Clarke: English (18)

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.

86. Of the Crow and the Wolves

A crow accompanies wolves through the high tops of the mountains; he demands a part of the prey for himself because he had followed and had not forsook them at any time. Then he is repulsed by the wolves because no less would he devour the entrails of the wolves, if they should be slain, than the entrails of other animals.

Moral. Not what we do is always to be looked into, but of what mind we are when we do it.

87. Of the Mouse Born in a Chest

A mouse born in a chest had led almost all his life there, fed with nuts, which were wont to be kept in it. But whilst playing about the edges of the chest, he fell down and tried at getting up. He found dainties most sumptuously prepared, which when he had begun to taste, he said, "How foolish have I been hitherto, who believed there was nothing in the whole world better than my little chest! Behold: how I am fed with sweeter meats here!"

Moral. This fable shows that our country is not to be beloved so that we may not go to those places where we may be able to be more happy.

88. Of the Countryman Obtaining that Wheat Should Grow without Beards

A certain countryman had obtained from Ceres that wheat should grow without beards, lest it should hurt the hands of the reapers and threshers; which, when it grew ripe, was ate up by the small birds. Then the countryman said, "How worthily I suffer, who, for the sake of a small commodity, have lost even the greatest advantages!"

Moral. The fable shows that small disadvantages are to be weighed with a greater profit.

 

89. Of the Hawk Pursuing the Pigeon

When the hawk pursued the pigeon with a speedy flight, having entered a certain village, he was taken by a countryman whom he besought mildly that he would dismiss him. "For," said he, "I have not hurt thee." To whom the countryman answered, "Nor had she hurt thee."

Moral. The fable shews that they are punished deservedly who endeavor to hurt the innocent.

illustration by Barlow

90. Of the Countryman about to Pass over a River

A countryman about to pass over a torrent, which by chance had increased by the showers, sought a shallow, and when he had tried that part of the river which seemed more quiet and smooth, he found it deeper than he had thought. Again he came to a shallower and safer part; there the river ran down with a greater noise of waters. Then he said with himself, "How much more safely are we able to trust our life in the clamorous waters than in the quiet and silent."

Moral. We are admonished by this fable that we should fear men verbose and threatening less than the quiet.