Roger L'Estrange (3)

Here are some more fables from Roger L'Estrange's Fables of Aesop and Other Eminent Mythologists, and you can click here for all the L'Estrange fables at this blog.

Two Travellers find an Oyster

As Two Men were Walking by the Sea-Side, at a Low-water, they saw an Oyster, and they both Pointed at it together: The One Stoops to take it up; the other gives him a Push, and tells him, 'tis not yet Decided whether it shall be Yours or Mine. In the Interim, while they were Disputing their Title to't, comes a Passenger that way, and to him they referr'd the Matter by Consent, which of the Two had the Better Right to the Oyster. The Arbitrator very Gravely takes out his Knife, and Opens it; the Plaintiff and Defendant at the same time Gaping at the Man, to see what would come on't. He Loosens the Fish, Gulps it down, and so soon as ever the Morsel was gone the way of all Flesh, wipes his Mouth, and Pronounces Judgment. My Masters, (says he, with the Voice of Authority), The Court has Order'd each of ye a Shell, without Costs; and so pray go Home again, and Live Peaceably among your Neighbours.

Referees and Arbitrators seldom forget Themselves.

illustration by Billinghurst

A Mouse and a Kite

A Simple Mouse had the Fortune to be near at hand, when a Kite was taken in a Net. The Kite begg'd of her to try if she could help her out. The Mouse gnaw'd a Hole in't, and set her at Liberty; and the Kite eat up the Mouse for her pains.

Save a Thief from the Gallows, and he'll cut your Throat.

A Wolf and a Porcupine

Your Porcupine and your Hedge-Hog, are somewhat alike, only the Former has longer and sharper Prickles than the Other; and these Prickles he can shoot and dart at an Enemy. There was a Wolf had a mind to be dealing with him, if he could but get him disarm'd first; and so he told the Porcupine in a friendly way, that it did not look well for People in a Time of Peace, to go Arm'd, as if they were in a Seate of War; and so advis'd him to lay his Bristles aside; for (says he) you may take them up at pleasure. Do you talk of a State of War? says the Porcupine, why, that's my present Case, and the very Reason of my standing to my Arms, so long as a Wolf is in Company.

A Gard'ner and a Mole

A Gard'ner took a Mole in his Grounds, and the Question was, whether he should put her to Death or no. The Mole Pleaded that she was one of his Family, and Digg'd his Garden for Nothing: Nay, she Insisted upon't, what Pity 'twas to Destroy a Creature that had so smooth a Skin, and Twenty other Little Pretences. Come, come, says the Gardner, I am not to be Fool'd with a Parcel of Fair Words: You have Nothing for Digging 'tis True; but pray who set you at Work? Is it for my Service d'ye think, to have my Plants and my Herbs torn up by the Roots? And what's your business at last, but by doing all you can for the filling of your own Belly, to leave me nothing to Eat?

'Tis according to the Course of those Kind Offices in the World, which we call Friendship, to do one another Good for our Own Sakes.

A Fox and a Divining Cock

A Fox that had spy'd out a Cock at Roost upon a Tree, and out of his Reach, fell all of a sudden into an Extravagant Fit of Kindness for him; and to Enlarge upon the Wonderful Esteem he had for the Faculties and good Graces of the Bird, but more particularly for his Skill in Divination, and the Foreknowledge of Things to come. Oh (says he) that I were but Worthy the Friendship of so great a Prophet! This Flattery brought the Cock down from the Tree into the very Mouth of the Fox, and so away he Trudges with him into the Woods; reflecting still as he went, upon the strange Force that Fair Words have upon vain Fools: For this Sot of a Cock (says he) to take himself for a Diviner, and yet not foresee at the same time, that if he fell into my Clutches, I should certainly make a Supper of him.

A Fool that will Swallow Flattery, shall never want a Knave to give it him.

illustration by Grandville

Jean Baptiste Perrin (1)

Jean Baptiste Perrin was an 18th-century French author and educator who worked as a French teacher in Ireland. This edition of Perrin's fables features an interlinear presentation of the French fables and an English translation by Antoine (Anthony) Bolmar, a 19th-century French educator and author. I have transcribed the English translation below, and you can read the French online at the Internet Archive: A Selection of One Hundred of Perrin's Fables.

Here are five of his fables:

The Cat, the Rat, and the Bat

A cat, having been taken in a net, promised a  Rat which delivered him from it that he would eat no more rats or mice.

It happened one day that he caught a Bat in a barn.

The Cat was embarrassed at first, but a moment after he said, "I dare not eat thee as a mouse, I will eat thee as a bird."

With this conscientious distinction, he made a good repast of the Bat.

Knaves are never at a loss for pretexts or reasons to justify their injustice.

The Two Frogs

Two Frogs, no longer being able to remain in their fen, which had been dried up by the heat of the summer, agreed to go together and look for some water elsewhere. After having traveled far, they came to a well.

"Come," said the one to the other, "let us go down without seeking farther."

"You speak very much at your ease," said her companion, "but if the water should fail us here, how could we get out?"

illustration by Rackham

The Monkey

"What a low and tiresome life is that which I lead in the forest with stupid animals, I who am the image of man!" exclaimed a Monkey, disgusted with living in the woods. "I must go and live in the cities with people who resemble me, and who are civilized." He thither went, but he repented soon: he was taken, chained, mocked, and insulted. 

The Ass and the Wild Boar

An Ass had the impertinence to follow a Wild Boar and to bray at him in order to insult him. That courageous animal was at first irritated, but turning his head and seeing whence came the insult, he continued tranquilly on his way, not honoring the Ass with a single word.

illustration from a 1701 edition of Phaedrus

The Eagle and his Eaglets

An Eagle rose with his Eaglets to the clouds. "How you stare at the sun!" said the little ones. "It does not dazzle you." 

"My sons," replied the king of the birds, "my father, my grandfather, great-grandfather, and my ancestors hvae looked at the sun in the same way; follow their example and mine, and the sun will never be able to make you close your eyes."

John Ogilby (1)

lJohn Ogilby's fables in verse is one of the major Aesopic projects of the 17th century. You can read more about Ogilby's life and career at Wikipedia. The first edition of Ogilby's fables featured engravings by Francis Cleyn; the later 1668 edition (which you can find online at the Internet Archive) features engravings by Wenceslaus Hollar, which you will see below.

Here are five of Ogilby's verse fables:

Of the Bear and the Bees

Bruine the Bear receiving a slight Wound

From a too waspish Bee,

Joyful to raise a War on any ground,

(It was their Wealth had done the injury)

Did now propound,

And to himself decree,

Ne'r to return, till he had overthrown

Twelve Waxen Cities of that Nation,

And seiz'd their Honey-Treasure as his own.

This being resolv'd, he to the Garden goes,

Where stood the stately Hives,

One, after one, the Barbarous overthrows,

And many Citizens of Life deprives:

A few survives,

Who in a Body close;

For your everted Towr's, your slaughter'd Race,

For your great Losses, and your high Disgrace,

Fix all your venom'd Weapons in his Face.

This said, the Trumpet sounds, the Vulgar rage,

And all at once in mighty War ingage.

Now Bruine's ugly Visage did not freeze,

Nor his foul hands want Groves;

The monstrous Bear you could not see for Bees,

No Bacon Gamon was so stuck with Cloves:

Who Honey loves

Not with Sharp Sawce agrees.

Ore-power'd by multitude, and almost slain,

He draws his shatter'd Forces off again;

Then said; I better had endur'd the pain

Of one sharp Sting, than thus to suffer all;

Making a Private Quarrel National.

MORAL.

Great Kings, that petty Princes did despise,

Have oft by War's Experience grown Wise:

Who whip'd the Sea, and threatned Floods to Chain,

Brought back for Millions but a slender Train.

Of the Hawk and the Cuckow

Unworthy Bird, base Cuckow, thou that art

Large as my self in every part,

Strength, length, and colour of thy Wing,

Mine much resembling;

Whose narrow Soul, whose no or little Heart,

Will to thy board

Afford

Nothing but Worms of Putrefaction bred;

Which of the Noblest Mortals are abhorr'd,

Since they must turn to such when they are dead;

Mount, gorge thy self with some delicious Bird;

Be wise,

Such Banquets leave for Daws, and silly Pies.

Thus the bold Hawk the Cuckow did advise.

Who not long after taken in the Field,

Having a harmless Pidgeon kill'd.

Was in a most unlucky hour

Hung from a lofty Tow'r;

To teach all those, who blood of Innocents spill'd.

The Cuckow saw,

by Law

The Murtheress suffer'd; when these Notes she sung;

Better with Worms to fill my hungry Maw,

Then betwixt Heaven and Earth by th' heels be Hung,

And a Cold Bird ly in my Stomach Raw.

Had I Thy Counsel took, and forrag'd through the Sky,

There had I hang'd with thee for Company.

MORAL.

Some without Conscience plunger, spoyl, and kill,

As if for Bloody Banquest were no Bill:

But Vengeance Spring-tides hath, as well as Neap,

When Malefactors short from Ladders leap.

Of the Rustick and Hercules

O Thou that didst so many Monsters kill,

And of twelve labours didst none ill,

Help, if it be thy will.

O thou that forc'd fire-spitting Cacus Den,

And got'st' thy Cattel then,

Though mine I ne'r could have agen.

Alcides, thou that art the strongest God,

Help with thy long Arms out, and Shoulders broad,

My Wheels, which stick up to the Nave in Mire:

Ah! 'tis a mighty Load,

Help, I desire,

Or here I will expire.

In a deep Tract his Cart being lodg'd thus prayd

A lazy Swan to Hercules for Aid.

When thus the Deity in a mighty Crack

Of Thunder to the Rustick spake,

Then lying on his back;

Fool, whip thy pamper'd Horses up the Hill,

Thy Shoulder lay to th' Wheel,

And there use all thy Strength and Skill:

Not only me whom now thou dost Invoke,

But then expect a God at every Spoke

To thy assistance, who offended be,

When they implor'd shall look

From Heaven, and see

 A heavy Clown like thee.

MORAL.

Under the Tropicks more refined Souls

Cherish old Piety: but neer the Poles

Men follow War, Sail, Bargain, Sow, and Reap,

And no Religion love, but what is Cheap.

Of the Fox and Ape

The French Ape gives the Fox of Spain Bon jour

Three Congees, and Tres humble Serviture:

Then thus begins; In France we not indure

To see long Cloaks, all there

Go in the shortest Wear,

But your large Fashion is the Statelier sure.

Pardonne moy, as we are all too short,

In Curtail'd Garments, A la modes o' th' Court,

So with th' other Extreme, yours sir, doth sort.

Be pleas'd to wear your Fur

A little shorter, Sir;

'T will be as grave, and suit well with your Port.

Seignour, I know your Taylor is not here,

My Apeship's Workman, quickly with his Share

Shall cut you shorter, and my Self will wear

The remnant of your Train,

Comfortable to Spain:

And then Don Diegoes both we shall appear.

Si Sennor, said the Fox, we Dons of Spain

Are constant to our Fashion, such a Train

My Father's Father wore; and to be plain,

This Long Wear I will keep,

Though it the Kennel sweep:

Rather than Give an Inch to Monsieur Vain.

MORAL.

Heaven to each nation several Genius gave;

The French too Airy, Spaniards seem too Grave:

City, the Country; Courtiers both despise;

Civil, and Rude, most their own Manners prise.

Of the Fox and the Lion

Oh! all you Gods and Goddesses that dwell

In Heaven and Earth, in Heaven, Earth, Sea, and Hell.

If all your Power Conjoyn'd can one Protect,

Save the poor Fox,

Nor Prayer reject.

What is it I behold?

His shaggy Locks,

Are prest with shining Gold.

It is the Lion; See! his spreading Robe

Covers at least half the Terrestrial Globe:

Terror of Beasts and Man,

Whose hard Teeth can

Crack Brazen bones of the Leviathan.

Help, help, if me he not in pieces tears,

I shall in sunder Shake with my own Fears.

At first the Fox thus Trembled to behold

the Scepter'd Lion, Arm'd and Crown'd with Gold.

But when the King the second time he saw

Hunting in green,

Not so much Awe

Did in his Looks appear,

Less Majesty in's Mein,

Then Reynard drew more neer;

But the third day the bold Beast had the Face

To come up close, and cry'd, Jove save your Grace.

At last so need did stand,

He kist his Hand,

Soon after did the Royal Ear Command,

In which he said; Custome makes Mortals Bold,

To Play with that they durst not once behold.

MORAL.

Who Hate to Draw a Sword, and Guns abhor,

Custome hath made most Valiant Men of War.

Love's Novice so, trembling, fresh Beauty storms,

Which soon lies ruffled in his Conquering Arms.

Joseph Jacobs (1)

In addition to his masterful edition of Caxton's Aesop (volume 1 - volume 2), Joseph Jacobs also wrote a book of Aesop's fables for a general audience: The Fables of Aesop, with illustrations by Richard Heighway. That book contains an introduction which is an abbreviated version of his lengthy introduction in the Caxton edition: A Short History of the Aesopic Fable, and you will also find this wonderful chart in the back of that book which sketches out the wider Aesop (click the image for a larger view):

Here are five of the fables in Jacobs' book; click here for more from Jacobs:

The Dog in the Manger 

A Dog looking out for its afternoon nap jumped into the Manger of an Ox and lay there cosily upon the straw. But soon the Ox, returning from its afternoon work, came up to the Manger and wanted to eat some of the straw. The Dog in a rage, being awakened from its slumber, stood up and barked at the Ox, and whenever it came near attempted to bite it. At last the Ox had to give up the hope of getting at the straw, and went away muttering:

"Ah, people often grudge others what they cannot enjoy themselves."

The Fox, the Cock, and the Dog 

One moonlight night a Fox was prowling about a farmer's hen-coop, and saw a Cock roosting high up beyond his reach. "Good news, good news!" he cried.

"Why, what is that?" said the Cock.

"King Lion has declared a universal truce. No beast may hurt a bird henceforth, but all shall dwell together in brotherly friendship."

"Why, that is good news," said the Cock; "and there I see some one coming, with whom we can share the good tidings." And so saying he craned his neck forward and looked afar off.

"What is it you see?" said the Fox.

"It is only my master's Dog that is coming towards us. What, going so soon?" he continued, as the Fox began to turn away as soon as he had heard the news. "Will you not stop and congratulate the Dog on the reign of universal peace?"

"I would gladly do so," said the Fox, "but I fear he may not have heard of King Lion's decree."

Cunning often outwits itself.

The Milkmaid and Her Pail 

Patty the Milkmaid was going to market carrying her milk in a Pail on her head. As she went along she began calculating what she would do with the money she would get for the milk. "I'll buy some fowls from Farmer Brown," said she, "and they will lay eggs each morning, which I will sell to the parson's wife. With the money that I get from the sale of these eggs I'll buy myself a new dimity frock and a chip hat; and when I go to market, won't all the young men come up and speak to me! Polly Shaw will be that jealous; but I don't care. I shall just look at her and toss my head like this. As she spoke she tossed her head back, the Pail fell off it, and all the milk was spilt. So she had to go home and tell her mother what had occurred.

"Ah, my child," said the mother,

"Do not count your chickens before they are hatched."

The Hare With Many Friends

A Hare was very popular with the other beasts who all claimed to be her friends. But one day she heard the hounds approaching and hoped to escape them by the aid of her many Friends. So, she went to the horse, and asked him to carry her away from the hounds on his back. But he declined, stating that he had important work to do for his master. "He felt sure," he said, "that all her other friends would come to her assistance." She then applied to the bull, and hoped that he would repel the hounds with his horns. The bull replied: "I am very sorry, but I have an appointment with a lady; but I feel sure that our friend the goat will do what you want." The goat, however, feared that his back might do her some harm if he took her upon it. The ram, he felt sure, was the proper friend to apply to. So she went to the ram and told him the case. The ram replied: "Another time, my dear friend. I do not like to interfere on the present occasion, as hounds have been known to eat sheep as well as hares." The Hare then applied, as a last hope, to the calf, who regretted that he was unable to help her, as he did not like to take the responsibility upon himself, as so many older persons than himself had declined the task. By this time the hounds were quite near, and the Hare took to her heels and luckily escaped.

He that has many friends, has no friends.

The Man, the Boy, and the Donkey

A Man and his son were once going with their Donkey to market. As they were walking along by its side a countryman passed them and said: "You fools, what is a Donkey for but to ride upon?"

So the Man put the Boy on the Donkey and they went on their way. But soon they passed a group of men, one of whom said: "See that lazy youngster, he lets his father walk while he rides."

So the Man ordered his Boy to get off, and got on himself. But they hadn't gone far when they passed two women, one of whom said to the other: "Shame on that lazy lout to let his poor little son trudge along."

Well, the Man didn't know what to do, but at last he took his Boy up before him on the Donkey. By this time they had come to the town, and the passers-by began to jeer and point at them. The Man stopped and asked what they were scoffing at. The men said: "Aren't you ashamed of yourself for overloading that poor donkey of yours and your hulking son?"

The Man and Boy got off and tried to think what to do. They thought and they thought, till at last they cut down a pole, tied the donkey's feet to it, and raised the pole and the donkey to their shoulders. They went along amid the laughter of all who met them till they came to Market Bridge, when the Donkey, getting one of his feet loose, kicked out and caused the Boy to drop his end of the pole. In the struggle the Donkey fell over the bridge, and his fore-feet being tied together he was drowned.

"That will teach you," said an old man who had followed them:

"Please all, and you will please none."

William Caxton (1)

Here are some more fables from the The Fables of Aesop as printed by William Caxton in 1484, with woodcuts adapted from Steinhowel's Aesop:

Of the bore and of the wulf

Svche desyren to be grete lordes / and dyspreysen his parents / that at the last becomen poure and fallen in to grete dishonour / As thow mayst see by this present fable / 

Of a bore / whiche was amonge a grete herd of other swynes / 

And for to haue lordship and domynacion ouer alle them / he beganne to make grete rumour / and shewed his grete teethe for to make the other swynes aferd / but by cause they knewe hym / they sette nought by hym / wherof he displeased moche / and wold goo in to a herd of sheep / and emonge lambes / And whanne he was amonge the lambes / he began to make grete rumour / and shewed his sharp and long teeth / And whanne the lambes herd hym / they were sore aferd / and byganne to shake for fere / 

And thenne sayd the bore within hym self / here is the place wherin I must abyde & duelle For here I shalle be gretely worshipped / For euerychone quaken for fere of me / 

Thenne came the wulf there for to haue and rauysshe somme proye / And the lambes beganne alle to flee / but the bore as prowd wold not stere hym / ne go fro the place / by cause he supposed to be lord / but the wulf toke hym / and bare hym in to the wode for to ete hym / 

And as the wulf bare hym / it happed that he passid before the herd of swynes / whiche the bore had lefte / 

And thenne whanne the bore perceyued and knewe them / he prayd and cryed to them / that for the loue of god they wold help hym / And that withoute her help / he was deed / 

And thenne the swynes alle of one assent and owne wylle wente and recouered theyr felawe / and after slewe the wulf / 

And as the bore was delyuerd / and sawe hym amonge the swynes / and that alle his doubte and fere was gone / he beganne to haue vergoyne and shame / by cause that he was thus departed / and gone fro theyr felauship and sayd to them / My bretheren and my frends / I am well worthy to haue had this payne / by cause / I was gone & departed from yow /

And therfore he that is wel / lete hym beware / that he moue not hym self / For suche by his pryde desyreth to be a grete lord / whiche ofte falleth in grete pouerte /

Of the dogge / of the wulf and of the whether

Grete folye is to a fool that hat no myght / that wylle begyle another stronger than hym self / as reherceth this fable 

Of a fader of famylle whiche had a grete herd or flock of sheep / and had a grete dogge for to kepe them which was wel stronge /

And of his voys all the wolues were aferd wherfore the sheepherd slepte more surely / but it happed / that this dogge for his grete age deyde / wherfore the sheepherdes were sore troubled and wrothe / and sayd one to other / we shall nomore slepe at oure ease by cause that our dogge is dede / for the wulues shall now come and ete our sheep / and thenne a grete wether fyers and prowd / whiche herd alle these wordes came to them and sayd / I shalle gyue yow good counceylle / Shaue me / and put on me the skynne of the dogge

And whanne the wulues shalle see me / they shalle haue grete fere of me /

And whanne the wulues came and sawe the wether clothed with the skynne of the dogge / they beganne all to flee / and ranne awey / t happed on a day that a wulf whiche was sore hongry / came and toke a lambe / and after ran awaye therwith / And thenne the sayd wether ranne after hym / 

And the wulf whiche supposed that it had ben the dogge shote thryes by the waye for the grete fere that he had / 

And ranne euer as fast as he coude / and the wether also ranne after hym withoute cesse / tyl that he ranne thurgh a busshe full of sharp thornes / the whiche thornes rente and brake alle the dogges skynne / which was on hym /

And as the wulf loked and sawe behynde hym / beynge moche doubtuous of his dethe / sawe and perceyued alle the decepcion and falshede of the wether / 

And forthwith retorned ageynste hym / and demaunded of hym / what beest arte thow / 

And the wether ansuerd to hym in this maner / My lord I am a wether whiche playeth with the / 

And the wulf sayd / Ha mayster ought ye to playe with your mayster and with your lord / thow hast made me so sore aferd / that by the weye as I ranne before the / I dyde shyte thre grete toordes / 

And thenne the wulf ledde hym vnto the place where as he had shyte / sayenge thus to hym / Loke hyther / callest thow this a playe / I take hit not for playe / For now I shalle shewe to the / how thou oughtest not to playe so with thy lord / 

And thenne the wulf took and kylled hym / and deuoured and ete hym /

And therfore he that is wyse muste take good hede / how he playeth with hym whiche is wyser / more sage / and more stronge / than hym self is /

Of the dragon and of the kerle

Men ought not to rendre euylle for good / And them that helpen ought not to be letted / As reherceth thys fable 

Of a dragon whiche was within a Ryuer / and as this Ryuer was dymynuysshed of water / the dragon abode at the Ryuage / whiche was al drye / And thus for lack of watre he coude not stere hym / 

A labourer or vylane came thenne that waye / and demaunded of the dragon / what dost thow there / 

And the dragon ansuerd to hym / I am here lefte withoute water / withoute whiche I can not meue / but yf thow wilt bynd me / and sette me vpon thyn asse / and lede me in to my Ryuer / I shal gyue to the habondaunce of gold and syluer / 

And the vylane or chorle for couetyse bound and ledde hym in to his repayre /

And whanne he had vnbounden hym / he demaunded his sallary / and payment / 

And the dragon sayd to hym / By cause that thow hast bounden me / thow wylt be payd And by cause that I am now hongry / I shalle ete the / 

And the vylayne ansuerd and sayd / For to haue done wel / thow wylt ete and deuoure me / 

And as they stryued to gyder / the foxe whiche was within the forest herd wel theyr question and different came to them / and sayd in this manere / Stryue ye no more to gyder / For I wyll acord / and make pees bytwixt you Late eche of yow telle to me his reason for to wete / whiche of yow hath ryght / 

And whanne eche of them had told his caas the foxe sayd to the vylayne / Shewe thow to me / how thow boundest the dragon / to thende / that I may gyue therof a trewe and lawfull sentence / 

And the vylayne put the dragon vpon his asse / and bound hym as he had done before / 

And the fox demaunded of the dragon / helde he thenne the so fast bounden / as he dothe now / 

And the dragon ansuerd / ye my lord / and yet more hard / 

And the foxe sayd to the vylayn / Bynde hym yet more harder / For who that was wel byndeth / wel can he vnbynd 

And whanne the dragon was fast and wel bounden / the fox sayd to the vylayne / bere hym ageyn there as thow fyrst tokest hym / And there thow shalt leue hym bounden as he is now / And thus shalle not ete ne deuoure the /

For he that dothe euylle / euylle he must haue / For Iustly he shall ben punysshed of god / they that done harme and dommage to the poure folke For who so euer rendreth euylle for good / he shalle therof iustly be rewarded

Of the enuyous dogge

None ought not to haue enuye of the good of other / As it appiereth by this fable / 

Of a dogge whiche was enuyous / and that somtyme was within a stable of oxen / the whiche was ful of heye / 

This dogge kept the oxen that they shold not entre in to theyr stable / and that they shold not ete of the sayd hey / 

And thenne the oxen sayd to hym / Thow arte wel peruers and euylle to haue enuye of the good / the whiche is to vs nedefull and prouffitable / And thow hast of hit nought to doo / for thy kynde is not to ete no hey / 

And thus he dyd of a grete bone / the whiche he held at his mouthe / and wold not leue hit by cause and for enuye of another dogge / whiche was therby /

And therfore kepe the wel fro the company or felauship of an enuyous body / For to haue to doo with hym hit is moche peryllous and dyffycyle / As to vs is wel shewen by Lucyfer

Of the foxe and of the catte

There is many folke / whiche auauncen them and saye that they ben wyse and subtyle / whiche ben grete fooles and knowynge no thynge / As this fable reherceth / 

Of a foxe whiche somtyme mette with a Catte / to whome he sayd / My godsep / god yeue yow good daye / 

And the catte ansuerd / My lord god gyue yow good lyf / 

And thenne the foxe demaunded of hym / My godsep what canst thow doo /

And the catte sayd to hym / I can lepe a lytyl / 

And the fox sayd to hym / Certaynly thow arte not worthy to lyue / by cause that thow canst nought doo / 

And by cause that the cat was angry of the foxes wordes / he asked and demaunded of the foxe / And thow godsep what canst tow doo / 

A thousand wyles haue I sayd the foxe / For I haue a sak ful of scyences and wyles / And I am so grete a clerke / that none may begyle ne deceyue me /

And as they were thus spekyng to gyder the cat perceyued a knyght comynge toward them / whiche had many dogges with hym / and sayd to the foxe / My godsep / certaynly I see a knyght / comynge hytherward / whiche ledeth with hym many dogges / the whiche as ye wel knowe ben our enemyes / 

The foxe thenne ansuerd to the cat / My godsep / thou spekest lyke a coward / and as he that is aferd / lete them come and care not thow / 

And Incontynently as the dogges perceyued and sawe the foxe and the catte / they beganne to renne vpon them / 

And whanne the foxe sawe them come / he sayd to the kat / Flee we my broder / flee we / 

To whome the kat ansuerd / Certaynly godsep / therof is none nede /

Neuertheles the foxe byleued not the cat / but fledde / and ranne as fast as he myght for to saue hym / 

And the catte lepte vpon a tree and saued hym self / sayenge / Now shalle we see / who shalle playe best for to preserue and saue hym self / 

And whanne the catte was vpon a tree / he loked aboute hym / and sawe how the dogges held the foxe with theyr teethe / to whome he cryed and seyd / O godsep and subtyle foxe / of thy thowsand wyles that syth late thow coudest doo / lete me now see / and shewe to me one of them / 

The foxe ansuerd not / but was killed of the dogges and the catte was saued /

And therfore the wyse ought not to disprayse the symple / For suche supposeth to be moche wyse / whiche is a kynd and a very foole /

Brooke Boothby (2)

Here are some more fables from Brooke Boothby's Fables and Satires, and you can click here for all the Boothby fables at this blog.

The Wolf and the Shepherds

The powerful too oft abuse

Rights, which to others they refuse.

A prowling Wolf one evening put

His muzzle in a Shepherd's hut;

And there at table saw them seated,

To a young lamb's fat quarter treated.

"Aye, aye, 'tis very well," said he;

"Did you at such a feast find me,

The country up in arms would be."

illustration by Bewick

The Storks and the Geese

The least to carry off who have

Themselves from danger readiest save.

Some Storks and Geese a farmer found

Marauding on his new-sown ground;

The lean Storks flying straight away.

Left the fat Geese the score to pay.

illustration from the Medici Aesop

The Eagle and the Snail

An Eagle, thro' the air on sail,

On a high rock descried a Snail.

"How cam'st thou on this lofty steep?"

He said. "Sir," says the Snail, "I creep."

How many a reptile do we see

Crawl, where he ne'er was made to be!

The Ass, the Ape and the Mole

They who their sorrows most bemoan

May find worse miseries than their own.

An Ass his want of horns bewails;

An Ape that Apes are short of tails;

"What would you say," a Mole replies,

"Were you, like me, depriv'd of eyes?"

illustration from an Aesop published in 1590

The Eagle and the Serpent

An Eagle, on the wing for prey.

Observed a Snake that sleeping lay,

And seiz'd him in her claws; the Snake

Us'd his last force revenge to take.

Dying, he writh'd his body round,

And gave his foe a mortal wound.

Tyrants will oft their ruin find

In ills for others they designed.

illustration from Croxall's Aesop of 1867

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing (1)

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing was a German scholar and writer, and among his works is a book of fables. A translation into English appeared in 1825 (the translator's name is not given), which is the source for the fables below: Fables and Epigrams. You can read more about Lessing's life and work at Wikipedia.

Here are five of his fables:

The Ass and the Wolf

An ass once met a hungry wolf. 

"Have pity on me," said the trembling ass; "I am a poor infirm animal: see what a thorn I have run into my foot." 

"You really distress me," replied the wolf, "and I feel myself conscientiously bound to release you from your pain."

The words were no sooner uttered, than the ass was torn to pieces. 

The Lion with the Ass

When the lion took the ass into the woods in order to assist him in the chase by scaring the animals with his frightful voice, a foolish crow exclaimed, "Truly a fine companion! are you not ashamed to walk with an ass?"

"He whom I can use, may walk by my side," returned the lion.

The Ass with the Lion

When the ass accompanied the lion into the woods, he met another ass of his acquaintance, who said, "Good morrow, brother." 

"What assurance!" was the reply. 

"Why so?" said the other; " because you walk with the lion, are you less an ass?"

The Fox and the Tiger 

"I should highly prize your swiftness and strength," said a fox one day to a tiger. 

"And do I possess nothing else which would suit you?" asked the tiger. 

"I am not aware of any." 

"What, would not my handsome skin please you? it is variegated like your mind, so that your inside and outside would correspond." 

"For which very reason I beg to decline it," returned the fox; "so far from being desirous to appear what I am, I wish that I could exchange my fur for feathers."

The Boy and the Serpent

A Boy who was playing with a tame serpent, said to it: "My dear creature, I should not be so familiar were you not deprived of your poison. You serpents are the most wicked and ungrateful of beings. I have read what once happened to a poor countryman who compassionately took up, and warmed in his bosom, a half frozen serpent, perhaps one of your forefathers, which he found behind a hedge. No sooner had the vile reptile recovered sensation and strength, than it stung its benefactor, and caused the good man's death." 

"I am surprised," answered the serpent, "at the partiality of your historians, for ours repeat the affair quite differently. Your honest man imagined the serpent to be frozen to death, and being one of the variegated species, be took it home in order to strip off its beautiful skin." 

"O, I pray, be silent," returned the boy; "ingratitude is never at a loss for an excuse." 

"Right, my child," cried his father, who had been listening to the conversation; "but, nevertheless, whenever you hear of a case of extraordinary ingratitude, examine all the circumstances before you brand any man with so odious an imputation. True benefactors seldom oblige the ungrateful; for the credit of human nature, I will say never. Those who are actuated by mean and selfish motives merit ingratitude instead of acknowledgment. It is their lawful reward."

a 15th-century illustration of the fable
of the frozen snake

John Kidgell (1)

In 1762, John Kidgell published a book of "original fables" that are very much in the Aesopic style: Original Fables. The fables are short, each one illustrated, and the text is in both English and French, along with a Latin epitaph for each (some of them are more apt than others; I have only included the ones that can stand on their own without a knowledge of the classical sources). 

This book appeared shortly before John Kidgell's life unraveled as a result of his involvement with the prosecution of John Wilkes for his lewd poem "Essay on Women," a parody of Pope's "Essay on Man." You can read more about Kidgell's life and work at Wikipedia. 

Here are five of Kidgell's fables:

The Butcher and His Little Boy

A Butcher preparing for the next market-day with abundantly more expedition than tenderness of heart, observed his little son, a child of five years old, weeping exceedingly by his side. 

"You little blockhead," quoth the Father, "what dost bellow at?" 

"Father," replied the child, "because it grieves my heart to think what a cruel creature I am to live to be."

 

The Sharper and the Beggar

A Gentleman, whose perfection in the knowledge of the die was admirable, was accosted by a wretched mendicant in the street, in a tone and manner rather more familiar, than was consistent with his grandeur. 

"Your distance, rascal," says the embroidered sharper, "what means your insolence? Do you presume to know me?" 

"Yes," replies the Beggar, "I know you, and it is by knowing you so well that I have not bread to eat."

 

The Ermin and the Hog

O formose Puer, nimium ne crede colori!

[O lovely boy, trust not too much in your complexion!]

As a snow-white Ermin was tenderly stepping, with remarkable fear and circumspection, towards the margin of a purling brook, to drink; a Hog, disgusted at his excess of delicacy, splashed him entirely with dirt from head to foot. 

Cruellest of creatures, exclaimed the distressed Ermin, how had I provoked you to such ungentle usage? My ruin is completed. I can never survive it.

Prithee, my pretty beau, replies the Hog, grunting, compose yourself. You'll not die, I give you my honor. You have too much affectation.

The Duellists

A Goat had been heard to say in public company that "an Ass had long ears." It was scarcely possible that an indignity of this sort could remain a secret. The Ass was kindly informed of the affront, by a friend, and sent a Grey-hound, in form, demanding gentleman-like satisfaction. The Goat accepts the defiance, and the controversy approaches to its decision. 

The combatants being arrived at the place of action, "Sir," quoth the Ass, with an air of indignation, "Is it true that you have presumed to ascertain that I have long ears?"

"It was the very identical expression," replied the adversary, with the greatest temper imaginable. 

"Odds bobs," replied the Ass, shaking his head, "I really must ask your pardon for the trouble which you have had on this occasion: My ears are rather longer, I perceive, than I had accustomed myself to think they were."

The Sow and the Doctor 

Vides ut pallidus omnis cena desurgat dubia?

[Do you see how pale each guest looks, getting up after a smorgasbord?]

A Sow, complaining of an excessive disorder in her stomach, was attended by Dr. Bruin. The Doctor, after the usual formalities, enquired what the lady had had for breakfast. 

"Nothing in the universe," the nurse said, "but a hamper of apples, and about an equal quantity of potatoes, with a sprinkling of about four or five pecks of chestnuts."

"Oh," the Doctor replied, "no harm could possibly be suspected from moderation like that, or rather, indeed, a kind of perfect abstinence." 

When, just as he had finished a scrawl of a prescription, one of the young ladies called out, "and, oh, nurse, you have forgotten to inform the gentleman that my mama had made shift to get down half a bushel of acorns."

Wright's La Fontaine (1)

The verse fables of Jean de La Fontaine are one of the classics of French literature, and below you will see English translations into verse by Elizur Wright, first published in 1841: The Fables of La Fontaine. The illustrations are by Grandville as printed in an 1870 French edition: Fables de La Fontaine, and you can read about both La Fontaine and Grandville at Wikipedia.

Here are five of the fables:

The City Rat and the Country Rat

A city rat, one night,

Did, with a civil stoop,

A country rat invite

To end a turtle soup.

Upon a Turkey carpet

They found the table spread,

And sure I need not harp it

How well the fellows fed.

The entertainment was

A truly noble one;

But some unlucky cause

Disturb'd it when begun.

It was a slight rat-tat,

That put their joys to rout;

Out ran the city rat;

His guest, too, scamper'd out.

Our rats but fairly quit,

The fearful knocking ceased.

'Return we,' cried the cit,

To finish there our feast.

'No,' said the rustic rat;

'To-morrow dine with me.

I'm not offended at

Your feast so grand and free,—

'For I've no fare resembling;

But then I eat at leisure,

And would not swap, for pleasure

So mix'd with fear and trembling.'

The Heifer, the Goat, and the Sheep  in Company with the Lion

The heifer, the goat, and their sister the sheep,

Compacted their earnings in common to keep,

'Tis said, in time past, with a lion, who sway'd

Full lordship o'er neighbours, of whatever grade.

The goat, as it happen'd, a stag having snared,

Sent off to the rest, that the beast might be shared.

All gather'd; the lion first counts on his claws,

And says, 'We'll proceed to divide with our paws

The stag into pieces, as fix'd by our laws.'

This done, he announces part first as his own;

''Tis mine,' he says, 'truly, as lion alone.'

To such a decision there's nought to be said,

As he who has made it is doubtless the head.

'Well, also, the second to me should belong;

'Tis mine, be it known, by the right of the strong.

Again, as the bravest, the third must be mine.

To touch but the fourth whoso maketh a sign,

I'll choke him to death

In the space of a breath!'

The Thieves and the Ass

Two thieves, pursuing their profession,

Had of a donkey got possession,

Whereon a strife arose,

Which went from words to blows.

The question was, to sell, or not to sell;

But while our sturdy champions fought it well,

Another thief, who chanced to pass,

With ready wit rode off the ass.

This ass is, by interpretation,

Some province poor, or prostrate nation.

The thieves are princes this and that,

On spoils and plunder prone to fat,—

As those of Austria, Turkey, Hungary.

(Instead of two, I've quoted three—

Enough of such commodity.)

These powers engaged in war all,

Some fourth thief stops the quarrel,

According all to one key,

By riding off the donkey.

Death and the Woodman

A poor wood-chopper, with his fagot load,

Whom weight of years, as well as load, oppress'd,

Sore groaning in his smoky hut to rest,

Trudged wearily along his homeward road.

At last his wood upon the ground he throws,

And sits him down to think o'er all his woes.

To joy a stranger, since his hapless birth,

What poorer wretch upon this rolling earth?

No bread sometimes, and ne'er a moment's rest;

Wife, children, soldiers, landlords, public tax,

All wait the swinging of his old, worn axe,

And paint the veriest picture of a man unblest.

On Death he calls. Forthwith that monarch grim

Appears, and asks what he should do for him.

'Not much, indeed; a little help I lack—

To put these fagots on my back.'

Death ready stands all ills to cure;

But let us not his cure invite.

Than die, 'tis better to endure,—

Is both a manly maxim and a right.

The Two Mules

Two mules were bearing on their backs,

One, oats; the other, silver of the tax.

The latter glorying in his load,

March'd proudly forward on the road;

And, from the jingle of his bell,

'Twas plain he liked his burden well.

But in a wild-wood glen

A band of robber men

Rush'd forth upon the twain.

Well with the silver pleased,

They by the bridle seized

The treasure-mule so vain.

Poor mule! in struggling to repel

His ruthless foes, he fell

Stabb'd through; and with a bitter sighing,

He cried, 'Is this the lot they promised me?

My humble friend from danger free,

While, weltering in my gore, I'm dying?'

'My friend,' his fellow-mule replied,

'It is not well to have one's work too high.

If thou hadst been a miller's drudge, as I,

Thou wouldst not thus have died.'

Samuel Croxall (1)

Here are some more fables from Samuel Croxall's Fables of Aesop and Others with illustrations from an edition published in 1867; you can click here for more fables from this edition of Croxall.

The Eagle and the Fox

An eagle that had young ones, looking out for something to feed them with, happened to spy a fox's cub, that lay basking itself abroad in the sun; she made a stoop and trussed it immediately; but before she carried it quite off, the old fox, coming home, implored her with tears in her eyes, to spare her cub, and the distress of a poor fond mother, who should think no affliction so great as that of losing her child.

The eagle, whose nest was up in a very high tree, thought herself secure enough from all projects of revenge, and so bore away the cub to her young ones, without showing any regard to the supplications of the fox. But that subtle creature, highly incensed at this outrageous barbarity, ran to an altar where some country people had been sacrificing a kid in the open fields, and catching up a firebrand in her mouth, made towards the tree where the eagle's nest was, with a resolution of revenge.

She had scarce ascended the first branches, when the eagle, terrified at the approaching ruin of herself and family, begged of the fox to desist, and with much submission, returned her the cub again safe and sound.

The Proud Frog

An ox, grazing in a meadow, chanced to set his foot among a parcel of young frogs, and trod one of them to death. The rest informed their mother, when she came home, what had happened, telling her that the beast which did it was the hugest creature that they ever saw in their lives.

“What! Was it so big?” says the old frog, swelling and blowing up her speckled belly to a great degree.

“Oh! Bigger by a vast deal,” said they.

“And so big?” says she, straining herself yet more.

“Indeed, mamma,” said they, “if you were to burst yourself, you would never be so big.” She strove yet again, and burst herself indeed. 

The Vain Jackdaw

A certain jackdaw was so proud and ambitious, that, not contented to live within his own sphere, he picked up the feathers which fell from the peacocks, stuck them in among his own, and very confidently introduced himself into an assembly of those beautiful birds. They soon found him out, stripped him of his borrowed plumes, and falling upon him with their sharp bills, punished him as his presumption deserved.

Upon this, full of grief and affliction, he returned to his old companions, and would have flocked with them again; but they, knowing his late life and conversation, industriously avoided him, and refused to admit him into their company; and one of them at the same time gave him this serious reproof: If, friend, you could have been contented with your station, and had not disdained the rank in which nature had placed you, you had not been used so scurvily by those upon whom you intruded yourself, nor suffered the notorious slight which now we think ourselves obliged to put upon you.

The Dog and the Shadow

A dog, crossing a little rivulet, with a piece of flesh in his mouth, saw his own shadow represented in the clear mirror of the limpid stream; and believing it to be another dog, who was carrying another piece of flesh, he could not forbear catching at it; but was so far from getting any thing by his greedy design, that he dropt the piece he had in his mouth, which immediately sunk' to the bottom, and was irrecoverably lost. 

The Fox and the Crow

A crow having taken a piece of cheese out of a cottage window, flew up into a high tree with it, in order to eat it. Which a fox observing, came and sat underneath, and began to compliment the crow upon the subject of her beauty. “I protest,” says he, “I never observed it before, but your feathers are of a more delicate white than anything I ever saw in my life! Ah! What a fine shape and graceful turn of body is there! And I make no question but you have a tolerable voice! If it is but as fine as your complexion, I do not know a bird that can pretend to stand in competition with you.”

The crow, tickled with this very civil language, nestled and wriggled about, and hardly knew where she was; but thinking the fox a little dubious as to the particular of her voice, and having a mind to set him right in that matter, began to sing, and, in the same instant, let the cheese drop out of her mouth.

This being what the fox wanted, he chopped it up in a moment, and trotted away, laughing to himself at the easy credulity of the crow. 

Linton and Crane (1)

One of the most beautiful modern illustrated editions of Aesop's fables is The Baby's Own Aesop, with fable limericks by W. J. Linton and illustrations by Thomas Crane; you can find out more about Crane's life and work at Wikipedia.

Here are five of the fables with Crane's illustrations:

The Wind and the Sun

The Wind and the Sun had a bet,

The wayfarer's cloak which should get:

Blew the Wind, the cloak clung;

Shone the Sun, the cloak flung

Showed the Sun had the best of it yet.

TRUE STRENGTH IS NOT BLUSTER

King Log and King Stork

The Frogs prayed to Jove for a king:

"Not a log, but a livelier thing."

Jove sent them a Stork,

Who did royal work,

For he gobbled them up, did their king.

DON'T HAVE KINGS

The Wolf and the Lamb

A Wolf, wanting lamb for his dinner,

Growled out, "Lamb, you wronged me, you sinner."

Bleated Lamb — "Nay, not true!"

Answered Wolf — "Then 't was Ewe —

Ewe or lamb, you will serve for my dinner."

FRAUD AND VIOLENCE HAVE NO SCRUPLES

The Cock and the Pearl

A Rooster, while scratching for grain,

Found a Pearl. He just paused to explain

That a jewel's no good

To a fowl wanting food,

And then kicked it aside with disdain.

"IF HE ASK BREAD, WILL YET GIVE HIM A STONE?"

The Fox and the Grapes

This Fox has a longing for grapes:

He jumps, but the bunch still escapes.

So he goes away sour;

And, 'tis said, to this hour

Declares that he's no taste for grapes.

THE GRAPES OF DISAPPOINTMENT ARE ALWAYS SOUR

Thomas Bewick (1)

In 1784, Thomas Bewick (more information at Wikipedia) published a book of fables illustrated with his own engravings: Bewick's Select Fables of Aesop and Others. The fable texts come from Vernon Dodsley and other 18th-century authors. You can see a reprint of that book at the Internet Archive, along with a preface by Edwin Pearson which outlines Bewick's career as an engraver.

Here are five of the fables with Bewick's engravings:

The Fox and the Bramble

A Fox closely pursued by a pack of dogs took shelter under the covert of a Bramble. He rejoiced in this asylum and for a while was very happy but soon found that if he attempted to stir he was wounded by thorns and prickles on every side. 

However, making a virtue of necessity, he forbore to complain and comforted himself with reflecting that no bliss is perfect; that good and evil are mixed and flow from the same fountain.These briars indeed, said he, will tear my skin a little, yet they keep off the dogs. For the sake of the good then let me bear the evil with patience: each bitter has its sweet, and these brambles, though they wound my flesh, preserve my life from danger.

The Tortoise and the Two Crows

A Tortoise weary of passing her days in the same obscure corner conceived a wonderful inclination to visit foreign countries. Two Crows whom the simple Tortoise acquainted with her intention undertook to oblige her upon the occasion.

Accordingly, they told her that if she would fasten her mouth to the middle of a pole, they would take the two ends and transport her whithersoever she chose to be conveyed. The Tortoise approved of the expedient and, everything being prepared, the Crows began their flight with her.

They had not travelled long in the air when they were met by a Magpie, who inquiring what they were bearing along, they replied, "The queen of the Tortoises."

The Tortoise, vain of the new and unmerited appellation, was going to confirm the title when, opening her mouth for that purpose, she let go her hold and was dashed to pieces by her fall. 

The Country Maid and Her Milk Pail

A Country Maid was walking very deliberately with a pail of milk upon her head when she fell into the following train of reflections. 

"The money for which I shall sell this milk will enable me to increase my stock of eggs to three hundred. These eggs, allowing for what may prove addle and what may be destroyed by vermin, will produce at least two hundred and fifty chickens. The chickens will be fit to carry to market about Christmas when poultry always bear a good price, so that by May day I cannot fail of having money enough to purchase a gown. Green! Let me consider, yes, green becomes my complexion best, and green it shall be. In this dress I will go to the fair where all the young fellows will strive to have me for a partner, but I shall perhaps refuse every one of them and with an air of disdain toss from them."

Transported with this triumphant thought, she could not forbear acting with her head what thus passed in her imagination, when down came the pail of milk, and with it all her imaginary happiness. 

The Spider and the Silkworm

A spider busied in spreading his web from one side of a room to the other was asked by an industrious Silkworm to what end he spent so much time and labour in making such a number of lines and circles.

The Spider angrily replied, "Do not disturb me thou ignorant thing: I transmit my ingenuity to posterity, and fame is the object of my wishes."

Just as he had spoken, a chambermaid, coming into the room to feed her Silkworms, saw the Spider at his work, and with one stroke of her broom swept him away and destroyed at once his labours and his hope of fame.

Industry and Sloth

An indolent young man being asked why he lay in bed so long, jocosely and carelessly answered, "Every morning of my life I am hearing causes: I have two fine girls, their names are Industry and Sloth, close at my bedside as soon as ever I awake, pressing their different suits. One intreats me to get up, the other persuades me to lie still, and then they alternately give me various reasons why I should rise and why I should not. This detains me so long as it is the duty of an impartial judge to hear all that can be said on either side that before the pleadings are over it is time to go to dinner."

 

Brooke Boothby (1)

Sir Brooke Boothby (more info at Wikipedia) wrote one of the most comprehensive collections of Aesop's fables in English verse, which he published in two volumes: Fables and Satires. His Aesop project deserves to be better known, so I am excited to include here in my own Aesop project!

Here are five of his fable-poems:

The Fox and the Hedgehog

A wounded Fox disabled lay;

To drive tormenting flies away

A Hedgehog offered him his aid:

"No, Sir, I thank you," Reynard said;

"Already I have borne the ill;

These of my blood have suck'd their fill;

And should we now these robbers chase,

A hungry swarm would take their place."

illustration in Croxall's Aesop

The Gnat and the Ox

Cries to an Ox a little Gnat,

As perch'd upon his horn she sat,

"My weight fatigues you, Sir, I fear;"

Says Ox, ''I knew not thou wert there.''

illustration by Rackham

The Sleep of the Wicked

Beneath a bower's protecting shade,

A wicked Minister was laid.

A gentle rivulet, winding round.

Murmuring, but made his sleep more sound.

"Should such a man have peaceful rest?"

Said one who long had known the pest:

"Yes," says his friend," while thus he lies,

"The world a short repose enjoys."

The Dog and the Quaker

Quakers forbidd'n are by their teachers,

To lift their hand against God's creatures.

But, injur'd, their revenge to take,

Their instruments of others make.

A Dog had stol'n from one of these.

His evening mess of bread and cheese.

He struck him not; but calling out

"Mad dog! Mad dog!" the rabble rout

Seizing on bludgeons, bricks, and stones,

Pursu'd the Dog, and broke his bones.

The Housewife and her Hen

A Housewife once a Hen possessed,

That every morning in her nest

Left a fine egg. Twice in the day

The Beldame wanted her to lay:

And so her nourishment increas'd.

Grown fat, to lay at all she ceas'd.

17th-century illustration