Clarke: English (13)

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.

61. Of the Ass and the Horse

The ass thought the horse happy because he was fat and lived in idleness, but he called himself unhappy because he was lean, and raw-boned, and daily was exercised by an unmerciful master in bearing burdens. Not much after, they cry to arms; then the horse drove not back the bridle from his mouth, the horseman from his back, nor the dart from his body. The ass, this being seen, gave great thanks to the gods that they had not made him a horse, but an ass.

Moral. They are miserable whom the vulgar judges happy, and not a few are happy who think themselves most miserable. The cobbler calls the king happy, not considering into how great affairs and troubles he is drawn, whilst in the meantime he sings with excellent poverty.

illustration by Weir

62. Of the Lion and the Bull

The bull, flying the lion, fell upon the goat; he threatened with his horn and wrinkled brow, to whom the bull, full of anger, said, "Thy brow contracted into wrinkles does not affright me, but I fear a vast lion who, unless he stuck to my back, now you should know that it is not so little a thing to fight with a bull."

Moral. Calamity is not to be added to the calamitous. He is miserable enough who is once miserable.

illustration by Tenniel

63. Of the Tortoise and the Eagle

Weariness of creeping had seized the tortoise; if anyone would lift her up into heaven, she promises the pearls of the red sea. The eagle took her up, demands the reward, and pierces her, not having it, with her talons. Thus the tortoise, which desired to see the stars, left her life in the stars. 

Moral. Be contented with thy lot. There have been some, who, if they had remained low, would have been safe; become high, have fallen into dangers.

illustration from a 17th-century Aesop

64. Of the Crab and his Mother

The mother advises the crab going backwards that he would go forwards. The son answers, "MOther, go you before; I will follow."

Moral. You should reprehend no one of a vice of which you yourself may be reprehended.

illustration by Heighway

65. Of the Sun and the North Wind

The sun and the north wind strive which of them is the stronger. It is agreed by them to try their strength upon a traveler; that he shall bear the palm who shall have shaken off his cloak. Boreas sets upon the traveler with a rattling cloud, but he does not desist to double his cloak in going on. The sun tries his strength and, the storm little by little being overcome, sends forth his beams. The traveler begins to grow hot, to sweat, to pant; at length, not being able to go on, he sits down under a shady grove. Thus the victory fell to the sun.

Moral. That often is obtained by gentleness which is not able to be extorted by force.

illustration by Robinson