Clarke: English (12)

Here are some more fables from H. Clarke's Latin textbook Fabulae Aesopi selectae, or, Select fables of Aesop, and you can click here for all the fables reposted from this book at the blog.

56. Of the Kid and the Wolf

A kid looking out of a window, dared to provoke a wolf passing by with revilings, to whom the wolf says, "Wretch, thou dost not revile me, but the place."

Moral. Time and place always add boldness to a man.

illustration from a 19th-century Croxall

57. Of the Lion and the Goat

The lion by chance having seen a goat walking on a high rock advises that she would descend into the green pasture. The goat says, "Perhaps I should do it if you was away, who do not persuade me to that that I may take any pleasure thence, but that thou mayest have what, being hungry, thou mayest devour."

Moral. Do not have faith in all, for some do not consult for you, but for themselves.

illustration from Steinhowel's Aesop

58. Of the Vulture and Other Birds

The vulture feigns that he would celebrate his annual birthday; he invites the little birds to supper. Almost all come. He receives them coming with great applause and favors; the vulture butchers them received.

Moral. All are not friends who speak fairly or pretend that they will do kindly.

illustration from Steinhowel's Aesop

59. Of the Geese and the Cranes

The geese were fed together with the cranes in the same field. The cranes having seen the countrymen, being light, fly away; the geese are taken who, hindered with burden of body, were not able to fly away.

Moral. A city being besieged by enemies, the poor man easily withdraws himself, but the rich, taken, serves. In war, riches are more for a burden than an use.

illustration from the Medici Aesop

60. Of the Old Woman and her Maids

A certain old woman had at home many maids, whom daily she roused to work at the crowing of a cock, which she had at home, before that it was light. The maids at length, moved with the wearisomeness of their daily business, behead the cock, hoping now, he being killed, that they should sleep even to mid-day, but this hope deceived them, for the mistress, as soon as she knew, that the cock was killed, thenceforwards commands them to rise at midnight.

Moral. Not a few, whilst they study to avoid an evil, fall into a heavier.

illustration by Barlow