 
 salute his fellow-servants; who, when they beheld 
 
Life of JEsop. 
 
 xxxi 
 
 his deformity, exclaimed “What could induce my 
 master to bring such a wretch into his family ! ” 
 
 Shortly after this the merchant ordered all things 
 to be got ready for an intended journey into Asia. 
 When they were assigning to each servant his pro- 
 portion of burden, JEsop desired (it being his first 
 time) that he might have the lightest. His request 
 being granted, he took up the basket of bread; at 
 which the other slaves laughed, considering that 
 burden enough for two. But when dinner-time ap- 
 proached, JEsop, (who had with great difficulty sus- 
 tained his load) was commanded to set it down, and 
 distribute an equal share of the bread to the other 
 slaves. His load being thus diminished one half, he 
 pursued his journey with pleasure. At supper-time 
 he was again ordered to distribute of his load; after 
 which (the basket being emptied) the next morning 
 he led the van, and obliged those, who before had 
 treated him with contempt, to applaud his ingenu- 
 ity. 
 
 Being arrived at Ephesus, and having sold divers 
 of his slaves to good advantage, the merchant was 
 persuaded to sail with the last three to Samos ; 
 namely, Cantor, a native of Cappadocia,, and Gram- 
 maticus, born in Lydia; two persons of large dimen- 
 sions; and JEsop, whose character was before de- 
 scribed. Now, in order that he might the better sell 
 the two former, he dressed them in new clothes; but 
 (supposing that no art could improve him) he 
 clothed JEsop in sackcloth, which exposed him as 
 well to derision as to sale. Among those who came 
 to buy was Xanthus, an eminent philosopher of 
 Samos, attended with his scholars; who, having 
 viewed the slaves, and seeing JEsop placed in the 
 
xxxii 
 
 Life of JEsop. 
 
 midst, supposed he was set there that the other two 
 might appear to a greater advantage. 
 
 The philosopher first addressed himself to Cantor, 
 demanding what he could perform. ‘‘All things.” 
 said he. Xanthus then demanded what price was 
 set upon him. The merchant replied, “A thousand 
 half-pence.” Xanthus, displeased at the price, went 
 to the other, and asked him what he could do. He 
 also replied, “All things.” The philosopher then 
 asked the price of Grammaticus. He was told, 
 “three thousand half-pence.” Xanthus, thinking 
 this also too much, declared he would buy no 
 servants that were rated at so high a price. 
 Upon which the scholars suggested to Xanthus to 
 buy ASsop, saying they would pay for him. “ ’T is 
 not fit,” said Xanthus, “that I should buy him, and 
 you make good the payment. Besides, my wife 
 would be much displeased to have such a misshapen 
 person to wait upon her.” The scholars replied, 
 “We are not always obliged to comply with the de- 
 sires of a woman; therefore let us examine this de- 
 formed creature. ” Xanthus, turning to ACsop, bid 
 him be comforted. “Was I ever sad?” replied 
 ACsop. “ Of what place are you a native?” said the 
 philosopher. “ I am a negro,” said A3sop. “I do 
 not ask you that, but where you were born.” A3sop 
 answered, “Of my mother,” “Neither did I ask 
 that,” said Xanthus, “but what place were you born 
 in?” “My mother never informed me whether 
 above or below.” “What can you perform?” “Noth- 
 ing,” replied ASsop; “the two former having told 
 ydu they can do all things, there remains nothing 
 for me to do.” “Are you willing,” said Xanthus, 
 “ that I should buy you? ” “ You ought,” answered 
 
XXX111 
 
 * 
 
 Life of JEsop. 
 
 iEsop, “ to judge for yourself. Why do you ask 
 me? If you are willing, pay down the price, and 
 make an end of the business.” “ If I buy you,” said 
 Xanthus, “ you will try to escape.” “ If I do,” said 
 ASsop, “ I shall not come to you for advice, as you 
 do now to me.” “But thou art deformed!” “A 
 philosopher?” replied ASsop, “ should not only view 
 the body, but examine the mind.” The scholars, 
 pleased with his ingenious replies, again requested 
 Xanthus to buy him. He therefore asked the mer- 
 chant what price was set upon him; who answered, 
 “ Surely thy design is to debase my commodities. 
 Thou hast declined the best to take the worst.” 
 However, Xanthus, desirous of buying him, again 
 asked the price ; which, when known, the scholars 
 paid, and Xanthus took him into possession. 
 
 When they came near home Xanthus commanded 
 A2sop to wait in the porch, lest his deformity should 
 offend his wife ; whom Xanthus thus addressed : — 
 “ Mistress, you shall have no cause for the future to 
 be discontented, for there is a servant in the porch 
 as handsome as ever was beheld.” At this the 
 maids smiled, and contended who should first oblige 
 him. The wife of Xanthus ordered one of them to 
 fetch him. ASsop. overhearing her, prepared to en- 
 ter. The maid, amazed at his deformity, cried, 
 “Art thou he?” “ Yes, sure,” said AEsop. “Enter 
 not,” replied the maid, “ unless you mean to fright- 
 ed us all out of the house.” But AEsop persisted, 
 and appeared before his mistress, who, upon seeing 
 him, thus addressed Xanthus: — “What monster is 
 this you have brought? Discharge him instantly.” 
 At the same time declaring he had much offended 
 her, and desiring he would return that with which 
 
she had enriched him, and she would abandon that 
 unhappy mansion. On this Xanthus rebuked A2sop, 
 who had discovered so much ingenuity before, that 
 he was so silent now. “ Cast her off,” said ACsop. 
 “Away with you, villain,” replied he. “My love 
 and my life is so incorporated into hers, as if one 
 heart alone managed two bodies.” At which A2sop, 
 stamping, said that Xanthus was under the domin- 
 ion of his wife ; and turning to his mistress, said, 
 “You, madam, would have had the philosopher 
 have brought you a young, handsome fellow, 
 whose attractions might feed your vanity, but at the 
 same time might endanger his reputation. Oh, 
 Euripides, thy mouth was a golden one, for these 
 words came out of it ! — ‘ Great is the effort of the 
 sea’ when its waves swell into sedition, and obey no 
 law ; and the flame or impression of devouring fire; 
 poverty, is a ruinous condition ; and there are many 
 things intolerable, but nothing equal to an impetu- 
 ous woman.’ You, being the wife of a philososher, 
 should not be attended by such persons as would 
 bring philosophy itself into disrepute.” She, being 
 unable to contradict him, asked Xanthus where he 
 had purchased this beauty. “The handsomeness of 
 his ingenuity,” said she, “doth recompense for the de- 
 formity of his person : my dislike of him is extin- 
 guished.” “ Your mistress,” said Xanthus to ACsop, 
 “is now reconciled.” ACsop ironically replied, “ ’Tis 
 a difficult matter sure to appease a woman.” “ For 
 the future,” said Xanthus, “be silent; I bought you to 
 obey, not to contradict.” 
 
 The day following, Xanthus, going to the garden 
 to buy herbs, commanded ACsop to accompany him. 
 When the gardener had gathered the herbs, he en- 
 
XXXV 
 
 X 
 
 Life of J&opv^ 
 
 trusted them to iEsop. When they were paid for, 
 the gardener asked Xanthus what was the natural 
 reason that the herbs that he planted did not im- 
 prove with that quick and active growth, as those 
 which were Nature’s voluntary production ? Xan- 
 thus, not being able to answer the question, thus 
 replied: — “It thus happened from that order and 
 series of Providence that threaded together inferior 
 causes and their effects.” — At which A£sop smiled. 
 “ Do you laugh at me? ” said Xanthus. “ I laugh at 
 you,” answered he, “and not you only, but him that 
 taught you.” Upon which Xanthus, addressing 
 himself to the gardener, said, “It is not fit for me, 
 who have disputed in learned auditories, to unravel 
 questions in a garden. My servant here will solve 
 the difficulty.” The gardener replied, “ Is there any 
 knowledge treasured up in this sordid vessel? ” At 
 which iEsop was offended, and asked the gardener 
 this question : “When a widow is engaged in sec- 
 
 ond nuptials she is mother to the issue of her first 
 marriage, but stepmother to the children of her sec- 
 ond husband. Those, to whom by the proper obli- 
 gations of Nature her affections are entitled, she 
 affects and values more than those to whom she is 
 mother only by accidental relation. So it is here — 
 the earth is a stepmother to those plants which are 
 incorporated into her womb by art, but a mother to 
 those which are her own free production.” The gar- 
 dener was so well satisfied with his reply that he 
 gave him liberty to gather what herbs he might at 
 any time want, as a recompense. 
 
 Some days after this, Xanthus, having met with 
 some friends at the bath, and intending to invite 
 them to dinner, ordered iEsop to go directly home, 
 
of JEsop. 
 
 *T 'r r 
 
 and boil some lentils. He went, as enjoined, and 
 only boiled one. Xanthus, after bathing, accord- 
 ingly invited his friends, informing them, that 
 though their fare would be scanty, yet he was confi- 
 dent they would take the will for the deed. When 
 they came home Xanthus ordered JEsop to bring 
 something to drink; who, taking some water from 
 the stream of the bath, presented it to Xanthus ; at 
 which he was offended, and asked JEsop where he 
 brought it from ? “ From the bath/’ said JEsop. 
 
 Xanthus, on account of his friends, concealed his 
 anger, and called for a basin, which JEsop having 
 brought, stood still. Xanthus asked him, “ Do you 
 not wash? ” He replied, “ T is for you to command, 
 me to obey, but to put water in the basin was no 
 part of the command.” Upon which Xanthus asked 
 his friends whether they thought he had bought a 
 servant: who replied, that, in their opinion, he had 
 rather purchased a master. Xanthus now asked if 
 dinner was ready ? When JEsop, putting the lentil 
 into a shell, presented it to his master ; who, having 
 tried if it was boiled enough, ordered him to serve 
 up the rest. JEsop immediately put the broth into 
 saucers, and brought them to Xanthus ; who asked 
 where the lentils were? “You have it already,” 
 replied JEsop. “Did you boil but one?” said his 
 master. “ Xo more, sir,” said JEsop; “Your com- 
 mand was in the singular number.” At which Xan- 
 thus incensed, exclaimed, “ This fellow is enough 
 to drive me mad ! but, that I may not deceive my 
 friends, go instantly, and buy four hogs’ feet, and 
 boil them.” Which JEsop cheerfully did. Now, 
 while they were boiling, Xanthus, wishing to find 
 some cause of complaint, in JEsop’s absence took 
 
Life of JEsop. xxxvii 
 
 out one of the feet ; which JEsop on his return miss- 
 ed, and, suspecting the design, ran to an adjacent 
 hog-sty, and, cutting off one of the feet of a fatted 
 hog, singed it, and put it into the pot. Xanthus, 
 suspecting that JEsop, on the discovery, would run 
 away, put the foot in again. So that, when JEsop 
 came to serve them up on the table, he found there 
 were five. Upon which Xanthus inquired by what 
 means they were multiplied. JEsop answered by 
 asking, “ How many feet have two .hogs ?” — His 
 master replied, “ Eight.” “ Here, then,” said JEsop, 
 “ are five present, and yon fatted hog hath the other 
 three.” Xanthus, being more enraged at this, ex- 
 claimed, “ Did not I say this fellow would drive me 
 mad ? ” 
 
 Shortly afterwards one of the scholars invited 
 Xanthus and his fellow students to a feast ; wTiere 
 Xanthus, wishing to reconcile the difference he had 
 occasioned when he first returned, sent JEsop with a 
 choice dish to his mistress, telling him to give it to 
 her that loved him best. JEsop went ; and, seating 
 himself in the porch, called his mistress, and showed 
 her the present Xanthus had sent to her that loved 
 him best. “But this,” said he, “madam, is not for 
 you.” Then, calling his master’s bitch, Lyceena, he 
 cast it down, and bid her eat it. At his return Xan- 
 thus asked him whether he had done as he was or- 
 dered ? He said, “Yes, and she swallowed it in my 
 presence,” His master then inquired what she said. 
 “ Nothing to me,” said JEsop, “but to you she re- 
 turns her thanks.” This so offended his mistress 
 that she determined to leave the house. In the 
 mean time, while they were ail heated with wine, 
 one of the company asked, when would be the time 
 
xxxviii 
 
 Life of JEsop. 
 
 of the greatest confusion among mortals ? Asop 
 replied, “When the dead rise and attempt to trace 
 out their ancient possessions.” At which the schol- 
 ars -smiled. Another asked why sheep lie so calmly, 
 and swine with such an offensive noise ? “ The 
 sheep,” answered Asop, “ being used to be shorn, 
 are silent, and expect nothing but what is customary; 
 but swine, unaccustomed to be handled, when they 
 are killed, make an hideous noise.” The scholars 
 were so pleased with his answers that they burst in- 
 to laughter. Supper being over, Xantbus returned 
 home, and would have saluted his wife ; but she, be- 
 ing highly offended at what had passed, told him 
 she would have nothing to say to him, who, instead 
 of sending her his dainties, had sent them to his dog. 
 Xanthus, surprised, asked Asop to whom he had 
 presented them ; who replied, “To her that loves you 
 best.” Then, calling the spaniel, “This is she,” said 
 he, “for, though you load her with stripes, yet still 
 she fawns upon and accompanies you. You should 
 have told me to present them to your wife.” — “You 
 are now convinced, mistress,” said Xanthus, “it 
 was not my fault that the present miscarried. Bear 
 the disappointment with patience, and I will take 
 an opportunity of avenging it upon Asop.” But 
 this did not satisfy his wife. She therefore went to 
 her father; which caused Asop to triumph, saying, 
 “ Now, sir you see which loves you best.” 
 
 After this Asop, observing his master uneasy on 
 account of his wife’s departure, told him not to be 
 unhappy, for that he would soon bring her back 
 again. For which purpose he set off to market, and 
 purchased fowls, geese, &c. With these he inten- 
 tionally went to the house where his mistress resided 
 
Life of JEsop. 
 
 xxxix 
 
 and asked the servants if they had anything to sell 
 that would add to the magnificence of a wedding 
 feast he was about to provide. They inquiring 
 whose marriage was going to be celebrated, he re- 
 plied, “ Xanthus means to celebrate his second nup- 
 tials to-morrow.” This intelligence soon reached 
 the ear of his wife; and filled her so with jealousy 
 that she flew home, and declared that no second es- 
 pousals of liis should be established but upon her 
 urn. Thus JEsop, who was the occasion of her de- 
 parture, was the cause of her hasty return. 
 
 Not long after Xanthus invited his scholars to din- 
 ner, and ordered .dSsop to furnish the feast with the 
 choicest dainties; who while fulfilling the command 
 of his master, was studying how to expose his folly. 
 He therefore laid out the money in tongues, which 
 he served up accompanied with a poignant sauce. 
 
 The scholars much commended his first course, as 
 it furnished them with matter for conversation; but 
 the second and third being the same, the guests 
 were astonished as well as their master ; who in- 
 quired if there was nothing provided but tongues ? 
 iEsop replied, “Nothing else.” — ‘ Thou lump of de- 
 formity,” said Xanthus, “ did I not command you to 
 prepare the choicest dainties?” — “Sir,” said JEsop, 
 “your reproof before philosophers deserves my 
 thanks. What excels the tongue? It is the great 
 channel of learning and philosophy. By this noble 
 organ addresses, commerce, contracts, eulogies, and 
 marriages, are completely established. On this 
 moves life itself. Therefore nothing is equal to the 
 tongue.” The scholars, departing, declared that the 
 philosophy excelled that ol Xanthus. 
 
xl 
 
 Life of JEsop. 
 
 Some time after this Xanthus, perceiving the dis- 
 satisfaction of his scholars, told them it was not his 
 design so to have treated them. “But now,” said 
 lie, “ I have ordered my servant to procure the 
 worst meats for supper.” ^Esop, however, (constant 
 to his purpose,) again provided tongues. Xanthus, 
 more incensed still, asked him if this was the enter- 
 tainment he had ordered ? To which .Esop replied 
 that he had exactly fulfilled his commands. “For 
 what,” said he, “is worse than the tongue? Is it 
 not frequently the ruin of empires, cities, and pri- 
 vate connections? Is it not the conveyance of cal- 
 umnies and forgeries? In short, is it not the grand 
 disturber of civil society?” When the scholars 
 heard his reply, they declared that the deformity of 
 his body was but the transcript of his distorted and 
 irregular manners ; and gave Xanthus a caution, 
 lest his behavior should drive him out of his mind. 
 To whom Esop observed, that their speech betrayed 
 their malice, by endeavoring to cause discontent be- 
 tween him and his master. 
 
 Xanthus, still desirous to revenge himself for 
 these affronts, again sought for cause to complain of 
 Esop; and commanded him (since he had accused 
 the scholars of officiousness) to find a man that re- 
 garded nothing. The next day, while traversing the 
 streets, sop discovered Eone sitting in a negligent 
 posture, void of reflection. This man Esop accost- 
 ed, and invited to dinner with his master. The 
 clown, without hesitation, followed him, and sat 
 down at his master’s table in his mean attire. Xan- 
 thus immediately asked who this guest was? Esop 
 replied, “ It is a person regardless.” Xanthus then 
 desired his wife to wash the stranger’s feet, think* 
 
Life of JEsop. 
 
 xli 
 
 in g he would not permit her. But, when she offered, 
 the clown carelessly stretched out his feet for the 
 purpose, and suffered her to perform the office. Xan- 
 thus next ordered Him a goblet of wine, which he 
 readily drank off. When the meat was set before 
 him, Xanthus complained that it was not enough 
 seasoned ; but the clown said he thought it was very 
 agreeable. Whereupon Xanthus, troubled because he 
 could not discompose him, ordered the cheesecakes 
 to be brought, which the stranger also disposed of. 
 Upon this, Xanthus blamed the baker for not ming- 
 ling honey and pepper in the cheesecakes. The baker 
 said it was not his fault, but that of his mistress. 
 Xanthus then said, if it was so, that she should be 
 instantly burnt alive, thinking the clown would at- 
 tempt her rescue. But he, seeing no occasion for so 
 prodigious a passion, desired Xanthus to wait until 
 he brought his wife also, that they might both suffer 
 together. Upon this Xanthus acknowledged that 
 iEsop had punctually fulfilled his command, for 
 which he would shortly grant him his freedom. 
 
 The next day Xanthus sent A£sop to the bath, to 
 inform him what company was there. As he was 
 going he met the city praetor ; who (knowing him to 
 be the servant of Xanthus) asked him where he was 
 going. A£sop answered, “I do not know.” At 
 which the praetor was offended, and ordered him to 
 prison for speaking so impertinently. As they were 
 taking him away, he cried out, 64 Oh, praetor, did I 
 not tell you I did not know where I was going? ” 
 The praetor, pleased with the reply, dismissed him ; 
 and A£sop went on his errand. Observing that many 
 stumbled, both going in and coming out of the bath, 
 at a stone which lay at the entrance, and that only 
 
xlii 
 
 Life of JEsop. 
 
 one attempted to lay it aside, he went home, and 
 told his master there was but one person in the bath. 
 Xanthus arriving, and seeing a multitude, asked 
 him the reason of his false information. MEsop told 
 him, there was a great stone lay at the entrance, 
 over which many stumbled, but only one removed 
 the obstacle; so that there was only one man, the 
 rest being little better than ciphers. 
 
 Not long after, on a day fixed by Xanthus and 
 other philosophers for public rejoicing. Xanthus 
 having drank freely, was raised into a passion, be- 
 ing worsted in some dispute that had arisen ; which 
 MCsop observing, said. “ Master, Bacchus is the 
 parent of three evils. The first is voluptuousness, 
 the second intemperance, the third calumny or re- 
 proach ; of which you, being engaged in drink, 
 should beware.” At last, Xanthus being intoxicat- 
 ed, one of the scholars asked him if it was possible 
 to drink off the sea. “ Very easy,” said Xanthus, 44 1 
 will engage to perform it myself.” Upon which they 
 laid a wager; and having exchanged rings, depart- 
 ed. The day following Xanthus missed his ring, and 
 asked AEsop what was become of it. 44 I know not,” 
 said he, 44 but this I am confident of — we must not 
 stay here; for yesterday, when disguised with liquor, 
 you betted your whole fortune that you would drink 
 off the ocean ; and, to bind the wager, you exchang- 
 ed your ring.” Xanthus replied, 4 ‘ What could I en- 
 gage less? But can you contrive how to get rid of 
 it? ” — 44 To perform it,” said MEsop, 44 is impossible ; 
 but how to avoid it I will show you. When you 
 meet again, be as confident as ever, and order a 
 table to be placed on the shore, and persons prepared 
 to lave the ocean with cups ; and, when the multi- 
 
Life of JEsop. 
 
 xliii 
 
 tude are assembled, ask what was the wager. The 
 r^ply will be, that you engaged to drink up the sea: 
 then do you address them thus, — ‘Ye citizens of 
 Samos, you are not ignorant that many rivers dis- 
 charge themselves into the sea. My agreement was 
 to drink up the ocean, and not those streams. If 
 you, then, can obstruct their course, I am ready to 
 perform my engagement. ” Xanthus, being pleased 
 with the expedient, when the people assembled, act- 
 ed and said as JEsop had instructed him ; for which 
 he was highly applauded. When the scholar fell at 
 his feet, and owned himself wrong, at the same time 
 requesting that the w ager might be dissolved ; which 
 Xanthus, at the desire of the Samians, granted. 
 
 JEsop, on his return home, intimated to Xanthus 
 how much he had merited his freedom, that he had 
 bid him go to the door; and, if there were two crows 
 in sight, to tell him, for it was an auspicious omen ; 
 but, if he beheld but one, it would be a bad one. 
 JEsop returned, and told him he saw two perched 
 on a tree. But, when Xanthus went out, one of 
 them was gone. Upon which he called JEsop an un- 
 grateful villain, observing that his whole aim was 
 to make him an object of ridicule, for which he 
 should now be scourged. JEsop, groaning with his 
 stripes, addressed one who entered to sup with his 
 master, in a sad accent, thus: “You, that beheld 
 one crow, are rewarded with a supper ; and I, that 
 discovered two, am recompensed undeservedly.” 
 Which ingenious address so softened Xanthus, that, 
 he forbade the continuance of his punishment. 
 
 Shortly after, Xanthus designing to entertain the 
 philosophers and orators, commanded JEsop to stand 
 at the gate, and admit none but wise men. At the 
 
xliv 
 
 Life of JEsop. 
 
 appointed time several came to the gate, requesting 
 admittance: but HSsop put this question to them all 
 — “What stirs the dog?'’ At which they were much 
 offended,, supposing he meant to give them that ap- 
 pellation. At last one came who made this reply 
 to his question, “His ears and his tail.” H£sop, 
 satisfied with the answer, admitted him, and con- 
 ducted him to his master, saying there was only one 
 philosopher had desired admittance. The day fob 
 lowing, when they met at the schools, they reproach- 
 ed Xanthus with treating them contemptuously, by 
 permitting HCsop to stand at the gate and salute 
 them with the opprobrious epithet of “ dogs.” Xan- 
 thus asked if they were serious. They replied, they 
 were. Upon which HSsop was called, and asked 
 how he dared to affront his friends ? To which he 
 replied, “ Did you not tell me that none but philoso- 
 phers should be admitted?” — “And what are 
 these?” said Xanthus, “do they not merit that 
 character?” “By no means,” said H£sop, “for, 
 when they came to the gate I demanded of them — 
 What stirs the dog? and but one among them all 
 gave a proper answer.” Upon this all agreed that 
 HCsop had acted strictly as his master commanded 
 him. 
 
 One day ; when Xanthus, accompanied by HSsop, 
 went to visit the monuments, and to amuse himself 
 with the inscriptions, AEsop, seeing these letters on 
 one of them, sc. “ a, b, d, o, e, 0, x” showed them 
 to Xanthus, asking him their meaning. Who. after 
 serious consideration, confessed he knew not. “Mas- 
 ter,” said HCsop, “ if by these characters I trace out 
 a treasure, what reward shall I receive? ” Xanthus 
 answered, “Thy freedom, and half the treasure.” 
 
Life of JEsop. 
 
 xlv 
 
 Then HEsop, having dug the earth four feet from the 
 stone, found it; and, giving it to his master, claimed 
 his reward. “No,” said Xanthus, “not till I can 
 unravel the mystery, the knowledge of which will 
 be worth more than the treasure.” HEsop told him a 
 prudent man had engraven them, and the sense was 
 this “ a going, b paces, d four, o digging, e thou 
 shalt find, 0 a treasure, x of gold ! ” Xanthus an 
 swered, “ It will be more to my interest to keep thee 
 than to let thee go.” “Then,” said HEsop, “I wifi 
 prove that the gold belongs to the king of Bizanti 
 um.” How do you prove it?” said his master. 
 “ Thus.” replied he, “ a restore, b to the king, d Di- 
 onysius, o which, e thou hast found, 0 treasure, x of 
 gold.” Upon this Xanthus requested AEsop to ac- 
 cept the half, as a reward for his silence. ^Esop 
 replied, “ I receive not this as the effect of your 
 bounty, but of his who concealed it ; for this is the 
 genuine sense of the letters — a taking, b go your 
 way, d divide, o which, e you have found, 0 the 
 treasure.” Xanthus replied, “Come, depart ; the 
 moiety of the gold, and your freedom, shall be your 
 reward.” As they returned, Xanthus (fearing AEsop 
 would discover the affair) commanded that they 
 should take him to prison. As they were taking him 
 away, AEsop exclaimed, “ Do the solemn promises of 
 philosophers, and their specious intimation of liberty 
 end in prison and fetters ? ” Upon which Xanthus 
 ordered his release, observing that what he had said 
 was true ; though he was confident, when he had 
 got his freedom, he would do all that lay in his pow- 
 er to injure him. HEsop answered, H In spite of all 
 artifices, I shall obtain my liberty.” 
 
 l- 
 
 ie 
 
 r. 
 
xlvi 
 
 Life of JEsop. 
 
 Soon after this, on a day appointed for general 
 festivity by the citzens of Samos, an eagle descend- 
 ed, snatched up the public ring, and afterwards 
 dropped it into the lap of a slave. The astonished 
 Samians applied to Xanthus to unfold the mystery ; 
 who, knowing himself incapable, was very much de- 
 jected. JEsop, perceiving this, asked what made 
 him so unhappy. “To-morrow, when you appear 
 in public,” says he, “tell the Samians, that you are 
 not dexterous in these matters, but you have a ser- 
 vant that is.” To this Xanthus agreed, and accord- 
 ingly the next day JEsop was called forth. But, 
 when they saw him, they smiled, asking contempt- 
 uously, “ How can such a deformed creature unfold 
 this great mystery?” JEsop, waving his hand, re- 
 plied, “Ye citizens of Samos, you should not only 
 view the front of the house, but the tenant also; for 
 frequently an upright and understanding soul dwells 
 in a deformed and disordered body; and you know 
 it is not the shape of the cask that men admire, but 
 the wine concealed therein.” Hearing this, they 
 desired him to proceed: wherefore he continued, “Ye 
 Samians, it rests with you to judge between the 
 master and the servant. If I do not unfold the mys- 
 tery concealed in this signal accident, let stripes be 
 my reward; but, if the master be outvied by the dis- 
 covery, then let my freedom be given me.” Upon 
 this they insisted that Xanthus should give JEsop 
 his freedom. Xanthus making no reply, the city 
 praetor addressed him thus: — “If you do not grant 
 the request of the people, I will declare JEsop free.” 
 Whereupon Xanthus declared JEsop free and the 
 city crier proclaimed it. Then said JEsop to his mas- 
 ter, “In spite of your malice, I have obtained my 
 
Life of JEsop . 
 
 xlvii 
 
 freedom.” And then, addressing the people, he thus 
 unfolded the mystery: “Ye citizens of Samos ! the 
 
 eagle, you know, is the monarch of birds ; and, as 
 the public ring was dropped into the lap of a slave, 
 it seems to forebode that some of the adjacent kings 
 will attempt to overthrow your established laws, 
 and entomb your liberty in slavery.” 
 
 This filled the Samians with grief. Shortly after, 
 letters arrived from Croesus of Lydia, requiring the 
 Samians to pay tribute, or else prepare to suffer the 
 calamities of a destructive war. 
 
 Upon which a public council was called, and ^5Csop 
 was requested to give his advice; who thus address- 
 ed them . “ We have,” said have, “ but two objects 
 
 before us. The one is liberty; which in the begin- 
 ning is rough and difficult, but in the end is smooth 
 and easy; and the other is bondage; whose begin- 
 ning is easy, but the conclusion fatal and calami- 
 tous.” The Samians, when they heard this, declard, 
 that, as they were at present free, so they and their 
 liberty would stand or fall together ; — and with this 
 resolute reply dismissed the ambassadors. Croesus 
 being informed of their resolution, determined to go 
 to war with them. But the ambassadors advised him 
 first to send for JEsop, with the promise that the trib- 
 ute should be suspended, and then perhaps he might 
 reduce them; but that, as long as they were strength- 
 ened with the counsels of iEsop, he w r ould not be 
 able. Croesus took their advice, and sent for him on 
 those conditions. The Samians, being well satisfied, 
 agreed to give him up. But, when iEsop heard of 
 it, he thus addressed them : “Ye citizens of Samos, 
 I am ready to prostrate myself at the feet of Croesus, 
 but first I will tell you a tale. The wolves commenc- 
 
xlviii 
 
 Life of JEsop. 
 
 ed war with the sheep, but the sheep were secured 
 by the generous protection of the dogs ; on which 
 the wolves sent ambassadors to the sheep, to this 
 end, that, if they desired peace, they should give up 
 their dogs. The timorous and unwary sheep agreed 
 to it, and sent away their protectors. The wolves 
 immediately destroyed their dogs, and then the 
 sheep fell an easy prey.” The Samians, comprehend- 
 ing his meaning, refused to let JEsop go, but he re- 
 solved to accompany the ambassadors. 
 
 When they arrived at Lydia, they presented JEsop. 
 As soon as the king saw him he was angry; despising 
 the idea that so despicable a person should by his 
 counsels prevent him from conquering the Samians. 
 .JEsop, observing his astonishment, said, “ Mighty 
 sir! since neither by force nor necessity, but of my 
 own free will, I give myself up, I request your atten- 
 tion. A certain man, having gathered many lo- 
 custs, killed them ; and having with them taken a 
 grasshopper, she thus bespoke him : * Sir, do not kill 
 me, for I am no ways destructive, my whole employ- 
 ment being to charm to sleep the weary traveller.’ 
 Upon which he let her go. Thus I, O king, pros- 
 trate before you, desire my life may be the monu- 
 ment of your mercy, since it cannot be prejudicial 
 to any man ; for in this deformed body you shall 
 find an exalted mind.” Croesus replied, “JEsop, 
 not only thy life, but a fortune, shall be the proof of 
 my beneficence. Demand, therefore, what you 
 please, and it shall be granted.” “Oh king,” said 
 JEsop, “ be reconciled to the Samians.” The king 
 replied, “I am.” And shortly after sent JEsop back 
 with letters of reconciliation. On his arrival, the 
 
Life of JEsop. 
 
 xlix 
 
 citizens, crowned with garlands, saluted him, rejoic- 
 ing to find that peace was re-established. 
 
 He not long after departed from Samos ; and, 
 after passing through many kingdoms, and disput- 
 ing with several philosophers, at last arrived at 
 Babylon ; where he soon gained the esteem of 
 King Lycerus. In those days it was usual for 
 nations to send philosophical questions to each 
 other, subject to a fine if they could not resolve 
 them. Now JEsop, unfolding those sent to King 
 Lycerus, improved the reputation of the king. He 
 also, in the king’s name, proposed many; which the 
 neighboring kings were not able to resolve. 
 
 JEsop, being childless, had adopted a nobleman 
 named Eunus for his heir, and sought the favor of 
 the king in his behalf. But one day, surprising him 
 with his concubine, he discarded him. In revenge 
 for which, Eunus forged -letters from JEsop to the 
 philosophers of another kingdom, and presented 
 them to King Lycerus; in which it appeared that 
 JEsop wished to render them services in preference 
 to the king. 
 
 The king, believing the imposture, without exam- 
 ining into the truth of it, ordered Hermippus to put 
 JEsop to death. But he, being in friendship with 
 JEsop, concealed him in a sepulchre. The king gave 
 JEsop’s estates to Eunus. 
 
 Not long after this, Nectenabo, king of Egypt, 
 hearing JEsop was dead, sent a letter to Lycerus, re- 
 quiring artificers who could erect a tower which 
 should neither touch heaven nor earth, and one that 
 could resolve all that was demanded ; on the accom- 
 plishmnnt of which he would pay him tribute ; but, 
 in case of failure, he would exact it of him. After 
 
1 
 
 Life of JEsop. 
 
 the king had read the letter he cried out, “ ASsop, 
 the pillar of my kingdom, is dead ! ” Now Hermip- 
 pus, hearing the king deplore his loss, informed him 
 he had not performed his command, but had pre- 
 served the life of AEsop ; well knowing that the king 
 himself would in the end be grieved. 
 
 At which the king rejoiced, and sent for iEsop ; 
 who, after having established his innocence, was 
 again received into favor, and Eunus was condemn- 
 ed to die ; but, on the intercession of ACsop, his life 
 was spared. Now, as soon as the King of Egypt’s 
 letter was shown to AEsop, he desired that this mes- 
 sage might be returned — “that, after winter was 
 expired, one should appear who would not only 
 erect the tower, but answer every question demand- 
 ed.” Which was immediately dispatched. AEsop, 
 having readopted Eunus, admonished him to this 
 effect : “ My son, worship God, and honor the king; 
 
 make thyself a terror to thine enemies, and useful 
 to thy friends. Pray that thine enemies may be indi- 
 gent, that they may not offend thee; and thy friends 
 opulent, that they may be able to assist thee. Be 
 constant to thy consort, lest thy inconstancy should 
 make her so. Be slow to speak and swift to hear. 
 Envy not those who do well. So manage thy domes- 
 tic affairs that those who fear may love. Be not 
 ashamed to learn. Trust not thy secrets to a woman, 
 lest she should be insolent. Let to-day’s stock be 
 the pledge of to-morrow’s store. Be gentle to all. 
 Discard parasites and whisperers. Always act as 
 thou mayest have no cause to repent.” These say- 
 ings had such an effect upon Eunus, that he shortly 
 after died with remorse and compunction. 
 
Life of JEsop. 
 
 li 
 
 The winter being nearly expired, iEsop procured 
 four young eagles ; which he taught to carry bask- 
 ets with little children in them, and to obey their 
 command ; and, having prepared for his journey in- 
 to Egypt, in a short time set off, taking the eagles 
 with him. 
 
 Nectenabo, being told that .Esop was arrived, ex- 
 pressed his surprise, having understood that he was 
 dead. The next day all his officers were assembled, 
 dressed in white robes ; and the king in his royal at- 
 tire and imperial diadem. When seated on his 
 throne he sent for Esop, and asked him, to what he 
 resembled him, and those who surrounded the 
 throne? Esop replied, “You resemble the vernal 
 sun, and your attendants a fruitful harvest.” With 
 which answer the king was greatly pleased. The 
 day following the king appeared in white, and his 
 retinue in purple ; when Esop was asked the same 
 question : to which he answered, “You are an em- 
 blem of the sun, and those that stand round a type 
 of effused beams.” Then Nectenabo inquired his 
 opinion of his kingdom, and whether he did not 
 think it preferable to that of Lycerus. “ Do not flat' 
 ter yourself,” said Esop, “though your kingdom 
 may shine like the rays of the sun, yet, if put into 
 competition with his, it would soon fade.” Necten- 
 abo, applauding his answer, asked where they were 
 that could erect the tower. “ They are ready,” said 
 Esop, “if you have appointed the place.” Upon 
 which the king showed him a spacious plain. Then 
 Esop produced the eagles, with the children in the 
 baskets ; and, giving them their working instru- 
 ments, commanded the eagles to fly, who, being 
 raised in the air, demanded the necessary materials. 
 
lii 
 
 Life of JEsop. 
 
 Nectenabo, hearing their request, said to JEsop, “I 
 have no men that can fly.” JEsop replied, “ How 
 then can you think of engaging in a contest with 
 King Lycerus, who is stored with such ? ” Necte- 
 nabo acknowledged himself subdued. 
 
 Shortly after he sent for several sages from Heli- 
 opolis, to ask JEsop a variety of questions. One of 
 the Heliopolitans at the banquet said to JEsop, “ I 
 am employed by one of our deities to ask you this 
 question.” — “You discover your ignorance,” said 
 JEsop, “ by diminishing the knowledge of one of 
 your gods.” A second put this question, desiring 
 JEsop to explain it: “There is a vast temple, and a 
 column supporting twelve magnificent cities, each 
 of which is sustained with thirty rafters, and con- 
 stantly circulated by two women.” To this JEsop 
 answered, “ The temple is the world, the cities the 
 months, the rafters the days of the month, and the 
 day and night are the two women who successively 
 attend each other.” 
 
 The day following Nectenabo summoned his 
 friends, and confessed that the tribute exacted by 
 Lycerus was due to the ingenuity of JEsop. One of 
 them replied, “ We will try him again with questions 
 that were never heard of.” “And I,” said JEsop, 
 “will answer them.” 
 
 He then departed, and prepared a schedule, where- 
 on was engrossed — “Nectenabo confesses he is in- 
 debted a thousand talents to Lycerus.” And in the 
 morning presented it to the king ; who, paying him 
 the money, observed that Lycerus was fortunate to 
 have his kingdom supported by so sagacious a per- 
 son. He then dismissed him, bidding him farewell. 
 
Life of JEsop. 
 
 JEsop, having digested the whole into a narrative, 
 returned to Babylon, and presented it with the tri- 
 bute to Lycerus; who was so well pleased, that he 
 commanded an elegant statue to be erected to his 
 memory. 
 
 Shortly after he obtained leave of the king to sail 
 into Greece, upon condition that he should return to 
 Babylon. Having surveyed the different provinces, 
 and obtained an eminent character, he set off for 
 Delphos, where the temple of Apollo stood. But 
 here they paid but little attention to his eloquence ; 
 observing which, JEsop said, “Ye citizens of Del- 
 phos you justly resemble the wood that floats on the 
 sea ; which at a distance appears something worth, 
 but when it approaches we are disappointed. So I, 
 when at a great distance from your city, did admire 
 you, but now am led to think you the most useless 
 among men.” Hearing this, they were afraid that 
 he would, at his departure, speak disrespectfully of 
 them; they therefore determined to ensnare and de- 
 stroy him. For which end they took a golden cup 
 out of the temple, and concealed it in JEsop’s bag- 
 gage ; who, unsuspecting, departed to Phocide. The 
 Delphians pursued him, and there charged him with 
 sacrilege. He denied the fact, but they untied his 
 baggage, found the cup, and discovered it to the 
 city. JEsop, now seeing through their malicious 
 stratagem, desired they would not deprive him of 
 his life. But they first condemned him to prison, 
 and then to death. JEsop, unable to extricate him- 
 self, deplored his fate in the prison. While he was 
 complaining, one Demas (a friend) asked him the 
 cause of his violent sorrow. JEsop replied, “A wo- 
 man, having lately buried her husband, wept daily 
 
liv 
 
 Life of JEsop. 
 
 over his grave. One, who was plowing not far off, 
 fell in love with her; and, leaving his oxen, went to 
 the grave, and mourned with her. She asked why 
 he wept. ‘ Because,’ replied he, ‘ I have lately 
 buried an amiable wife, and find it gives me ease.’ — 
 
 * Such is my fate,’ said the woman. ‘ Then,’ said he, 
 
 * as we are united in trouble, why should we not be 
 
 joined in marriage, since we love each other ? ’ 
 While they were thus engaged some villain took 
 away his oxen ; upon which he went home and wept 
 much. The woman inquired, why he wept now. 
 He replied, ‘I have just cause to weep.’ So I, after 
 having escaped many dangers, have cause to weep 
 that I cannot extricate myself from this. The Del- 
 phians then came, and dragged him to the verge of 
 a craggy precipice ; when .ZEsop thus addressed 
 them : “When beasts did parley, the mouse, being 
 
 intimate with the frog, invited her to supper in the 
 storehouse of a rich man, desiring her to make her- 
 self welcome. After this the frog invited the mouse; 
 and, that he might not be tired of swimming, she 
 tied his leg to hers. This done, they endeavored to 
 go across the stream ; but, before they were half 
 over, the mouse was drowned ; and, when dying, 
 declared the frog was the cause, and that some more 
 powerful than themselves would avenge his death. 
 The eagle, beholding the mouse floating on the 
 water, snatched at him, and with him took the frog; 
 thus both fell a prey to the eagle. So I, who am 
 ready to fall a victim to your injustice, shall not 
 want an avenger ; for all Greece and Babylon will 
 unite for that purpose.” 
 
 But all this was of no avail ; neither his attempt 
 to shelter himself in the temple. They still contin- 
 
Life of JEsop, 
 
 lv 
 
 ued dragging him to the precipice ; when he again 
 addressed them : “ Ye citizens of Delphos, the hare, 
 being pursued by the eagle, retreated into the nest 
 of the hornet. The hornet implored the eagle to 
 hare pity on the hare. The eagle repulsed the hor- 
 net, and destroyed the hare. The hornet traced out 
 the nest of the eagle, and demolished her eggs. The 
 next time the eagle built her nest higher ; but the 
 hornet still pursued, and again destroyed them. The 
 third time the eagle soared, and deposited her eggs 
 between the knees of Jupiter, invoking his protec- 
 tion. The hornet, composing a ball of dirt, dropped 
 it into Jupiter’s lap ; who, forgetting the egg, shook 
 all off together. Being informed by the hornet that 
 this was in revenge for a former injury, he endeav- 
 ored to reconcile them, lest the progeny of his favor- 
 ite bird should be destroyed. But, the* hornet per- 
 sisting, he respited the hatching of the eagles till the 
 time when the hornets sally forth. And you, citi- 
 zens of Delphos, despise not this deity, from whom I 
 have implored refuge.” 
 
 Now AUsop, perceiving they continued still deaf to 
 his entreaties, sternly, and for the last time, bespoke 
 them thus : “Ye cruel and obdurate men, a certain 
 
 husbandman, growing aged, who had never beheld 
 the city, desired his servants to convey him thither, 
 that he might see it before he died. As he went he 
 was overtaken by a violent storm and gloomy dark- 
 ness, so that the asses which drew the carriage mis- 
 took the way, and guided him to a precipice ; where, 
 being upon the verge of approaching ruin, he thus 
 exclaimed : ‘ Oh Jove, what injury have I committ- 
 ed, that hath incensed thee to cause this misfortune; 
 especially that I should owe my death not to gener- 
 
lvi 
 
 Life of JEsoj). 
 
 ous horses, nor to active mules, but to dull and de- 
 spicable asses?” “And this,” said iEsop, “is my 
 unhappy fate, not by the hands of persons of worth 
 and abilities, but by those of the vilest and most 
 worthless of men.” This said, the Delphians threw 
 him from the precipice, and he perished. 
 
 Not long after, a destructive pestilence having 
 raged among them, they were told by the oracle, 
 that it was the expiation of ASsop’s unjust tragedy. 
 Wherefore, in order to avert the judgment, they 
 erected a pompous monument over his bones. 
 
 But, when the principals of Greece and the Sages 
 were informed of the catastrophe, and having ma- 
 turely weighed the fact, they severely revenged the 
 innocent effusion of iEsop’s blood. 
 
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 
 
 Lion and the Mouse 
 
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 Wolf and the Lamb 
 
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 Wolf and the Crane 
 
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 Cock and the Jewel - 
 
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 Hare and the Tortoise - 
 
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 Dog and the Shadow - 
 
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 Herdsman and the Lost Bull 
 
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 Fawn and his Mother 
 
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 - 
 
 49 
 
 Ass, THE Fox, AND THE LlON 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 51 
 
 Tortoise and the Eagle 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 53 
 
 Fox and the Goat 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 55 
 
 Bear and the two Travellers 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 57 
 
 Dog in the Manger 
 
 * 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 * 58 
 
 Cat and the Cock 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 61 
 
 Lion in Love 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 63 
 
 Frogs asking for a King 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 65 
 
 Laborer and the Snake 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 67 
 
 Horse and Groom 
 
 - 
 
 * 
 
 > 
 
 69 
 
 Oxen and the Butchers 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 • 
 
 - 71 
 
 Mischievous Dog 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 73 
 
 Sick Stag 
 
 . 
 
 • 
 
 • 
 
 • 75 
 
List of Illustrations , 
 
 Page. 
 
 Fox WHO HAD LOST HIS TAIL 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 77 
 
 Vain Jackdaw - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 
 79 
 
 Kid and the Wolf 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 81 
 
 Ox and the Frog 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 83 
 
 Fighting Cocks and the Eagle 
 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 85 
 
 Horse and his Rider (Three Illustrations) - 
 
 
 - 87, 88 
 
 Vine and the Goat 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 89 
 
 Hawk, the Kite, and the Pigeons 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 
 91 
 
 Two Pots 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 
 « 93 
 
 Thief and his Mother 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 
 95 
 
 Wolf and the Sheep 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 
 97 
 
 Fox and the Crow 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 99 
 
 Old Woman and the Wine-jar 
 
 
 • 
 
 
 101 
 
 Stag in the Ox-Stall 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - *03 
 
 Eagle and the Arrow 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 
 105 
 
 Lion and the Boar 
 
 '• 
 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 107 
 
 One-eyed Doe - 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 
 109 
 
 Milkwoman and her Pail 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 111, 112 
 
 Wolf and the House-Dog 
 
 - 
 
 
 • 
 
 
 113 
 
 Ass carrying the Image - 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 115 
 
 Old Hound 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 
 117 
 
 Wolf and the Shepherds 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 119 
 
 Ass and his Shadow 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 
 121 
 
 Oak and the Reeds 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 123 
 
 Fox and the Woodcutter 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 
 125 
 
 Wolf and the Lion 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 • 
 
 - 127 
 
 Hares and the Frogs 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 
 129 
 
 Fisherman and the Little Fish 
 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 131 
 
 Camel and the Arab - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 133 
 
 Cat and the Mice 
 
 - 
 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 135 
 
 Dog and the Cook 
 
 - 
 
 . 
 
 - 
 
 
 137 
 
List of Illustrations . 
 
 The Lion, the Bear, and the Fox 
 Sea-Gull and the Kite 
 Fox and the Leopard 
 Bull and the Goat 
 Bald Knight 
 Hare and the Hound - 
 Hen and the Golden Eggs 
 Trees and the Axe 
 Bowman and Lion 
 Woman and her Hen - 
 Fox and the Hedgehog 
 Mule - 
 
 Crow and the Pitcher 
 
 Fox and the Grapes 
 
 Hart and the Vine 
 
 Kid and the Wolf 
 
 Monkey and the Dolphin 
 
 Horse and the Stag 
 
 Thief and the House-Dog 
 
 Fox and the Lion (Three Illustrations) 
 
 Boy Bathing 
 
 Wolf and the Shepherd 
 
 Lark and her Young Ones 
 
 Ass and the Wolf ... 
 
 Dog, the Cock, and the Fox 
 
 Fox AND THE MASK - 
 
 Wolf and the Goat 
 
 Lion and the Three Bulls 
 
 Town Mouse and the Country Mouse 
 
 Geese and the Cranes 
 
 Blind Man and the Whelp 
 
 Page. 
 
 - 139 
 141 
 
 - 143 
 143 
 
 - 147 
 149 
 
 - 151 
 153 
 
 - 155 
 
 - 157 
 
 - 159 
 161 
 
 - 163 
 165 
 
 - 167 
 169 
 
 - 171 
 173 
 
 - 175 
 
 - 177,178 
 
 - 179 
 181, 182 
 
 - 183 
 185 
 
 - 187 
 189 
 
 - 191 
 193 
 
 * 195 
 197 
 
 - 199 
 
List of Illustrations « 
 
 The Wolf and the Horse - 
 Quack Frog - 
 North Wind and the Sun 
 Trumpeter taken Prisoner 
 Ass in the Lion’s Skin 
 Man and the Satyr 
 Dove and the Crow 
 Eagle and the Jackdaw - 
 Eagle and the Fox 
 Stag at the Pool - 
 Dogs and the Hides 
 Monkey and the Camel 
 Lion and the Fox 
 Ass and his Driver - * 
 
 Mother and the Wolf 
 Partridge and the Fowler 
 Ass and the Charger (Two Illustrations) 
 Lamb and the Wolf 
 Viper and the File 
 King’s Son and the Painted Lion 
 Buffoon and the Countryman 
 Mouse, the Frog, and the Hawk 
 
 Page. 
 
 201 
 
 - 203 
 - 205,208 
 
 - 209 " 
 211 
 
 - 213 
 215 
 
 - 217 
 219 
 
 221, 222 
 223 
 
 - 225 
 229 
 
 - 231 
 233 
 
 - 235 
 237 
 
 - ,239 
 241 
 
 - 245 
 249 
 
 - 253 
 
THE 
 
 FABLES OF JESOP. 
 
 THE LION AND THE MOUSE. 
 
 A Lion was awakened from sleep by a Mouse run- 
 ning ever his face. Rising up in anger, he caught 
 him and was about to kill him, when the Mouse 
 piteously entreated, saying: “If you would only 
 spare my life, I would be sure to repay your kind- 
 ness/’ The Lion laughed and let him go. It 
 
36 
 
 THE FABLES OF JESOP. 
 
 happened shortly after this that the Lion was caught 
 by some hunters, who bound him by strong ropes to 
 the ground. The Mouse, recognizing his roar, came 
 up, and gnawed the rope with his teeth, and setting 
 him free, exclaimed: “You ridiculed the idea of my 
 ever being able to help you, not expecting to receive 
 from me any repayment of your favor; but now you 
 .know that it is possible for even a Mouse to confer 
 benefits on a Lion.” 
 
 THE FATHER AND HIS SONS. 
 
 A Father had a family of sons who were perpetu- 
 ally quarrelling among themselves. When he failed 
 to heal their disputes by his exhortations, he deter- 
 mined to give them a practical i u tration of the evils 
 of disunion; and for this purpose he one day told 
 them to bring him a bundle of sticks. When they 
 had done so, he placed the faggot into the hands of 
 each of them in succession, and ordered them to 
 break it in pieces. They each tried with all their 
 strength, and were not able to do it. He next un- 
 closed the faggot, and took the sticks separately, one 
 by one, and again put them into their hands, on 
 which they broke them easily. He then addressed 
 them in these words: “My sons, if you are of one 
 mind, and unite to assist each other, you will be as 
 this faggot, uninjured by all the attempts of your 
 enemies; but if you are divided among yourselves, 
 you will be broken as easily as these sticks.” 
 
THE WOLF AND THE LAMB. 
 
 A Wolf meeting with a Lamb astray from the fold, 
 resolved not to lay violent hands on him, but to find 
 some plea, which should justify to the Lamb him- 
 self his right to eat him. He thus addressed him: 
 “ Sirrah, last year you grossly insulted me.” “In- 
 deed,” bleated the Lamb in a mournful tone of voice, 
 “ I was not then born.” Then said the Wolf, “You 
 feed in my pasture.” “No, good sir,” replied the 
 Lamb, “I have not yet tasted grass.” Again said 
 the W olf , “You drink of my well. ” “ No, ” exclaimed 
 the Lamb, “ I never yet drank water, for as yet my 
 mother’s milk is both food and drink to me.” On 
 which the Wolf seized him, and ate him up, say> 
 
38 
 
 THE FABLES OF JESOP. 
 
 ing, “ Well ! I won’t remain supperless, even though 
 you refute every one of my imputations.” 
 
 The tyrant will always find a pretext for his 
 tyranny. 
 
 THE BAT AND THE WEASELS. 
 
 A Bat falling upon the ground was caught by a 
 Weasel, of whom he earnestly sought his life. The 
 Weasel refused, saying, that he was by nature the 
 enemy of all birds. The Bat assured him that he 
 was not a bird, but a mouse, and thus saved his life. 
 Shortly afterwards the Bat again fell on the ground, 
 and was caught by another Weasel, whom he like- 
 wise entreated not to eat him. The Weasel said 
 that he had a special hostility to mice. The Bat 
 assured him that he was not a mouse, but a bat ; 
 and thus a second time escaped. 
 
 It is wise to turn circumstances to good account. 
 
 THE ASS AND THE GRASSHOPPER. 
 
 An Ass having heard some Grasshoppers chirping, 
 was highly enchanted; and, desiring to possess the 
 same charms of melody, demanded what sort of 
 food they lived on, to give them such beautiful 
 voices. They replied. “The dew.” The Ass re- 
 solved that he would only live upon dew, and in a 
 short time died of hunger. 
 
THE WOLF AND THE CRANE. 
 
 A Wolf, having a bone stuck in his throat, hired a 
 Crane, for a large sura, to put her head into his throat 
 and draw out the bone. When the Crane had ex- 
 tracted the bone, and demanded the promised pay- 
 ment, the Wolf, grinning and grinding his teeth, ex- 
 claimed: “ Why, you have surely already a sufficient 
 recompense, in having been permitted to draw out 
 your head in safety from the mouth and jaws of a 
 Wolf.” 
 
 In serving the wicked, expect no reward, and be 
 thankful if you escape injury for your pains. 
 
40 
 
 THE FABLES OF ^ESOP. 
 
 THE CHARCOAL-BURNER AND THE FULLER. 
 A Charcoal-burner carried on his trade in his own 
 house. One day he met a friend, 'a Fuller, and en- 
 treated him to come and live with him, saying, that 
 they should be far better neighbors, and that their 
 housekeeping expenses would be lessened. The 
 Fuller replied: “ The arrangement is impossible as far 
 as I am concerned, for whatever I should whiten, 
 you would immediately blacken again with your 
 charcoal.” 
 
 Like will di’aw like. 
 
 THE BOY HUNTING LOCUSTS. 
 
 A Boy was hunting for locusts. He had caught a 
 goodly number, when he saw a Scorpion, and, mis- 
 taking him for a locust, reached out his hand to take 
 him. The Scorpion, showing his sting, said: “If you 
 had but touched me, my friend, you would have lost 
 me, and all your locusts too!” 
 
 THE ANTS AND THE GRASSHOPPER. 
 
 The Ants were employing a fine winter’s day in 
 drying grain collected in the summer time. A Grass- 
 hopper, perishing with famine, passed by and earn- 
 estly begged for a little food. The Ants inquired of 
 him, “Why did you not treasure up food during the 
 summer?” He replied, “I had not leisure enough. 
 I passed the days in singing.” They then said in deri- 
 sion: “ If you were foolish enough to sing all the sum- 
 mer, you must dance supperless to bed in the winter.” 
 
THE COCK AND THE JEWEL. 
 
 A Cock, scratching for food for himself and his hens, 
 found a precious stone; on which he said: “If your 
 owner had found thee, and not I, he would have 
 taken thee up, and have set thee in thy first estate; 
 but I have found thee for no purpose. I would rather 
 have one barleycorn than all the jewels in the world.” 
 
 
42 
 
 THE FABLES OF JESOP. 
 
 THE KINGDOM OF THE LION. 
 
 The beasts of the field and forest had a Lion as their 
 king. He was neither wrathful, cruel, nor tyran- 
 nical, but just and gentle as a king could be. He 
 made during his reign a royal proclamation for a 
 general assembly of all the birds and beasts, and 
 drew up conditions for an universal league, in which 
 the Wolf and the Lamb, the Panther and the Kid, 
 the Tiger and the Stag, the Dog and the Hare, should 
 live together in perfect peace and amity. The Hare 
 said, “Oh, how I have longed to see this day, in 
 which the weak shall take their place with impunity 
 by the side of the strong.” 
 
 THE FISHERMAN PIPING. 
 
 A Fisherman skilled in music took his flute and his 
 nets to the sea-shore. Standing on a projecting rock 
 he played several tunes, in the hope that the fish, 
 attracted by his melody, would of their own accord 
 dance into his net, which he had placed below. At 
 last, having long waited in vain, he laid aside his 
 flute, and casting his net into the sea, made an ex- 
 cellent haul of fish. When he saw them leaping 
 about in the net upon the rock he said: “ O you most 
 perverse creatures, when I piped you would not 
 dance, but now that I have ceased you do so merrily.” 
 
THE HARE AND THE TORTOISE. 
 
 A Hare one day ridiculed the short feet and slow 
 pace of the Tortoise. The latter, laughing, said: 
 “Though you be swift as the wind, I will beat you 
 in a race.” The Hare, deeming her assertion to be 
 simply impossible, assented to the proposal; and 
 they agreed that the Fox should choose the course, 
 and fix the goal. On the day appointed for the race 
 they started together. The Tortoise never for a 
 moment stopped, but went on with a slow but steady 
 pace straight to the end of the course. The Hare, 
 trusting to his native swiftness, cared little about 
 
44 
 
 THE FABLES OF JESOP. 
 
 the race, and laying down by the wayside, fell fast 
 asleep. At last waking up, and moving as fast as 
 » he could, he saw the Tortoise had reached the goal, 
 and was comfortably dozing after her fatigue. 
 
 THE TRAVELER AND HIS DOG. 
 
 A Traveler, about to set out on his journey, saw 
 his Dog standing at the door stretching himself. He 
 asked him sharply: “What do you stand gaping 
 
 there for? Everything is .ready but you; so come 
 with me instantly.” The Dog, wagging his tail, re- 
 plied: “O, master! I am quite ready; it is you for 
 
 whom I am waiting.” 
 
 The loiterer often imputes delay to his more active 
 friend. 
 
 HERCULES AND THE WAGONER. 
 
 A Carter was driving a wagon along a country 
 lane, when the wheels sank down deep into a rut. 
 The rustic driver, stupified and aghast, stood looking 
 at the wagon, and did nothing but utter loud cries 
 to Hercules to come and help him. Hercules, it is 
 said, appeared, and thus addressed him: “ Put your 
 
 shoulders to the wheels, my man. Goad on your 
 bullocks, and never more pray to me for help, until 
 you have done your best to help yourself, or depend 
 upon it you will henceforth pray in vain.” 
 
 Self-help is the best help. 
 
THE DOG AND THE SHADOW. 
 
 A Dog, crossing a bridge over a stream with a 
 piece of flesh in his mouth, saw his own shadow in 
 the water, and took it for that of another Dog, with 
 a piece of meat double his own in size. He there- 
 fore let go his own, and fiercely attacked the other 
 Dog, to get his larger piece from him. He thus lost 
 both : that which he grasped at in the water, because 
 it was a shadow; and his own, because the stream 
 swept it away. 
 
 
46 
 
 THE FABLES OF ASSOP. 
 
 THE MOLE AND HIS MOTHER. 
 
 A Mole, a creature blind from its birth, once said 
 to his mother: “ I am sure that I can see, mother! ” 
 
 In the desire to prove to him his mistake, his mother 
 placed before him a few grains of frankincense, and 
 asked, “What is it?” The young Mole said, “It is 
 a pebble.” His mother exclaimed: “My son, I am 
 afraid that you are not only blind, but that you have 
 lost your sense of smell.” 
 
 THE SWALLOW AND THE CROW. 
 
 The Swallow and the Crow had a contention about 
 their plumage. The Crow put an end to the dispute 
 by saying: “Your feathers are all very well in the 
 
 spring, but mine protect me against the winter.” 
 Fine weather friends are not worth much. 
 
 THE FARMER AND THE SNAKE. 
 
 A Farmer found in the winter time a Snake stiff 
 and frozen with cold. He had compassion on it, 
 and taking it up placed it in his bosom. The Snake 
 on being thawed by the warmth quickly revived, 
 when, resuming its natural instincts, he bit his bene- 
 factor, inflicting on him a mortal wound. The 
 Farmer said with his latest breath, “lam rightly 
 served for pitying a scoundrel! ” 
 
 The greatest benefits will not bind the ungrateful. 
 
THE HERDSMAN AND THE LOST BULL. 
 
48 
 
 THE FABLES OF JESOP. 
 
 who had stolen the Calf, he would offer a lamb in 
 sacrifice to Hermes, Pan, and the Guardian Deities 
 of the forest. Not long afterwards, as he ascended 
 a small hillock, he saw at its foot a Lion feeding on 
 the Calf. Terrified at the sight, he lifted his eyes 
 and his hands to heaven, and said: “Just now I 
 
 vowed to offer a lamb to the Guardian Deities of the 
 forest if I could only find out who had robbed me; 
 but now that I have discovered the thief, I would 
 willingly add a full-grown Bull to the Calf I have 
 lost, if I may only secure my own escape from him 
 in safety.” 
 
 THE FARMER AND THE STORK. 
 
 A Farmer placed nets on his newly sown plough 
 lands, and caught a quantity of Cranes, which came 
 to pick up his seed. With them he trapped a Stork 
 also. The Stork having his leg fractured by the net, 
 earnestly besought the Farmer to spare his life. 
 “ Pray, save me, Master,” he said, “and let me go 
 free this once. My broken limb should excite your 
 pity. Besides, I am no Crane, I am a Stork, a bird 
 of excellent character; and see how I love and slave 
 for my father and mother. Look too, at my feath- 
 ers, they are not the least like to those of a Crane.” 
 The Farmer laughed aloud, and said, “It may be 
 all as you say; I only know this, I have taken you 
 with these robbers, the Cranes, and you must die in 
 their company.” 
 
 Birds of a feather flock together. 
 
THE FAWN AND HIS MOTHER. 
 
 A Young Fawn once said to his mother, “You are 
 larger than a dog, and swifter, and more used to run- 
 ning^ and you have too your horns as a defence; 
 why, then, O Mother! are you always in such a ter- 
 rible fright of the hounds ? ” She smiled, and said : 
 “I know full well, my son, that all you say is true. 
 I have the advantages you mention, but yet when I 
 hear only the bark of a single dog I feel ready to 
 faint, and fly away as fast as I can.” 
 
 No arguments will give courage to the coward. 
 
50 
 
 THE FABLES OF JESOP. 
 
 THE POMEGRANATE, APPLE TREE, 
 AND BRAMBLE. 
 
 The Pomegranate and Apple-tree disputed as to 
 which was the most beautiful. When their strife 
 was at its height, a Bramble from the neighboring 
 hedge lifted up its voice, and said in a boastful tone: 
 ‘ • Pray, my dear friends, in my presence at least 
 cease from such vain disputings.” 
 
 THE MOUNTAIN IN LABOR. 
 
 A Mountain was once greatly agitated. Loud 
 groans and noises were heard; and crowds of people 
 came from all parts to see wdiat was the matter. 
 While they were assembled in anxious expectation 
 of some terrible calamity, out came a Mouse. 
 
 Don’t make much ado about nothing. 
 
 THE BEAR AND THE FOX. 
 
 A Bear boasted very much of his philanthropy, say- 
 ing “that of all animals he was the most tender in 
 his regard for man, for he had such respect for him, 
 that he would not even touch his dead body.” A 
 Fox hearing these words said with a smile to the 
 Bear, “Oh! that you would eat the dead and not the 
 
THE ASS, THE FOX, AND THE LION. 
 
 The Ass and the Fox having entered into partner- 
 ship together for their mutual protection, went out 
 into the forest to mint. They had not proceeded far, 
 when they met a Lion. The Fox, seeing the immin- 
 ency of the danger, approached the Lion, and prom- 
 ised to contrive for him the capture of the Ass, if he 
 would pledge his word that his own life should not 
 be endangered. On his assuring him that he would 
 not injure him, the Fox led the Ass to a deep pit, and 
 -contrived that he should fall into it. The Lion see- 
 ing that the Ass was secured, immediately clutched 
 the Fox, and then attacked the Ass at his leisure. 
 
 UNIVERSITY Of 
 
 ILLINOIS LIBRARY 
 
52 
 
 THE FABLES OF ^SOP. 
 
 THE FLIES AND THE HONEY-POT. 
 
 A Jar of Honey having been upset in a house- 
 keeper's room, a number of flies were attracted by 
 its sweetness, and placing their feet in it, ate it 
 greedily. Their feet however became so smeared 
 with the honey that they could not use their wings, 
 nor release themselves, and were suffocated. Just 
 as they were expiring, they exclaimed, “O foolish 
 creatures that we are, for the sake of a little pleasure 
 we have destroyed ourselves.” 
 
 Pleasure bought with pains, hurts. 
 
 THE MAN AND THE LION. 
 
 A Man and a Lion travelled together through the 
 forest. They soon began to boast of their respective 
 superiority to each other in strength and prowess. 
 As they were disputing, they passed a statue, 
 carved in stone, which represented “a Lion strangled 
 by a Man.” The traveller pointed to it and said: 
 “See there! How strong we are, and how we pre- 
 vail over even the king of beasts.” The Lion re- 
 plied: “This statue was made by one of you men. 
 
 If we Lions knew how to erect statues, you would 
 see the Man placed under the paw of the Lion.” 
 
 One story is good, till another is told. 
 
V 
 
 
 THE TORTOISE AND THE 
 EAGLE. 
 
 A Tortoise, lazily basking in the 
 sun, complained to the sea-birds of 
 her hard fate, that no one would 
 teach her to fly. An Eagle hover- 
 ing near, heard her lamentation, 
 and demanded what reward she 
 jgL. would give him, if he would 
 take her aloft, and float her 
 
54 
 
 THE FABLES OF A2SOP. 
 
 in the air. “I will give you,” she said, “all the 
 riches of the Red Sea.” “I will teach you to fly 
 then,” said the Eagle; and taking her up in his 
 talons, he carried her almost to the clouds, — when 
 suddenly letting her go, she fell on a lofty mountain, 
 and dashed her shell to pieces. The Tortoise ex- 
 claimed in the moment of death: “I have deserved 
 my present fate; for what had I to do with wings 
 and clouds, who can with difficulty move about on 
 the earth?” 
 
 If men had all they wished, they would be often 
 ruined. 
 
 THE FARMER AND THE CRANES. 
 
 Some Cranes made their feeding grounds on some 
 plough-lands newly sown with wheat. For a long 
 time the Farmer, brandishing an empty sling, 
 chased them away by the terror he inspired; but 
 when the birds found that the sling was only swung 
 in the air, they ceased to take any notice of it, and 
 would not move. The farmer on seeing this, 
 charged his sling with stones, and killed a great 
 number. They at once forsook his plough-lands, 
 and cried to each other, “It is time for us to be oft' 
 to Liliput : for this man is no longer content to scare 
 us, but begins to show us in earnest what he can 
 do.” 
 
 If words suffice not, blows must follow. 
 
THE FOX AND THE GOAT. 
 
 A Fox having fallen into a deep well, was detained 
 a prisoner there, as he could find no means of es- 
 cape. A Goat, overcome with thirst, came to the 
 same well, and, seeing the Fox, enquired if the water 
 was good. The Fox, concealing his sad plight under 
 a merry guise, indulged in a lavish praise of the 
 water, saying it was beyond measure excellent, and 
 encouraged him to descend. The Goat, mindful only 
 of his thirst, thoughtlessly jumped down, when just 
 as he quenched his thirst, the Fox informed him of 
 the difficulty they were both in, and suggested a 
 scheme for their common escape. “If,” said he, 
 
 
THE FABLES OF JSSOP. 
 
 “you will place your fore-feet upon the wall, and 
 bend your head, I will run up your back and escape, 
 and will help you out afterwards.” On the Goat 
 readily assenting to this second proposal, the Fox 
 leapt upon his back, and steadying himself with the 
 Goat’s horns, reached in safety the mouth of the 
 well, when he immediately made off as fast as he 
 could. The Goat upbraided him with the breach of 
 his bargain, when he turned round and cried out: 
 “You foolish old fellow! If you had as many brains 
 in your head as you have hairs in your beard, you 
 would never have gone down before you had in- 
 spected the way up, nor have exposed youi’self to 
 dangers from which you had no means of escape.” 
 Look before you leap 
 
 THE LIONESS. 
 
 A Controversy prevailed among the beasts of 
 the field, as to which of the animals deserved the 
 most credit for producing the greatest number of 
 whelps at a birth. They rushed clamorously into 
 the presence of the Lioness, and demanded of her 
 the settlement of the dispute. “And you,” they 
 said, “how many sons have you at a birth?” The 
 Lioness laughed at them, and said: “ Why! I have 
 
 only one; but that one is altogether a thorough-bred 
 Lion.” 
 
 The value is in the worth, not in the number. 
 
THE BEAR 
 
 AND 
 
 THE TWO TRAVELERS. 
 
 Two men were traveling together, 
 when a bear suddenly met them on 
 their path. One of them climbed up 
 quickly into a tree, and concealed 
 himself in the branches. The other, 
 seeing that he must he attacked, fell 
 flat on the ground, and when the 
 Bear came up and felt him with 
 
 V 
 
 his snout, and smelt him all over, he held his breath, 
 and feigned the appearance of death as much as 
 he could. The Bear soon left him, for it is said he 
 will not touch a dead body. When he was quite 
 
58 
 
 THE FABLES OF JESOP. 
 
 gone, the other traveler descended from the tree, 
 and accosting his friend, jocularly inquired “what 
 it was the Bear had wispered in his ear?” he replied, 
 “He gave me this advice: Never travel with a 
 friend who deserts you at the approach of danger.” 
 Misfortune tests the sincerity of friends. 
 
 THE THIRSTY PIGEON. 
 
 A Pigeon, oppressed by excessive thirst, saw a 
 goblet of water painted on a sign-board. Not sup- 
 posing it to be only a picture, she flew towards it 
 with a loud whirr, and unwittingly dashed against 
 the sign-board and jarred herself terribly. Having 
 broken her wings by the blow, she fell to the ground, 
 and was caught by one of the bystanders. 
 
 Zeal should not outrun discretion. 
 
 THE OXEN AND THE AXLE-TREES. 
 
 A heavy wagon was being dragged along a country 
 lane by a team of oxen. The axle-trees groaned and 
 creaked terribly: when the oxen turning round, thus 
 addressed the wheels. “Hullo there! why do you 
 make so much noise? We bear all the labor, and 
 we, not you, ought to cry out.” 
 
 Those who suffer most cry out the least. 
 
THE DOG IN THE MANGER. 
 
 A Dog lay in a manger, and by his growling and 
 snapping prevented the oxen from eating the hay 
 which had been placed for them. “What a selfish 
 Dog!” said one of them to his companions; “he can- 
 not eat the hay himself, and yet refuses to allow 
 those to eat who can.” 
 
 THE SICK LION. 
 
 A Lion being unable from old age and infirmities to 
 provide himself with food by force, resolved to do so 
 by artifice. He betook himself to his den, and lying 
 down there, pretended to be sick, taking care that 
 
60 
 
 THE FABLES OF .ESOP. 
 
 his sickness should be publicly known. The beasts 
 expressed their sorrow, and came one by one to his 
 den to visit him, when the Lion devoured them. 
 After many of the beasts had thus disappeared, the 
 Fox discovered the trick, and presenting himself to 
 the Lion, stood on the outside of die cave, at a re- 
 spectful distance, and asked of him how he did; to 
 whom he replied, “I am very middling, hut why do 
 you stand without? pray enter within to talk with 
 me.” The Fox replied, “No, thank you, 1 notice 
 that there are many prints of feet entering your 
 cave, but I see no trace of any returning.” 
 
 He is wise who is warned by the misfortunes of 
 others. 
 
 Sr 
 
 THE RAVEN AND THE SWAN. 
 
 A Raven saw a Swan, and desired to secure for 
 himself a like beauty of plumage. Supposing that 
 his splendid white color arose from his washing in 
 the water in which he swam, the Raven left the 
 altars in the neighborhood of which he picked up his 
 living, and took up his abode in the lakes and pools. 
 But cleansing his feathers as .often as he would, he 
 could not change their color, while through want of 
 food he perished. 
 
 Change of habit cannot alter nature, 
 
' 
 
 THE CAT AND THE COCK. 
 
 A Cat caught a Cock, aiid took counsel with him- 
 self how he might find a reasonable excuse for eat- 
 ing him. He accused him as being a nuisance to 
 men, by crowing in the night time, and not permit- 
 ting them to sleep. The Cock defended himself by 
 saying, that he did this for the benefit of men, that 
 they might rise betimes for their labors. The Cat 
 replied, “Although you abound in specious apolo- 
 gies, I shall not remain supperless;” and he made % 
 meal of him. 
 
63 
 
 THE FABLES OF JESOP. 
 
 THE BOASTING TRAVELER. 
 
 A Man who had traveled in foreign lands, boasted 
 very much, on returning to his own country, of the 
 many wonderful and heroic things he had done in 
 the different places he had visited. Among other 
 things, he said that when he was at Rhodes he had 
 leapt to such a distance that no man of his day could 
 leap anywher§ near him — and as to that there were 
 in Rhodes many persons who saw him do it, and 
 whom he could call as witnesses. One of the by- 
 standers interrupting him, said: “Now, my good 
 
 man, if this be all true there is no need of witnesses. 
 Suppose this to be Rhodes; and now for your leap.” 
 
 THE WOLF IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING. 
 
 Once upon a time a Wolf resolved to disguise his 
 nature by his habit, that so he might get food with- 
 out stint. Encased in the skin of a sheep, he pas- 
 tured with the flock, beguiling the shepherd by his 
 artifice. In the evening he was shut up by the 
 shepherd in the fold; the gate was closed, and the 
 entrance made thoroughly secure. The shepherd 
 coming into the fold during the night to provide 
 food for the morrow, caught up the Wolf, instead of 
 a sheep, and killed him with his knife in the fold. 
 
 Harm seek, harm find. 
 
THE LION IN LOVE. 
 
 A Lion demanded the daughter of a woodcutter in 
 marriage. The Father, unwilling to grant, and yet 
 afraid to refuse his request, hit upon this expedient 
 to rid himself of his importunities. He expressed 
 his willingness to accept him as the suitor of his 
 daughter on one condition; that he .should allow him 
 to extract his teeth, and cut off his claws, as his 
 daughter was fearfully afraid of both. The Lion 
 cheerfully assented to the proposal: when however 
 he next repeated his request, the woodman, no longer 
 afraid, set upon him with his club, and drove him 
 away into the forest. 
 
64 
 
 THE FABLES OF ASSOP. 
 
 THE GOAT AND THE GOATHERD. 
 
 A Goatherd had sought to bring back a stray goat 
 to his flock. He whistled and sounded his horn in 
 vain ; the straggler paid no attention to the summons. 
 At last the Goatherd threw a stone, and breaking its 
 horn, besought the Goat not to tell his master. The 
 Goat replied, “Why, you silly fellow, the horn will 
 speak though I be silent.” 
 
 Do not attempt to hide things which cannot be 
 hid. 
 
 THE MISER. 
 
 A Miser sold all that he had, and bought a lump of 
 gold, which he took and buried in a hole dug in the 
 ground by the side of an old wall, and went daily to 
 look at it. One of his workmen, observing his fre- 
 covered the secret of the hidden treasure, and dis- 
 quent visits to the spot, watched his movements, dig- 
 ging down, came to the lump of gold, and stole it. 
 The Miser, on his next visit, found the hole empty, 
 and began to tear his hair, and to make loud lamen- 
 tations. A neighbor, seeing him overcome with 
 grief, and learning the cause, said, “Pray do not 
 grieve so; but go and take a stone, and place it in the 
 hole, and fancy that the gold is still lying there. It 
 will do you quite the same service; for when the gold 
 was there, you had it not, as you did not make the 
 slightest use of it.” 
 
THE FROGS ASKING FOR A KING. 
 
 The Frogs, grieved at having no established Ruler, 
 sent ambassadors to Jupiter entreating for a King. 
 He, perceiving their simplicity, cast down a huge 
 log into the lake. The Frogs, terrified at the splash 
 occasioned by its fall, hid themselves in the depths 
 of the pool. But no sooner did they see that the 
 huge log continued motionless, than they swam 
 again to the top of the water, dismissed their fears, 
 and came so to despise it as xo climb up, and to 
 squat upon it. After some time they began to think 
 themselves ill-treated in the appointment of so inert 
 a Ruler, and sent a second deputation to Jupiter to 
 pray that he would set over them another sovereign. 
 He then gave them an Eel to govern them. When 
 the Frogs discovered his easy good nature, they yet 
 a third time sent to Jupiter to beg that he would 
 
66 
 
 THE FABLES OF ^ESOP. 
 
 once more choose for them another King. Jupiter, 
 displeased at their complaints, sent a Heron, who 
 preyed upon the Frogs day by day, till there were 
 none left to croak upon the Lake. 
 
 THE PORKER, THE SHEEP, AND THE GOAT. 
 
 A Young Pig was shut up in a fold-yard with a 
 Goat and a Sheep. On one occasion the Shepherd 
 laid hold of him, when he grunted, and squeaked, 
 and resisted violently. The Sheep and the Goat 
 complained of his distressing cries, and said, “he 
 often handles us, and we do not cry out.” To this 
 he replied, “Your handling and mine are very dif- 
 ferent things. He catches you only for your wool, 
 or your milk, but he lays hold on me for my very 
 life.” 
 
 THE BOY AND THE FILBERTS. 
 
 A Boy put his hand into a pitcher full of filberts. 
 He grasped as many as he could possibly hold, but 
 when he endeavored to pull out his hand, he was 
 prevented from doing so by the neck of the pitcher. 
 Unwilling to lose his filberts, and yet unable to 
 withdraw his hand, he burst into tears, and bitterly 
 lamented his disappointment. A bystander said to 
 him, “ Be satisfied with half the quantity, and you 
 will readily draw out your hand.” 
 
 Do not attempt too much at once. 
 
THE LABORER AND THE SNAKE. 
 
 A Snake, having made his hole close to the porch 
 of a cottage, inflicted a severe bite on the Cottager’s 
 infant son, of which he died, to the great grief of his 
 parents. The father resolved to kill the Snake, and 
 the next day, on its coming out of its hole for food, 
 took up his axe; but, making too much haste to hit 
 him as he wriggled away, missed his head, and cut 
 off only the end of his tail. After some time the 
 Cottager, afraid lest the Snake should bite him also, 
 endeavored to make peace, and placed some bread 
 
68 
 
 THE FABLES OF JESOP. 
 
 and salt in his hole. The Snake, slightly hissing, 
 said: “There can henceforth be no peace between 
 us; for whenever I see you I shall remember the loss 
 of my tail, and whenever you see me you will be 
 thinking of tne death of your son.” 
 
 No one truly forgets injuries in the presence of him 
 who caused the injury. 
 
 THE ASS AND THE MULE. 
 
 A Muleteer set forth on a journey, driving before 
 him an Ass and a Mule, both well laden. The Ass, 
 as long as he traveled along the plain, carried his 
 load with ease; but when he began to ascend the 
 steep path of the mountain, he felt his load to be 
 more than he could bear. He entreated his com- 
 panion to relieve him of a small portion, that he 
 might carry home the rest; but the mule paid no 
 attention to the request. The Ass shortly afterwards 
 fell down dead under his burden. The Muleteer, not 
 knoAving what else to do in so wild a region, placed 
 upon the Mule the load carried by the Ass in addi- 
 tion to his own, and at the top- of all placed the hide 
 of the Ass, after he had flayed him. The Mule, 
 groaning beneath his heavy burden, said thus to 
 himself: “I am treated according to my deserts. 
 
 If I had only been willing to assist the Ass a little in 
 his need, I should not now be bearing, together with 
 his burden, himself as well.” 
 
THE HORSE AND GROOM. 
 
 A Groom used to spend whole days in curry worth- 
 ing and rubbing down his Horse, but at the same 
 time stole his oats, and sold them for his own profit. 
 “Alas!” said the Horse, “if you really wish me to 
 •be in good condition, you should groom vae less, and 
 feed me more.” 
 
 Honesty is the best policy. 
 
 THE ASS AND THE LAD -DOG. 
 
 A Man had an Ass, and a Maltese Lap-dog, a very 
 great beauty. The Ass was left in a stable, and had 
 plenty of oats and hay to eat. just as any other Ass 
 
70 
 
 THE FABLES OF A5SOP. 
 
 would. The Lap-dog knew many tricks, and was a 
 great favorite with his master, who often fondled 
 him, and seldom went out to dine or to sup without 
 bringing him home some tit-bit to eat, when he 
 frisked and jumped about him in a manner pleasant 
 to see. The Ass, on the contrary, had much work 
 to do, in grinding the corn-mill, and in carrying wood 
 from the forest or burdens from the farm. He often 
 lamented his own hard fate, and contrasted it with 
 the luxury and idleness of the Lap-dog, till at last 
 one day he broke his cords and halter, and galloped 
 into his master’s house, kicking up his heels without 
 measure, and frisking and fawning as well as he 
 could. He next tried to jump about his master as 
 he had seen the Lap-dog do, but he broke the table 
 and smashed all the dishes upon it to atoms. He 
 then attempted to lick his master, and jumped upon 
 his back. The servants hearing the strange hubbub, 
 and perceiving the danger of their master, quickly 
 relieved him, and drove out the Ass to his stable, 
 with kicks, and clubs, and cuffs. The Ass, as he 
 returned to his stall beaten nearly to death, thus 
 lamented: “ I have brought it all on myself ! Why 
 
 could I not have been contented to labor with my 
 companions, and not wish to be idle all the day like 
 that useless little Lap-dog! ” 
 
THE OXEN AND THE BUTCHERS. 
 
 The Oxen once on a time sought to destroy the 
 Butchers, who practiced a trade destructive to their 
 race. They assembled on a certain day to carry out 
 their purpose, and sharpened their horns for the con- 
 test. One of them, an exceedingly old one (for 
 many a field had he ploughed), thus spoke: “These 
 Butchers, it is true, slaughter us, but they do so with 
 skilful hands, and with no unnecessary pain. If we 
 get rid of them, we shall fall into the hands of un- 
 skilful operators, and thus suffer a double death: for 
 you may be assured, that though all the Butchers 
 should perish, yet will men never want beef.” 
 
 Do not be in a hurry to change one evil for another. 
 
72 
 
 THE FABLES OF ^ESOF. 
 
 THE LION, THE MOUSE, AND THE FOX. 
 
 A Lion, fatigued by the heat of a summer’s day, fell 
 fast asleep in his den. A Mouse ran over his mane 
 and ears, and woke him from his slumbers. He rose 
 up and shook himself in great wrath, and searched 
 every corner of his den to find the Mouse. A Fox 
 seeing him, said: “ A fine Lion you are to be fright- 
 ened of a Mouse.” “’Tis not the Mouse I fear,” said 
 thejfion; “ I resent his familiarity and ill-breeding.” 
 Little liberties are great offences. 
 
 THE SHEPHERD’S BOY AND WOLF. 
 
 A Shepherd-boy, who watched a flock of sheep 
 near a village, brought out the villagers three or four 
 times by crying out, “Wolf! Wolf!” and when his 
 neighbors came to help him, laughed at them for 
 their pains. The Wolf, however, did truly come at 
 last. The Shepherd-boy, now really alarmed, shouted 
 in an agony of terror: “Pray, do come and help me; 
 the Wolf is killing the sheep j” but no one paid any 
 heed to his cries, nor rendered any assistance. The 
 Wolf, having no cause of fear, took it easily, and 
 lacerated or destroyed the whole flock. 
 
 Thew is no believing a liar, even when he speaks 
 the truth. 
 

 THE MISCHIEVOUS DOG. 
 
 A Dog used to run up quietly to the heels of every- 
 one he met, and to bite them without notice. His 
 master suspended a bell about his neck, that he 
 might give notice of his presence "wherever he went. 
 The Dog grew proud of his bell, and "went tinkling 
 it all over the market-place. An old hound said to 
 him: ' Why do you make such an exhibition of 
 
 yourself? That bell that you carry is not, believe 
 me, any order of merit, but. on the contrary a mark 
 of disgrace, a public notice to all men to avoid you 
 as an ill-mannered dog.” 
 
 Notoriety is often mistaken for fame. 
 
74 
 
 THE FABLES OF jESOP. 
 
 THE BOYS AND THE FROGS. 
 
 Some boys, playing near a pond, saw a number of 
 Frogs in the water, and began to pelt them with 
 stones. They killed several of them, when one of 
 the Frogs, lifting his head out of the water, cried 
 out: “ Pray stop, my boys: what is sport to you, is 
 
 death to us,” 
 
 THE SALT MERCHANT AND HIS ASS. 
 
 A Pedlar, dealing in salt, drove his Ass to the sea- 
 shore to buy salt. His road home lay across a 
 stream, in passing which his Ass, making a false 
 step, fell by accident into the water, and rose up 
 again with his load considerably lighter, as the 
 water melted the salt. The Pedlar retraced his 
 steps, and refilled his panniers with a larger quan- 
 tity of salt than before. When he came again to 
 the stream, the Ass fell down on purpose in the same 
 spot, and, regaining his feet with the weight of his 
 load much diminished, brayed triumphantly as if he 
 had obtained what he desired. The Pedlar saw 
 through his trick, and drove him for the third time 
 to the coast, where he bought a cargo of sponges 
 instead of salt. The Ass, again playing the knave, 
 when he reached the stream, fell down on purpose, 
 when the sponges becoming swollen with the water, 
 his load was very greatly increased; and thus his 
 trick recoiled on himself in fitting to his back a 
 double burden. 
 
THE SICK STAG. 
 
 A sick Stag lay down in a quiet corner of its pasture- 
 ground. His companions came in great numbers to 
 inquire after his health, and each one helped himself 
 to a share of the food which had been placed for his 
 use; so that he died, not from his sickness, but from 
 the failure of the means of living. 
 
 Evil companions bring more hurt than profit. 
 
 THE GOATHERD AND THE WILD GOATS. 
 
 A Goatherd, driving his flock from their pasture at 
 eventide, found some wild goats mingled among 
 them, and shut them up together with his own for 
 
76 
 
 THE FABLES OF ^ESOP. 
 
 the night. On the morrow it snowed very hard, so 
 that he could not take the herd to their usual feed- 
 ing places, but was obliged to keep them in the fold. 
 He gave his own goats just sufficient food to keep 
 them alive, but fed the strangers more abundantly, 
 in the hope of enticing them to stay with him, and 
 of making them his own. When the thaw set in, he 
 led them all out to feed, and the wild goats scam- 
 pered away as fast as they could to the mountains. 
 The Goatherd taxed them with their ingratitude in 
 leaving him, when during the storm he had taken 
 more care of them than of his own herd. One of 
 them turning about said to him, “ That is the very 
 reason why we are so cautious; for if you yesterday 
 treated us better than the Goats you have had so 
 long, it is plain also that if others came after us, you 
 would in the same manner, prefer them to our- 
 selves.” 
 
 Old friends cannot with impunity be sacrificed for 
 new ones. 
 
 THE BOY AND THE NETTLES. 
 
 A Boy was stung by a Nettle. He ran home and 
 told his mother, saying, “ Although it pains me so 
 much, I did but touch it ever so gently.” “That 
 was just it,” said his mother, “ which caused it to 
 sting you. The next time you touch a Nettle, grasp 
 it boldly, and it will be soft as silk to your hand, and 
 not in the least hurt you.” 
 
 Whatever you do, do with all your might. 
 
THE FOX WHO HAD LOST HIS TAIL, 
 
 A Fox caught in a trap, escaped with the loss of his 
 “ brash.” Henceforth feeling his life a burden from 
 the shame and ridicule to which he was exposed, he 
 schemed to briug all the other Foxes into a like 
 condition with himself, that in the common loss he 
 might the better conceal his own deprivation. He 
 assembled a good many Foxes, and publicly advised 
 them to cut off their tails, saying “that they would 
 not only look much better without them, but that 
 they would get rid of the weight of the brush, which 
 was a very great inconvenience.” One of them in- 
 terrupting him said, “If you had not yourself lost 
 your tail, my friend, you would not thus counsel us.” 
 
78 
 
 THE FABLES OF JESOP. 
 
 THE MAN AND HIS TWO SWEETHEARTS. 
 
 A middle-aged man, whose hair had begun to turn 
 grey, courted two women at the same time. One of 
 them was young; and the other well advanced in 
 years. The elder woman, ashamed to be courted by 
 a man younger than herself, made a point, whenever 
 her admirer visited her, to pull out some portion of 
 his black hairs. The younger, on the contrary, not 
 wishing to become the wife of an old man, was 
 equally zealous in removing every grey hair she 
 could find. Thus it came to pass, that between them 
 both he very soon found that he had not a hair left 
 on his head. 
 
 Those who seek to please everybody please no- 
 body. 
 
 THE ASTRONOMER. 
 
 An Astronomer used to go out of a night to ob- 
 serve the stars. One evening, as he wandered 
 through the suburbs with his whole attention fixed 
 on the sky, he fell unawares into a deep well. Vvlfile 
 he lamented and bewailed his sores and bruises, and 
 cried loudly for help, a neighbor ran to the well, and 
 learning what had happened said: “Hark ye, old 
 
 fellow, why, in striving to pry into what is in heaven, 
 do you not manage to see what is on earth?” 
 
THE VAIN JACKDAW. 
 
 * 
 
 Jupiter determined, it is said, to create a sovereign 
 over the birds; and made proclamation that, on a 
 certain day, they should all present themselves be- 
 fore him, when he would himself choose the most 
 beautiful among them to be king. The Jackdaw, 
 knowing his own ugliness, searched through the 
 woods and fields, and collected the feathers which 
 had fallen from the wings of his companions, and 
 stuck them in all parts of his body, hoping thereby 
 to make himself the most beautiful of all. When 
 the appointed day arrived, and the birds had as- 
 sembled before Jupiter, the Jackdaw also made his 
 appearance in his many-feathered finery. On Jupi- 
 ter proposing to make him king, on account of the 
 
80 
 
 THE FABLES OF JESOP. 
 
 beauty of his plumage, the birds indignantly pro- 
 tested, and each plucking from him his Own feathers, 
 the Jackdaw was again nothing but a Jackdaw. 
 
 THE WOLVES AND THE SHEEP. 
 
 “Why should there always be this internecine and 
 implacable warfare between us?” said the Wolves 
 to the Sheep. '“ Those evil-disposed Dogs have much 
 to answer for. T ley always bark whenever we ap- 
 proach you, and > ttack us before we have done any 
 harm. If you v mid only dismiss them from your 
 heels, there mig it soon be treaties of peace and of 
 reconciliation 1 itween us.” The sheep, poor silly 
 creatures! wen easily beguiled, and dismissed the 
 Dogs. The V olves destroyed the unguarded flock 
 at their own r ,easure. 
 
 THE CAT AND THE BIRDS. 
 
 A Cat, bearing that the Birds in a certain aviary 
 were ailing, dressed himself up as a physician, and, 
 taking with him his cane and the instruments be- 
 coming his profession, went to the aviary, knocked 
 at the door, and inquired of the inmates how they 
 all did, saying that if they were ill, he would be 
 happy to prescribe for them and cure them. They 
 replied, “We are all very well, and shall continue 
 so, if you will only be good enough to go away, and 
 1 jve us as we are.” 
 
THE KID AND THE WOLF. 
 
 A Kid standing on the roof of a house, out of 
 harm’s way, saw a Wolf passing by: and immedi- 
 ately began to taunt and revile him. The Wolf, 
 looking up, said: “ Sirrah! I hear thee: yet it is not 
 
82 
 
 THE FABLES OF iESOP. 
 
 thou who mockest me, but the roof on whi .h thou 
 
 art standing.” 
 
 Time and place often give the advantage to the 
 weak over the strong. 
 
 THE FARMER AND HIS SONS. 
 
 A Farmer being on the point of death wished to 
 ensure from his sons the same attention to his farm 
 as he had himself given it. He called them to his 
 bedside, and said, “ My sons, there is a great trea- 
 sure hid in one of my vineyards.” The sons after 
 his death took their spades and mattocks, and care- 
 fully dug over every portion of their land. They 
 found no treasure, but the 'v mes repaid their labor 
 by an extraordinary and superabundant crop. 
 
 THE HEIFER AND THE OX. 
 
 A Heifer saw an Ox hard at work harnessed to a 
 plough, and tormented him with reflections on his 
 unhappy fate in being compelled to labor. Shortly 
 afterwards, at the harvest home, the owner released 
 the Ox from his yoke, but bound the Heifer with 
 cords, and led him away to the altar to be slain in 
 honor of the festival. The Ox saw what was being 
 done, and said with a smile to the Heifer: “For 
 
 this you were allowed to live in idleness, because 
 you were presently to be sacrificed,” 
 
THE OX AND THE FROG. 
 
 An Ox drinking at a pool, trod on a brood of young 
 frogs, and crushed one of them to death. The 
 mother coming up, and missing one of her sons, in- 
 quired of his brothers what had become of him. “ He 
 is dead, dear mother; for just now a very huge beast 
 with four great feet came to the pool, and crushed 
 him to death with his cloven heel.” The Frog, puf- 
 fing herself out, inquired, “if the beast was as big 
 as that in size.” “Cease, mother, to puff yourself 
 out,” said her son, “and do not be angry; for you 
 would, I assure you, sooner burst than successfully 
 imitate the hugeness of that monster. '* 
 
84 
 
 THE FABLES OF jESOP. 
 
 THE OLD WOMAN AND THE PHYSICIAN. 
 
 An old woman having lost the use of her eyes, called 
 in a Physician to heal them, and made this bargain 
 with him in the presence of witnesses: that if he 
 should cure her blindness, he should receive from 
 her a sum of money; but if her infirmity remained, 
 she should give him nothing. This agreement being 
 entered into, the Physician, time after time, applied 
 his salve to her eyes, and on every visit taking 
 something away, stole by little and little all her 
 property : and when he had got all she had, he healed 
 her, and demanded the promised payment. The old 
 woman, when she recovered her sight and saw none 
 of her goods in her house, would give him nothing. 
 The Physician insisted on his claim, and, as she still 
 refused, summoned her before the Archons. The 
 old woman standing up in the Court thus spoke: — 
 “This man here speaks the truth in what he says; 
 for I did promise to give him a sum of money, if I 
 should recover my sight: but if I continued blind. I 
 was to give him nothing. Now he declares ‘that I 
 am healed.’ I on the contrary affirm ‘that I am 
 still blind;’ for when I lost the use of ray eyes. I 
 saw in my house various chattels and valuable 
 goods: but now, though he swears I am cured of my 
 blindness, I am not able to see a single thing in it.” 
 
THE FIGHTING COCKS AND THE EAGLE. 
 
 Two Game Cocks were fiercely fighting for the 
 mastery of the farm-yard. One at last put the 
 other to flight. The vanquished Cock skulked away 
 and hid himself in a quiet corner. The conqueror, 
 flying up to a high wall, flapped his wings and 
 crowed exultingly with all his might. An Eagle 
 sailing through the air pounced upon him, and car- 
 ried him off in his talons. The vanquished Cock 
 immediately came out of his corner, and rifled hence- 
 forth with undisputed mastery. 
 
 Pride goes before destruction. 
 
86 
 
 THE FABLES OF -®SOP. 
 
 THE CHARGER AND THE MILLER. 
 
 A Charger, feeling the infirmities of age, betook 
 him to a mill instead of going out to battle. But 
 when he was compelled to grind instead of serving- 
 in the wars, he bewailed his change of fortune, and 
 called to mind his former state, saying, “Ah! Miller, 
 I had indeed to go a campaigning before, but I was 
 barbed from counter to tail, and a man went along 
 to groom me; and now, I cannot tell what ailed me 
 to prefer the mill before the battle.” “Forbear,’ 
 said the Miller to him, “harping on what was of 
 yore, for it is the common lot of mortals to sustain 
 the ups and downs of fortune.” 
 
 THE FOX AND THE MONKEY. 
 
 A Monkey once danced in an assembly of the Beasts 
 and so pleased them all by his performance that 
 they elected him their King. A Fox envying him 
 the honor, discovered a piece of meat lying in a 
 trap, and leading the Monkey to the place where it 
 was, said, “that she had found a store, but had not 
 used it, but had kept it for him as treasure trove of 
 his kingdom, and counselled him to lay hold of it.” 
 The Monkey approached carelessly, and was caught 
 in the trap; and on his accusing the Fox of pur 
 posely leading him into the snare, she replied, “ O 
 Monkey, and are you, with such a mind as yours, 
 going to be King over the Beasts?” 
 
THE HORSE AND HIS RIDER. 
 
 A horse Soldier took the utmost pains with his 
 * charger. As long as the war lasted, he looked upon 
 him as his fellow-helper in all emergencies, and fed 
 
 him carefully with hay and corn. When the war 
 was over, he only allowed him chaff to eat, and 
 made him carry heavy loads of wood, and subjected 
 him to much slavish drudgery and ill-treatment. 
 
88 
 
 THE FABLES OF iESOP. 
 
 War, however, being again proclaimed, and the- 
 trumpet summoning him to his standard, the Sol- 
 dier put on his charger its military trappings, and 
 mounted, being clad in his heavy coat of mail. The 
 
 Horse fell down straightway under the weight, no 
 longer equal to the burden, and said to his master, 
 “You must now e’en go to the war on foot, for you 
 have transformed me from a Horse into an Ass; and 
 how can you expect that I can again turn in a mo- 
 ment from an Ass to a Horse?” 
 
 THE BELLY AND THE MEMBERS. 
 
 The members of the Body rebelled against the Bells 
 and said, ‘ ‘ Why should we be perpetually engaged 
 in administering to your wants, while you do 
 nothing but take your rest, and enjoy yourself in 
 luxury and self-indulgence? ” The members carried 
 out their resolve, and refused their assistance to the 
 Body. The whole body quickly became debilitated, 
 and the hands, feet, mouth, and eyes, when too late, 
 repented of their folly. 
 
THE VINE AND THE GOAT. 
 
 A V ine was luxuriant in the time of vintage with 
 leaves and grapes. A Goat, passing by, nibbled its 
 young tendrils and its leaves. The Vine addressed 
 him, and said: “Why do you thus injure me with- 
 out a cause, and crop my leaves? Is there no young 
 grass left? But I shall not have to wait long for my 
 just revenge; for if you now should crop my leaves, 
 and cut me down to my root, I shall provide the 
 wine to pour over you when you are led as a victim 
 to the sacrifice.” 
 
 
90 
 
 THE FABLES OF JESOP. 
 
 JUPITER AND THE MONKEY. 
 
 Jupiter issued a proclamation to all the beasts of 
 the forest, and promised a royal reward to the one 
 whose offspring should be deemed the handsomest. 
 The Monkey came with the rest, and presented, with 
 all a mother’s tenderness, a flat-nosed, hairless, ill- 
 featured young Monkey as a candidate for the prom- 
 ised reward. A general laugh saluted her on the 
 presentation of her son. She resolutely said, “I 
 know not whether Jupiter will allot the prize to my 
 son; but this I do know, that he is at least in the 
 eyes of me his mother, the dearest, handsomest, and 
 most beautiful of all.” 
 
 THE WIDOW AND HER LITTLE MAIDENS, 
 
 A widow woman, fond of cleaning, had two little 
 maidens to wait on her. She was in the habit of 
 waking them early in the morning, at cockcrow. 
 The maidens being aggrieved by such excessive 
 labor, resolved to kill the cock who roused their mis- 
 tress so early. When they had done this, they 
 found that they had only prepared for themselves 
 greater troubles, for their mistress, no longer hear- 
 ing the hour from the cock, woke them up to their 
 work in the middle of the night. 
 
THE HAWK, THE KITE, 
 
 AND 
 
 THE PIGEONS. 
 
 The Pigeons, terrified by 
 the appearance of a Kite, 
 called upon the Hawk to 
 defend them. He at once 
 
93 
 
 THE FABLES OF JESOP. 
 
 consented. When they had admitted him into the 
 cote, they found that he made more havoc and slew 
 a larger number of them in one day, than the Kite 
 could pounce upon in a whole year. 
 
 Avoid a remedy that is worse than the disease. 
 
 THE DOLPHINS, THE WHALES, AND THE 
 SPRAT. 
 
 The Dolphins and V/hales waged a fierce warfare 
 with each other. When the battle was at its height, 
 a Sprat lifted its head out of the waves, and said 
 that he would reconcile their differences, if they 
 would accept him as an umpire. One of the Dol- 
 phins replied, “We would far rather be destroyed 
 in our battle with each other, than admit any inter- 
 ference from you in our affairs.” 
 
 THE SWALLOW, THE SERPENT, AND THE 
 COURT OF JUSTICE. 
 
 A Swallow, returning from abroad, and ever fond 
 of dwelling with men, built herself a nest in the wall 
 of a Court of Justice, and there hatched seven young 
 birds. A Serpent gliding past the nest, from its 
 hole in the wall, ate up the young unfledged nest- 
 lings. The Swallow finding her nest empty, lament- 
 ed greatly, and exclaimed: “Woe to me a stranger! 
 that in this place where all others’ rights are pro- 
 tected, I alone should suffer wrong.” 
 
THE TWO POTS. 
 
 A river carried down in its stream two Pots, one 
 made of earthenware, and the other of brass. The 
 Earthen Pot said to the Brass Pot, “Pray keep at a 
 distance, and do not come near me: for if you touch 
 me ever so slightly, I shall be broken in pieces; and 
 besides, I by no means wish to come near you.” 
 Equals make the best friends. 
 
 THE SHEPHERD AND THE WOLF. 
 
 A Shepherd once found the whelp of a Wolf, and 
 brought it up, and after a while taught it to steal 
 lambs from the neighboring flocks. The Wolf hav- 
 ing shown himself an apt pupil, said to the Shep- 
 herd, “since you have taught me to steal, you must 
 keep a sharp look-out, or you will lose some of your 
 own flock.” 
 
94 
 
 THE FABLES OF ^ESOP. 
 
 THE CRAB AND ITS MOTHER. 
 
 A Crab said to her son, “ Why do you walk so one- 
 sided, my child? It is far more becoming to go 
 straightforward.” The young Crab replied: “Quite 
 true, dear mother; and if you will show me the 
 straight way, I will promise to walk in it.” The 
 mother tried in vain, and submitted without remon- 
 strance to the reproof of her child. 
 
 Example is more powerful than precept. 
 
 THE FATHER AND HIS TWO DAUGHTERS. 
 
 A man had two daughters, the one married to a 
 gardener, and the other to a tile-maker. After a time 
 he went to the daughter who had married the gar- 
 dener, and inquired how she was, and how all things 
 went with her. She said, “All things are prosper- 
 ing with me, and I have only one wish, that there 
 may be a heavy fall of rain, in order that the plants 
 maybe well watered.” Not long after he went to 
 the daughter who had married the tile-maker, and 
 likewise inquired of her how she fared; she replied, 
 '• I want for nothing, and have only one wish, that 
 the dry weather may continue, and the sun shine 
 hot and bright, so that the bricks might be dried.” 
 tie said to her, “ If your sister wishes for rain, and 
 you for dry weather, with which of the two am I 
 to join my wishes? ” 
 
THE THIEF AND HIS MOTHER. 
 
 A Boy stole a lesson-book from one of his school- 
 fellows, and took it home to his mother. She not 
 only abstained from beating him, but encouraged 
 him. He next time stole a cloak and brought it to 
 her, when she yet further commended him. The 
 Youth, advanced to man’s estate, proceeded to steal 
 things of greater value. At last he was taken in 
 the very act, and, having his hands bound behind 
 him, was led away to the place of public execution. 
 His mother followed in the crowd and violently beat 
 her breast in sorrow, whereon the young man said, 
 “ I wish to say something to my mother in her ear . 55 
 She came close to him, when he quickly seized her 
 
96 
 
 THE FABLES OF tESOP. 
 
 ear with his teeth and bit it off. The mother up- 
 braided him as an unnatural child, whereon he re- 
 plied, “Ah! if you had beaten me, when I first stole 
 and brought to you that lesson-book, I should not 
 have come to this, nor have been thus led to a dis- 
 graceful death.” 
 
 THE OLD MAN AND DEATH. 
 
 An old man was employed in cutting wood in the 
 forest, and, in carrying the faggots into the city for 
 sale one day, being very wearied with his long jour- 
 ney, he sat down by the wayside, and, throwing 
 down his load, besought “Death” to come. “Death” 
 immediately appeared, in answer to his summons, 
 and asked for what reason he had called him. The 
 old man replied, “That, lifting up the load, you 
 may place it again upon my shoulders.” 
 
 THE FIR TREE AND THE BRAMBLE. 
 
 A Fir Tree said boastingly to the Bramble, “You 
 are useful for nothing at all; while I am everywhere 
 used for roofs and houses.” The Bramble made 
 answer: “You poor creature, if you would only 
 
 call to mind the axes and saws which are about to 
 hew you down, you would have reason to wish that 
 you had grown up a Bramble, not a Fir Tree.” 
 Better poverty without care, than riches with. 
 
THE WOLF AND THE SHEEP. 
 
 A Wolf, sorely wounded and bitten by dogs, lay 
 sick and maimed in his lair. Being in want of food, 
 he called to a Sheep, who was passing, and asked 
 him to fetch some water from a stream flowing close 
 beside him. “ For,” he said, “if you will bring me 
 drink, I will find means to provide myself with 
 meat.” “Yes,” said the Sheep, “if I should bring 
 you the draught, you would doubtless make me pro- 
 vide the meat also.” 
 
 Hypocritical speeches are easily seen through. 
 
98 
 
 THE FABLES OF ^ESOP. 
 
 THE MAN BITTEN BY A DOG. 
 
 ¥« 
 
 A Man who had been bitten by a Dog, went about 
 in quest of some one who might heal him. A friend 
 meeting him, and learning what he wanted, said, 
 “ If you would be cured, take a piece of bread, and 
 dip it in the blood from your wound, and go and 
 give it to the Dog that bit you. ” The man who had 
 been bitten, laughed at this advice, and said, “Why? 
 If I should do so, it would he as if I should pray 
 every Dog in the town to bite me.” 
 
 Benefits bestowed upon the evil-disposed, increase 
 their means of injuring you. 
 
 THE HUNTSMAN AND THE FISHERMAN. 
 
 A Huntsman, returning with his dogs from the field, 
 fell in by chance with a Fisherman, bringing home 
 a basket well ladened with fish. The Huntsman 
 wished to have the fish; and their owner experi- 
 enced an equal longing for the contents of the game- 
 bag. They quickly agreed to exchange the produce 
 of their day’s sport. Each was so well pleased with 
 his bargain, that they made for some time the same 
 exchange day after day. A neighbor said to them, 
 •• If you go on in this way, you will soon destroy, by 
 frequent use, the pleasure of your exchange, and 
 each will again wish to retain the fruits of his own 
 sport.” 
 
 Abstain and enjoy. 
 
THE FOX AND THE CROW. 
 
 A Crow having stolen a bit of flesh, 
 perched in a tree, and held it in her 
 beak. A Fox seeing her, longed to pos- 
 sess himself of the flesh : and.by a wily 
 .stratagem succeeded. “How hand- 
 some is the Crow ,’ 5 he exclaimed, “in 
 the beauty of her shape and in the 
 fairness of her complexion! Oh, if her 
 voice were only equal to her beauty, 
 she would deservedly be considered 
 the Queen of Birds ! 55 This he said 
 
100 
 
 THE FABLES OF ASSOP. 
 
 deceitfully; but the Crow, anxious to refute the re- 
 flection cast upon her voice, set up a loud caw, and 
 dropped the flesh. The Fox quickly picked it up, 
 and thus addressed the crow : ■ * My good Crow, your 
 voice is right enough, but your wit is wanting.” 
 
 THE TWO DOGS. 
 
 A Man had two dogs; a Hound, trained to assist 
 him in his sports, and a House-dog, taught to watch 
 the house. When he returned home after a good 
 day’s sport, he always gave the House-dog a large 
 share of his spoil. The Hound, feeling much ag- 
 grieved at this reproached his companion, saying, 
 “It is very hard to have all this labor, while you. 
 who do not assist in the chase, luxuriate on the fruits 
 of my exertions.” The House-dog replied, “Do not 
 blame me, my friend, but find fault with the mas- 
 ter, who has not taught me to labor, but to depend 
 for subsistence on the labor of others.” 
 
 Children are not to be blamed for the faults of 
 their parents. 
 
THE OLD WOMAN AND THE WINE-JAR. 
 
 An Old Woman found an empty jar which had late- 
 ly been full of prime old wine, and which still re- 
 tained the fragrant smell of its former contents. 
 She greedily placed it several times to her nose, and 
 drawing it backwards and forwards said, “O most 
 delicious! How nice must the Wine itself have been 
 when it leaves behind in the very vessel which con- 
 tained it so sweet a perfume!” 
 
 The memory of a good deed lives,. 
 
102 
 
 THE FABLES OF jESOP. 
 
 THE WIDOW AND THE SHEEP. 
 
 A certain poor Widow had one solitary Sheep. 
 shearing time, wishing to take his fleece, arm to 
 avoid expense, she sheared him herself, but used the 
 shears so unskilfully, that with the fleece she sheared 
 the flesh. The Sheep, writhing with pain, said, 
 “Why do you hurt me so, Mistress? What weight 
 can my blood add to the wool? If you want my 
 flesh, there is the butcher, who will kill me in a 
 trice; but if you want my fleece and wool, there is 
 the shearer, who will shear and not hurt me.” 
 
 The least outlay is not always the greatest gain. 
 
 THE WILD ASS AND THE LION. 
 
 A wild Ass and a Lion entered into an alliance that 
 they might capture the beasts of the forest with the 
 greater ease. The Lion agreed to assist the Wild 
 Ass with his strength, while the Wild Ass gave the 
 Lion the benefit of his greater speed. When they 
 had taken as many beasts as their necessities re- 
 quired, the Lion undertook to distribute the prey, 
 and for this purpose divided it into three shares. “I 
 will take the first share,” lie said, “because I am 
 King: and the second share, as a partner with you 
 in the chase: and the third share (believe me) will 
 be a source of great evil to you, unless you willingly 
 resign it to me, and set off as fast as you can.” 
 Might makes right. 
 
THE STAG IN THE OX-STALL. 
 
 A Stag, hardly pressed by the hounds, and blind 
 through fear to the danger he was running into, took 
 shelter in a farm-yard, and hid himself in a shed 
 among the oxen. An Ox gave him this kindly 
 warning: “O unhappy creature! why should you 
 thus, of your own accord, incur destruction, and 
 trust yourself in the house of your enemy?” The 
 Stag replied: “Do you only suffer me, friend, to 
 stay where I am, and I will undertake to find some 
 favorable opportunity of effecting my escape.” At 
 the approach of the evening the herdsman came to 
 feed his cattle, but did not see the Stag; and even 
 the farm-bailiff, with several laborers, passed through 
 the shed, and failed to notice him. The Stag, con- 
 
104 
 
 THE FABLES OF tESOP. 
 
 gratulating himself on his safety, began to express 
 his sincere thanks to the Oxen who had kindly af- 
 forded him help in the hour of need. One of them 
 again answered him: “We indeed wish you well, 
 
 hut the danger is not over. There is one other yet 
 to pass through the shed, who has as it were a hun- 
 dred eyes, and, until lie has come and gone, your 
 life is still in peril.” At that moment the master 
 himself entered, and having had to complain that 
 his oxen had not been properly fed, he went up to 
 their racks, and cried out: “Why is there such a 
 
 scarcity of fodder? There is not half enough straw 
 for them to lie on. Those lazy fellows have not even 
 swept the cobwebs away." While he thus examined 
 everything in turn, he spied the tips of the antlers of 
 the Stag peeping out of the straw. Then summon- 
 ing his laborers, he ordered that the Stag should be 
 seized, and killed. 
 
 THE PLAYFUL ASS. 
 
 An Ass climbed up to the roof of a building, and, 
 frisking about there, broke in the tiling. The owner 
 went up after him, and quickly drove him down, 
 beating him severely with a thick wooden cudgel. 
 The Ass said, “ Why, I saw the Monkey do this very 
 thing yesterday, and you all laughed heartily, as if 
 it afforded you very great amusement.” 
 
 Those who do not know their right place must be 
 taught it. 
 
THE EAGLE AND THE ARROW. 
 
 An Eagle sat on a lofty rock, watching the move- 
 ments of a Hare, whom he sought to make his prey. 
 An archer who saw him from a place of conceal- 
 ment, took an accurate aim, and wounded him mor- 
 tally. The Eagle gave one look at the arrow that 
 had entered his heart, and saw in that single glance 
 that its feathers had been furnished by himself. “ It 
 is a double grief to me,” he exclaimed, “that I 
 should perish by an arrow feathered from my own 
 wings.” 
 
 A consciousness of misfortunes arising from a 
 man’s own misconduct aggravates their bitterness. 
 
106 
 
 THE FABLES OF jESOP 
 
 THE SICK KITE. 
 
 A Kite, sick unto death, said to his mother: “O 
 
 Mother! do not mourn, but at once invoke the gods 
 that my life may be prolonged.” She replied, “Alas! 
 my son, which of the gods do you think will pity 
 you? Is there one whom you have not outraged by 
 filching from their very altars a part of the sacrifice 
 offered up to them?” 
 
 We must make friends in prosperity, if we would 
 have their help in adversity. 
 
 THE LION AND THE DOLPHIN. 
 
 A Lion roaming by the sea-shore, saw a Dolphin 
 lift up its head out of the waves, and asked him to 
 contract an alliance with him; saying that of all the 
 animals they ought to be the best friends, since the 
 one was the king of beasts on the earth, and the 
 other was the sovereign ruler of all the inhabitants 
 of the ocean. The Dolphin gladly consented to this 
 request. Not long afterwards the Lion had a com- 
 bat with a wild bull, and called on the Dolphin to 
 help him. The Dolphin, though quite willing to give 
 him assistance, was unable to do so, as he could not 
 by any means reach the land. The Lion abused him 
 as a traitor. The Dolphin replied, “Nay, my friend, 
 blame not me, but Nature, which, while giving me 
 the sovereignty of the sea, has quite denied me the 
 power of living upon the land.” 
 
THE LION AND THE BOAR. 
 
 On a summer day, when the great heat induced a gen- 
 eral thirst, a Lion and a Boar came at the same mo- 
 ment to a small well to drink. They fiercely dis- 
 puted which of them should drink first, and were 
 soon engaged in the agonies of a mortal combat. On 
 their stopping on a sudden to take breath for the 
 fiercer renewal of the strife, they saw some Vultures 
 waiting in the distance to feast on the one whicf* 
 should fall first. They at once made up their quar 
 rel, saying, “ It is better for us to make friends, than 
 to become the food of Crows or Vultures,” 
 
108 
 
 THE FABLES OF JESOP. 
 
 THE MICE AND THE WEASELS. 
 
 The Weasels and the Mice waged a perpetual war- 
 fare with each other, in which much blood was shed. 
 The Weasels were always the victors. The Mice 
 thought that the cause of their frequent defeats was, 
 that they had not leaders set apart from the general 
 army to command them, and that they were exposed 
 to dangers from want of discipline. They chose 
 therefore such mice as were most renowned for their 
 family descent, strength, and counsel, as well as 
 most noted for their courage in the fight, that they 
 might marshal them in battle array, and form them 
 into troops, regiments and battalions. When all 
 this was done, and the army disciplined, and the 
 herald Mouse had duly proclaimed war by challeng- 
 ing the Weasels, the newly chosen generals bound 
 their heads with straws, that they might be more con- 
 spicuous to all their troops. Scarcely had the battle 
 commenced, when a great rout overwhelmed the 
 Mice, who scampered off as fast as they could to 
 their holes. The generals not being able to get in 
 on account of the ornaments on their heads, were all 
 captured and eaten by the Weasels. 
 
 The more honor the more danger. 
 

 THE ONE-EYED DOE. 
 
 A Doe, blind of an eye, was accustomed to graze as 
 near to the edge of the cliff as she possibly could, in 
 the hope of securing her greater safety. She turned 
 her sound eye towards the land, that she might get 
 the earliest tidings of the approach of hunter or 
 hound, and her injured eye towards the sea, from 
 which she entertained no anticipation of danger. 
 Some boatmen sailing by, saw her, and taking a 
 successful aim, mortally wounded her. Yielding up 
 her breath, she gasped forth this lament: “O 
 
 wretched creature that I am! to take such precau- 
 tion against the land, and after all to find this sea- 
 shore, to which I had come for safety, so much more 
 perilous/’ 
 
110 
 
 THE FABLES OF .ESOP. 
 
 THE SHEPHERD AND THE REA. 
 
 A Shepherd, keeping watch over his sheep near the 
 shore, saw the sea very calm and smooth, and longed 
 to make a voyage with a view to traffic. He sold 
 all his flock, and invested it in a cargo of dates and 
 set sail. But a very great tempest coming on, and 
 the ship being in danger of sinking, he threw all his 
 merchandise overboard, and hardly escaped with 
 his life in the empty ship. Not long afterwards, on 
 some one passing by, and observing the unruffled 
 calm of the sea, he interrupted him and said, “Be- 
 like it is again in want of dates, and therefore looks 
 quiet.” 
 
 THE ASS, THE COCK, AND THE LION. 
 
 An Ass and a Cock were in a straw-yard together, 
 when a Lion, desperate from hunger, approached the 
 spot. He was about to spring upon the Ass, when 
 the Cock (to the sound of whose voice the Lion, it is 
 said, has a singular aversion) crowed loudly, and 
 the Lion fled away as fast as he could. The Ass ob- 
 serving his trepidation at the mere crowing of a 
 Cock, summoned courage to attack him, and gal- 
 loped after him for that purpose. He had run no 
 long distance, when the Lion turning about, seized 
 him and tore him to pieces. 
 
 False confidence often leads into danger. 
 
THE MILK- WOMAN AND HER PAIL. 
 
 A Farmer’s daughter was carrying her pail of milk 
 LTom the field to the farm-house, when she fell 
 ii-musing, “The money for which this milk will be 
 sold, will buy at least three hundred eggs. The 
 eggs, allowing for all mishaps, will produce two 
 hundred and fifty chickens. The chickens will be- 
 come ready for market when poultry will fetch the 
 highest price; soAhat by the end of the year I shall 
 have money enough from the perquisites that will 
 fall to my share, to buy a new gown. In this dress 
 I will go to the Christmas junketings, when all the 
 young fellows will propose to me, but I will toss my 
 
112 
 
 THE FABLES OF JESOP. 
 
 head, and refuse them every one.” At this moment 
 she tossed her head in unison with her thoughts, 
 when down fell the Milk-pail to the ground, and all 
 her imaginary schemes perished in a moment. 
 
 The Mice summoned a council to decide how they 
 might best devise means for obtaining notice of the 
 approach of their great enemy the Cat. Among the 
 many plans devised, the one that found most favor 
 was the proposal to tie a bell to the neck of the Cat, 
 that the Mice being warned by the sound of the 
 tinkling might run away and hide themselves in 
 their holes at his approach. But when the Mice 
 further debated who among them should thus “ bell 
 the Cat,” there was no one found to do it. 
 
 THE MICE IN COUNCIL. 
 
THE WOLF AND THE HOUSE-DOG. 
 
 A Wolf, meeting with a big well-fed Mastiff, having 
 a wooden collar about his neck, inquired of him who 
 it was that fed him so well, and yet compelled him 
 to drag that heavy log about -wherever he went. 
 “The master,'’ he replied. Then said the Wolf: 
 “May no friend of mine ever be in such a plight; 
 for the weight of this chain is enough to spoil the 
 appetite.” 
 
 THE RIVERS AND THE SEA. 
 
 The Rivers joined together to complain to the Sea, 
 saying, “Why is it that when we flow into your 
 tides so potable and sweet, you work in us such a 
 change, and make us salt and unfit to drink?” The 
 Sea, perceiving that they intended to throw the 
 
114 
 
 THE FABLES OF JESOP, 
 
 blame on him, said, “ Pray cease to flow into me, 
 and then you will not be made briny.” 
 
 Some find fault with those things by which they 
 are chiefly benefited. 
 
 THE WILD BOAR AND THE FOX. 
 
 A Wild Boar stood under a tree, and rubbed his 
 tusks against the trunk. A Fox passing by, asked 
 him why he thus sharpened his teeth when there 
 was no danger threatening from either huntsman 
 or hound. He replied, “I do it advisedly; for it 
 would never do to have to sharpen my weapons 
 just at the time I ought to be using them.” 
 
 To be well prepared for war is the best guarantee 
 of peace. 
 
 THE THREE TRADESMEN. 
 
 A great city was besieged, and its inhabitants were 
 called together to consider the best means of pro- 
 tecting it from the enemy. A Bricklayer present 
 earnestly recommended bricks, as affording the best 
 materials for an effectual resistance. A Carpenter 
 with equal energy proposed timber, as providing 
 a preferable method of defence. Upon which a 
 Currier stood up, and said, “ Sirs, I differ from you 
 altogether: there is no material for resistance equal 
 to a covering of hides; and nothing so good as 
 leather.” 
 
 Every man for himself. 
 
THE ASS CARRYING THE IMAGE. 
 
 An Ass once carried through the streets of the city 
 a famous wooden Image, to be placed in one of its 
 Temples. The crowd as he passed along made lowly 
 prostration before the Image. The Ass, thinking 
 that they bowed their heads in token of respect for 
 himself, bristled up with pride and gave himself airs, 
 and refused to move another step. The driver see- 
 ing him thus stop, laid his whip lustily about his 
 shoulders, and said, “O you perverse dull -head! it 
 is not yet come to this, that men pay worship to an 
 Ass.” 
 
 They are not wise who take to themselves the 
 credit due to others. 
 
116 
 
 THE FABLES OF JESOP. 
 
 THE TWO TRAVELERS AND THE AXE. 
 
 Two men were journeying together in each other’s 
 company. One of them picked up an axe that lay 
 upon the path, and said, “I have found an axe.” 
 ‘“Nay, my friend,” replied the other, “do not say 
 ‘I,’ but ‘We’ have found an axe.” They had not 
 gone far before they saw the^ owner of the axe pur- 
 suing them, when he who had picked up the axe 
 said, “We are undone.” “Nay,” replied the other, 
 “ keep to your first mode of speech, my friend; what 
 you thought right then, think right now. Say ‘ I,’ 
 not ‘We’ are undone.” 
 
 He who shares the danger ought to share the prize. 
 
 THE OLD LION. 
 
 A Lion, worn out with years, and powerless from 
 disease, lay on the ground at the point of death. A 
 Boar rushed upon him, and avenged with a stroke 
 of his tusks a long remembered injury. Shortly 
 afterwards the Bull with his horns gored him as if 
 lie were an enemy. When the Ass saw that the 
 huge beast could be assailed with impunity, he let 
 drive at his forehead with his heels. The expiring 
 Lion said, “ I have reluctantly brooked the insults 
 of the brave, but to be compelled to endure con- 
 tumely from thee, a disgrace to Nature, is indeed to 
 die a double death.” 
 
THE OLD HOUND. 
 
 A Hound, who in the days of his youth and strength 
 had never yielded to any beast of the forest, encoun- 
 tered in his old age a hoar in the chase. He seized 
 him boldly by the ear, but could not retain his hold 
 because of the decay of his teeth, so that the boar 
 escaped. His master, quickly coming up, was very 
 much disappointed, and fiercely abused the dog. The 
 Hound looked up, and said, 4 ‘It was not my fault, 
 master; my spirit was as good as ever, but I could 
 not help mine infirmities. I rather deserve to be 
 praised for what I have been, than to be blamed tor 
 what I am.” 
 
118 
 
 THE FABLES OF ^ESOP. 
 
 THE BEE AND JUPITER. 
 
 A Bee from Mount Hymettus, the queen of the 
 hive, ascended to Olympus, to present to Jupiter 
 some honey fresh from her combs. Jupiter, delighted 
 with the offering of honey, promised to give what- 
 ever she should ask. She therefore besought him, 
 saying, “Give me, I pray thee, a sting, that if any 
 mortal shall approach to take my honey, I may kill 
 him.” Jupiter was much displeased, for he loved 
 much the race of man ; but could not refuse the 
 request on account of his promise. He thus answered 
 the Bee : “You shall have your request ; but it will 
 
 be at the peril of your own life. For if you use your 
 sting, it shall remain in the wound you make, and 
 then you will die from the loss of it. ” 
 
 Evil wishes, like chickens, come home to roost. 
 
 THE MASTER AND HIS DOGS. 
 
 A certain man, detained by a storm in his country 
 house, first of all killed his sheep, and then his goats, 
 for the maintenance of his household. The storm 
 still continuing, he was obliged to slaughter his yoke 
 oxen for food. On seeing this, his Dogs took counsel 
 together, and said, “It is time for us to be off : for 
 if the master spare not his oxen, who work for his 
 gain, how can we expect him to spare us?” 
 
 He is not to be trusted as a friend who illtreats his 
 own family. 
 
THE WOLF AND THE SHEPHERDS. 
 
 A Wolf passing by, saw some Shepherds in a hut 
 eating for their dinner a haunch of mutton. 
 Approaching them, he said, “ What a clamor you 
 would raise, if I were to do as you are doing ! ” 
 
 THE SEASIDE TRAVELERS. 
 
 Some travelers, journeying along the sea-shore, 
 climbed to the summit of a tall cliff, and from thence 
 looking over the sea, saw in the distance what they 
 thought was a large ship, and waited in the hope of 
 seeing it enter the harbor. But as the object on 
 which they looked was driven by the wind nearer to 
 
120 
 
 THE FABLES OF ^ESOP. 
 
 the shore, they found that it could at the most be a 
 small boat, and not a ship. When however it reached 
 the beach, they discovered that it was only a large 
 fagot of sticks, and one of them said to his com- 
 panions, “ We have waited for no purpose, for after 
 all there is nothing to see but a fagot.” 
 
 Our mere anticipations of life outrun its realities. 
 
 THE BRAZIER AND HIS DOG. 
 
 A Brazier had a little Dog, which was a great 
 favorite with his master, and his constant compan- 
 ion. While he hammered away at his metals the 
 Dog slept ; but when, on the other hand, he went to 
 dinner, and began to eat, the Dog woke up, and 
 wagged his tail, as if he would ask for a share of his 
 meal. His master one day, pretending to be angry, 
 and shaking his stick at him, said, “You wretched 
 little sluggard ! what shall I do to you ? While I am 
 hammering on the anvil, you sleep on the mat ; and 
 when I begin to eat after my toil, you wake up, and 
 wag your tail for food. Do you not know that labor 
 is the source of every blessing, and. that none but 
 those who work are entitled to eat ? ” 
 
THE ASS AND HIS SHADOW. 
 
 A traveler hired an Ass to convey him to a dis- 
 tant place. The day being intensely hot, and the 
 sun shining in its strength, the traveler stopped tc 
 rest, and sought shelter from the heat under the 
 Shadow of the Ass. As this afforded only protection 
 for one, and as the traveler and the owner of the 
 Ass both claimed it, a violent dispute arose between 
 them as to which of them had the right to it. The 
 owner maintained that he had let the Ass only, and 
 not his Shadow. The traveler asserted that he had, 
 with the hire of the Ass, hired his Shadow also. The 
 
122 
 
 THE FABLES OF JESOP. 
 
 quarrel proceeded from words to blows, and while 
 the men fought the Ass galloped off. 
 
 In quarreling about the shadow we often lose the 
 substance. 
 
 THE ASS AND HIS MASTERS. 
 
 , A.N Ass belonging to a herb-seller, who gave him too 
 litle food and too much work, made a petition to 
 Jupiter that he would release him from his present 
 service and provide him with another master. Ju- 
 piter, after warning him that he would repent his re- 
 quest, caused him to be sold to a tile-maker. Short- 
 ly afterwards, finding that he had heavier loads to 
 carry, and harder work in the brick-field, he peti- 
 tioned for another change of master. Jupiter, tel- 
 ling him that it should be the last time that he could 
 grant his request, ordained that he should be sold 
 to a tanner. The Ass, finding that he had fallen 
 into worse hands, and noting his master’s occupa- 
 tion, said, groaning: “It would have been better 
 
 for me to have been either starved by the one, or to 
 have been overworked by the other of my former 
 masters, than to have been bought by my present 
 owner, who will even after I am dead tan my hide, 
 and make me useful to him.” 
 
THE OAK AND THE REEDS. 
 
 A very large Oak was uprooted by the wind, and 
 thrown across a stream. It fell among some Reeds, 
 which it thus addressed: 44 1 wonder how you, who 
 
 are so light and weak, are not entirely crushed by 
 these strong winds.” They replied, 44 You fight and 
 contend with the wind, and consequently you are 
 destroyed; while we on the contrary bend before the 
 least breath of air, and therefore remain unbroken, 
 and escape. ” 
 
 Stoop to conquer. 
 
124 
 
 THE FABLES OF JESOP. 
 
 THE LION IN A FARM-YARD. 
 
 A Lion entered a farm-yard. The farmer, wishing 
 to catch him, shut the gate. The Lion, when he 
 found that he could not escape, flew upon the sheep, 
 and killed them, and then attacked the oxen. The 
 farmer, beginning to be alarmed for his own safety,' 
 opened the gate, when the Lion got off as fast as he 
 he could. On his departure the farmer greviously 
 lamented the destruction of his sheep and oxen; 
 when his wife, who had been a spectator of all that 
 took place, said, “On my word, you are rightly 
 served; for how could you for a moment think of 
 shutting up a Lion along with you in the farm- yard, 
 when you know that you shake in your shoes if you 
 only hear his roar at ever so great a distance?” 
 
 MERCURY AND THE SCULPTOR. 
 
 Mercury once determined to learn in what esteem 
 he was held among mortals. For this purpose he 
 assumed the character of a man, and visited in this • 
 disguise a Sculptor’s studio. Having looked at 
 various statues, he demanded the price of two fig- 
 ures of Jupiter and of Juno. When the sum at 
 which they were valued was named, he pointed to a 
 figure of himself, saying to the Sculptor, “You will 
 certainly want much more for this, as it is the sta- 
 tue of the Messenger of the Gods, and the author of 
 all your gain.” The Sculptor replied, “Well, if you 
 will buy these, I’ll fling you that into the bargain.” 
 
THE FOX AND THE WOOD-CUTTER. 
 
 A Fox running before the hounds, came across a 
 Wood-cutter felling an oak, and besought him to 
 show him a safe hiding-place. The Wood-cutter 
 advised him to take shelter in his own hut. The Fox 
 crept in, and hid himself in a corner. The huntsman 
 came up, with his hounds, in a few minutes, and 
 inquired of the Wood-cutter if had seen the fox, 
 He declared that he had not seen him, and yet pointed 
 all the time he was speaking, to the hut where the 
 Fox lay hid. The huntsman took no notice of the 
 signs, but, believing his word, hastened forward in 
 the chase. As soon as they were well away, the Fox 
 d courted without taking any notice of the Wood- 
 cutter : whereon he called to him, and reproached 
 b<m, saying, “ Youjimgrateful fellow, you owe your 
 
126 
 
 THE FABLES OF iESOP. 
 
 life to me, and yet you leave me without a word of 
 thanks.” The Fox replied, “Indeed, I should have 
 thanked you most fervently, if your deeds had been 
 as good as your words, and if your hands had not 
 been traitors to your speech.” 
 
 THE BIRDCATCHER, THE PARTRIDGE, AND 
 THE COCK. 
 
 A Birdcatcher was about to sit down to a dinner of 
 herbs, when a friend unexpectedly came in. The 
 bird-trap was quite empty, as he had caught nothing. 
 He proceeded to kill a pied Partridge, which he had 
 tamed for a decoy. He entreated thus earnestly for 
 his life: “What would you do without me when 
 next you spread your nets ? Who would chirp you 
 to sleep, or call for you the covey of answering 
 birds ? ” The Birdcatcher spared his life, and deter- 
 mined to pick out a fine young Cock just attaining 
 to his comb. He thus expostulated in piteous tones 
 from his perch : “If you kill me, who will announce 
 to you the appearance of the dawn ? Who will wake 
 you to your daily tasks ? or tell you when it is time 
 to visit the bird-trap in the morning ? ” He replied, 
 “What you say is true. You are a capital bird at 
 telling the time of day. But I and the triend who 
 has come in must have our dinners,” 
 
 Necessity knows no law. 
 
THE WOLF AND THE LION. 
 
 A Wolf having stolen a lamb from a fold, was carry- 
 ing him off to his lair. A Lion met him in the path, 
 and, seizing the lamb, took it from him. The W olf , 
 standing at a safe distance, exclaimed, “You have 
 unrighteously taken that which was mine from me.” 
 The Lion jeeringly replied, “It was righteously 
 yours, eh? the gift of a friend?” 
 
 THE ANT AND THE DOVE. 
 
 An Ant went to the bank of a river to quench its 
 thirst, and, being carried away by the rush of the 
 stream, was on the point of being drowned. A Dove 
 
128 
 
 THE FABLES OF AiSOP. 
 
 sitting on a tree overhanging the water, plucked a 
 leaf, and let it fall into the stream close to her. The 
 Ant, climbing on to it, floated in safety to the bank. 
 Shortly afterwards a birdcatclier came and stood 
 under the tree, and laid his lime-twigs for the Dove, 
 which sat in the branches. The Ant, perceiving his 
 design, stung him in the foot. He suddenly threw 
 down the twigs, and thereupon made the Dove take 
 wing. 
 
 The grateful heart will always find opportunities 
 to show its gratitude. 
 
 THE MONKEY AND THE FISHERMEN. 
 
 A Monkey perched upon a lofty tree saw some 
 Fishermen casting their nets into a river and 
 narrowly watched their proceedings. The Fishermen 
 after a while gave over fishing, and, on going home 
 to dinner, left their nets upon the bank. The 
 Monkey, who is the most imitative of animals, 
 lescended from the tree-top, and endeavored to do as 
 hey had done. Having handled the net, he threw it 
 into the river, but became entangled in the meshes. 
 When drowning, he said to himself, “ I am rightly 
 served ; for what business had I who had never 
 handled a net to try and catch fish? ” 
 
THE HARES AND THE FROGS. 
 
 The Hares, oppressed with a sense of their own ex- 
 ceeding timidity, and weary of the perpetual alarm to 
 which they were exposed, with one accord deter- 
 mined to put an end to themselves and their troubles, 
 by jumping from a lofty precipice into a deep lake 
 below. As they scampered off in a very numerous 
 body to carry out their resolve, the Frogs lying on 
 the banks of the lake heard the noise of their feet, 
 and rushed helter-skelter to the deep water for 
 safety. On seeing the rapid disappearance of the 
 Frogs, one of the Hares cried out to his companions: 
 
130 
 
 THE FABLES OF JESOP. 
 
 “Stay, my friends, do not do as you intended; for 
 you now see that other creatures who yet live are 
 more timorous than ourselves.” 
 
 THE SWAL AND THE GOOSE. 
 
 A certain rich man bought in the market a Goose 
 and a Swan. He fed the one for his table, and kept 
 the other for the sake of its song. When the time 
 came for killing the Goose, the cook went to take 
 him at night, when it was dark, and he was not able 
 to distinguish one bird from the other, and he caught 
 the Swan instead of the Goose. The Swan, threat- 
 ened with death, burst forth into song, and thus 
 made himself known by his voice, and preserved his 
 life by his melody. 
 
 A word in season is most precious. 
 
 THE DOE AND THE LION. 
 
 A Doe hard pressed by hunters entered a cave for 
 shelter which belonged to a Lion. The Lion con- 
 cealed himself on seeing her approach; but. when 
 she was safe within the cave, sprang upon her, and 
 tore her to pieces. “Woe is me,” exclaimed the 
 Doe, “who have escaped from man, only to throw 
 myself into the mouth of a wild beast! ” 
 
 In avoiding one evil care must be taken not to fall 
 into another. 
 
THE FISHERMAN AND THE LITTLE FISH. 
 
 A Fisherman who lived on the produce of his nets, 
 one day caught a single small fish as the result of 
 his day’s labor. The fish, panting convulsively, thus 
 entreated for his life: ' ‘ O Sir, what good can I be 
 
 to you, and how little am I worth? I am not yet 
 come to my full size. Pray spare my life, and put 
 me back into the sea. I shall soon become a large 
 fish, fit for the tables of the rich; and then you can 
 catch me again, and make a handsome profit of me. ” 
 The fisherman replied, “I should indeed be a very 
 simple fellow, if, for the chance of a greater uncer- 
 tain profit, I were to forego my present certain 
 gain.” 
 
132 
 
 THE FABLES OF JESOP. 
 
 THE HUNTER AND THE WOODMAN. 
 
 A Hunter, not very bold, was searching for the 
 trapks of a Lion. He asked a man felling oaks in 
 the forest if he had seen any marks of his footsteps, 
 or if he knew where his lair was. “ I will,” he said, 
 ‘ ‘ at once show you the Lion himself. ” The- Hunter, 
 turning very pale, and chattering with his teeth 
 from fear, replied, “No, thank you. I did not ask 
 that; it is his track only I am in search of, net the 
 Lion himself.” 
 
 The hero is brave in deeds as well as words. 
 
 THE SWOLLEN FOX. 
 
 A Fox, very much famished, seeing some bread and 
 meat left by shepherds in the hollow of an oak, crept 
 into the hole and made a hearty meal. When he 
 finished, he was so full that he was not able to get 
 out, and began to groan and lament very sadly. 
 Another Fox passing by, heard his cries, and coming 
 up, inquired the cause of his complaining. On learn- 
 ing what had happened, he said to him, “Ah, you 
 will have to remain there, my friend, until you be- 
 come such as you were when you crept in, and then 
 you will easily get out.” 
 
THE CAMEL AND THE ARAB. 
 
 An Arab Camel-driver having completed the lading 
 of his Camel, asked him which he would like best, to 
 go up hill or down hill. The poor beast replied, not 
 without a touch of reason : “ Why do you ask me? 
 Is it that the level way through the desert is closed? ” 
 
 THE MILLER, HIS SON, AND THEIR ASS. 
 
 A Miller and his son were driving their Ass to a 
 neighboring fair to sell him. They had not gone far 
 when they met with a troop of women collected round 
 a well, talking and laughing. “ Look there,” cried 
 one of them, “ did you ever see such fellows, to be 
 trudging along the road on foot when they might 
 ride?” The old man hearing this quickly made his 
 son mount the Ass, and continued to walk along 
 merrily by his side. Presently they came up to a 
 group of old men in earnest debate. “ There,” said 
 one of them, “ it proves what I was a-saying. What 
 respect is shown to old age in these days? Do you 
 see that idle lad riding while his old father has to 
 
134 
 
 THE FABLES OF JESOP. 
 
 walk? Get down, you young scapegrace, and let 
 the old man rest his weary limbs.” Upon this the 
 old man made his son dismount, and got up himself. 
 In this manner they had not proceeded far when they 
 met a company of women and children: “Why, you 
 lazy old fellow,” cried several tongues at once, “ how 
 can you ride upon the beast, while that poor little 
 lad there can hardly keep pace by the side of you? ” 
 The good-natured Miller immediately took up his 
 son behind him. They had now almost reached the 
 town. 
 
 “ Pray, honest friend,” said a citizen, “ is that Ass 
 your own?” “Yes,” says the old man. “ O, one 
 would not have thought so,” said the other, “ by the 
 way you load him. Why, you two fellows are better 
 able to carry the poor beast than he you. ” ‘ ‘Anything 
 to please you,” said the old man ; “we can but try.” 
 So, alighting with his son, they tied the legs of the 
 Ass together, and by the help of a pole endeavored 
 to carry him on their shoulders over a bridge near the 
 entrance of the town. This entertaining sight 
 brought the people in crowds to laugh at it ; till the 
 Ass, not liking the noise, nor the strange handling 
 that he was subject to, broke the cords that bound 
 him, and, tumbling off the pole, fell into the river. 
 Upon this, the old man, vexed and ashamed, made 
 the best of his way home again, convinced that by 
 endeavoring to please everybody he had pleased 
 nobody, and lost his Ass into the bargain. 
 
THE CAT AND THE MICE. 
 
 A certain house was overrun with Mice. A Cat, 
 discovering this, made her way into it, and began to 
 catch and eat them one by one. The Mice being con- 
 tinually devoured, kept themselves close in their 
 holes. The Cat, no longer able to get at them, per- 
 ceived that she must tempt them forth by some 
 device. For this purpose she jumped upon a peg, 
 and suspending herself from it, pretended to be dead. 
 One of the Mice, peeping stealthily out, saAv her, and 
 said, “ Ah, my good madam, even though you should 
 turn into a meal-bag, we will not come near you.” 
 
136 
 
 THE FABLES OF ,/ESOP. 
 
 THE MOUSE AND THE BULL, 
 
 A Bull was bitten by a Mouse, and, pained by the 
 wound, tried to capture him. The Mouse first reached 
 his hole in safety, and the Bull dug into the walls 
 with his horns, until wearied, crouching down, he 
 slept by the hole. The Mouse peeping out, crept 
 furtively up his flank, and, again biting him, 
 retreated to his hole. The Bull rising up, and not 
 knowing what to do, was sadly perplexed. The 
 Mouse murmured forth, “The great do not always 
 prevail. There are times when the small and lowly 
 are the strongest to do mischief.” ' 
 
 THE TWO FROGS. 
 
 Two Frogs dwelt in the same pool. The pool being 
 dried up under the summer’s heat, they left it, and 
 set out together for another home. As they went 
 along they chanced to pass a deep well, amply sup- 
 plied with water, on seeing which one of the Frogs 
 said to the other, “Let us descend and make our 
 abode in this well: it will furnish us with shelter and 
 food.” The other replied with greater caution, “ But 
 suppose the water should fail us, how can we get 
 out again from so great a depth?” 
 
 Do nothing without a regard to the consequences. 
 
THE DOG AND THE COOK. 
 
 
 A rtch man gave a great feast, 
 to which he invited many friends 
 and acquaintances. His dog 
 availed himself of the occasion 
 to invite a stranger dog, a friend 
 of his, saying, “ My master gives 
 a feast; you will have unusually 
 good cheer; come and sup with 
 me to-night. ” The Dog thus in- 
 vited went at the 
 hour appointed, 
 and seeing the 
 preparations for 
 so grand an en- 
 tertainment, 
 said, in the joy of 
 his heart, “How 
 glad I am that I 
 came! I do not 
 often get such a 
 chance as this. 
 I will take care 
 and eat enough 
 
138 
 
 THE FABLES OF JESOP. 
 
 to last me both to-day and to-morrow.” While he 
 thus congratulated himself, and wagged his tail, as 
 if he would convey a sense of his pleasure to his 
 friend, the Cook saw him moving about among his 
 dishes, and, seizing him by his fore and hind paws, 
 bundled him without ceremony out of the window. 
 He fell with force upon the ground, and limped 
 away, howling dreadfully. His yelling soon at- 
 tracted other street dogs, who came up to him, and 
 inquired how he had enjoyed his supper. He re- 
 plied, “ Why, to tell you the truth, I drank so much 
 wine that I remember nothing. I do not know how 
 I got out of the house.” 
 
 Uninvited guests seldom meet a welcome. 
 
 THE THIEVES AND THE COCK. 
 
 Some thieves broke into a house, and found nothing 
 but a Cock, whom they stole, and got off as fast as 
 they could. On arriving at home they proceeded to 
 kill the Cock, who thus pleaded for his life: “Pray 
 
 spare me; I am very serviceable to men. I wake 
 them up in the night to their work.” “That is the 
 very reason why we must the more kill you,” they 
 replied; “for when you wake your neighbors, you 
 entirely put an end to our business.” 
 
 The safeguards of virtue are hateful to the evil 
 disposed. 
 
THE LION, THE BEAR, AND THE FOX. 
 
 A Lion and a Bear seized upon a kid at the same 
 moment, and fought fiercely for its possession. 
 When they had fearfully lacerated each other, and 
 were faint from the long combat, they lay down ex- 
 hausted with fatigue. A Fox, who had gone round 
 them at a distance several times, saw them both 
 stretched on the ground, and the Kid lying un- 
 touched in the middle, ran in between them, and 
 seizing the Kid scampered off as fast as he could. 
 The Lion and the Bear saw him, but not being able 
 to get up, said, “Woe betide us, that we should 
 have fought and belabored ourselves only to serve 
 the turn of a Fox ! ” 
 
 It sometimes happens that one man has all the 
 toil, and another all the profit. 
 
140 
 
 THE FABLES OF JESOP. 
 
 THE FARMER AND THE FOX. 
 
 A Farmer, having a long spite against a Fox for 
 robbing bis poultry yard, caught him at last, and, 
 being determined to take an ample revenge, tied 
 some tow well soaked with oil to bis tail, and set it 
 on fire. The Fox by a strange fatality rushed to the 
 fields of the Farmer who had captured him. It was 
 the time of the wheat harvest; but the Farmer 
 reaped nothing that year, and returned home griev- 
 ing sorely. 
 
 THE DANCING MONKEYS. 
 
 A Prince had some Monkeys trained to dance. 
 Being naturally great mimics of men’s actions, they 
 showed themselves most apt pupils; and, when ar. 
 rayed in their rich clothes and masks, they danced 
 as well as any of the courtiers. The spectacle was 
 often repeated with great applause, till on one oc- 
 casion a courtier, bent on mischief, took from his 
 pocket a handful of nuts, and threw them upon the 
 stage. The Monkeys at the sight of the nuts forgot 
 their dancing, and became (as indeed they were) 
 Monkeys instead of actors, and pulling off their 
 masks, and tearing their robes, they fought with one 
 another for the nuts. The dancing spectacle thus 
 . came to 4n end, amidst the laughter and ridicule of 
 the audience, 
 
A Sea-gull having bolted down too large a fish, 
 burst its deep gullet-bag, and lay down on the shore 
 to die. A Kite, seeing him, exclaimed : “ You richly 
 deserve your fate ; for a bird of the air has no busi- 
 ness to seek its food from the sea.” 
 
 Every man should be content to mind his own 
 business. 
 
 THE PHILOSOPHER, THE ANTS, AND 
 MERCURY. 
 
 A Philosopher witnessed from the shore the ship- 
 wreck of a vessel, of which the crew and passengers 
 were all drowned, He inveighed against the injustice 
 
142 
 
 THE FABLES OF ^ESOP. 
 
 of Providence, which would for the sake of one 
 criminal perchance sailing in the ship allow so many 
 innocent persons to perish. As he was indulging in 
 these reflections, he found himself surrounded by a 
 whole army of Ants, near to whose nest he was 
 standing. One of them climbed up and stung him, 
 and he immediately trampled them all to death with 
 his foot. Mercury presented himself, and striking 
 the Philosopher with his wand, said, “And are you 
 indeed to make yourself a judge of the dealings of 
 Providence, who hast thyself in a similar manner 
 treated these poor Ants?” 
 
 THE TRAVELER AND FORTUNE. 
 
 A Traveler, wearied with a long journey, lay 
 down overcome with fatigue on the very brink of a 
 deep well. Being within an inch of falling into the 
 water. Dame Fortune, it is said, appeared to him, 
 and waking him from his slumber, thus addressed 
 him: “ Good Sir, pray wake up: for had you fallen 
 into the well, the blame will be thrown on me, and I 
 shall get an ill name among mortals ; for I find that 
 men are sure to impute their calamities to me, how- 
 ever much by their own folly they have really 
 brought them on themselves.” 
 
 Every one is more or less master of his own fate, 
 
THE FOX AND THE LEOPARD. 
 
 The Fox and the Leopard disputed which was the 
 more beautiful of the two. The Leopard exhibited 
 one by one the various spots which decorated his 
 skin. The Fox, interrupting him, said, “And how 
 much more beautiful than you am I, who am decor- 
 ated, not in body, but in mind.” 
 
 THE LION AND THE HARE. 
 
 A Lion came across a Hare, who was fast asleep on 
 her form. He was just in the act of seizing her, 
 when a fine young Hart trotted by, and he left the 
 Hare to follow him. The Hare, scared by the noise, 
 awoke, and scudded away. The Lion was not able 
 after a long chase to catch the Hart, and he returned 
 to feed upon the Hare. On finding that the Hare 
 also had run off, he said, “I am rightly served for 
 having let go the food that I had in my hand for the 
 phance of obtaining more.” 
 
144 
 
 THE FABLES OF AiSOP. 
 
 THE PEASANT AND THE EAGLE. 
 
 A Peasant found an Eagle captured in a trap, and, 
 much admiring the bird, set him free. The Eagle 
 did not prove ungrateful to his deliverer, for seeing 
 him sit under a wall, which was not safe, he flew 
 towards him, and snatched off with his talons a 
 bundle resting on his head, and on his rising to pur- 
 sue him he let the bundle fall again. The Peasant 
 taking it up, and returning to the same place, found 
 the wall under which he had been sitting fallen to 
 the ground; and he much marvelled at the requital 
 made him by the Eagle for the service he had 
 rendered him. 
 
 THE IMAGE OF MERCURY AND THE CAR- 
 PENTER. 
 
 A very poor man. a Carpenter by trade, had a 
 wooden image of Mercury, before which he made 
 offerings day by day, and entreated the idol to make 
 him rich: bu. in spite of his entreaties he became 
 poorer and poorer. At last, being very wroth, he 
 took his image down from its pedestal, and dashed 
 it against the wall : when its head being knocked off 
 out came a stream of gold, which the Carpenter 
 quickly picked up, and said, “Well, I think thou 
 art altogether contradictory and unreasonable; for 
 when I paid you honor, I reaped no benefits: but 
 now that I maltreat you I am loaded with an abund- 
 ance of riches.” 
 
THE BULL AND THE GOAT 
 
 A Bull, escaping from a Lion, entered a cave, 
 which some shepherds had lately occupied. A He- 
 goat was left in it, who sharply attacked him with 
 his horns. The Bull quietly addressed him — 44 Butt 
 away as much as you will. I have no fear of you, 
 but of the Lion. Let that monster once go, and I 
 will soon let you know what is the respective strength 
 of a Goat and a Bull.” 
 
 It shows an evil disposition to take advantage of a 
 friend in distress. 
 
146 
 
 THE FABLES OF JESOP. 
 
 THE LAMP. 
 
 A Lamp soaked with too much oil, and flaring very- 
 much, boasted that it gave more light than the sun. 
 A sudden puff of wind arising, it was immediately 
 extinguished. Its owner lit it again, and said: 
 ‘ ‘ Boast no more, but henceforth be content to give 
 thy light in silence. Know that not even the stars 
 need to be relit.” 
 
 THE LION, THE FOX, AND THE ASS. 
 
 The Lion, the Fox, and the Ass entered into an 
 agreement to assist each other in the chase. Having 
 secured a large booty, the Lion, on their return from 
 the forest, asked the Ass to allot his due portion to 
 each of the three partners in the treaty. The Ass 
 carefully divided the spoil into three equal shares, 
 and modestly requested the two others to make the 
 first choice. The Lion, bursting out into a great 
 rage, devoured the Ass. Then he requested the Fox 
 to do him the favor to make a division. The Fox 
 accumulated all that they had killed into one large 
 heap, and left to himself the smallest possible 
 morsel. The Lion said, “ Who has taught you my 
 very excellent fellow, the art of division? “You are 
 perfect to a fraction.” He replied, “ I learnt it from 
 the Ass, by witnessing his fate.” 
 
 Happy is the man who learns from the misfortunes 
 of others. 
 
THE BALD KNIGHT. 
 
 A bald Knight, who wore a wig, went out to hunt. 
 A sudden puff of wind blew off his hat and wig, at 
 which a loud laugh rang forth from his companions. 
 He pulled up his horse, and with great glee joined in 
 the joke by saying, “ What marvel that hairs which 
 are not mine should fly from me, when they have 
 forsaken even the man that owns them: with whom, 
 too, they were born’” 
 
 THE SHEPHERD AND THE DOG. 
 
 A Shepherd penning his sheep in the fold for the 
 night was about to shut up a wolf with them, when 
 his Dog perceiving the wolf said, “Master, how can 
 you expect the sheep to be safe if you admit a wolf 
 into the fold?” 
 
148 
 
 THE FABLES OF iESOP. 
 
 THE MONKEYS AND THEIR MOTHER. 
 
 The Monkey, it is said, has two young ones at a . 
 hi) th. The mother fondles one, and nurtures it with 
 the greatest affection and care; but hates and 
 neglects the other. It happened once on a time that 
 the young one which was caressed and loved was 
 smothered by the too great affection of the mother, 
 while the despised one was nurtured and reared in 
 ' nite of the neglect to which it was exposed. 
 
 The best intentions will not always ensure success. 
 
 THE OAKS AND JUPITER. 
 
 The Oaks presented a complaint to Jupiter, saying, 
 “We bear for no purpose the burden of life, as of all 
 the trees that grow we are the most continually in 
 peril of the axe.” Jupiter made answer, “You have 
 only to thank yourselves for the misfortunes to 
 which you are exposed: for if you did not make such 
 excellent pillars and posts, and prove yourselves so 
 serviceable to the carpenters and the farmers, the axe 
 would not so frequently be laid to your roots.” 
 
THE HARE AND THE HOUND. 
 
 A Hound having started a Hare from his form, after 
 a long run, gave up the chase. A Goat-herd seeing 
 him stop, mocked him, saying, “ The little one is the 
 best runner of the two.’’ The Hound replied, “You 
 do not see the difference between us: I was only 
 running for a dinner, but he, for his life.” 
 
 THE OAK AND THE WOODCUTTERS. 
 
 The Woodcutters cut down a Mountain Oak, split it 
 in pieces, making wedges of its own branches for 
 dividing the trunk, anid for saving their labor. The 
 Oak said with a sigh, “Ido not care about the blows 
 
150 
 
 THE FABLES OF JESOP. 
 
 of the a^e aimed at my roots, but I do grieve at 
 being torn in pieces by these wedges made from my 
 own branches.” 
 
 Misfortunes springing from ourselves are the 
 hardest to bear. 
 
 THE WASP AND THE SNAKE. 
 
 A Wasf seated himself upon the head of a Snake, 
 and striking him unceasingly with his stings wounded 
 him to death. The Snake, being in great torment, 
 and not knowing how to rid himself of his enemy, 
 or to scare him away, saw a wagon heavily laden 
 with wood, and went and purposely placed his head 
 under the wheels, and said, “ I and my enemy shall 
 thus perish together.” 
 
 THE PEACOCK AND THE CRANE. 
 
 A Peacock spreading its gorgeous tail mocked a 
 Crane that passed by, ridiculing the ashen hue of its 
 plumage, and saying, ‘‘I am robed, like a king, in 
 gold and purple, and all the colors of the rainbow; 
 while you have not a bit of color on your wings.” 
 “ True,” replied the Crane; “ but I soar to the heights 
 of heaven, and lift up my voice to the stars, while 
 you walk below, like a cock, among the birds of the 
 dunghill. ” 
 
 Fine feathers don’t make fine birds. 
 
THE HEN AND THE GOLDEN EGGS. 
 
 A Cottager and his wife had a Hen, which laid every 
 day a golden egg. They supposed that it must con- 
 tain a great lump of gold in its inside, and killed it in 
 order that they might get it, when to their surprise 
 they found that the Hen differed in no respect from 
 their other hens. The foolish pair, thus hoping to 
 become rich all at once, deprived themselves of the 
 gain of which they were day by day assured. 
 
152 
 
 THE FABLES OF ASSOP. 
 
 THE ASS AND THE FROGS. 
 
 An Ass, carrying a load of wood, passed through a 
 pond. As he was crossing through the water he lost 
 his footing, and stumbled and fell, and not being able 
 to raise on account of bis load, he groaned heavily. 
 Some Frogs frequenting the pool heard his lamenta- 
 tion, and said, “What would you do if you had to 
 live here always as we do, when you make such a 
 fuss about a mere fall into the water?” 
 
 Men often bear littte grievances with less courage 
 than they do large misfortunes. 
 
 THE CROW AND THE RAVEN. 
 
 A Crow was very jealous of the Raven, because lie 
 was consi ered a bird of good omen, and always 
 attracted the attention of men, as indicating by his 
 flight the good or evil course of future events. Seeing 
 some travellers approaching, she flew up into a tree, 
 and perching herself on one of the branches, cawed 
 as loudly as she could. The travellers turned towards 
 the sound, and wondered what it boded, when one of 
 them said to his companion, “ Let us proceed on our 
 journey, my friend, for it is only the caw of a crow, 
 and her cry, you know, is no omen.” 
 
 Those who assume a character which does not 
 belong to them, only make themselves ridiculous. 
 
THE TREES 3i’jQ> x IE AXE. 
 
 A Man came into a foi.^% Q made a petition to 
 the Trees to provide him a haiuLj for his axe. The 
 Trees consented to his request, and gave him a young 
 ash-tree. Xo sooner had the man fitted from it a new 
 handle to his axe, than he began to use it, and quickly 
 felled with his strokes the noblest giants of the forest. 
 An old oak, lamenting when too late the destruc- 
 tion of his companions, said to a neighboring cedar, 
 “ The first step has lost us alL If we had not given 
 up the rights of the ash, we might yet have retained 
 our own privileges, and have oL & for ages.” 
 
154 
 
 THE FABLES OF JESOP. 
 
 THE BULL, THE LIONESS, AND THE WILD- 
 BOAR HUNTER. 
 
 A Bull finding a lion’s cub asleep gored him to 
 death with his horns. The Lioness came up, and 
 bitterly lamented the death of her whelp. A Wild- 
 boar Hunter seeing her distress, stood afar off, and 
 said to her, “ Think how many men there are who 
 have reason to lament the loss of their children, 
 whose deaths have been caused by you.” 
 
 THE WOLVES AND THE SHEEP-DOGS. 
 
 The Wolves thus addressed the Sheep-dogs: ‘ ‘Why 
 should you, who are like us in so many things, not 
 be entirely of one mind with us, and live with us as 
 brothers should? We differ from you in one point 
 only. We live in freedom, but you bow down to, &nd 
 slave for, men ; who, in return for your services, flog 
 you with whips, and put collars on your necks. 
 They make you also guard their sheep, and while 
 they eat the mutton throw only the bones to you. If 
 you will be persuaded by us, you will give us the 
 sheep, and we will enjoy them in common, till we 
 all are surfeited.” The Dogs listened favorably to 
 these proposals, and, entering the den of the Wolves, 
 they were set upon and torn to pieces. 
 

 THE BOWMAN AND LION. 
 
 A very skilful Bowman went to the mountains in 
 search of game. Ail the beasts of the forest fled at 
 his approach. The Lion alone challenged him to 
 combat. The Bowman immediately let fly an arrow, 
 and said to the Lion: “I send thee my messenger, 
 that from him thou mayest learn what I myself shall 
 be when I assail thee.” The Lion, thus wounded, 
 rushed away in great fear, and on a Fox exhorting 
 him to be of good courage, and not to run away at 
 the first attack, he replied: “ You counsel me in vain, 
 
156 
 
 THE FABLES OF iESOP. 
 
 for if he sends so fearful a messenger, how shall I 
 abide the attack of the man himself?” 
 
 A man who can strike from a distance is no pleas- 
 ant neighbor. 
 
 THE CAMEL. 
 
 When man first saw the Camel, he was so frightened 
 at his vast size that he fled away. After a time, per- 
 ceiving the meekness and gentleness of his temper, 
 he summoned courage enough to approach him. Soon 
 afterwards, observing that he was an animal alto- 
 gether deficient in spirit, he assumed such boldness as 
 to put a bridle in his mouth, and set a child to drive 
 him. 
 
 Use serves to overcome dread. 
 
 THE CRAB AND THE FOX. 
 
 A CRi v, forsaking the sea-shore, chose a neighboring 
 green meadow as its feeding ground. A Fox came 
 across him, and being very much famished ate him 
 up. Just as he was on the point of being eaten, he 
 said, “ I well deserve my fate; for what business had 
 I on the land, when by my nature and habits I am 
 only adapted for the sea?” 
 
 Contentment with our lot is an element of happi- 
 
 ness* 
 
THE WOMAN AND HER HEN. 
 
 A Woman possessed a Hen that gave her an egg 
 every day. She often thought with herself how she 
 might obtain two eggs daily instead of one, and at 
 last, to gain her purpose, determined to give the Hen 
 a double allowance of barley. From that day the Hen 
 became fat and sleek, and never once laid another 
 egg. 
 
 Covetousness overreaeheth itself. 
 
 THE ASS AND THE OLD SHEPHERD. 
 
 A Suepher] watched liis Ass feeding in a meadow. 
 Being alarmed on a sudden by the cries of the enemy, 
 he appealed to the Ass to fly with him, lest they 
 
158 
 
 THE FABLES OF jESOP. 
 
 should both be captured. He lazily replied, “ Why 
 should I, pray ? Do you think it likely the conqueror 
 will place on me two sets of panniers?” “No,” re- 
 joined the Shepherd. “Then,” said the Ass, “as 
 long as I carry the panniers, what matters it to me 
 whom I serve?” 
 
 In a change of government the poor change noth- 
 ing beyond the name of their master. 
 
 THE KITES AND THE SWANS. 
 
 The Kites of old time had, equally with the Swans, 
 the privilege of song. But having heard the neigh 
 of the horse, they were so enchanted with the sound, 
 that they tried to imitate it; and, in trying to neigh, 
 they forgot how to sing. 
 
 The desire for imaginary benefits often involves 
 the loss of present blessings. 
 
 THE HARES AND THE FOXES. 
 
 The Hares waged war with the Eagles, and called 
 upon the Foxes to help them. They replied, “We 
 would willingly have helped you, if we had not known 
 who ye were, and with whom ye were fighting.” 
 Count the cost before you commit yourselves. 
 
THE FOX AND THE HEDGEHOG. 
 
 A Fox swimming across a rapid river was carried by 
 the force of the current into a very deep ravine, where 
 he lay for a long time very much bruised and sick, and 
 unable to move. A swarm of hungry blood-sucking 
 flies settled upon him. A Hedgehog passing by com- 
 passionated his sufferings, and inquired if he should 
 drive away the flies that were tormenting him. “ By 
 no means,” replied the Fox; “pray do not molest 
 them.” “How is this?” said the Hedgehog; “do you 
 not want to be rid of them?” “No,” returned the Fox; 
 “for these flies which you see are full of blood, and 
 sting me but little, and if you rid me of these which 
 are already satiated, others more hungry will come in 
 their place, and will drink up all the blood I have left. w 
 
160 
 
 THE FABLES OF iESOP. 
 
 THE HOG AND THE HARE. 
 
 Hound having started a Hare on the hill-side 
 pursued her for some distance : at one time biting her 
 with his teeth as if he would taka her life, and at 
 another time fawning upon her, as if in play with 
 another dog. The Hare said to him, ‘'I wish you 
 would act sincerely by me, and show yourself in your 
 true colors. If you are a friend, why do you bite me 
 so hard? if an enemy, why do you fawn on me?” 
 
 They are no friends whom you know not whether 
 to trust or to distrust. 
 
 THE BULL AND THE CALF. 
 
 A Bull was striving with all his might to squeeze 
 himself through a narrow passage which led to his 
 stall. A young Calf came up, and offered to go before 
 and show him the way by which he could manage to 
 pass. “ Save yourself the trouble,” said the Bull; “I 
 knew that way long before you were born.” 
 
 THE STAG, THE WOLF, AND THE SHEEP. 
 A Stag asked a Sheep to lend him a measure of 
 wheat, and said that the Wolf would be his surety. 
 The Sheep, fearing some fraud was intended, excused 
 herself, saying, “The Wolf is accustomed to seize 
 what he wants, and to run off; and you, too, can 
 quickly outstrip me in your rapid flight. How then 
 shall I be able to find you, when the day of payment 
 comes?” 
 
 Two blacks do not make one white 
 
THE MULE. 
 
 A Mule, frolicsome from want of work and from 
 overmuch corn, galloped about in a very extravagant 
 manner, and said to himself: “My father surely was 
 a high-mettled racer, and I am his own child in speed 
 and spirit.” On the next day, being driven a long 
 journey, and feeling very wearied, he exclaimed in 
 a disconsolate tone: “I must have made a mistake; 
 my father, after all, could have been only an ass.” 
 
 THE EAGLE, THE CAT, AND THE WILD SOW. 
 
 An Eagle had made her nest at the top of a lofty 
 oak. A Cat, having found a convenient hole, kittened 
 in the middle of the trunk ; and a Wild Sow, with her 
 
162 
 
 THE FABLES OF JESOP. 
 
 young, had taken shelter in a hollow at its foot. The 
 Cat resolved to destroy by her arts this chance-made 
 colony. To carry out her design, she climbed to the 
 nest of the Eagle, and said, “Destruction is preparing 
 for you, and for me too, unfortunately. The Wild 
 Sow, whom you may see daily digging up the earth, 
 wishes to uproot the oak, that she may on its fall 
 seize our families as food for her young.” Having 
 thus deprived the Eagle of her senses through terror, 
 she crept down to the cave of the Sow, and said, 
 “Your children are in great danger; for as soon as 
 you shall go out with your litter to find food, the 
 Eagle is prepared to pounce upon one of your little 
 pigs.” Having instilled these fears into the Sow, she 
 went and pretended to hide herself in the hollow of 
 the tree. When night came she went forth with silent 
 foot and obtained food for herself and her kittens; 
 but, feigning to be afraid, she kept a look-out all 
 through the day. Meanwhile, the Eagle, full of fear 
 of the Sow, sat still on the branches, and the Sow, 
 terrified by the Eagle, did not dare to go out from 
 her cave; and thus they each, with their families, 
 perished from hunger, and afforded an ample pro- 
 vision to the Cat and her kittens. 
 
THE CROW AND THE PITCHER. 
 
 A Crow perishing with thirst saw a pitcher, and, 
 hoping to find water, flew to it with great delight. 
 When he reached it, he discovered to his grief that it 
 contained so little water that he could not possibly 
 get at it. He tried everything he could think of to 
 reach the w ater, but all his efforts were in vain. At 
 last he collected as many stones as he could carry, 
 and dropped them one by one with his beak into the 
 pitcher, until he brought the water within his reach, 
 and thus saved his life. 
 
 Necessity is the mother of invention. 
 
164 
 
 THE FABLES OF ASSOP. 
 
 THE WOLF AND THE FOX. 
 
 A Very large and strong Wolf was born among the 
 wolves, who exceeded all his fellow-wolves in 
 strength, size, and swiftness, so that they gave him, 
 with unanimous consent, the name of “Lion.” The 
 W olf , with a want of sense proportioned to his enor- 
 mous size, thought that they gave him this name in 
 earnest, and, leaving his own race, consorted exclu- 
 sively with the lions. An old sly Fox, seeing this, 
 said, “May I never make myself so ridiculous as you 
 do in your pride and self-conceit; for you really show 
 like a lion among wolves, whereas in a herd of lions 
 you are a wolf.” 
 
 THE PROPHET. 
 
 A W izard, sitting in the market-place, told the for- 
 tunes of the passers-by. A person ran up in great 
 haste, and announced to him that the doors of his 
 house had been broken open, and that all his goods 
 were being stolen. He sighed heavily, and hastened 
 away as fast as he could run. A neighbor saw him 
 running, and said, “Oh! you follow those? you say 
 you can foretell the fortunes of others; how is it you 
 did not foresee your own?” 
 
THE FOX AND THE 
 GRAPES. 
 
 A famished Fox saw some 
 clusters of ripe black grapes 
 hanging from a trellised 
 vine. She resorted to all 
 her tricks to get at them, 
 but wearied herself in vain, 
 for she could not reach 
 them. At last she turned 
 
 away beguiling herself of her disappointment and 
 saying: “The Grapes are sour, and not ripe as 1 
 thought.” 
 
1 66 
 
 THE FABLES OF jESOP. 
 
 THE SERPENT AND THE EAGLE. 
 
 A Serpent and an Eagle were struggling with each 
 other in the throes of a deadly conflict. The Serpent 
 had the advantage, and was about to strangle the 
 bird. A countryman saw them, and running up, 
 loosed the coil of the Serpent, and let the Eagle go 
 free. The Serpent, irritated at the escape of his 
 prey, let fly his poison, and injected it into the drink- 
 ing horn of the countryman. The rustic, ignorant 
 of his danger, was about to drink, when the Eagle 
 struck his hand with his wing, and, seizing the 
 drinking horn i-n his talons, carried it up aloft. 
 
 THE TWO FROGS. 
 
 Two Frogs were neighbors. The one inhabited a 
 deep pond, far removed from public view; the other 
 lived in a gully containing little water, and traversed 
 by a country road. He that lived in the pond warned 
 his friend, and entreated him to change his residence, 
 and to come and live with him, saying that he would 
 enjoy greater safety from danger and more abundant 
 food. The other refused, saying that he felt it so 
 very hard to remove from a place to which he had 
 become accustomed. A few days afterwards a heavy 
 wagon passed through the gully, and crushed him to 
 death under its wheels. 
 
 A wilful man will have his way to his own hurt 
 

 THE HART AND THE VINE. 
 
 A Hart, hard pressed in the chase, hid himself be- 
 neath the large leaves of a Vine. The huntsmen, in 
 their haste, overshot the place of his concealment; 
 when the Hart, supposing all danger to have passed, 
 began to nibble the tendrils of the Vine. One of the 
 huntsmen, attracted by the rustling of the leaves, 
 looked back, and, seeing the Hart, shot an arrow 
 from his bow, and killed it. The Hart, at the point 
 of death, groaned out these words, “I am rightly 
 served; for I ought not to have maltreated the Vine 
 that saved me.” 
 
 THE THIEF AND THE INNKEEPER 
 A Thief hired a room in a tavern, and stayed some 
 days, in the hope.of stealing something which should 
 enable him to pay his reckoning. When he had 
 
168 
 
 THE FABLES OF jESOP. 
 
 waited some days in vain, he saw the Innkeeper 
 dressed in a new and handsome coat, and sitting be- 
 fore his door. The Thief sat down beside him, and 
 talked with him. As the conversation began to flag, 
 the Thief yawned terribly, and at the same time 
 howled like a wolf. The Innkeeper said, “Why -do 
 you howl so fearfully?” “I will tell you,” said the 
 Thief:” “but first let me ask you to hold my clothes, 
 for I wish to leave them in your hands. I know not, 
 sir, when I got this habit of yawning, nor whether 
 these attacks of howling were inflicted on me as a 
 judgment for my crimes, or for any other cause; but 
 this I do know, that when I yawn for the third time, 
 I actually turn into a wolf, and attack men.” With 
 this speech he commenced a second fit of yawning, 
 and again howled as a wolf, as he did at first. The 
 Innkeeper hearing his tale, and, believing what he 
 said, became greatly alarmed, and rising from his 
 seat, attempted to run away. The Thief laid hold of 
 his coat, and entreated him to stop, saying, “Pray 
 wait, sir, and hold my clothes, or I shall tear them 
 to pieces in my fury, jvhen I turn into a wolf.” At 
 the same moment he yawned the third time, and set 
 up a howl like a wolf. The Innkeeper, frightened 
 lest he should be attacked, left his new coat in his 
 hand, and ran as fast as he could into the inn for 
 safety. The Thief made off with his new coat, and 
 did not return again to the inn. 
 
 Every tale is not to be believed. 
 
THE KID AND THE WOLF. 
 
 A Kid, returning without protection from the pas- 
 ture, was pursued by a Wolf. He turned round, and 
 said to the Wolf: “I know, friend Wolf, that I must 
 be your prey; but before I die, I would ask of you 
 one favor, that you will play me a tune, to which I 
 may dance.” The Wolf complied, and while he was 
 piping, and the Kid was dancing, the hounds, hear- 
 ing the sound, came up, and, issuing forth, gave 
 chase to the Wolf. The Wolf, turning to the Kid, 
 said, “It is just what I deserve; for I, who am only a 
 butcher, should not have turned piper to please you.” 
 
170 
 
 THE FABLES OF JESOP. 
 
 THE WALNUT-TREE. 
 
 A Walnut-tree standing by the roadside bore an 
 abundant crop of fruit. The passers-by broke its 
 branches with stones and sticks for the sake of the 
 nuts. The Walnut-tree piteously exclaimed, “0 
 wretched me! that those whom I cheer with my 
 fruit should repay me with these painful requitals!” 
 
 THE GNAT AND THE LION. 
 
 A Gnat came and said to a Lion, “I do not the least 
 fear you, nor are you stronger than I am. For in 
 what does your strength consist? You can scratch 
 with your claws, and bite with your teeth — so can a 
 woman in her quarrels. I repeat that I am altogether 
 more powerful than you; and if you doubt it, let us 
 fight and see who will conquer. ” The Gnat, having 
 sounded his horn; fastened itself upon the Lion, and 
 stung him on the nostrils and the parts of the face 
 devoid of hair. The Lion, trying to crush him, tore 
 himself with his claws, until he punished himself 
 severely. The Gnat thus prevailed over the Lion, 
 and, buzzing about in a song of triumph, flew away. 
 But shortly afterwards he became entangled in the 
 meshes of a cobweb, and was eaten by a spider. He 
 greatly lamented his fate, saying, ‘Woe is me! that 
 I, who can wage war successfully with the hugest 
 beasts, should perish myself from this spider, the 
 most inconsiderable of insects 1” 
 
THE MONKEY AND THE DOLPHIN. 
 
 A Sailor, bound on a long voyage, took with him a 
 Monkey to amuse him while on shipboard. As he 
 sailed off the coast of Greece, a violent tempest arose, 
 in which the ship was wrecked, and he, his Monkey, 
 and all the crew were obliged to swim for their lives. 
 A Dolphin saw the Monkey contending with the 
 waves, and supposing him to be a man (whom he is 
 always said to befriend), came and placed himself 
 under him, to convey him on his back in safety to 
 the shore. When the Dolphin arrived with his bur- 
 
172 
 
 THE FABLES OF iESOP. 
 
 den in sight of land not far from Athens, he de- 
 manded of the Monkey if he were an Athenian, who 
 replied that he was, and that he was descended from 
 one of the most noble families in that city. He 
 tker inquired if he knew the Piraeus (the famous 
 harbor of Athens). The Monkey, supposing that a 
 man was meant, answered, that he knew him very 
 well, and that he was an intimate friend. The Dol- 
 phin, indignant at these falsehoods, dipped the Mon- 
 key under the water, and drowned him. 
 
 THE JACKDAW AND THE DOYES. 
 
 A Jackdaw seeing some Doves in a cote abundantly 
 provided with food, painting himself white, joined 
 himself to them, that he might share their plentiful 
 maintenance. The Doves as long as he was silent, 
 supposing him to be one of themselves, admitted 
 him to their cote; but when, one day forgetting him- 
 self, he began to chatter, they, discovering his true 
 character, drove him forth, pecking him with their- 
 beaks. Failing to obtain food among the Doves, he 
 betook himself again to the Jackdaws. They too, 
 not recognizing him on account of his color, ex- 
 celled him from living with them. So desiring two 
 jbjects, he obtained neither. 
 
THE HORSE AND THE STAG. 
 
 The Horse had the plain entirely to himself. A Stag 
 intruded into his domain, and shared his pasture. 
 The Horse desiring to revenge himself on the 
 stranger, requested a man, if he were willing, to help 
 him in punishing the Stag. The man replied, that 
 if the Horse would receive a bit in his mouth, and 
 agree to carry him, that he would contrive effectual 
 weapons against the Stag. The horse consented, 
 and allowed the man to mount him. From that hour 
 he found that, instead of obtaining revenge on the 
 Stag, he had enslaved himself to the service of man. 
 
174 
 
 THE FABLES OF JESOP. 
 
 THE FOX AND THE MONKEY. 
 
 A Fox and a Monkey were travelling together on the 
 same road. As they journeyed, they passed through 
 a cemetery full of monuments. “All these monu- 
 ments which you see,” said the Monkey, “are erected 
 in honor of my ancestors, who were in their day 
 freed men, and citizens of great renown.” The Fox 
 replied, “You have chosen a most appropriate sub- 
 ject for your falsehoods, as I am sure none of your 
 ancestors will be able to contradict you.” 
 
 A false tale often betrays itself. 
 
 THE MAN AND HIS WIFE. 
 
 A Man had a Wife who made herself hated by all 
 the members of his household. He wished to find 
 out if she had the same effect on the persons in her 
 father’s house. He therefore made some excuse to 
 send her home on a visit to her father. After a short 
 time she returned, when he inquired how she had got 
 on, and how the servants had treated her. She re- 
 plied, “The neatherds and shepherds cast on me 
 looks of aversion.” He said, “O Wife, if you were 
 disliked by those who go out early in the morning 
 with their flocks, and return late in the evening, 
 what must have been felt towards you by those with 
 whom you passed the whole of the day!” 
 
 Straws show how the wind blows. 
 
THE THIEF AND THE HOUSE-DOG. 
 
 A Thief came in the night to break into a house. 
 He brought with him several slices of meat, that he 
 might pacify the House-dog, so that he should not 
 alarm his master by barking. As the Thief threw 
 him the piece of meat, the Dog said, “If you think 
 to stop my mouth, you will be greatly mistaken. 
 This sudden kindness at your hands will only make 
 me more watchful, lest under these unexpected 
 favors to myself, you have some private ends to 
 accomplish for your own benefit, and for my master’s 
 injury. 
 
 5 
 
176 
 
 THE FABLES OF ^ESOP. 
 
 THE MAN, THE HORSE, THE OX, AND THE 
 
 DOG. 
 
 A Horse, Ox, and Dog, driven to great straits by the 
 cold, sought shelter and protection from Man. He 
 received them kindly, lighted a fire, and warmed 
 them. He made the Horse free of his oats, gave the 
 Ox abundance of hay, and fed the Dog with meat 
 from his own table. Grateful for these favors, they 
 determined to repay him to the best of their ability. 
 They divided for this purpose the term of his life 
 between them, and each endowed one portion of it 
 with the qualities which chiefly characterized him- 
 self. The Horse chose his earliest years, and en- 
 dowed them with his own attributes: lienee every 
 man is in his youth impetuous, headstrong, and ob- 
 stinate in maintaining hte own opinion. The Ox took 
 under his patronage the next term of life, and there- 
 fore man in his middle age is fond of work, devoted 
 to labor, and resolute to amass wealth, and to hus- 
 band his resources. The end of life was reserved to 
 the Dog, wherefore the old man is often snappish, 
 irritable, hard to please, and selfish, tolerant only of 
 h s own household, but averse to strangers, and to 
 ah who do not administer to his comfort or to his 
 necessities. 
 
THE FOX AND THE LION. 
 
 A Fox who had never yet seen a Lion, when he fell 
 in with him by a certain chance for the first time in 
 the forest, was so frightened that he was near dying 
 
 with fear. On his meeting with him for the second 
 time, he was still much alarmed, but not to the same 
 extent as at first. On seeing him the third time, he 
 
THE FABLES OF iBSOP. 
 
 so increased in boldness that he went up to him, and 
 commenced a familiar conversation with him. 
 Acquaintance softens prejudices. 
 
 THE WEASEL AND THE MICE. 
 
 A Weasel, inactive from age and infirmities, was 
 not able to catch mice as he once did. He therefore 
 rolled himself in flour and lay down in a dark corner. 
 A Mouse, supposing him to be food, leapt upon him, 
 and, being instantly caught, was squeezed to death. 
 Another perished in a similar manner, and then a 
 third, and still others after them. A very old Mouse, 
 who had escaped full many a trap and snare, observ- 
 ing from a safe distance the trick of his crafty foe, 
 said, “Ah! you that lie there, may you prosper just 
 in the same proportion as you are what you pretend 
 to e!” 
 
THE BOY BATHING. 
 
 A Boy bathing in a river was in danger of being 
 drowned. He called out to a traveller, passing by, 
 for help. The traveller, instead of holding out a 
 helping hand, stood up unconcernedly, and scolded 
 the boy for his imprudence. “Oh, sir!” cried the 
 youth, “prey help me now, and scold me afterwards.” 
 Counsel, without help, is useless. 
 
 THE APES AND THE TWO TRAVELLERS. 
 Two men, one of whom always spoke the truth and 
 the other told nothing but lies, were travelling 
 together, and by chance came to the land of Apes. 
 
180 
 
 THE FABLES OF AESOP. 
 
 One of the Apes, who had raised himself to be king, 
 commanded them to be laid hold of, and brought be- 
 fore him, that he might know what was said of him 
 among men. He ordered at the same time that all 
 the Apes should be arranged in a long row on his 
 right hand and on his left, and that a throne should 
 be placed for him, as was the custom among men. 
 After these preparations he signified his will that 
 the two men should be brought before him, and 
 greeted them with this salutation: “What sort of a 
 king do I seem to you to be, O strangers?” The lying 
 Traveller replied, “You seem to me a most mighty 
 king.” “And what is your estimate of those you 
 see around me?” “These,” he made answer, “are 
 worthy companions of yourself, fit at least to be am- 
 bassadors and leaders of armies.” The Ape and all 
 his court, gratified with the lie, commanded a hand- 
 some present to be given to the flatterer. On this the 
 truthful Traveller thought within himself, “If so 
 great a reward be given for a lie, with what gift 
 -may not I be rewarded, if, according to my custom, 
 I shall tell the truth?” The Ape quickly turned to 
 him. “And pray how do I and these my friends 
 around me seem to you?” “Thou art,” he said, “a 
 most excellent Ape, and all these thy companions 
 after thy example are excellent Apes, too.” The 
 King of the Apes, enraged at hearing these truths, 
 gave him over to the teeth and claws of his com- 
 panions. 
 
THE WOLF AND THE SHEPHERD. 
 
 A Wolf followed a flock of sheep for a long time, 
 and did not attempt to injure one of them. The 
 Shepherd at first stood on his gua-rd against him, as 
 against an enemy, and kept a strict watch over his 
 movements. But when the Wolf, day after day, kept 
 in the company of the sheep, and did npt make the 
 slightest effort to seize them, the Shepherd began to 
 look upon him as a guardian of his flock rather than 
 as a plotter of evil against it; and when occasion 
 called him one day into the city, he left the sheep 
 entirely in his charge. The Wolf, now that he had 
 the opportunity, fell upon the sheep, and destroyed 
 the greater part of the flock. The Shepherd on his 
 
182 
 
 THE FABLES OF AESOP. 
 
 return finding his flock destroyed, exclaimed: “I 
 have been rightly served; why did I trust my sheep 
 to a Wolf?” 
 
 THE HARES AND THE LIONS. 
 
 The Hares harangued the assembly, and argued that 
 all should be on an equality. The Lions made this 
 reply: “Your words, 0 Hares! are good; but they 
 lack both claws aud teeth such as we have.” 
 
THE LARK AND HER YOUNG ONES. 
 
 A Lark had made her nest in the early spring on 
 the young green wheat. The brood had almost grown 
 to their proper strength, and attained the use of their 
 wings and the full plumage of their feathers, when 
 the owner of the field, overlooking his crop, now 
 quite ripe, said, “ The time is come when I must send 
 to all my neighbors to help me with my harvest.” 
 One of the young Larks heard his speech, and related 
 it to his mother, inquiring of her to what place they 
 should move for safety. “ There is no occasion to 
 move yet, my son,” she replied; “the man who only 
 sends to his friends to help him with his harvest is 
 
184 
 
 THE FABLES OF ^SOP. 
 
 not really in earnest.” The owner of the field again 
 came a few days later, and saw the wheat shedding 
 the grain from excess of ripeness, and said, “I will 
 come myself to-morrow with my laborers, and with 
 as many reapers as I can hire, and will get in the 
 harvest." The Lark on hearing these words, said to 
 her brood, “It is time now to be off, my little ones, 
 for the man is in earnest this time; he no longer 
 trusts to his friends, but will reap the field himself.” 
 Self-help is the best help. 
 
 THE PEACOCK AND JUNO. 
 
 The Peacock made complaint to Juno that, while 
 the nightingale pleased every ear with his song, he 
 no sooner opened his mouth than he became a laugh- 
 ing-stock to all who heard him. The Goddess, to 
 console him, said, “But you far excel in beauty and 
 size. The splendor of the emerald shines in your 
 neck, and you unfold a tail gorgeous with painted 
 plumage.” “But for what purpose have I.” said the 
 bird, “this dumb beauty so long as l am surpassed 
 in song?” “The lot of each,” replied Juno, “has 
 been assigned by the will of the Fates — to thee, 
 beauty; to the eagle, strength; to the nightingale, 
 song; to the raven, favorable, and to the crow, un- 
 favorable, auguries. These are all contented with 
 the endowments allotted to them. ” 
 
THE ASS AND THE WOLF. 
 
 An Ass, feeding in a meadow, saw a Wolf approach- 
 ing to seize him, and immediately pretended to he 
 lame. The Wolf, coming up, inquired the cause of 
 his lameness. The Ass said, that passing through a 
 hedge he trod with his foot upon a sharp thorn, and 
 requested the Wolf to pull it out, lest when he supped 
 on him it should injure his throat. The Wolf con- 
 senting, and lifting up the foot, and giving his whole 
 mind to the discovery of the thorn, the Ass with hit 
 heels kicked his teeth into his mouth, and galloped 
 away. The Wolf, being thus fearfully mauled, said, 
 “I am rightly served, for why did I attempt the art 
 of healing, when my father only taught m^ the trw*e 
 of a butcher?” 
 
186 
 
 THE FABLES OF ASSOP. 
 
 THE SELLER OF IMAGES. 
 
 A certain man made a wooden image of Mercury, 
 and offered it for sale. When no one appeared will- 
 ing to buy it, in order that he might attract purchas- 
 ers, he cried out that he had the statue to sell of a 
 benefactor, who bestowed wealth and helped to heap 
 up riches. One of the bystanders said to him, “My 
 good fellow, “'why do you sell him, being such a one 
 as you describe, when you may yourself enjoy the 
 good things he has to give?” “Why,” he replied, 
 “I am in want of immediate help, and he is wont to 
 give his good gifts very slowly.” 
 
 THE HAWK AND THE NIGHTINGALE. 
 
 A Nightingale sitting aloft upon an oak, and sing- 
 ing according to his wont, was seen by a Hawk, 
 who being in want of food, made a swoop down, and 
 seized him. The Nightingale, about to lose his life, 
 earnestly besought the Hawk to let him go, saying 
 that he was not big enough to satisfy the hunger of 
 a Hawk, who, if he wanted food, ought to pursue 
 the larger birds. The Hawk, interrupting him, said: 
 “I should indeed have lost my senses if I should let 
 go food ready to my hand, for the sake of pursuing 
 birds which are not yet even within sight.” 
 
THE DOG, 
 
 THE COCK, AXD THE FOX. 
 
 A Dog and a Cock, being great 
 friends, agreed to travel together. 
 At nightfall they took shelter in a 
 thick wood. The Cock, flying up, 
 perched himself on the branches of 
 a tree, while the Dog found a bed be- 
 neath in the hollow trunk. When 
 
188 
 
 THE FABLES OF ^ESOP. 
 
 the morning dawned, the Cock, as usual, crowed 
 very loudly several times. A Fox hearing the sound, 
 and wishing to make a breakfast on him, came and 
 stood under the branches, saying how earnestly he 
 desired to make the acquaintance of the owner of so 
 magnificent a voice. The Cock, suspecting his civi- 
 lities, said: “Sir, I wish you would do me the favor 
 to go round to that hollow trunk below me, and wake 
 up my porter, that he may open the door, and let you 
 in.” On the Fox approaching the tree, the Dog 
 sprung out and caught hirri, and tore him in pieces. 
 
 THE GOAT AND THE ASS. 
 
 A man once kept a Goat and an Ass. The Goat 
 envying the Ass on account of his greater abundance 
 of food, said, “How shamefully you are treated: at 
 one time grinding in the mill, and at another carry- 
 ing heavy burdens;” and he further advised him that 
 he should pretend to be epileptic, and fall into a 
 ditch, and so obtain rest. The Ass gave credence to 
 his words, and falling into a ditch, was very much 
 bruised. His master, sending for a leech, asked his 
 advice. He bade him pour upon the wounds the 
 lights of a Goat. They at once killed the Goat, and 
 so healed the Ass. , • 
 
THE FOX AND THE MASK. 
 
 A Fox entered the house of an actor. and, rummag- 
 ing through all his properties, came upon a Mask, 
 an admirable imitation of a human head. He placed 
 his paws on it, and said, “What a beautiful head! 
 yet it is of no value, as it entirely wants brains. ” 
 
 THE LION AND THE BULL. 
 
 A Lion, greatly desirous of fighting a Bull, and yet 
 afraid to attack him on account of his great size* 
 resorted to a trick to ensure his destruction. He 
 approached him and said. k T have slain a fine sheep, 
 my friend; and if you will come home and partake 
 of him with me, I shall be delighted to have your 
 company/’ The Lion said this in the hope that, as 
 the Bull was in the act of reclining to eat, he might 
 
190 
 
 THE FABLES OF ^SOP. 
 
 attack him to advantage, and make his meal on him. 
 The Bull, however, on his approach to his den, saw 
 the huge spits and giant caldrons, and no sign what- 
 ever of the sheep, and, without saying a word, 
 quietly took his departure. The Lion inquired why 
 he went off so abruptly without a word of salutation 
 to his host, who had not given him any cause of 
 offence. “I have reasons enough,” said the Bull. 
 “I see no indication whatever of your having 
 slaughtered a sheep, while I do see, very plainly, 
 every preparation for your dining on a bull. 
 
 THE GRASSHOPPER AND TPIE OWL. 
 
 An Owl, accustomed to feed at night and to sleep 
 during the day, was greatly disturbed by the noise 
 of a Grasshopper, and earnestly besought her to 
 leave off chirping. The Grasshopper refused to de- 
 sist, and chirped louder and louder the more the Owl 
 entreated. The Owl, when she saw that she could 
 get no redress, and that her words were despised, 
 attacked the chatterer by a stratagem. “ Since I 
 cannot sleep,” she said, “on account of your song, 
 which, believe me, is sweet as the lyre of Apollo, I 
 shall indulge myself in drinking some nectar which 
 Pallas lately gave me. If you do not dislike it, come 
 to me, and we will drink it together.” The Grass- 
 hopper, who was at once thirsty, and pleased with 
 the praise of her voice, eagerly flew up. The Owl, 
 coming forth from her hollow, seized her, and put 
 her to death. 
 
THE WOLF 
 
 AND 
 
 THE GOAT. 
 
 A Wolf saw a Goat feed- 
 ing at the summit of a steep 
 precipice, where he had 
 not a chance of reaching 
 her. He called to her, and 
 earnestly besought her to 
 come lower down, lest she 
 should by some mishap get 
 
 
 a fall; and he added that the meadows lay where he 
 was standing, and that the herbage was most tender. 
 She replied, “No, my friend, it is not me that you in- 
 vite to the pasture, but you yourself are in want of 
 food . 55 
 
192 
 
 THE FABLES OF jESOP. 
 
 THE FOWLER AND THE VIPER. 
 
 A Fowler, taking his bird-lime and his twigs, went 
 out to catch birds. Seeing a thrush sitting upon a 
 tree, lie wished to take it, and fitting his twigs to a 
 proper length, he watched intently, having -his whole 
 thoughts directed towards the sky. While thus 
 looking upwards, he unawares trod upon a Viper 
 asleep just before his feet. The Viper, turning 
 towards him, stung him; and he, falling into a swoon, 
 said to himself, “Woe is me! that while I proposed 
 to hunt another, am myself fallen unawares into 
 the snares of death.” 
 
 THE HORSE AND THE ASS. 
 
 A Horse, proud of his fine trappings, met an Ass on 
 the highway. The Ass being heavily laden moved 
 slowly out of the way. “Hardly,” said the Horse, 
 “can I resist kicking you with with my heels.” The 
 Ass held his peace, and made only a silent appeal to 
 the justice of the gods. Not long afterwards the 
 Horse, having become broken-winded, was sent by 
 his owner to the farm. The Ass seeing him draw- 
 ing a dung-cart, thus derided him: “Where, O 
 
 boaster, are now all thy gay trappings, thou who 
 art thyself reduced to the condition you so lately 
 treated with contempt?” 
 
THE LION AND THE THREE BULLS. 
 
 "Three Bulls for a long time pastured together. A 
 Lion lay in ambush in the hope of making them his 
 prey, but was afraid to attack them whilst they kept 
 together. Having at last by guileful speeches suc- 
 ceeded in separating them, he attacked them with- 
 out fear, as they fed alone, and fasted on them one 
 by one at his own leisure. 
 
 Union is strength. 
 
194 
 
 THE FABLES OF JESOP. 
 
 THE FLY AND THE DRAUGHT-MULE. 
 
 A Fly sat on the axle-tree of a chariot, and address^ 
 mg the Draught-mule said, “How slow you are! 
 Why do you not go faster? See if I do not prick 
 your neck with my sting.” The Draught-mule re- 
 plied, “I do not heed your threats; I .only care for 
 him who sits above you, who quickens my pace with 
 his whip, or holds me back with the reins. Away, 
 therefore, with your insolence, for I know well when 
 to go fast, and when to go slow.” 
 
 THE FISHERMEN. 
 
 Some Fishermen were out trawling their nets. Per- 
 ceiving them to be very heavy, they danced about 
 for joy, and supposed they had taken a large draught 
 of fish. When they had dragged the nets to the 
 shore they found but few fish, and that the nets were 
 full of sand and stones, and they were beyond meas- 
 ure cast down — not so much at the disappointment 
 which had befallen them, as because they had formed 
 such very different expectations. One of their com- 
 pany, an old man, said, “Let us cease lamenting, 
 my mates, for, as it seems to me, sorrow is always 
 the twin sister of joy; and it was only to be looked 
 for that we, who just now were over-rejoiced, should 
 next have something to make us sad.” 
 
THE TOWN MOUSE AND THE COUNTRY 
 MOUSE. 
 
 A Country Mouse invited a Town Mouse, an inti- 
 mate friend, to pay him a visit, and partake of his 
 country fare. As they were on the bare plough- 
 lands, eating their wheat-stalks and roots pulled up 
 from {he hedge-row, the Town Mouse said to his 
 friend, “You live here the life of the ants: while in 
 my house is the horn of plenty. I am surrounded 
 with every luxury, and if you will come with me, as 
 I much wish you would, you shall have an ample 
 share of my dainties.” The Country Mouse was 
 easily persuaded, and returned to town with his 
 friend. On his arrival, the Town Mouse placed be- 
 fore him bread, barley, beans, dried figs, honey, 
 raisins, and, last of all, brought a dainty piece of 
 cheese from a basket. The Country Mouse, being 
 much delighted at the sight of such good cheer, ex- 
 
196 
 
 THE FABLES OF .ESOP. 
 
 pressed his satisfaction in warm terms, and lamented 
 his own hard fate. Just as they were beginning to 
 eat, some one opened the door, and they both ran off 
 squeaking as fast as they could to a hole so narrow 
 that two could only find room in it by squeezing. 
 They had scarcely again begun their repast when 
 some one else entered to take something out of a cup- 
 board, on which the two Mice, more frightened than 
 before, ran away and hid themselves. At last the 
 Country Mouse, almost famished, thus addressed his 
 friend: “Although you have prepared for me so 
 
 dainty a feast, I must leave you to enjoy it by your- 
 self. It is surrounded by too many dangers to please 
 me. I prefer my bare plough-lands and roots from 
 the hedge-row, so that I only can live in safety, and 
 without fear.” 
 
 THE WOLF, THE FOX, AND THE APE. 
 
 A Wolf accused a Fox of theft, but he entirely de- 
 nied the charge. An Ape undertook to adjudge the 
 matter between them. When each had fully stated 
 his case, the Ape pronounced this sentence: “I do 
 
 not think you, Wolf, ever lost what you claim; and 
 I do believe you, Fox, to have stolen what you so 
 stoutly deny.” 
 
 The dishonest, if they act honestly, get no credit. 
 
THE GEESE 
 
 AND 
 
 THE CRANES. 
 
 The Geese and the Cranes 
 fed in the same meadow. A 
 bird-catcher came to ensnare 
 them in his nets. The Cranes 
 
 being light of wing, fled away at his approach; while 
 the Geese, being slower of flight and heavier in their 
 bodies, were captured. 
 
 THE WASPS, THE PARTRIDGES, AND THE 
 FARMER. 
 
 The W asps and the Partridges, overcome with thirst, 
 came to a Farmer and besought him to give them 
 some water to drink. They promised amply to repay 
 him the favor which they asked. The Partridges 
 
198 
 
 THE FABLES OF vESOP. 
 
 declared that they would dig around his vines, and 
 make them produce finer grapes. The Wasps said 
 that they would keep guard and drive off thieves 
 with their stings. The Farmer, interrupting them, 
 said: ' - 1 have already two oxen, who without mak- 
 ing any promises, do all these things. It is surely 
 better for me to give the water to them than to you.” 
 
 THE BROTHER AND THE SISTER. 
 
 A father had one son and one daughter; the former 
 remarkable for his good looks, the latter for her ex- 
 traordinary ugliness. While they were playing one 
 day as children, they happened to chance to look 
 together into a mirror that was placed on their 
 mother’s chair. The boy congratulated himself on 
 his good looks; the girl grew angry, and could not 
 bear the self-praises of her Brother; interpreting all 
 he said (and how could she do otherwise?) into reflec- 
 tion on herself. She ran off to her father, to be 
 avenged in her turn on her Brother, and spitefully 
 accused him of having, as a boy, made use of that 
 which belonged only to girls. The father embraced 
 them both, and bestowing his kisses and affection 
 impartially on each, said: “I wish you both every 
 day to look into the mirror: you, my son, that you 
 may not spoil your beauty by evil conduct; and you, 
 my daughter, that you may make up for your want 
 of beauty by your virtues.” 
 
THE BLIND MAN AND THE WHELP 
 
 A Blind Man was accustomed to distinguish differ- 
 ent animals by touching them with his hands. The 
 whelp of a Wolf was brought him, with a request 
 that he would feel it, and say what it was. He felt 
 it, and being in doubt, said: “I do not quite know 
 whether it is the cub of a Fox, or the whelp of a 
 Wolf; but this I know full well, that it would not be 
 safe to admit him to the sheepfold.” 
 
 Evil tendencies are shown in early life. 
 
200 
 
 THE FABLES OF JESOP. 
 
 THE DOGS AND THE FOX. 
 
 Some Dogs, finding the skin of a lion, began to tear 
 it in pieces with their teeth. A Fox, seeing them. 
 Said, “If this lion were alive, you would soon find 
 out that his claws were stronger than your teeth. ” 
 
 It is easy to kick a man that is down. 
 
 THE COBBLER TURNED DOCTOR. 
 
 A Cobbler unable to make a living by his trade, 
 rendered desperate by poverty, began to practice 
 medicine in a town in which he was not known. 
 He sold a drug, pretending that it was an antidote 
 to all poisons, and obtained a great name for himself 
 by long-winded puffs and advertisements. He hap- 
 pened to fall sick himself of a serious illness, on 
 which the Governor of the town determined to test' 
 his skill. For this purpose he called for a cup, and. 
 while filling it with water, pretended to mix poison 
 with the Cobbler’s antidote, and commanded him to 
 drink it, on the promise of a reward. The Cobbler, 
 under the fear of death, confessed that he had no 
 knowledge of medicine, and was only made famous 
 by the stupid clamors of the crowd. The Governor 
 called a public assembly, and thus addressed the 
 citizens: “Of what folly have you been guilty? You 
 have not hesitated to entrust your heads to a man, 
 whom no one could employ to make even the shoes 
 for their feet.” 
 
THE WOLF AND THE HORSE. 
 
 A Wolf coming out of a field of oats met with a 
 Horse, and thus addressed him: “I would advise you 
 to go into that field. It is full of capital oats, which 
 I have left untouched for you, as you are a friend 
 the very sound of whose teeth it will be a pleasure 
 to me to hear.” The Horse replied, “If oats had 
 been the food of wolves, you would never have in- 
 dulged your ears at the cost of your belly.” 
 
 Men of evil reputation, when they perform a good 
 deed, fail to get credit for it. 
 
202 
 
 THE FABLES OF ,-ESOP. 
 
 THE TWO MEN WHO WERE ENEMIES. 
 Two Men, deadly enemies to each other, sailed in 
 the same vessel. Determined to keep as far apart as 
 possible, the one seated himself in the stern, and the 
 other in the prow of the ship. A violent storm hav- 
 ing arisen, and the vessel being in great danger of 
 sinking, the one in the stern inquired of the pilot 
 which of the two ends of the ship would go down 
 first. On his replying that he supposed it would be 
 the prow, then said the Man, “Death would not be 
 grievous to me, if I could only see my Enemy die 
 before me.” 
 
 THE GAME-COCKS AND THE PARTRIDGE. 
 
 A Man had two Game-cocks in his poultry -yard. 
 One day by chance he fell in with a tame Partridge 
 for sale. He purchased it, and brought it home that 
 it might be reared 'with his Game-cocks. On its 
 being put into the poultry -yard they struck at it, and 
 followed it about, so that the Partridge was griev- 
 ously troubled in mind, and supposed that he was 
 thus evilly treated because he was a stranger. Not 
 long afterwards he saw the Cocks fighting together, 
 and not separating before one had well beaten the 
 other. He then said to himself, “I shall no longer 
 distress myself at being struck at by these Game- 
 cocks, when I see that they cannot even refrain 
 from quarrelling with each other.” 
 
THE QUACK FROG. 
 
 A Frog once on a time came forth from his home in 
 the marsh, and made proclamation to all the beasts 
 that he was a learned physician, skilled in the use 
 of drugs, and able to heal all diseases. A Fox asked 
 him, “How can you pretend to prescribe for others, 
 who are unable to heal your own lame gait and 
 wrinkled skin?” 
 
 THE LION, THE WOLF, AND THE FOX. 
 
 A Lion, growing old, lay sick in his cave. All the 
 beasts came to visit their king, except the Fox. The 
 Wolf, therefore, thinking that he had a capital 
 
204 
 
 THE FABLES OF ,/ESOP. 
 
 portunity, accused the Fox to the Lion for not pay- 
 » ing any respect to him who had the rule over them 
 all, and for not coming to visit him. At that very 
 moment the Fox came id, and heard these last words, 
 of the W olf . The Lion roaring out in a rage against 
 him, he sought an opportunity to defend himself, 
 and said, “And who of all those who have come to 
 you have benefited you so much as- 1, who have 
 travelled from place to place in every direction, and 
 have sought and learnt from the physicians the 
 means of healing you?” The Lion commanded him 
 immediately to tell him the cure, when he replied, 
 “You must flay a wolf alive, and wrap his skin yet 
 warm around you.” The Wolf was at once taken 
 and flayed; whereon the Fox, turning to him, said, 
 with a smile, “You should have moved your master 
 not to ill, but to good, will.” 
 
 THE DOG’S HOUSE. 
 
 A Dog, in the winter time, rolled together and coiled 
 up in as small a space as possible on account of the 
 cold, determined to make himself a house. When 
 the summer returned again he lay asleep, stretched 
 at his full length, and appeared to himself to be of a 
 great size, and considered that it would be neither 
 an easy nor a necessary work to make himself such 
 a house as would accommodate him. 
 
THE NORTH WIND AND THE SUN. 
 
 The North Wind and the Sun disputed which was 
 the most powerful, and agreed that he should be 
 declared the victor, who could first strip a wayfaring 
 man of his clothes. The North Wind first tried his 
 power, and blew with all his might: but the keener 
 became his blasts, the closer the Travellerwrapped 
 his cloak around him; till at last, resigning all hope 
 of victory, he called upon the Sun to see what he 
 could do. The Sun suddenly shone out with all his 
 warmth. The Traveller no sooner felt his genial 
 rays than he took off one garment after another, and 
 
206 
 
 THE FABLES OF ;ESOP. 
 
 at last, fairly overcome with heat, undressed, and 
 bathed in a stream that lay in his path. 
 
 Persuasion is better than Force. 
 
 THE CROW AND MERCURY. 
 
 A Crow caught in a snare prayed to Apollo to release 
 him, making a vow to offer some frankincense at 
 his shrine. Being rescued from his danger, he forgot 
 his promise. Shortly afterwards, on being again 
 caught in a second snare, passing by Apollo he made 
 the same promise to offer frankincense to Mercury, 
 when he appeared, and said to him, “ O thou most 
 base fellow! how can I believe thee, who hast dis- 
 owned and wronged thy former patron 
 
THE FABLES OF ^SOP. 
 
 207 
 
 THE FOX AND THE CRANE. 
 
 A Fox invited a Crane to supper, and provided 
 nothing for his entertainment but some soup made 
 of pulse, and poured out into a broad flat stone dish.. 
 The soup fell out of the long bill of the Crane at 
 every mouthful, and his vexation at not being able 
 to eat afforded the Fox most intense amusement. 
 The Crane, in his turn, asked the Fox to sup with 
 him, and set before her a flagon, with a long narrow 
 mouth, so that he could easily insert his neck, and 
 enjoy its contents at his leisure; while the Fox, un- 
 able even to taste it, met with a fitting requital, after 
 the fashion of her own hospitality. 
 
 THE WOLF AND THE LION. 
 
 A Wolf, roaming by the mountain's side, saw his 
 own shadow, as the sun was setting, become greatly 
 extended and magnified, and he said to himself, 
 4 4 Why should I, being of such an immense size; and 
 extending nearly an acre in length, be afraid of the 
 Lion? Ought I not to be acknowledged as King of 
 all the collected beasts?” While he was indulging 
 in these proud thoughts, a Lion fed upon him, and 
 killed him.* He exclaimed with a too late repentance, 
 4 ‘Wretched me! this over-estimation of myself is the 
 cause of my destruction.” 
 
208 
 
 THE FABLES OF ,ESOP. 
 
 THE BIRDS, THE BEASTS, AND THE BAT. 
 
 The Birds waged war with the Beasts, and each 
 party were by turns the conquerors. A Bat, fearing 
 the uncertain issues of the fight, always betook him- 
 self to that side which was the strongest. When 
 peace was proclaimed, his deceitful conduct was ap- 
 parent to both the combatants, he was driven forth 
 from the light of day, and henceforth concealed 
 himself in dark hiding-places, flying always alone 
 and at night. 
 
 THE SPENDTHRIFT AND THE SWALLOW. 
 
 A young man, a great spendthrift, had run through 
 all his patrimony, and had but one good cloak left. 
 He happened to see a Swallow, which had appeared 
 before its season, skimming along a pool and twit- 
 tering gaily. He supposed that summer had come, 
 and went and sold his cloak. Not many days after, 
 the winter having set in again with renewed frost 
 and cold, he found the unfortunate Swallow lifeless 
 on the ground; and said, “ Unhappy bird! what have 
 you done? By thus appearing before the spring- 
 time you have not only killed yourself, but you have 
 wrought my destruction also.” 
 
THE TRUMPETER TAKEN PRISONER. 
 
 A Trumpeter, bravely leading on the soldiers, was 
 captured by the enemy. He cried out to his captors, 
 “Pray spare me, and do not take my life without 
 cause or without injury. I have not slain a single 
 man of your troop. I have no arms, and carry 
 nothing but this one brass trumpet.” “ That is the 
 very reason for which you should be put to death,” 
 they said; “for while you do not fight yourself, your 
 trumpet stirs up all the others to battle.” 
 
210 
 
 THE FABLES OF JESOP. 
 
 THE FOX AND THE LION. 
 
 A Fox saw a Lion confined in a cage, and, standing 
 near him, bitterly reviled him. The Lion said to the 
 Fox, “ It is not thou who revilest me; but this mis- 
 chance which has befallen me.” 
 
 THE OWL AND THE BIRDS. 
 
 An Owl, in her wisdom, counselled the Birds, when 
 the acorn first began to sprout, to pull it up by all 
 means out of the ground, and not to allow it to grov 
 because it would pi-oduce the mistletoe, from whicl 
 an irremediable poison, the bird-lime, would be ex 
 tracted, by which they would be captured. The Ow‘. 
 next advised them to pluck up the se^d of the flax 
 which men had sown, as it was a plant which bodec 
 no good to them. And, lastly, the Owl, seeing ar 
 archer approach, predicted that this man, being oi 
 foot, would contrive darts armed with feathers 
 which should fly faster than the wings of the Birdi 
 themselves. The Birds gave no credence to thesi 
 warning words, but considered the Owl to be besid/ 
 herself, and said that she was mad. But afterwards 
 finding her words were true, they wondered at he 
 knowledge, and deemed her to be the wisest of birds 
 Hence it is that when she appears they resort to he 
 as knowing all things; while she no longer give: 
 them advice, but in solitude laments their past folly. 
 
THE ASS IN THE LION’S SKIN. 
 
 An Ass, having put on the Lion’s skin, roamed about 
 in the forest, and amused himself by frightening all 
 the foolish animals he met with in his wanderings. 
 At last meeting a Fox, he tried to frighten him also, 
 but the Fox no sooner heard the sound of his voice, 
 than he exclaimed, “I might possibly have been 
 frightened myself, if I had not heard your bray.” 
 
 THE GOODS AND THE ILLS. 
 
 All the Goods were once driven out by the Ills from 
 that common share which they each had in the 
 affairs of mankind; for the Ills by reason of their 
 numbers had prevailed to possess the earth. The 
 Goods wafted themselves to heaven, and asked for a 
 
212 
 
 THE FABLES OF .ESOP. 
 
 righteous vengeance on their persecutors. They en- 
 treated Jupiter that they might no longer be asso- 
 ciated with the I lls, as they had nothing in common, 
 and could not live together, but were engaged in 
 unceasing warfare, and that an indissoluble law 
 might be laid down, for their future protection. 
 Jupiter granted their request, and decreed that 
 henceforth the Ills should visit the earth in company 
 with each other, but that the Goods should one by 
 one enter the habitations of men. Hence it arises 
 that I Us abound, for they come not one by one, but 
 in troops, and by no means singly : while the Goods 
 proceed from Jupiter, and are given, not alike to 
 all, but singly, and separately; and one by one to 
 those who are able to discern them. 
 
 THE SPARROW AND THE HARE. 
 
 A Hare pounced upon by an eagle sobbed very 
 much, and uttered cries like a child. A Sparrow 
 upbraided her, and said, “Where now is thy re- 
 markable swiftness of foot? Why v r ere your feet 
 so slow?” While the Sparrow was thus speaking, a 
 hawk seized him on a sudden, and killed him. The 
 Hare was comforted in her death, and expiring said, 
 “Ah! you who so lately, when you supposed your- 
 self safe, exulted over my calamity, have now your- 
 self reason to deplore a similar misfortune.” 
 
THE MAN AND THE SATYR. 
 
 A Man and a Satyr once poured out libations to- 
 gether in token of a bond of alliance being formed 
 between them. One very cold wintry day, as they 
 talked together, the Man put his fingers to his mouth 
 and blew on them. On the Satyr inquiring the 
 reason of this, he told him that he did it to warm his 
 hands, they were so cold. Later on in the day they 
 sat down to eat, the food prepared being quite scald- 
 ing. The man raised one of his dishes a little towards 
 his mouth and blew in it. On the Satyr again in- 
 quiring the reason of this, he said that he did it to 
 cool the meat, it was so hot. “ I can no longer con- 
 sider you as a friend,” said the Satyr, “a fellow who 
 with the same breath blows hot and cold.” 
 
214 
 
 THE FABLES OF ^ESOP. 
 
 THE ASS AND HIS PURCHASER. 
 
 A man wished to purchase an Ass, and agreed with 
 iia owner that he should try him before he bought 
 him. He took the Ass home, and put him in tne 
 straw-yard with his other Asses, upon which he left 
 all the others, and joined himself at once to the 
 most idle and the greatest eater of them all. The 
 man put a halter on him, and led him back to his 
 owner; and on his inquiring how, in so short a time, 
 he could have made a trial of him, “ I do not need,” 
 he answered, “a trial; I know that he will be just 
 such another as the one whom of all the rest he 
 chose for his companion.” 
 
 A man is known by the company he keeps. 
 
 THE FLEA AND THE OX. 
 
 A Flea thus questioned the Ox: “What ails you, 
 that, being so huge and strong, you submit to the 
 wrongs you receive from men, and thus slave for 
 them day by day; while I, being so small a creature, 
 mercilessly feed on their flesh, and drink their blood 
 without stint?” The Ox replied: “I do not wish to 
 be ungrateful; for I am loved and well cared for by 
 men, and they often pat my head and shoulders.” 
 “ Woe’s me!” said the Flea; “this very patting which 
 you like, whenever it happens to me, brings with it 
 my inevitable destruction.” 
 
THE DOVE AND THE CROW. 
 
 A Dove shut up in a cage was boasting of the large 
 number of the young ones which she had hatched. 
 A Crow hearing her, said: “My good friend; cease 
 
 from this unreasonable boasting. The larger the 
 number of your family, the greater your cause of 
 sorrow, in seeing them shut up in this prison-house. ” 
 
 MERCURY AND THE WORKMEN. 
 
 A Workman, felling wood by the side of a river, let 
 his axe drop by accident into a deep pool. Being 
 thus deprived of the means of his livelihood, he sat 
 
216 
 
 THE FABLES OF .ESOP. 
 
 down on the bank, and lamented his hard fate. 
 Mercury appeared, and demanded the cause of his 
 tears. He told him his misfortune, when Mercury 
 plunged into the stream, and, bringing up a golden 
 axe, inquired if that were the one he had lost. On 
 his saying that it was not his. Mercury disappeared 
 beneath the water a second time, and returned with 
 a silver axe in his hand, and again demanded of the 
 Workman “if it were his.” On the Workman say- 
 ing it was not, he dived into the pool for the third 
 time, and brought up the axe that had been lost. On 
 the Workman claiming it, and expressing his joy at 
 its recovery, Mercury, pleased with his honesty, 
 gave him the golden and the silver axes in addition 
 to his own. 
 
 The Workman, on his return to his house, related 
 to his companions all that had happened. One of 
 them at once resolved to try whether he could not 
 also secure the- same good fortune to himself. He 
 ran to the river, and threw his axe on purpose into 
 the pool at the same place, and sat down on the bank 
 to weep. Mercury appeared to him just as he hoped 
 he would; and having learned the cause of his grief, 
 plunged into the stream, and brought up a golden 
 axe, and inquired if he had lost it. The Workman 
 seized it greedily, and declared that of a truth it 
 was the very same axe that he had lost. Mercury, 
 displeased at his knavery, not only took away the 
 golden axe, but refused to recover for him the axe 
 he had thrown into the pool. 
 
THE EAGLE AND THE JACKDAW. 
 
 An Eagle flying down from his eyrie, on a lofty 
 rock, seized upon a lamb, and carried him aloft on 
 his talons. A Jackdaw, who witnessed the capture 
 of the lamb, was stirred with envy, and determined 
 to emulate the strength and flight of the Eagle. He 
 flew round with a great whirr of his wings, and 
 settled upon a large ram, with the intention of carry- 
 ing him off, but his claws becoming entangled in his 
 fleece he was not able to release himself, although 
 he fluttered with his feathers as much as he could. 
 The shepherd, seeing what had happened, ran up 
 
218 
 
 THE FABLES OF A5S0P. 
 
 and caught him. He at once clipped his wings, and 
 taking him home at night, gave him to his children. 
 On their saying, “Father, what kind of bird is it?” 
 he replied, “To my certain knowledge he is a Daw; 
 but he will have it that lie is an Eagle.” 
 
 JUPITER, NEPTUNE, MINERVA, AND MOMUS. 
 
 According to an ancient legend, the first man was 
 made by Jupiter, the first bull by Neptune, and the 
 first house by Minerva. On the completion of their 
 labors, a dispute arose as to which had made the 
 most perfect work. They agreed to appoint Momus 
 as judge, and to abide by his decision. Momus, how- 
 ever, being very envious of the handicraft of each, 
 found fault with all. He first blamed the work of 
 Neptune, because he had not made the horns of the 
 bull below his eyes, that he might better see where 
 to strike. He then condemned the work of Jupiter, 
 because he had not placed the heart of man on the 
 outside, that every one might read the thoughts of 
 the evil disposed, and take precautions against the 
 intended mischief. And, lastly, he inveighed against 
 Minerva, because she had not contrived iron wheels 
 in the foundation of her house, that its inhabitants 
 might more easily remove if a neighbor should prove 
 unpleasant. Jupiter, indignant at such inveterate 
 fault-finding, drove him from his office of judge, 
 and expelled him from the mansions of Olympus. 
 
. 220 
 
 THE FABLES OF ACSOP. 
 
 wood and there produced her young. Not long after 
 they had agreed upon this plan, when the Fox was 
 ranging for food, the Eagle being in want of pro- 
 vision for her young ones, swooped down and seized 
 upon one of the little cubs, and feasted herself and 
 brood. The Fox on her return, discovering what 
 had happened, was less grieved for the death of her 
 young than for her inability to avenge them. A just 
 retribution, however, quickly fell upon the Eagle. 
 While hovering near an altar, on which some 
 villagers were sacrificing a goat, she suddenly seized 
 a piece of the flesh, and carried with it to her nest a 
 burning cinder. A strong breeze soon fanned the 
 spark into a flame, and the eaglets, as yet unfledged 
 and helpless, were roasted in their nest and dropped 
 down dead at the bottom of the tree. The Fox gob- 
 bled them up in the sight of the Eagle. 
 
 THE TWO BAGS. 
 
 Every man, according to an ancient legend, is born 
 into the world with two bags suspended from his 
 neck — a small bag in front full of his neighbors’ 
 faults, and a large bag behind filled with his own 
 faults. Hence it is that men are quick to see the 
 faults of others, and yet are often blind to their own 
 failings. 
 
THE STAG AT THE POOL. 
 
 A Stag overpowered by heat came to a spring to 
 drink. Seeing Ids own shadow reflected in the water, 
 he greatly admired the size and variety of his horns, 
 but felt angry with himself for having such slender 
 and weak feet. While he was thus contemplating 
 himself, a Lion appeared at the pool and crouched 
 to spring upon him. The Stag immediately betook 
 himself to flight: and exerting his utmost speed, as 
 long as the plain was smooth and open, kept himself 
 with ease at a safe distance from the Lion. But 
 entering a wood he became entangled by his horns: 
 and the Lion quickly came up with him and caught 
 
222 
 
 THE FABLES OF ^SOP. 
 
 him. When too late he thus reproached himself: 
 “Woe is me! How have I deceived myself! These 
 feet which would have saved me I despised, and I 
 gloried in these antlers which have proved my 
 destruction.” 
 
 What is most truly valuable is often underrated. 
 
 THE BITCH AND HER WHELPS. 
 
 A Bitch ready to whelp, earnestly begged of a 
 shepherd a place where she might litter. On her 
 request being granted, she again besought per- 
 mission to rear her puppies in the same spot. The 
 shepherd again consented. But at last the Bitch, 
 protected with the body-guard of her Whelps, who 
 had now grown up, and were able to defend them- 
 selves, asserted her exclusive right to the place, and 
 yrould not permit the shepherd to approach. 
 
THE DOGS AND THE HIDES. 
 
 Some Dogs, famished with hunger, saw some cow 
 hides steeping in a river. Not being able to reach 
 them, they agreed to drink up the river: but it fell 
 out that they burst themselves with drinking long 
 before they reached the hides. 
 
 Attempt not impossibilities. 
 
 THE JACKDAW AND THE FOX. 
 
 A half-famished Jackdaw seated himself on a fig- 
 tree, which had produced some fruit entirely out of 
 season, and waited in the hope that the figs would 
 
224 
 
 THE FABLES OF ^SOP. 
 
 ripen. A Fox seeing him sitting so long, and learn- 
 ing the reason of his doing so, said to him, “You 
 are indeed, sir, sadly deceiving yourself; you are in- 
 dulging a hope strong enough to cheat you, but 
 which will never reward you with enjoyment.” 
 
 THE LARK BURYING ITS FATHER. 
 
 The Lark (according to an ancient legend) was 
 created before the earth itself: and when her father 
 died by a fell disease, as there was no earth, she 
 could find for him no place of burial. She let him 
 lie uninterred for five days, and on the sixth day, 
 being in perplexity, she buried him in her own head. 
 Hence she obtained her crest, which is popularly 
 said to be her father’s grave-hillock. 
 
 Youth’s first duty is reverence to parents. 
 
 THE GNAT AND THE BULL. 
 
 A Gnat settled on the horn of a Bull, and sat there 
 a long time. Just as he was about to fly off, he 
 made a buzzing noise, and inquired of the Bull if he 
 would like him to go. The Bull replied, “ I did not 
 know you had come, and I shall not miss you when 
 you go away.” 
 
 Some men are of more consequence in their own 
 eyes than in the eyes of their neighbors. 
 
THE MONKEY AND THE CAMEL. 
 
 Thh beasts of the forest gave a splendid entertain- 
 ment at which the Monkey stood up and daneed. 
 Having vastly delighted the assembly, he sat down 
 amidst universal applause. The Camel, envious of the 
 praises bestowed on the Monkey, and desirous to di- 
 vert to himself the favor of the guests, proposed to 
 stand up in his turn, and dance for their amusement. 
 He moved about in so utterly ridiculous a manner, 
 that the Beasts in a fit of indignation set upon him 
 with clubs, and drove him out of the assembly. 
 
 It is absurd to ape our betters. 
 
226 
 
 THE FABLES OF .ESOP. 
 
 THE SHEPHERD AND THE SHEEP. 
 
 A Shepherd driving his Sheep to a wood, saw an 
 oak of unusual size, full of acorns, and, spreading 
 h'is cloak under the branches, he climbed up into the 
 tree, and shook down the acorns. The Sheep eating 
 the acorns, inadvertently frayed and tore the cloak. 
 The Shepherd coming down, and seeing what was 
 done, said, “O you most ungrateful creatures! you 
 provide wool to make garments for all .other men, 
 but you destroy the clothes of him who feeds you.” 
 
 THE PEASANT AND THE APPLE-TREE. 
 
 A Peasant had in his garden an Apple-tree, which 
 bore no fruit, but only served as a harbor for the 
 sparrows and grasshoppers. He resolved to cut it 
 down, and, taking his axe in his hand, made a bold 
 stroke at its roots. The grasshoppers and sparrows 
 entreated him not to cut down the tree that sheltered 
 them, but to spare it, and they would sing to him 
 and listen to his labors. He paid no attention to 
 their request, but gave the tree a second and a third 
 blow with his axe: when he reached the hollow of 
 the tree, he found a hive full of honey. Having 
 tasted the honeycomb, he threw down his axe, and, 
 looking on the tree as sacred took great care of it. 
 
 Self interest alone moves some men. 
 
THE FABLES OF ASSOP. 
 
 227 
 
 THE TWO SOLDIERS AND THE ROBBER. 
 
 Two Soldiers travelling together, were set upon by 
 a Robber. The one fled away; the other stood his 
 ground, and defended himself with his stout right 
 hand. The Robber being slain, the timid companion 
 runs up and draws his sword, and then, throwing 
 back his travelling cloak, says, “ I'll at him, and I’ll 
 take care he shall learn whom he has attacked.” On 
 this he who had fought with the Robber made 
 answer, “ I only wish that you had helped me just 
 now, even if it had been only with those words, for 
 I should have been the more encouraged, believing 
 them to be true; but now put up your sword in its 
 sheath and hold your equally useless tongue, till you 
 can deceive others who do not know you. I, indeed, 
 who have experienced with what speed you ran 
 away, know right well that no dependence can be 
 placed on your valor.” 
 
 THE TREES UNDER THE PROTECTION OF 
 THE GODS. 
 
 The Gods, according to an ancient legend, made 
 choice of certain trees to be under their special pro- 
 tection. Jupiter chose the oak, Venus the myrtle, 
 Apollo the laurel, Cybele the pine, and Hercules the 
 poplar. Minerva, wondering why they had pre- 
 ferred trees not yielding fruit, inquired the reason 
 
THE FABLES OF .ESOP. 
 
 228 
 
 of their choice. Jupiter replied, “It is lest we should 
 seem to covet the honor for the fruit.” But said 
 Minerva, “ Let any one say what he will, the olive 
 is more dear to me on account of its fruit.” Then 
 said Jupiter, “My daughter, you are rightly called 
 wise; for unless what we do is useful, the glory of 
 it is vain.” 
 
 TRUTH AND THE TRAVELLER. 
 
 A wayfaring Man, travelling in the desert, met a 
 woman standing alone and terribly dejected. He 
 inquired of her, “Who art thou?” “My name is 
 Truth,” she replied. “And for what cause,” he 
 asked, “have you left the city, to dwell alone here 
 in the wilderness?” She made answer, “Because in 
 former times, falsehood was with few, but is now 
 with all men, whether you would hear or speak.” 
 
 THE MANSLAYER. 
 
 A Man committed a murder, and was pursued by the 
 relations of the man whom he murdered. On his 
 reaching the river Nile he saw a Lion on its bank, 
 and being fearfully afraid, climbed up a tree. He 
 found a serpent in the upper branches of the tree, 
 and again being greatly alarmed he threw himself 
 into the river, when a crocodile caught him and ate 
 him. Thus the earth, the air, and the water, alike 
 w 'ifused shelter to a murderer. 
 
THE LION AND THE FOX. 
 
 A Fox entered into partnership with a Lion, on the 
 pretence of becoming his servant. Each undertook 
 his proper duty in accordance with his own nature 
 and powers. The Fox discovered and pointed out 
 the prey, the Lion sprung on it, and seized it. The 
 Fox soon became jealous of the Lion carrying off the 
 Lion’s share, and said that he would no longer find 
 out the prey, but would capture it on his own account. 
 The next day he attempted to snatch a lamb from 
 the fold, but fell himself a prey to the huntsmen and 
 hounds. 
 
230 
 
 THE FABLES OF JESOP. 
 
 THE LION AND THE EAGLE. 
 
 An Eagle stayed his flight, and entreated a Lion to 
 make an alliance with him to their mutual advan - 
 tage. The Lion replied, “I have no objection, but 
 you must excuse me for requiring you to find surety 
 for your good faith; for how can I trust any one as a 
 friend, who is able to fly away from his bargain 
 whenever he pleases?” 
 
 Try before you trust. 
 
 THE HEN AND THE SWALLOW. 
 
 A Hen finding the eggs of a viper, and carefully 
 keeping them warm, nourished them into life. A 
 Swallow observing what she had done, said, “You 
 silly creature! why have you hatched these vipers, 
 which, when they shall have grown, will inflict in- 
 jury on all, beginning with yourself?” 
 
 THE FLEA AND THE WRESTLER. 
 
 A Flea settled upon the bare foot of a W restler, and 
 bit him; on which he called loudly upon Hercules 
 for help. The Flea a second time hopped upon his 
 foot, when he groaned and said, “O Hercules! if 
 you will not help me against a Flea, how can I hope 
 for your assistance against greater antagonists?” 
 
THE ASS AND HIS DRIVER. 
 
 An Ass being driven along the high road, suddenly 
 started off, and bolted to the brink of a deep preci- 
 pice. When he was in the act of throwing himself 
 over, his owner, seizing him by the tail, endeavored 
 to pull him back. The Ass, persisting in his effort, 
 the man let him go and said, “Conquer: but conquer 
 to your cost.” 
 
 THE THRUSH AND THE FOWLER. 
 
 A Thrush was feeding on a myrtle-tree, and did not 
 move from it, on account of the deliciousness of its 
 berries, A Fowler observing her staying so long in 
 one spot, having well birdlimed his reeds, caught 
 
232 
 
 THE FABLES OF JESOP. 
 
 her. The Thrush, being at the point of death, ex- 
 claimed, “ O foolish creature that I am! For the 
 sake of a little pleasant food I have deprived myself 
 of my life.” 
 
 THE ROSE AND THE AMARANTH. 
 
 An Amaranth planted in a garden near a Rose-tree, 
 thus addressed it: “What a lovely flower is the Rose, 
 a favorite alike with Oods and with men. I envy 
 you your beauty and your perfume. ” The Rose re- 
 plied, “I indeed, dear Amaranth, flourish but for a 
 brief season! If no cruel hand pluck me from my 
 stem, yet I must perish by an early doom. But thou 
 art immortal, and dost never fade, but bloomest for 
 ever in renewed youth.” 
 
 THE TRAVELLERS AND THE PLANE-TREE. 
 Two Travellers, worn out by the heat of the sum- 
 mer’s sun, laid themselves down at noon under the 
 wide-spreading branches of a Plane-tree. As they 
 rested under its shade, one of the Travellers said to 
 the other, “What a singularly useless tree is the 
 Plane! It bears no fruit, and is not of the least ser- 
 vice to man.” The Plane-tree, interrupting him, 
 said, “You ungrateful fellows! Do you, while re- 
 ceiving benefits from me, and resting under my 
 shade, dare to describe me as useless, and unprofit- 
 able?” 
 
 Some men despise their best blessings. 
 
THE MOTHER 
 
 AND 
 
 THE WOLF. 
 
 A FAMISHED Wolf Was 
 prowling about in the 
 morning in search of - 
 food. As he passed 
 the door of a cottage 
 built in the forest, he 
 heard a Mother say to 
 her child, “Be quiet, 
 or I will throw you 
 out of the window, 
 and the Wolf shall eat 
 you.” The Wolf sat 
 all day waiting at the 
 door. In the evening 
 he heard the same 
 woman, fondling her child and saying: 
 
 “ He is quiet now, and if the Wolf should 
 com£, we will kill him.” The Wolf, 
 hearing these words, went home, gaping 
 
234 THE FABLES OF JESOP. 
 
 with cold and hunger. On his reaching his den. 
 Mistress Wolf inquired of him why he returned 
 wearied and supperless, so contrary to his wont. 
 He replied: “Why, forsooth! — because I gave cred- 
 ence to the words of a woman!” 
 
 THE ASS AND THE HORSE. 
 
 An Ass besought a Horse to spare him a small por- 
 tion of his feed. “Yes,” said he; “if any remains 
 out of what I am now eating I will give it to you, for 
 the sake of my own superior dignity; and if you will 
 come when I shall reach my own stall in the even- 
 ing, I will give you a little sack full of barley.” The 
 Ass replied: “ Thank you. I can't think that you, 
 who refuse me a little matter now, will by and by 
 confer on me a greater benefit.” 
 
 THE CROW AND THE SHEEP. 
 
 A tboublesome Crow seated herself on the back of 
 a Sheep. The Sheep, much against his will, carried 
 her backward and forward for a long time, and at 
 last said, “ If you had treated a dog in this way, you 
 would have had your deserts from his sharp teeth.” 
 To this the Crow replied, “ I despise the weak, and 
 yield to the strong. I know whom I may bully, and 
 whom I must flatter; and I thus prolong my life to a 
 good old age.” 
 
THE PARTRIDGE AND THE FOWLER. 
 
 A. Fowler caught a Partridge, and was about to kill 
 it. The Partridge earnestly besought him to spare 
 his life, saying, “ Pray, master, permit me to live, 
 and I will entice many Partridges to you in recom- 
 pense for your mercy to me.” The Fowler replied, 
 “I shall now with the less scruple take your life: 
 because you are willing to save it at the cost of be- 
 traying your friends and relations.” 
 
 THE FOX AND THE BRAMBLE. 
 
 A Fox, mounting a hedge, when he was about to 
 fall caught hold of a Bramble. Having pricked and 
 grievously torn the soles of his feet, he accused the 
 Bramble, because, when he had fled to her for assist- 
 
236 
 
 THE FABLES OF ^ESOP. 
 
 ance, she had used him worse than the hedge itself. 
 The Bramble, interrupting him, said, “But you really 
 must have been out of your senses to fasten yourself 
 on me, who am myself always accustomed to fasten 
 upon others.” 
 
 THE DOG AND THE OYSTER. 
 
 A Dog, used to eating eggs, saw an Oyster; and 
 opening his mouth to its widest extent, swallowed it 
 down with the utmost relish, supposing it to be an 
 egg. Soon afterwards suffering great pain in his 
 stomach, he said, “I deserve all this torment, for 
 my folly in thinking that every thing round must be 
 an egg.” 
 
 They who act without sufficient thought, will often 
 fall into unsuspected danger. 
 
 THE FLEA AND THE MAN. 
 
 A Man, very much annoyed with a Flea, caught him 
 at last, and said, “Who are you who dare to feed on 
 my limbs, and to cost me so much trouble in catch- 
 ing you?” The Flea replied, “O my dear sir, pray 
 spare my life, and destroy me not, for I cannot pos- 
 sibly do you much harm.” The Man, laughing, re- 
 plied, “Now you shall certainly die by mine own 
 hands, for no evil, whether it be small or large, 
 ought to be tolerated.” 
 
THE ASS AND THE CHARGER. 
 
 An Ass congratulated a Horse on being so ungrudg- 
 ingly and carefully provided for, while he himself 
 had scarcely enough to eat, nor even that without 
 hard work. But when war broke out, and the heavy 
 armed soldier mouted the Horse, and riding him to 
 the charge, rushed into the very midst of the enemy, 
 and the Horse, being wounded, fell dead on the 
 battle-field; then the Ass, seeing all these things, 
 changed his mind, and commiserated the Horse. 
 
238 
 
 THE FABLES OF AISOP. 
 
 THE LION, JUPITER, AND THE ELEPHANT. 
 The Lion wearied Jupiter with his frequent com- 
 plaints. “ It is true,” he said, “ O Jupiter! that I am 
 gigantic in strength, handsome in shape, and power- 
 ful in attack. I have jaws well provided with teeth, 
 and feet furnished with claws, and I lord it over all 
 the beasts of the forest; and what a disgrace it is, 
 that being such as I am, I should be frightened by 
 the crowing of a cock.” Jupiter replied, “Why do 
 you blame me without a cause? I have given you 
 all the attributes which I possess myself, and your 
 courage never fails you except in this one instance.” 
 On this the Lion groaned and lamented very much, 
 and reproached himself with his cowardice, and 
 wished that he might die. As these thoughts passed 
 through his mind, he met an Elephant, and came 
 near to hold a conversation with him. After a time 
 he observed that the Elephant shook his ears very 
 often, and he inquired what was the matter, and 
 why his ears moved with such a tremor every now 
 and then. Just at that moment a Gnat settled on 
 the head of the Elephant, and he replied, “Do you 
 see that little buzzing insect? If it enters my ear, 
 my fate is sealed. I should die presently.” The 
 Lion said, “Well, since so huge a beast is afraid of 
 a tiny gnat, I will no more complain, nor wish my- 
 self dead. I find myself, even as I am, better off 
 than the Elephant, in that very same degree, that a 
 Cock is greater than a Gnat,” 
 
THE LAMB AND THE WOLF. 
 
 A Wolf pursued a Lamb, which fled for refuge to a 
 certain Temple. The Wolf called out to him and 
 said, “The Priest will slay you in sacrifice, if lie 
 should catch you,” on which the Lamb replied, “It 
 would be better for me to be sacrificed in the Tem- 
 ple, than to be eaten by you.” 
 
340 
 
 THE FABLES OF .4580?. 
 
 THE RICH MAH AND THE TANNER. 
 
 A kich man lived near a Tanner, and not being able 
 to bear the unpleasant smell of the tan-yard, he 
 pressed his neighbor to go away. The Tanner put 
 off his departure from time to time, saying that he 
 would remove soon. But as he still continued to 
 stay, it came to pass, as time went on, the rich man 
 became accustomed to the smell, and feeling no 
 manner of inconvenience, made no further com- 
 plaints. 
 
 THE MULES AND THE ROBBERS. 
 
 Two Mules well laden with packs were trudging 
 along. One carried panniers filled with money, the 
 other sacks weighted with grain. The Mule carry- 
 ing the treasure walked with head erect, as if con- 
 scious of the value of his burden, and tossed up and 
 down the clear toned bells fastened to his neck. His 
 companion followed with quiet and easy step. All 
 on a sudden Robbers rushed from their hiding-places 
 upon them, and in the scuffle with their owners, 
 wounded with a sword the Mule carrying the treas- 
 ure, which they greedily seized upon, while they 
 took no notice of the grain. The Mule which had 
 been robbed and wounded, bewailed his misfortunes. 
 The other replied, “I am indeed glad that I was 
 thought so little of, for I have lost nothing, nor am 
 I hurt with any wound.” 
 
THE VIPER AND THE FILE. 
 
 A Viper entering the workshop of a smith, sought 
 from the tools the means of satisfying his hunger. 
 He more particularly addressed himself to a File, 
 and asked of him the favor of a meal. The File re- 
 plied, ‘‘You must indeed be a simple-minded fellow 
 if you expect to get anything from me, who am 
 accustomed to take from every one, and never to 
 give anything in return.” 
 
 The covetous are poor givers, 
 
242 
 
 THE FABLES OF ^SOP. 
 
 THE LION AND THE SHEPHERD. 
 
 A Lion, roaming through a forest, trod upon a thorn, 
 and soon after came up towards a Shepherd, and 
 fawned upon him, wagging his tail, as if he would 
 say, “I am a suppliant, and seek your aid.” The 
 Shepherd boldly examined, and discovered the thorn, 
 and placing his foot upon his lap, pulled it out and 
 relieved the Lion of his pain, who returned into the 
 forest. Some time after, the Shepherd being im- 
 prisoned on a false accusation, is condemned “to be 
 cast to the Lions,” as the punishment of his imputed 
 crime. The Lion, on being released from his cage, 
 recognizes the Shepherd as the man who healed him, 
 and, instead of attacking hiih, approaches and places 
 his foot upon his lap. The King, as soon as he heard 
 the tale, ordered the Lion to be set free again in the 
 forest, and the Shepherd to be pardoned and restored 
 to his friends. 
 
 THE CAMEL AND JUPITER. 
 
 The Camel, when he saw the Bull adorned with 
 horns, envied him, and wished that he himself could 
 obtain the same honors. He went to Jupiter, and 
 besought him to give him horns. Jupiter, vexed at 
 his request, because he was not satisfied with his 
 size and strength of body, and desired yet more, not 
 only refused to give him horns, but even deprived 
 him of a portion of his ears. 
 
THE FABLES OF JESOP. 
 
 243 
 
 THE PANTHER AND THE SHEPHERDS. 
 
 A Panther, by some mischance, fell into a pit. The 
 Shepherds discovered him, and threw sticks at him, 
 and pelted him with stones, while some of them, 
 moved with compassion towards one about to die 
 even though no one should hurt him, threw in some 
 food to prolong his life. At night they returned 
 home, not dreaming of any danger, but supposing 
 that on the morrow they should find him dead. The 
 Panther, however, when he had recruited his feeble 
 strength, freed himself with a sudden bound from 
 the pit, and hastened home with rapid steps to his 
 den. After a few days he came forth and slaugh- 
 tered the cattle, and, killing the Shepherds who had 
 attacked him, raged with angry fury. Then they who 
 had spared his life, fearing for their safety, surrender- 
 ed to him their flocks, and begged only for their lives; 
 to whom the Panther made this reply: " I remember 
 alike those who sought my life with stones, and those 
 who gave me food — lay aside, therefore, your fears. 
 I return as an enemy only to those who injured me.” 
 
 THE EAGLE AND THE KITE. 
 
 An Eagle, overwhelmed with sorrow, sat upon the 
 branches of a tree, in company with a Kite. “Why,” 
 said the Kite, “do I see you with such a rueful 
 look?” “I seek,” she replied, “for a mate suitable 
 for me, and am not able to find one.” “Take me,” 
 
THE FABLES OF ASSOP. 
 
 244 
 
 returned the Kite, “I am much stronger than you 
 are.” “Why, are you able to secure the means of 
 living by your plunder?” “Well, I have often caught 
 and carried away an ostrich in my talons.” The 
 Eagle, persuaded by these words accepted him as 
 her mate. Shortly after the nuptials the Eagle said, 
 “Fly off. and bring me back the ostrich you prom- 
 ised me.” The Kite, soaring aloft into the air, 
 brought back the shabbiest possible mouse, and 
 stinking from the length of time it had lain about 
 the fields. “Is this,” said the Eagle, “the faithful 
 fulfilment of your promise to me?” The Kite replied, 
 “That I might attain to your royal hand, there is 
 nothing that I would not have promised, however 
 much I knew that I must fail in the performance.” 
 
 THE EAGLE AND HIS CAPTOR 
 
 An Eagle was once captured by a man, who at once 
 clipped his wings, and put him into his poultry yard 
 with the other birds; at which treatment the Eagle 
 was weighed down with grief. Another neighbor 
 having purchased him, suffered his feathers to grow 
 again. The Eagle took flight, and pouncing upon a 
 hare brought it at once as an offering to his bene- 
 factor. A Fox, seeing this, exclaimed, “Do not 
 propitiate the favor of this man, but of your former 
 owner, lest he should again hunt for you, and de- 
 prive you a second time of your wings.” 
 
THE KING’S SON AND THE PAINTED LION. 
 
 A King who had one only son, fond of martial exer- 
 cises, had a dream in which he was warned that his 
 son would be killed by a lion. Afraid lest the dream 
 should prove true, he built for his son a pleasant 
 palace, and adorned its walls for his amusement 
 with all kinds of animals of the size of life, among 
 which was the picture of a lion. When the young 
 Prince saw this, . his grief at being thus confined 
 burst out afresh, and standing near the lion, he thus 
 spoke: “ O you most detestable of animals! through 
 a lying dream of my father’s, which he saw in his 
 sleep, I am shut up on your account in this palace as 
 
246 
 
 THE FABLES OF A2SOP. 
 
 if I had been a girl: what shall I now do to you?” 
 With these words he stretched out his hands toward 
 a thorn-tree, meaning to cut a stick from its branches 
 that he might beat the lion, when one of its sharp 
 prickles pierced his huger, and caused great pain 
 and inflammation, so that the young Prince fell 
 down in a fainting fit. A violent fever suddenly set 
 in, from which he died not many days after. 
 
 We had better bear our troubles bravely than try 
 to escape them. 
 
 THE CAT AND VENUS. 
 
 A Cat fell in love with a handsome young man, and 
 entreated Venus that she would change her into the 
 form of a woman. Venus consented to her request, 
 and transformed her into a beautiful damsel, so that 
 the youth saw her, and loved her, and took her home 
 as his bride. While they were reclining in their 
 chamber, Venus, wishing to discover if the Cat in 
 her change of shape had also altered her habits of 
 life, let down a mouse in the middle of the room. 
 She, quite forgetting her present condition, started 
 up from the couch, and pursued the mouse, wishing 
 to eat it. Venus, much disappointed, again caused 
 her to return to her former shape. 
 
 Nature exceeds nurture. 
 
THE FABLES OF ^SOP, 
 
 24 ? 
 
 THE EAGLE AND THE BEETLE. 
 
 The Eagle and the Beetle were at enmity together, 
 and they destroyed one another’s nests. The Eagle 
 gave the first provocation in seizing upon, and in 
 eating the young ones of the Beetle. The Beetle 
 got by stealth at the Eagle’s eggs, and rolled them 
 out of the nest, and followed the Eagle even into the 
 presence of Jupiter. On the Eagle making his com- 
 plaint, Jupiter ordered him to make his nest in his 
 lap; and while Jupiter had the eggs in his lap, the 
 Beetle came flying about him, and Jupiter rising up 
 unawares, to drive him away from his head, threw 
 down the eggs, and broke them. 
 
 The weak often revenge themselves on those who 
 use them ill, even though they be the more powerful. 
 
 THE SHE-GOATS AND THEIR BEARDS. 
 
 The She-goats having obtained by request from 
 Jupiter the favor of a beard, the He-goats, sorely 
 displeased, made complaint that the females equalled 
 them in dignity. “Suffer them,” said Jupiter, “to 
 enjoy an empty honor, and to assume the badge of 
 your noble sex, so long as they are not your equals 
 in strength or courage.” 
 
 It matters little if those who are inferior to us" in 
 merit should be like us in outside appearances. 
 
248 
 
 THE FABLES OF 45SOP. 
 
 THE BALD MAN AND THE FLY. 
 
 A Fly bit the bare head of a Bald Man, who endea- 
 voring to destroy it, gave himself a heavy slap. 
 Then said the Fly mockingly, “ You who have 
 wished to revenge, even with death, the prick of a 
 tiny insect, what will you do to yourself, who have 
 added insult to injury?” The Bald Man replied, “I 
 can easily make peace with myself, because I know 
 there was no intention to hurt. But you, an ill- 
 favored and contemptible insect, who delight in 
 sucking human blood, I wish that I could have killed 
 you, even if I had incurred a heavier penalty.” 
 
 THE SHIPWRECKED MAN AND THE SEA. 
 
 m 
 
 A Shipwrecked Man, having been cast upon a cer- 
 tain shore, slept after his buffetings with the deep. 
 After a while waking up, when he looked upon the 
 sea, he loaded it with reproaches that, enticing men 
 with the calmness of its looks, when it had induced 
 them to plough its waters, it grew rough and des- 
 troyed them utterly. The Sea, assuming the form 
 of a woman, replied to him: “Blame not me, my 
 good sir, but the winds, for I am by my own nature 
 as calm and firm even as this earth; but the winds 
 falling on me on a sudden, create these waves, and 
 lash me into fury.” 
 
THE BUFFOON AND THE COUNTRYMAN. 
 
 A rich nobleman once opened the theatres without 
 charge to the people, and gave a public notice that ~ 
 he would handsomely reward any person who should 
 invent a new amusement for the occasion. Various 
 public performers contended for the prize. Among 
 them came a Buffoon well known among the popu- 
 lace for his jokes, and said that he had h kind of 
 entertainment which had never been brought out on 
 any stage before. This report being spread about 
 made a great stir in the place, and the theatre was 
 crowded in every part. The Buffoon appeared alone 
 upon the boards, without any apparatus or confed- 
 
2o0 
 
 THE FABLES OF ^ESOP. 
 
 crates, and the very sense of expectation caused an 
 intense silence. The Buffoon suddenly bent his 
 head towards his bosom, and imitated the squeaking 
 of a little pig so admirably with his voice, that the 
 audience declared that he had a porker under his 
 cloak, and demanded that it should be shaken out. 
 When that was done, and yet nothing was found, 
 they, cheered the actor, and loaded him with the 
 loudest applause. A Countryman in the crowd, ob- 
 serving all that had passed, said, “So help me, Her- 
 cules, he shall not beat me at that trick!” and at 
 once proclaimed that he would do the same thing on 
 the next day, though in a much more natural way, 
 On the morrow a still larger crowd assembled in the 
 theatre; but now partiality for their favorite actor 
 very generally prevailed, and the audience came 
 rather to ridicule the Countryman than to see the 
 spectacle. Both of the performers, however, ap 
 peared on the stage. The Buffoon grunted ami 
 squeaked very fast, and obtained, as on the preced- 
 ing day, the applause and cheers of the spectators. 
 Next the Countryman commenced, and pretending 
 that he concealed a little pig beneath his clothes 
 (which in, truth he did, but not suspected of the 
 audience) contrived to lay hold of and to pull his ear, 
 when he began to squeak, and to express in his pain 
 the actual cry of the pig. The crowd, however, 
 cried out with one consent that the Buffoon had 
 given a far more exact imitation, and clamored for 
 
THE FABLES OF iESOP 
 
 251 
 
 the Countryman to be kicked out of the theatre. On 
 this the rustic produced the little pig from his cloak, 
 and showed by the most positive proof the greatness 
 of their mistake. “ Look here/’ he said, “this shows 
 what sort of judges you are.” 
 
 THE CRO^ AND THE SERPENT. 
 
 A Crow, in great want of food, saw a Serpent asleep 
 in a sunny nook, and flying down, greedily seized 
 him. The Serpent turning about, bit the Crow with 
 a mortal wound; the Crow in the agony of death ex- 
 claimed. “O unhappy me! who have found in that 
 which l deemed a happy windfall the source of my 
 destruction.” 
 
 THE HUNTER AND THE HORSEMAN. 
 
 A certain Hunter having snared a hare, placed it 
 upon his shoulders, and set out homewards. He met 
 on his way with a man on horseback who begged 
 the hare of him, under the pretence of purchasing it. 
 The Horseman having got the hare, rode off as fast 
 as he could. The Hunter ran after him, as if he was 
 sure of overtaking him. The Horseman, however, 
 increasing more and more the distance between 
 them, the Hunter, sorely against his will, called out 
 to him, and said, “Get along with you! for I will 
 now make you a present of the hare,” 
 
252 
 
 THE FABLES OF iESOP. 
 
 THE OLIYE-TREE AND THE FIG-TREE. 
 The Olive-tree ridiculed the Fig-tree because, while 
 she was green all the year round, the Fig-tree 
 changed its leaves with the seasons. A shower of 
 snow fell upon them, and, finding the Olive full of 
 foliage, it settled upon its branches, and, breaking 
 them down with its weight, at once despoiled it of 
 its beauty and killed the tree; but finding the Fig- 
 tree denuded of leaves, it fell through to the ground, 
 and did not injure it at all. 
 
 THE FROGS’ COMPLAINT AGAINST THE SUN. 
 Once upon a time, when the Sun announced his 
 intention to take a wife, the Frogs lifted up their 
 voices in clamor to the sky. Jupiter, disturbed by 
 the noise of their croaking, inquired the cause of 
 their complaint. One of them said, “ The Sun, now 
 while he is single, parches up the marsh, and com- 
 pels us to die miserably in our arid homes; what 
 will be our future condition if he should beget other 
 suns?” 
 
THE MOUSE, THE FROG, AND THE HAWK. 
 
 A Mouse who always lived on the land, by an un- 
 lucky chance formed an intimate acquaintance with 
 a Frog, who lived for the most part in the water. 
 The Frog, one day intent on mischief, bound the 
 foot of the Mouse tightly to his own. Thus joined 
 together, the Frog first of all led his friend the 
 Mouse to the meadow where they were accustomed 
 to find their food. After this, he gradually led him 
 toward the pool in which he lived, until he reached 
 the very brink, when suddenly jumping in he 
 dragged the Mouse in with him. The Frog enjoyed 
 the water amazingly, and swam croaking about, as 
 if he had done a meritorious action. The unhappy 
 Mouse was soon suffocated with the water, and his 
 dead body floated about on the surface, tied to the 
 foot of the Frog. A Hawk observed it, and, pounc- 
 
254 
 
 THE FABLES OF JESOP. 
 
 ing upon it with his talons, carried it up aloft. The 
 Frog being still fastened to the leg of the Mouse, 
 was also carried off a prisoner, and was eaten by 
 the Hawk. 
 
 Harm hatch, harm catch. 
 
 THE JETHIOP. 
 
 The purchaser of a black servant was persuaded 
 that the color of his skin arose from dirt contracted 
 through the neglect of his former masters. On bring- 
 ing him home he resorted to every means of clean- 
 ing, and subjected him to incessant scrubbings. He 
 caught a severe cold, but he never changed his 
 color or complexion. 
 
 What’s bred in the bone will stick to the flesh. 
 
 THE FISHERMAN AND HIS NETS. 
 
 A Fisherman, engaged in his calling, made a very 
 successful cast, and captured a great haul of fish. 
 He managed by a skilful handling of his net to re- 
 tain all the large fish, and to draw them to the 
 shore; but he could not prevent the smaller fish from 
 falling back through the meshes of the net into 
 the sea. 
 
THE FABLES OF JESOP. 
 
 255 
 
 THE LION AND THE FOUR BULLS. 
 
 Four Bulls, which had entered into a very strict 
 friendship, kept always near one another, and fed 
 together. The Lion often saw them, and as often 
 had a mind to make one of them his prey ; but, 
 though he could have subdued any of them singly, 
 yet he was afraid to attack the whole alliance, as 
 knowing they would have been too strong for him, 
 and therefore he contented himself, for the present, 
 with keeping at a distance. At last, perceiving no 
 attempt was to be made upon them as long as this 
 combination held, he took occasion, by whispers and 
 hints, to foment jealousies, and raise divisions 
 among them. This stratagem succeeded so well, 
 that the Bulls grew cold and reserved towards one 
 another, which soon after ripened into a downright 
 hatred and aversion ; and, at last, ended in a total 
 separation. The Lion had now obtained his ends ; 
 and, as impossible as it was for him to hurt them 
 while they were united, he found no difficulty, now 
 they were parted, to seize and devour every Bull of 
 them, one after another. 
 
 “ United we stand ; divided we fall.” 
 
 THE ASS EATING THISTLES. 
 
 An Ass was loaded with good provisions of several 
 sorts, which, in time of harvest, he was carrying in- 
 to the field for his master and the reapers to dine 
 upon. By the way he met with a fine large Thistle, 
 and, being yery hungry, began to mumble it ; wkieh. 
 
236 
 
 THE FABLES OF .®SOP. 
 
 while he was doing, he entered into this reflection 
 — “ How many greedy epicures would think them- 
 selves happy, amidst such a variety of delicate, 
 viands as I now carry ! But to me, this bitter, 
 prickly Thistle is more savory and relishing than 
 the most exquisite and sumptuous banquet.” 
 
 Every to his taste : one man’s meat is another 
 man’s poison, and one man’s poison is another man’s 
 meat. 
 
 THE COCK AND THE FOX. 
 
 The Fox, passing early one summer’s morning near 
 a farm-yard, was caught in a springe, which the 
 farmer had planted there for that end. The Cock, 
 at a distance, saw what happened , and, hardly yet 
 daring to trust himself too near so dangerous a foe, 
 approached him cautiously, and peeped at him, not 
 without some horror and dread of mind. Reynard 
 no sooner perceived it, but he addressed himself to 
 him, with all the designing artifice imaginable. 
 “Dear cousin,” says he, “you see what an unfortu- 
 nate accident has befallen me here, and all upon 
 your account : for, as I was creeping through yon- 
 der hedge, in my way homeward, I heard you crow, 
 and was resolved to ask you how you did before I 
 went any further ; but, by the way, I met with this 
 disaster; and therefore now I must become an hum- 
 ble suitor to you for a knife to cut this plaguy sti’ing; 
 or, at least, that you would conceal my misfortune, 
 till I have knawed it asunder with my teeth.” The 
 Cock, seeing how the case stood, made no reply, but 
 posted away as fast as he could, and gave the farm- 
 
THE FABLES OF jESOP. 
 
 %57 
 
 er an account of the whole matter ; who, taking a 
 good weapon along with him, came and did the 
 Fox’s business, before he could have time to contrive 
 his escape. 
 
 It is the duty of humanity to succor the unfortu- 
 nate and the troubled; but to aid the vicious and the 
 evil-minded is to become a partner in their guilt. 
 
 THE FROG AND THE FOX. 
 
 A frog, leaping out of the lake, and taking the 
 advantage of a rising ground, made proclamation to 
 all the beasts of the forest, that he was an able phy- 
 sician, and, for curing all manner of distempers, 
 would turn his back to no person living. This dis- 
 course, uttered in a parcel of hard, cramped words, 
 which nobody understood, made the beasts admire 
 his learning, and give credit to everything he said. 
 At last the Fox, who was present, with indignation 
 asked him, how he could have the impudence, with 
 those thin lantern-jaws, that meagre, pale phiz, and 
 blotched, spotted body, to set up for one who was 
 able to cure the infirmities of others. 
 
 “ Physician heal thyself.” 
 
 THE FOX IN THE WELL. 
 
 A Fox, having fallen into a Well, made a shift, by 
 sticking his claws into the sides, to keep his head 
 above water. Soon after, a Wolf came and peeped 
 
258 
 
 THE FABLES OF A1SOP. 
 
 over the brink ; to whom the Fox applied himself 
 very earnestly for assistance ; entreating that he 
 would help him to a rope, or something of that kind, 
 which might favor his escape. The Wolf, moved 
 with compassion at his misfortune, could not forbear 
 expressing his concern ; “ Ah ! poor Reynard,” says 
 he, I am sorry for you with all my heart ; how 
 could you possibly come into this melancholy condi- 
 tion ? ” “ Nay, prithee, friend,” replies the Fox, “if 
 
 you wish me well, do not stand pitying of me, but 
 lend me some succor as fast as you can : for pity is 
 but cold comfort when one is up to the chin in wat- 
 er, and within a hair’s breadth of starving or drown- 
 ing.” 
 
 A grain of help is worth a bushel of pity. 
 
 THE FOWLER AND THE RINGDOVE. 
 
 A Fowler took his gun, and went into the woods 
 a shooting. He spied a Ringdove among the 
 branches of an oak, and intended to kill it. He 
 clapped the piece to his shoulder, and took his aim 
 accordingly. But, just as he was going to pull the 
 trigger, an adder, which he had trod upon under the 
 grass, stung him so painfully in the leg, that he was 
 forced to quit his design, and threw his gun down in 
 a passion. The poison immediately infected his 
 blood, and his whole body began to mortify ; which, 
 when he perceived, he could not help owning it to 
 be just. “ Fate,” says he, “ has brought destruction 
 upon me while I was contriving the death ©f 
 another.” 
 
THE FABLES OF JESOP. 
 
 259 
 
 There is a law of retribution governing life. Men 
 often fall into the very pit they dig for others. 
 
 THE TUNNY AND THE DOLPHIN. 
 
 A fish called a Tunny, being pursued by a Dolphin, 
 and driven with great violence, not minding which 
 way he went, was thrown by the force of the waves 
 upon a rock, and left there. His death now was in- 
 evitable ; but, casting his eyes on one side, and see- 
 ing the Dolphin in the same condition lie gasping by 
 him — “ Well,” says he, “I must die, it is true ; but 
 I die with pleasure, when I behold him who is the 
 cause of it involved in the same fate.” 
 
 Revenge is sweet, even in death. 
 
 THE BOAR AND THE ASS. 
 
 A little scoundrel of an Ass, happening to meet 
 with a Boar, had a mind to be arch upon him : 
 “And so, brother,” says he, “your humble servant.” 
 The Boar, somewhat nettled at his familiarity, brist- 
 led up to him, and told him he was surprised to hear 
 him utter so impudent an untruth, and was just 
 going to show his noble resentment by giving him a 
 rip in the flank ; but wisely stifling his passion, he 
 contented himself with only saying — “ Go, you sor- 
 ry beast ! I could be amply and easily revenged of 
 you, but I do not care to foul my tusks with the 
 blood of so base a creature.” 
 
 Dignity cannot afford to quarrel with its inferiors. 
 
260 
 
 THE FABLES OF JESOP. 
 
 THE HORSE AND THE LOADED ASS. 
 
 An idle Horse, and an Ass laboring under a heavy 
 burden, were travelling the road together ; they 
 both belonged to a country fellow, who trudged it on 
 foot by them. The Ass, ready to faint under his 
 heavy load, entreated the Horse to assist him, and 
 lighten his burden, by taking some of it upon his 
 back. The Horse was ill-natured and refused to do 
 it ; upon which the poor Ass tumbled down in the 
 midst of the highway, and expired in an instant. 
 The countryman ungirded his pack-saddle, and tried 
 several ways to relieve him, but all to no purpose ; 
 which, when he perceived, he took the whole bur- 
 den, and laid it upon the Horse, together with 
 the skin of the dead Ass ; so that the Horse, by his 
 moroseness in refusing to do a small kindness, justly 
 brought upon himself a great inconvenience. 
 
 Selfishness often prepares a burden as well as a 
 rod for its own back. 
 
 THE PEACOCK AND THE MAGPIE. 
 
 The birds met together upon a time to choose a 
 king ; and the Peacock standing candidate, display- 
 ed his gaudy plumes, and caught the eyes of the 
 silly multitude with the richness of his feathers. 
 The majority declared for him, and clapped their 
 wings with great applause ; but, just as they were 
 going to proclaim him, the Magpie stepped forth in 
 the midst of the assembly, and addressed himself 
 thus to the new king May it please your majesty 
 
THE FABLES OF ^SOP. 
 
 261 
 
 elect to permit one of your unworthy subjects to 
 represent to you his suspicions and apprehensions, 
 in the face of this whole congregation , we have 
 chosen you for our king, we have put our lives and 
 fortunes into your hands, and our whole hope and 
 dependence is upon you ; if therefore the eagle, or 
 the vulture, or the kite, should at any time make a 
 descent upon us, as it is highly probable they will, 
 may your majesty be so gracious as to dispel our 
 fears, and clear our doubts about that matter, by let- 
 ting us know how you intend to defend us against 
 them ? ” This pithy unanswerable question drew 
 the whole audience into so just a reflection, that they 
 soon resolved to proceed to a new choice. But, from 
 that time, the Peacock has been looked upon as a 
 vain, insignificant pretender, and the Magpie esteem- 
 ed as eminent as a speaker as any among the whole 
 community of birds. 
 
 A king chosen for his adornments, will bring his 
 people to shame. 
 
 THE KITE AND THE PIGEONS. 
 
 A Kite, who had kept sailing in the air for many 
 days near a dove-house, and made a stoop at several 
 Pigeons, but all to no purpose, (for they were too 
 nimble for him,) at last had recourse to stratagem, 
 and took his opportunity one day to make a declara- 
 tion to them, in which he set forth his own just and 
 good intentions, who had nothing more at heart 
 than the defence and protection of the Pigeons in 
 their ancient rights and liberties, and how concerned 
 
262 
 
 THE FABLES OF JESOP. 
 
 he was at their fears and jealousies of a foreign in- 
 vasion, especially their unjust and unreasonable 
 suspicions of himself, as if he intended, by force of 
 arms, to break in upon their constitution, and erect 
 a tyrannical government over them. To prevent all 
 which, and thoroughly quiet their minds, he thougjit 
 proper to propose to them such terms of alliance and 
 articles of peace as might forever cement a good un- 
 derstanding between them ; the principal of which 
 was, that they should accept of him for their king, 
 and invest him with all kingly privilege and prerog- 
 ative over them. The poor simple Pigeons consent- 
 ed ; the Kite took the coronation oath after a very 
 solemn manner, on his part, and the Doves, the 
 oaths of allegiance and fidelity, on theirs. But 
 much time had not passed over their heads, before 
 the good Kite pretended that it was part of his pre- 
 rogative to. devour a Pigeon whenever he pleased. 
 And this he was not contented to do himself only, 
 but instructed the rest of the royal family in the 
 same kingly arts of government. The Pigeons, re- 
 duced to this miserable condition, said one to the 
 other, “ Ah ! we deserve no better ! Why did we 
 let him come in? ” 
 
 Men should look before they leap. A too ready 
 loyalty often ldhds to peril. 
 
 THE SWALLOW AND OTHER BIRDS. 
 
 A Farmer was sowing his field with flax. The 
 Swallow observed it, and desired the other Birds to 
 assist her in picking the seed up and destroying it, 
 
THE FABLES OF JESOP. 
 
 263 
 
 telling them that flax was that pernicious material 
 of which the thread was composed which made the 
 fowler’s nets, and by that means contributed to the 
 ruin of so many innocent Birds. But the poor Swal- 
 low not having the good fortune to be regarded, the 
 flax sprung up, and appeared above the ground. 
 She then put them in mind once more of their im- 
 pending danger, and wished them to pluck it up in 
 the bud before it went any farther. They still ne- 
 glected her warnings, and the flax grew up into the 
 high stalk. She yet again desired them to attack it, 
 for that it was not yet too late. But all that she could 
 get was to be ridiculed and despised for a silly, pre- 
 tending prophet. The Swallow finding all her re- 
 monstrances availed nothing, was resolved to leave 
 the society of such unthinking, careless creatures, 
 before- it was too late. So quitting the woods, she 
 repaired to the houses, and forsaking the conversa- 
 tion of the Birds, has ever since made her abode 
 among the dwellings of men. 
 
 When people in peril will not heed good advice, 
 they must bear the entire responsibility of their 
 foolish conduct. 
 
 THE WANTON. CALF. 
 
 A Calf, full of play and wantonness, seeing the Ox 
 at plough, could not forbear insulting him. “ What 
 a sorry poor drudge art thou,” says he, “to bear 
 that heavy yoke upon your neck, and go all day 
 drawing a plow at your tail, to turn up the ground 
 for your master ! but you are a wretched dull slave, 
 
264 
 
 THE FABLES OF A3SOP. 
 
 and know no better, or else you would not do it. See 
 what a happy life I lead : I go just where I please : 
 sometimes I lie down under the cool shade ; some- 
 times frisk about in the open sunshine ; and, when 
 I please, slake my thirst in the clear sweet brook ; 
 but you, if you were to perish, have not so much as 
 a little dirty water to refresh you.” The Ox, not at 
 all moved with what he said, went quietly and calm- 
 ly on with his work ; and, in the evening was un- 
 yoked and turned loose. Soon after which he saw 
 the calf taken out of the field, and delivered into the 
 hands of a priest, who immediately led him to the 
 altar, and prepared to sacrifice him. His head was 
 hung round wfith fillets of flowers, and the fatal 
 knife was just going to be applied to his throat, 
 when the Ox drew near and whispered him to this 
 purpose : “ Behold the end of your insolence and 
 
 arrogance ; it was for this only you were suffered to 
 live at all ; and pray now, friend, whose condition is 
 best, yours or mine?” 
 
 Boastful idleness often comes to grief. 
 
 THE HUSBANDMAN AND THE STORK. 
 
 The Husbandman pitched a net in his fields to take 
 the cranes and geese which came to feed upon the 
 new-sown corn. Accordingly he took several, both 
 cranes and geese ; and among them a Stork, who 
 pleaded hard for his life, and, among other apolo- 
 gies which he made, alleged, that he •tfas neither 
 goose nor crane, but a poor harmless Stork, who 
 performed his duty to his parents to all intents and 
 purposes, feeding them when they were old, and, as 
 
THE FABLES OF JESOP. 
 
 265 
 
 occasion required, carrying them from place to place 
 upon his back. “ All this may be true,” replied the 
 Husbandman ; “ but, as I have taken you .in bad 
 company, and in the same crime, you must expect 
 to suffer the same punishment.” 
 
 However good a man may be he cannot afford to 
 mix with evil companions. 
 
 THE HORSE AND THE LION. 
 
 A Lion seeing a fine plump Nag, had a great mind 
 to eat a bit of him. but knew not which way to get 
 him into his power. At last he bethought himself of 
 this contrivance ; he gave out that he was a physi- 
 cian, who, having gained experience by his travels 
 into foreign countries, had made himself capable of 
 curing any sort of malady or distemper incident to 
 any kind of beast, hoping by this stratagem to get 
 an easier admittance among cattle, and find an op- 
 portunity to execute his design. The Horse, who 
 smoked the matter, was resolved to be even with 
 him ; and, so humoring the thing as if he suspected 
 nothing, he prayed the Lion to give him his advice 
 in relation to a thorn he had got in his foot, which 
 had quite lamed him, and gave him great pain and 
 uneasiness. The Lion readily agreed, and desired 
 he might see the foot. Upon which the Horse lifted 
 up on(’ of his hind legs, and, while the Lion pretend- 
 ed to be poring earnestly upon his hoof, gave him 
 such a kick in the face as quite stunned him, and 
 left him sprawling upon the ground. In the mean 
 time the Horse trotted away, neighing and laugh- 
 ing merrily at the success of the trick, by which he 
 
266 
 
 THE FABLES OF ASSOP. 
 
 had defeated the purpose of one who intended to 
 have tricked him out of his life. 
 
 The sharpest tricksters are often overmatched. 
 The engineer gets “ hoist with his own petard.” 
 
 CUPID AND DEATH. 
 
 Cupid, one sultry summer’s noon, tired with play, 
 and faint with heat, went into a cool grotto to repose 
 himself, which happened to be the cave of Death. 
 He threw himself carelessly down on the floor, and 
 his quiver turning topsy-turvy, all the arrows fell 
 out, and mingled with those of Death, which lay 
 scattered up and down the place. When he awoke 
 he gathered them up as well as he could, but they 
 were so intermingled that, though he knew the cer- 
 tain number, he could not rightly distinguish them; 
 from which it happened that he took up some of the 
 arrows which belonged to Death, and left several of 
 his own in the room of them. This is the cause that 
 we, now and then, see the hearts of the old and de- 
 crepit transfixed with the bolts of love ; and with 
 equal grief and surprise behold the youthful bloom- 
 ing part of our species smitten with the darts of 
 Death. 
 
 Cupid’s arrows are as perilous as they are capri- 
 cious. 
 
 THE OLD MAN AND HIS SONS. 
 
 An Old Man had many Sons, who were often falling 
 out with one another. When the Father had exert- 
 ed his authority, and used other means in order to 
 
THE FABLES OF ^SOP. 
 
 267 
 
 reconcile them, and all to no purpose, at last he had 
 recourse to this expedient ; he ordered his Sons to 
 be called before him, and a short bundle of sticks to 
 be brought ; and then commanded them, one by one, 
 to try if, with all their might and strength, they 
 could any of them break it. They all tried, but to 
 no purpose ; for the sticks being closely and com- 
 pactly bound up together, it was impossible for the 
 force of man to do it. After this the Father or- 
 dered the bundle to be untied, and gave a single 
 stick to each of his Sons ; at the same time bidding 
 him try to break it : which, when each did with all 
 imaginable ease, the Father addressed himself to 
 to them to this effect, — “O my Sons, behold the 
 power of unity ! For if you, in like manner, would 
 but keep yourselves strictly conjoined in the bonds 
 of friendship, it would not be in the power of any 
 mortal to hurt you; but, when once the ties of broth- 
 erly affection are dissolved, how soon do you fall to 
 pieces, and are liable to be violated by every injuri- 
 ous hand that assaults you ! ” 
 
 Unity is strength. 
 
 THE STAG AND THE FAWN. 
 
 A Stag, grown old and mischievous, was, according 
 to custom, stamping with his foot, making offers 
 with his head, and bellowing so terribly, that the 
 whole herd quaked for fear of him ; when one of 
 the little Fawns coming up, addressed him to this 
 purpose, — “ Pray, what is the reason that you, who 
 are so stout and formidable at all other times, if you 
 do but hear the cry of the hounds are ready to fly 
 
268 
 
 THE FABLES OF yESOP. 
 
 out of your skin for fear?” — “What you observe 
 is true,” replied the Stag, “ though I know not how 
 to account for it : I am indeed vigorous, and able 
 enough, I think, to make my party good anywhere, 
 and often resolve with myself that nothing shall ev- 
 er dismay my courage for the future ; but, alas ! I 
 no sooner hear the voice of a hound but my spirits 
 fail me, and I cannot help making off as fast as ev- 
 er my legs can carry me.” 
 
 The greatest braggarts are generally the most ab- 
 ject cowards. 
 
 THE HAWK AND THE FARMER. 
 
 A Hawk, pursuing a pigeon over a corn field with 
 great eagerness and force, threw himself into a net 
 which a husbandman had planted there to take the 
 crows ; who being employed not far off, and seeing 
 the Hawk fluttering in the net, came and took him; 
 but, just as he was going to kill him, the Hawk be- 
 sought him to let him go, assuring him that he was 
 only following a pigeon, and neither intended nor 
 had done any harm to him. To whom the Farmer 
 replied, “And what harm had the poor pigeon done 
 to you ?” Upon which he wrung his head off imme- 
 diately. 
 
 Oppressors are never short of excuses for their 
 evil designs. 
 
 THE NURSE AND THE WOLF. 
 
 A Nurse, who was endeavoring to quiet afroward, 
 bawling child, among other attempts, threatened to 
 
THE FABLES OF JESOP. 
 
 269 
 
 throw it out of dooi*s to the Wolf, if it did not leave 
 off crying. A Wolf, who chanced to be prowling 
 near the door just at that time, heard the expres- 
 sion, and, believing the woman to be in earnest, 
 waited a long while about the house in expectation 
 of seeing her words made good. But at last the 
 child, wearied with its own importunities, fell 
 asleep, and the poor Wolf was forced to return back 
 to the woods empty and supperless. The fox meet- 
 ing him, and surprised to see him going home so 
 thin and disconsolate, asked him what the matter 
 was, and how he came to speed no better that night; 
 “Ah ! do not ask me,” says he ; “I was so silly as 
 to believe what the Nurse said, and have been dis- 
 appointed.” 
 
 Even Wolves are sometimes too trustful 
 
 THE SATYR AND TRAVELER. 
 
 A Satyr, as he was ranging the forest in an exceed- 
 ing cold, snowy season, met with a Traveler half- 
 starved with the extremity of the weather. He took 
 compassion on him, and kindly invited him home to 
 a warm comfortable cave he had in the hollow of a 
 rock. As soon as they entered and sat down, not- 
 withstanding there was a good fire in the place, the 
 chilly Traveler could not forbear blowing his fingers’ 
 ends. Upon the Satyr’s asking him why he did so, 
 he answered, that he did it to warm his hands. The 
 honest sylvan having seen little of the world, ad- 
 mired a man who was master of so valuable a qual- 
 ity as that of blowing heat, and therefore was re- 
 solved to entertain him in the best manner he could. 
 
270 
 
 THE FABLES OF jESOP. 
 
 He spread the table before him with dried fruits of 
 several sorts ; and produced a remnant of cold cor- 
 dial wine, which, as the rigor of the season made 
 very proper, he mulled with some warm spices, in- 
 fused over the fire, and presented to his shivering 
 guest. But this the traveler thought to blow like- 
 wise ; and upon the Satyr’s demanding a reason why 
 he blowed again, he replied, to cool his dish. This 
 second answer provoked the Satyr’s indignation as 
 much as the first had kindled his surprise: so, taking 
 the man by the shoulder, he thrust him out of doors, 
 saying, he would have nothing to do with a wretch 
 who had so vile a quality as to blow hot and cold 
 with the same mouth. 
 
 The meanest of men is he who combines in him- 
 self the flatterer and the slanderer. 
 
 THE ENVIOUS MAN AND THE COVETOUS. 
 
 An Envious Man happened to be offering up his 
 prayers to Jupiter just in the time and place with a 
 covetous miserable fellow. Jupiter, not caring to be 
 troubled with their impertinences himself, sent Apollo 
 to examine the merits of their petitions, and to give 
 them such relief as he should think proper. Apollo 
 therefore opened his commission, and withal told 
 them that, to make short of the matter, whatever 
 the one asked the other should have it double. Up- 
 on this, the Covetous Man, though he had a thousand 
 things to request, yet forebore to ask first, hoping to 
 receive a double quantity ; for he concluded that all 
 men’s wishes sympathized with his. By this means 
 
THE FABLES OF ^SOP. 
 
 m 
 
 the Envious Man had an opportunity of preferring 
 his petition first, which was the thing he aimed at ; 
 so, without much hesitation, he prayed to be reliev- 
 ed, by having one of his eyes put out: knowing that, 
 of consequence, his companion would be deprived 
 of both. 
 
 Envy and Avarice are twin brothers of an evil 
 house, as cruel as they are selfish. 
 
 THE TWO POTS. 
 
 An Earthen Pot, and one of Brass, standing togeth- 
 er upon the river’s brink, were both carried away by 
 the flowing in of the tide. The Earthen Pot showed 
 some uneasiness, as fearing he should be broken; 
 but his companion of Brass bid him be under no 
 apprehensions, for that he would take care of him. 
 “ O,” replies the other, “ keep as far off as ever you 
 can, I entreat you ; it is you I am most afraid of : 
 for, whether the stream dashes you against me, or 
 me against you, I am sure to be the sufferer ; and, 
 therefore, I beg of you, do not let us come near one 
 another.” 
 
 We are often in greatest peril from well intending 
 friends. 
 
 THE FOX AND THE STORK. 
 
 The Fox invited the Stork to dinner, and, being dis- 
 posed to divert himself at the expense of his guest, 
 provided nothing for the entertainment but a soup, 
 in a wide, shallow dish. This himself could lap up 
 
272 
 
 THE FABLES OF ,/ESOP. 
 
 with a great deal of ease ; but the Stork, who eould 
 but just dip in the point of his bill, was not a bit 
 better all the while : however, in a few days after, 
 he returned the compliment, and invited the Fox ; 
 but suffered nothing to be brought to the table but 
 some minced meat in a glass jar, the neck of which 
 was so deep and so narrow, that, though the Stork 
 with his long bill made a shift to fill his belly, all 
 that the Fox, who was very hungy, could do, was to 
 lick the brims, as the Stork slabbered them with his 
 eating. Reynard was heartily vexed at first, but, 
 when he came to take his leave, owned ingenuously, 
 that he had been used as he deserved, and that he 
 had no reason to take any threatment ill, of which 
 himself had set the example. 
 
 The Fox may be full of cunning but the Stork is a 
 match for him. 
 
 THE BEAR AND THE BEE-HIVES. 
 
 A Bear, climbing over the fence into a place where 
 Bees were kept, began to plunder the Hives, and rob 
 them of their honey. But the Bees, to revenge the 
 injury, attacked him in a whole swarm together ; 
 and, though they were not able to pierce his rugged 
 hide, yet, Avith their little stings, they so annoyed 
 his eyes and nostrils, that, unable to endure the 
 smarting pain, with impatience he tore the skin 
 o\ 7 er his ears with his oavii claws, and suffered am- 
 ple punishment for the injury he did the Bees in 
 breaking open their waxen cells. 
 
 Ill-gotten gains bring many pains. 
 
THE FABLES OF JESOP. 
 
 273 
 
 THE EAGLE AND THE CROW. 
 
 An Eagle flew down from the top of a high rock, 
 and settled upon the back of a lamb ; and then in- 
 stantly flying up into the air again, bore his bleating 
 prize aloft in his pounces. A Crow who sat upon an 
 elm, and beheld the exploit, resolved to imitate it ; 
 so flying down upon the back of a ram, and entang- 
 ling his claws in the wool, he fell a chattering and 
 attempting to fly ; by which means he drew the ob- 
 servation of the shepherd upon him, who finding his 
 feet hampered in the fleece of the ram, easily took 
 him, and gave him to his boys for their sport and 
 diversion. 
 
 It is not always safe to imitate a bad example. 
 
 THE DOG AND THE SHEEP. 
 
 The Dog sued the Sheep for debt, of which the 
 kite and the wolf were to be judges. They, without 
 debating long upon the matter, or making any scru- 
 ple for want of evidence, gave sentence for the 
 plaintiff; who immediately tore the poor Sheep in 
 pieces, and divided the spoil with the unjust judges. 
 
 Justice # can only be obtained by an appeal to 
 righteous judges. 
 
 THE YOUNG MAN AND THE SWALLOW. 
 
 A prodigal young spendthrift, who had wasted his 
 whole patrimony in taverns and gaming-houses. 
 
274 
 
 THE FABLES OF JESOP. 
 
 among lewd, idle company, was taking a melan- 
 choly walk near a brook. It was in the month of 
 January; and happened to be one of those warm 
 sunshiny days which sometimes smile upon us even 
 in that winterly season of the year ; and to make it 
 the more flattering, a Swallow, which had made his 
 appearance, by mistake, too soon, flew skimming 
 along upon the surface of the water. The giddy 
 Youth observing this, without any farther considera- 
 tion, concluded that summer was now come, and 
 that he should have little or no occasion for clothes, 
 so he went and pawned them at the broker’s, and 
 ventured the money for one stake more, among his 
 sharping companions. When this too w'as gone the 
 same way with the rest, he took another solitary 
 walk in the same place as before. But the weather 
 being severe and frosty, had made everything look 
 with an aspect very different from what it did be- 
 fore ; the brook was quite frozen over, and the poor 
 Swallow lay dead upon the bank of it ; the very 
 sight of which cooled the young Spark’s brains; and 
 coming to a sense of his misery, he reproached the 
 deceased bird as the author of all his misfortunes: — 
 “ Ah, wretch that thou wert ! ” says he, “ thou hast 
 undone both thyself and me. who was so credulous 
 as to depend upon thee.” 
 
 The spendthrift blames everybody but himself for 
 his poverty. 
 
 THE WOOD AND THE CLOWN. 
 
 A Country Fellow came one day into the wood, 
 and looked about him with some concern ; upon 
 
THE FABLES OF iESOP. 
 
 275 
 
 which the Trees, with a curiosity natural to some 
 other creatures, asked him what he wanted. He re- 
 replied, “ That he only wanted a piece of wood to 
 make a handle to his hatchet.” Since that was all, 
 it was voted unanimously that he should have a 
 piece of good, sound, tough ash. But he no sooner 
 received and fitted it for his purpose, than he began 
 to lay about him unmercifully, and to hack and hew 
 without distinction, felling the noblest trees in all 
 the forest. Then the Oak is said to have spoke thus to 
 the Beech in a low whisper, — 4 ‘Brother, we must 
 take it for our pains.” 
 
 Beware of small concessions. 
 
 THE FOX AND THE TIGER. 
 
 A skillful archer coming into the woods, directed 
 his arrows so successfully, that he slew many wild 
 beasts, and pursued several others. This put the 
 whole savage kind into a fearful consternation, and 
 made them fly to the most retired thickets for 
 refuge. At last, the Tiger resumed a courage, and, 
 bidding them not be afraid, said, that he alone would 
 engage the enemy; telling them, they might depend 
 upon his valor and strength to revenge their wrongs. 
 In the midst of these threats, while he was lashing 
 himself with his tail, and tearing up the ground for 
 anger, an arrow pierced his ribs, and hung by its 
 barbed point in his side. He set up an hideous and 
 loud roar, occasioned by the anguish which he felt, 
 and endeavored to draw out the painful dart with 
 his teeth; when the Fox, approaching him, inquired 
 with an air of surprise, who it was that could have 
 
276 
 
 THE FABLES OF iESOP. 
 
 strength and courage enough to wound so mighty 
 and valorous a beast ! “ Ah ! ” says the Tiger, “ I 
 
 was mistaken in my reckoning : it was that invinci- 
 ble man yonder.” 
 
 It is never wise to be to boastful. There is always 
 some vulnerable point in the strongest armor. 
 
 JUPITER AND THE CAMEL. 
 
 The Camel presented a petition to Jupiter, complain- 
 ing 01 the hardship of his case in not having, like 
 bulls and other creatures, horns, or any weapons of 
 defence, to protect himself from the attacks of his 
 enemies, and praying that relief might be given him 
 in such manner as might be thought most expedient, 
 Jupiter could not help smiling at the impertinent 
 address of the great silly beast, but, however, reject- 
 ed the petition; and told him that, so far from grant- 
 ing his unreasonable request, henceforward he 
 would take care his ears should be shortened, as a 
 punishment for his presumptuous importunity. 
 
 Dissatisfaction tends to diminish the value of 
 present possessions. 
 
 THE WIND AND THE SUN. 
 
 A dispute once arose betwixt the north Wind and 
 the Sun, about the superiority of their power ; and 
 they agreed to try their strength upon a traveler, 
 which should be able to get his cloak off first. The 
 north Wind began, and blew a very cold blast, ac- 
 
THE FABLES OF ASSOP. 
 
 277 
 
 companied with a sharp driving shower. But this, 
 and whatever else he could do, instead of making 
 the man quit his cloak, obliged him to gird it about 
 his body as close as possible. Next came the Sun; 
 who, breaking out from a thick watery cloud, drove 
 away the cold vapors for the sky, and darted his 
 warm sultry rays upon the head of the poor weath- 
 er-beaten traveler. The man growing faint with the 
 heat, and unable to endure it any longer, first throws 
 off his heavy cloak, and then flies for protection to 
 the shade of a neighboring grove. 
 
 Extremes are always dangerous ; a medium course 
 is always most to be desired. 
 
 THE OLD WOMAN AND HER MAIDS. 
 
 A certain Old Woman had several Maids, whom 
 she used to call up to their work, every morning, at 
 the crowing of the cock. The Wenches, who found 
 it grievous to have their sweet sleep disturbed so 
 early, combined together, and killed the cock ; 
 thinking that, when the alarm was gone, they 
 might enjoy themselves in their warm beds a little 
 longer. The Old Woman, grieved for the loss of her 
 cock, and having, by some means or other, discov- 
 ered the whole plot, was resolved to be even with 
 them ; for, from that time, she obliged them to rise 
 constantly at midnight. 
 
 In rash endeavors to reduce existing ills, we may 
 easily increase our troubles. 
 
278 
 
 THE FABLES OF jESOP. 
 
 THE PORCUPINE AND THE SNAKES. 
 
 A Porcupine, wanting to shelter himself, desired a 
 nest of Snakes to give him admittance into their 
 cave. They were prevailed upon, and let him in 
 accordingly; but were so annoyed with his sharp 
 prickly quills that they soon repented of their easy 
 compliance, and entreated the Porcupine to with- 
 draw, and leave them their hole to themselves. 
 “ No,” says he, “ let them quit the place that don’t 
 like it ; for my part, I am well enough satisfied as I 
 am.” 
 
 Hospitality is a virtue but should be wisely exer- 
 cised, we may by thoughtlessness entertain foes in- 
 stead of friends. 
 
 THE CAT AND THE FOX. 
 
 As the Cat and the Fox were talking politics togeth- 
 on a time, in the middle of a forest, Reynard said, 
 “ Let things turn out ever so bad, he did not care, 
 for he had a thousand tricks for them yet, before 
 they should hurt him.” “But pray,” says he, “Mrs. 
 Puss, suppose there should be an invasion, what 
 course do you design to take ?” “ Nay,” says th$ 
 
 Cat, “ I have but one shift for it, and if that won’t 
 do, I am undone.” “I am sorry for you,” replies 
 Reynard, “ with all my heart, and would gladly fur- 
 nish you with one or two of mine, but indeed 
 neighbor, as times go, it is not good to trust ; we 
 must even be every one for himself, as the saying isr. 
 and so your humble servant.” These words were 
 
THE FABLES OF ,®SOP. 
 
 278 
 
 scarcely out of his mouth, when they were alarmed 
 with a pack of hounds, that came upon them full 
 cry. The Cat, by the help of her single shift, ran up 
 a tree, and sat securely among the top branches; 
 from whence she beheld Reynard, who had not been 
 able to get out of sight, overtaken with his thousand 
 tricks, and torn in as many pieces by the dogs which 
 had surrounded him. 
 
 A little common sense is often of more value than 
 much cunning. 
 
 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, heredi- 
 tary succession from the royal family of Lion ; that 
 (pointing to the second) I claim by, I think, no un- 
 reasonable demand ; considering that all the engage- 
 ments 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 
 
280 
 
 THE FABLES OF JESOP. 
 
 proper supplies. Then (nodding his head towards 
 the third) that I shall take by virtue of my preroga- 
 tive ; to which, I make no question, but so dutiful 
 and loyal a people will pay all the deference and re- 
 gard 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 grant- 
 ing that, without any hesitation or demur, and 
 hereof fail not at your peril. 
 
 We should be careful how we place ourselves at 
 the mercy of the powerful. 
 
 THE FATAL MARRIAGE. 
 
 The Lion touched with gratitude by the noble pro- 
 cedure of a Mouse, and resolving not to be outdone 
 in generosity by any wild beast whatsoever, desired 
 his little deliverer to name his own terms, for that 
 he might depend upon his complying with any pro- 
 posal he should make. The Mouse, fired with am- 
 bition at this gracious offer, did not so much consid- 
 er what was proper for him to ask, as what was in 
 the power of his prince to grant ; and so presump- 
 tuously demanded his princely daughter, the young 
 Lioness, in marriage. The Lion consented ; but, 
 when he would have given the royal virgin into his 
 possession, she, like a giddy thing as she was, not 
 minding how she walked, by chance set her paw 
 upon her spouse, who was coming to meet her, and 
 crushed her little dear to pieces. 
 
THE FABLES OF ^SOP. 
 
 281 
 
 Ambition oftentimes overleaps itself and falls into 
 great peril. 
 
 THE ANT AND THE FLY. 
 
 One day there happened some words between the 
 Ant and the Fly about precedency, and the point 
 was argued with great warmth and eagerness on 
 both sides. Says the Fly, “ It is well known what 
 my pretensions are, and how justly they are ground- 
 ed : there is never a sacrifice offered but I always 
 taste of the entrails, even before the gods them- 
 selves. I have one of the uppermost seats at church, 
 and frequent the altar as often as anybody: I have 
 a free admission at court ; and can never want the 
 king’s ear, for I sometimes sit upon his shoulder. 
 There is not a maid of honor, or handsome young 
 creature comes in my way, but, if I like her, I settle 
 betwixt her balmy lips. And then I eat and drink 
 the best of everything, without having any occasion 
 to work for my living. What is there that such 
 country pusses as you enjoy to be compared to a life 
 like this ? ” The Ant, who by this time had com- 
 posed herself, replied.with a great deal of temper, 
 and po less severity — “ Indeed, to be a guest at an 
 entertainment of the gods is a very great honor, if 
 one is invited ; but I should not care to be a disagree- 
 able intruder anywhere. You talk of the king 
 and the court, and the fine ladies there, with great 
 familiarity; but, as I have been getting in my har- 
 vest in summer, I have seen a certain person under 
 the town walls making a hearty meal upon some- 
 thing that is not so proper to be mentioned. As to 
 
282 THE FABLES OF JESOP. 
 
 your frequenting the altars, you are in the right to 
 take sanctuary where you are like to meet with the 
 least disturbance; but I have knoAvn people before 
 now run to altars, and call it devotion, when they 
 have been shut out of all good company, and had 
 nowhere else to go. You do not work for your 
 living, you say — true : therefore, when you have 
 played away the summer, and winter comes, you 
 have nothing to live upon ; and, while you are starv- 
 ing with cold and hunger, I have a good, warm 
 house over my head, and plenty of provisions about 
 me.” 
 
 Gaiety and folly are all very well for the summer, 
 but when the winter comes they change to discon- 
 tent and wretchedness. 
 
 THE COUNTRYMAN AND THE SNAKE. 
 
 A Villager, in a frosty, snowy winter, found a 
 Snake under a hedge almost dead with cold. He 
 could not help having a compassion for the poor 
 creature, so he brought it home, and laid it upon the 
 hearth near the fire; but it had not lain there long, 
 before (being revived with the heat) it began to 
 erect itself, and fly at his wife and children, filling 
 the whole cottage with dreadful hissings. The 
 Countryman hearing an outcry, and perceiving what 
 the matter was, caught up a mattock, and soon 
 dispatched him ; upbraiding him at the same time 
 in these words: — “Is this, vile wretch, the reward 
 you make to him that saved your life? Die as you 
 deserve ; but a single death is too good for you.” 
 
THE FABLES OF JESOP. 
 
 28 a 
 
 Kindness to the ungrateful and the vicious i& 
 goodness thrown away. 
 
 THE FOX AND THE SICK LION. 
 
 It was reported that the Lion was sick, and tin* 
 beasts were made to believe that they could not 
 make their court better than by going to visit him. 
 Upon this they generally went; but it was particu- 
 larly taken notice of that the Fox was not one of the 
 number. The Lion, therefore dispatched one of his 
 jackalls to sound him about it, and ask him why he 
 had so little charity and respect as never to come 
 near him at a time when he lay so dangerously ill, 
 and everybody else had been to see him. “ Why,” 
 replies the Fox, “ pray present my duty to his majes- 
 ty, and tell him that I have the same respect for him 
 as ever, and have been coming several times to kiss 
 his royal hand ; but I am so terribly frightened at 
 the mouth of his cave, to see the print of my fellow- 
 subjects’ feet all pointing forwards and none back- 
 wards, that I have not resolution enough to venture 
 in.” Now the truth of the matter was, that this 
 sickness of the Lion was only a sham to draw 
 the beasts into his den, the more easily to devour 
 them. 
 
 It is never safe to trust the cruel. 
 
INDEX 
 
 V 
 
 Preface 
 
 Life of iEsop 
 
 Fage. 
 
 iEthiop 254 
 
 Ant and Dove 127 
 
 Ant and Fly 281 
 
 Ants and Grasshoppers. ... 40 
 
 Apes and Two Travelers.. . 179 
 
 Ass and Charger 287 
 
 Ass and Driver 28 1 
 
 Ass and Frogs 152 
 
 Ass and Grasshopper 38 
 
 Ass and his Masters 122 
 
 Ass and his Purchasers.. . . 214 
 
 Ass and his Shadow 121 
 
 Ass and Horse 234 
 
 Ass and Lap dog 69 
 
 Ass and Mule 68 
 
 Ass and Old Shepherd. ... 157 
 
 Ass and Wolf 185 
 
 Ass carrying Image 115 
 
 Ass eating Thistles 255 
 
 Ass, Cock and Lion 110 
 
 Ass, Fox and Lion 51 
 
 Ass in the Lion’s Skin 211 
 
 Astronomer 78 
 
 Bald Man and Fly 248 
 
 Bald Knight 147 
 
 Bat and Weasels. 38 
 
 Bear and Bee-hive 372 
 
 Bear and Fox 50 
 
 Bear and Two Travelers. . . 57 
 
 Bee and Jupiter 118 
 
 Belly and Members 88 
 
 Birdcatcher, Partridge and 
 
 Cock 126 
 
 Birds, Beasts and Bat 208 
 
 Bitch and her Whelps 222 
 
 Blind Man and Whelp ... 199 
 
 Boasjbing Traveler 62 
 
 Boar and Ass . . 259 
 
 xxviii 
 
 Page. 
 
 Bowman and Lion 155 
 
 Boy and Filberts 66 
 
 Boy and Nettles 76 
 
 Boy Bathing 179 
 
 Boy Hunting Locusts 40 
 
 Boys and Frogs 71 
 
 Brazier and his Dog 120 
 
 Brother and Sister 198 
 
 Buffoon and the Country- 
 man 249 
 
 Bull and Calf 160 
 
 Bull and Goat 145 
 
 Bull, Lioness and Wild 
 Boar Hunter 154 
 
 Camel 156 
 
 Camel and Arab 156 
 
 Camel and Jupiter 242 
 
 Cat and Birds ^ . 80 
 
 Cat and Cock 61 
 
 Cat and Fox 278 
 
 Cat and Mice 135 
 
 Cat and Venus 246 
 
 Cobbler turned Doctor 200 
 
 Cock and Fox 256 
 
 Cock and Jewel .... 41 
 
 Charcoal-burner and Fuller 40 
 
 Charger and Miller 86 
 
 Countryman and Snake. . . 282 
 
 Crab and Fox 156 
 
 Crab and its Mother 94 
 
 Crow and Mercury 206 
 
 Crow and Pitcher 163 
 
 Crow and Raven 152 
 
 Crow and Serpent 251 
 
 Crow and-Sheep 234 
 
 Cupid and Death 266 
 
 Dancing Monkeys. 140 
 
 Doe and Lion. 13Q 
 
Index , 
 
 285 
 
 Dog and Cook 137 
 
 Dog and Hare 160 
 
 Dog and Oyster 236 
 
 Dog and Shadow 45 
 
 Dog and Sheep . . 273 
 
 Dog, Cock and Fox 187 
 
 Dog in Manger 59 
 
 Dogs and Fox. . . 200 
 
 Dogs and Hides 223 
 
 Dogs’ House 204 
 
 Dolphins, Whales and Sprat 92 
 Dove and Crow 215 
 
 Eagle and Arrow 105 
 
 Eagle and Beetle 247 
 
 Eagle and Captor 244 
 
 Eagle and Crow. . . 273 
 
 Eagle and Fox 219 
 
 Eagle and Jackdaw 217 
 
 Eagle and Kite 343 
 
 Eagle, Cat and Wild Sow.. 161 
 Envious and Covetous Man 270 
 
 Farmer and Cranes 54 
 
 Farmer and Fox 140 
 
 Farmer and his Sons 82 
 
 Farmer and Snake 46 
 
 Farmer and Stork ... 48 
 
 Fatal Marriage 280 
 
 Father and his Sons 86 
 
 Father and his Two Daugh- 
 ters 94 
 
 Fawn and his Mother 49 
 
 Fighting Cocks and Eagle 85 
 
 Fir Tree and Bramble 96 
 
 Fisherman ancl his Ne*s . . 245 
 Fisherman and Little F*sh 131 
 
 Fisherman Piping 42 
 
 Fishermen 194 
 
 Flea and Man 236 . 
 
 Flea and Ox 214 
 
 Flea and Wrestler 230 
 
 Flies and Honev-pot 52 
 
 Fly and the Draught Mule. 194 
 
 Fowler and Ringdove 258 
 
 Fowler and Viper 192 
 
 Fox and Bramble 235 
 
 Fox and Crane, . . , . . 207 
 
 Fox and Crow 99 
 
 Fox and Goat 55 
 
 Fox and Grapes 165 
 
 Fox and Hedge hog 159 
 
 Fox and Leopard 143 
 
 Fox and Lion 177, 210 
 
 Fox and Mask 189 
 
 Fox and Monkey 86 
 
 Fox and Monkey 174 
 
 Fox and Stork 271 
 
 Fox and Tiger 275 
 
 Fox and Sick Lion 283 
 
 Fox and Woodcutter 125 
 
 Fox in tbd Well 257 
 
 Fox who had lost his Tail . . 77 
 
 Frog and Fox 257 - 
 
 Frogs asking for a King.. . 65 
 
 Frogs’ com pi u in t against? 
 
 Sun. 252 
 
 Game.Cocks and Partridge 202 
 
 Geese and Cranes 197 
 
 Gnat and Bull 224 
 
 Gnat amd Lion 170 
 
 Goat and Ass 188 
 
 Goat and Goatherd 64 
 
 G atherd and Wild Goats. 75 
 
 Goods and Ills 211 
 
 Grasshopper and Owl 190 
 
 Hare and Hound 149 
 
 Hare and Tortoise 43 
 
 Hares and Foxes 158 
 
 ILt res and Frogs 129 
 
 Hares and Lions 182 
 
 Hart and Vine: 167 
 
 Hawk and Farmer 268 
 
 Hawk and Nightingale. . . . 186 
 Hawk, Kite and Pigeons. . 91 
 
 Heifer and Ox 82 
 
 Hen and Golden Eggs 151 
 
 Hen and Swallow 230 
 
 Hercules and Wagoner. ... 44 
 
 Herdsman and lost Bull. . . 47 
 
 Horse and Ass 192- 
 
 Horse and Groom 69 
 
 Horse and Loaded Ass. . . . 260 
 Horse and Lion 265 
 
286 
 
 Index. 
 
 Horse and his Rider 
 
 Horse and Stag 
 
 Hunter and Horseman 
 
 Hunter and Woodman. . . . 
 Huntsman and Fisherman . 
 Husbandman and Stork . . . 
 
 Image of Mercury and Car- 
 penter. 
 
 Jackdaw and Doves 
 
 Jackdaw and Fox 
 
 Jupiter and Camel 
 
 Jupiter and Monkey 
 
 Jupiter, Neptune, Minerva 
 and Momus. , . 
 
 Kid and Wolf 
 
 Kid and Wolf 
 
 Kingdom of the Lion 
 
 King’s Son and Painted 
 
 Lion 
 
 Kite and Pigeons 
 
 Kites and Swans 
 
 Laborer and Snake 
 
 Lamb and Wolf 
 
 Lamp 
 
 Lark and her Young Ones. 
 Lark burying her Father. . 
 
 Lion and Boar 
 
 Lion and Bull 
 
 Lion and Dolphin. 
 
 Lion and Eagle 
 
 Lion and Four Bulls 
 
 Lion and Fox *. 
 
 Lion and Hare 
 
 Lion and Mouse 
 
 Lion and other Beasts 
 
 Lion and Shepherd 
 
 Lion and Three Bulls 
 
 Lion, Bear and Fox 
 
 Lion / Fox and Ass 
 
 Lion in a Farmyard 
 
 Lion in Love 
 
 Lion, Jupiter and Elephant 
 
 Lion, Mouse and Fox 
 
 Lion* Wolf and Fox 
 
 Lioness 56 
 
 Man and his two Sweet- 
 hearts 78 
 
 Man and his Wife 174 
 
 Man and Lion 52 
 
 Man and Satyr 218 
 
 Man bitten by a Dog 98 
 
 Man, Horse, Ox and Dog. . 176 
 
 Manslayer 238 
 
 Master and his Dogs 118 
 
 Mercury and Sculptor 124 
 
 Mercury and Workmen. . . 215 
 
 Mice and Weasels 108 
 
 Mice in Council 112 
 
 Milk- woman and her Pail.. Ill 
 Miller, his Son and their 
 
 Ass 133 
 
 Mischievous Dog 73 
 
 Miser 64 
 
 Mole and his Mother 46 
 
 Monkey and Camel 225 
 
 Monkey and Dolphin 171 
 
 Monkey and Fisherman. . * 128 
 Monkeys and their Mother. 148 
 
 Mother and Wolf 233 
 
 Mountain in Labor 50 
 
 Mouse and Bull 136 
 
 Mouse, Frog and Hawk. . . 253 
 
 Mule 161 
 
 Mules and Robbers 240 
 
 North Wind and Sun 205 
 
 Nurse and Wolf 268 
 
 Oak and Reeds 123 
 
 Oak and Woodcutters 149 
 
 Oaks and Jupiter 148 
 
 Old Hound 117 
 
 Old Lion 116 
 
 Old Man and Death 96 
 
 Old Man and his Sons 266 
 
 Old Woman and her Maids 277 
 Old Woman and Physician 84 
 ’Old Woman and Wine-jar. 101 
 Olive-tree and Fig-tree. . . . 252 
 One-eyed Doe 107 
 
 87 
 
 173 
 
 251 
 
 132 
 
 98 
 
 264 
 
 144 
 
 172 
 
 223 
 
 276 
 
 90 
 
 218 
 
 81 
 
 169 
 
 42 
 
 245 
 
 261 
 
 158 
 
 67 
 
 239 
 
 146 
 
 183 
 
 224 
 
 107 
 
 189 
 
 106 
 
 230 
 
 255 
 
 229 
 
 143 
 
 35 
 
 279 
 
 242 
 
 193 
 
 139 
 
 146 
 
 124 
 
 63 
 
 238 
 
 72 
 
 203 
 
Index. 
 
 m 
 
 Owl and Birds. 
 
 Ox and Frog 
 
 Oxen and Axle-trees 
 
 Oxen and Butchers 
 
 Panther and Shepherds 
 
 Partridge and Fowler 
 
 Peacock and Crane 
 
 Peacock and Juno 
 
 Peacock and Magpie 
 
 Peasant and Apple tree. . . . 
 
 Peasant and Eagle 
 
 Philosopher, Ants, and 
 
 Mercury 
 
 Playful Ass 
 
 Pomegranate, Apple tree 
 
 and Bramble 
 
 Porcupine and Snakes — 
 Porker, Sheep and Goat. . . 
 Prophet 
 
 Quack Frog 
 
 Raven and Swan 
 
 Rich Man and Tanner 
 
 Rivers and Sea 
 
 Rose and Amaranth 
 
 Salt Merchant and his Ass. 
 
 Satyr and Traveler 
 
 Sea-gull and Kite 
 
 Seaside Travelers 
 
 Seller of Images 
 
 Serpent and Eagle 
 
 She-goats and tlieir Beards 
 
 Shepherd and Dog 
 
 Shepherd and Sea 
 
 Shepherd and Sheep 
 
 Shepherd and Wolf 
 
 Shepherd’s Boy and Wolf. 
 Shipwrecked Man and Sea. 
 
 Sick Kite 
 
 Sick Lion 
 
 Sick Stag 
 
 Sparrow and Hare 
 
 Spendthrift and Swallow.. 
 
 Stag and Fawn 
 
 Stag at the Pool. * 
 
 Stag in the Ox-Stall, 
 
 Stag, Wolf and Sheep 160 
 
 Swallow and Crow 46 
 
 Swallow and other Birds.. . 262 
 Swallow, Serpent and Court 
 
 of Justice 92 
 
 Swan and Goose 130 
 
 Swollen Fox 132 
 
 Thief and his Mother 95 
 
 Thief and House-dog 175 
 
 Thief and Innkeeper 167 
 
 Thieves and Cock 138 
 
 Thirsty Pigeon 58 
 
 Three Tradesmen 114 
 
 Thrush and Fowler 231 
 
 Tortoise and Eagle 53 
 
 Town Mouse and Country 
 
 Mouse 195 
 
 Traveler and Fortune 142 
 
 Traveler and his Dog 44 
 
 Traveler and Plane tree 232 
 
 Trees and Axe 153 
 
 Trees under the Protection 
 
 of Gods 227 
 
 Trumpeter taken Prisoner. 209 
 
 Tunny and Dolphin 259 
 
 Truth and Traveler 228 
 
 Two Bags 220 
 
 Two Dogs 100 
 
 Two Men who were Ene- 
 mies. 202 
 
 Two Pots 93 
 
 Two Soldiers and Robber. . 22 r < 
 Two Travelers and Axe. . . 116 
 
 Vain Jackdaw 79 
 
 Vine and Goat 89 
 
 Viper and File 241 
 
 Walnut Tree 170 
 
 Wanton Calf 263 
 
 Wasp and Snake 150 
 
 Wasps, Partridges and Far- 
 mer 197 
 
 Weasel and the Mice 178 
 
 | Widow and Little Maidens 90 
 
 I Widow and Sheep 102 
 
 | Wild Boar and Fox 114 
 
 210 
 
 83 
 
 58 
 
 71 
 
 243 
 
 235 
 
 150 
 
 184 
 
 260 
 
 226 
 
 144 
 
 141 
 
 104 
 
 50 
 
 278 
 
 66 
 
 164 
 
 203 
 
 60 
 
 240 
 
 113 
 
 232 
 
 74 
 
 269 
 
 141 
 
 119 
 
 186 
 
 166 
 
 247 
 
 147 
 
 110 
 
 226 
 
 93 
 
 72 
 
 248 
 
 106 
 
 59 
 
 75 
 
 212 
 
 208 
 
 267 
 
 221 
 
 103 
 
Index. 
 
 288 
 
 Wild Ass and Lion. . 
 
 Wind and Sun 
 
 W If and Crane 
 
 Wolf and Fox 
 
 Wolf and Goat 
 
 Wolf and H rse 
 
 Wolf and House dog 
 
 Wolf and Lamb 
 
 Wolf and Lion 
 
 Wolf and Lion 
 
 Wolf and Sheep . . . . , 
 
 Wolf and Shepherd 181 
 
 Wolf and Shepherds 119 
 
 Wolf, Fox and Ape 196 
 
 Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing. . 62 
 
 Wolves and Sheep 80 
 
 Yfolves and Sheep dogs .... 154 
 
 Woman and her Hen 157 
 
 Wood and the Clown. . . . 274 
 
 Young Man and Swallow. . 273 
 
 102 
 
 276 
 
 39 
 
 164 
 
 191 
 
 201 
 
 113 
 
 37 
 
 127 
 
 207 
 
 97 
 


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PRESERVATION REVIEW