Clarke: English (14)

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.

66. Of the Ass

The ass comes into the wood, finds the skin of a lion, with which being clad, he comes into the pastures, affrights and puts to flight the flocks and herds. He comes who had lost him, seeks his ass. The ass, his master being seen, runs to him, nay, runs upon him with his braying. But the master, his ears being held which stood out, says, "My ass, thou mayest be able to deceive others; I full well know thee."

Moral. Do not feign thyself to be what thou art not; not learned when thou art unlearned. Do not boast thyself rich and noble when thou art poor and ignoble, for, the truth being found, thou wilt be laughed at.

illustration from Steinhowel's Aesop

67. Of the Biting Dog

The master tied a little bell to the dog often biting men that everyone should take heed to himself. The dog, thinking that an ornament given to his virtue, despises his neighbors. One now grave with age and authority comes to this dog, advising him that he err not, for, says he, "That little bell is given to thee for a disgrace, not for a grace."

Moral. The vainglorious sometimes takes that for a praise to himself which is for a disgrace to him.

illustration by Weir

68. Of the Camel

The camel, despising himself, complained that the bulls went remarkable with two horns; that he, without arms, was exposed to the other animals. He prays Jupiter to give horns to him; Jupiter laughs at the folly of the camel; not only denies the wish of the camel but also crops the ears of the beast.

Moral. Let everyone be contented with his own fortune, for many, having followed a better, have run into a worse.

illustration by Barlow

69. Of the Two Friends and the Bear

Two friends make a journey; a bear meets them in the road: one climbing up a tree shuns the danger; the other, when there was not hope of flight, falling down, feigns himself dead. The bear comes and smells his ears and mouth. The man, holding in breath and motion, the bear, which spares the dead, went away. Afterwards, the companion, asking what the beast had said to him, lying down, in his ear, he says that he had advised this, that "I  should never make a journey with friends of this kind."

Moral. Adverse things and dangers show the true friend.

illustration by Winter

70. Of the Countryman and Fortune

A countryman, when he ploughed, found treasure in the furrows. Fortune, seeing that nothing of honor was had to her, thus spake with himself, "Treasure being found, the fool is not grateful, but, that self-same treasure being lost, he will solicit me first of all with vows and clamors."

Moral. A benefit being received, let us be grateful to him deserving well of us, for ingratitude is worthy to be deprived even of the benefit which lately it may have received.

illustration from the Medici Aesop