Roger L'Estrange (19)

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.

A Nightingale and a Bat

As a Nightingale was Singing in a Cage at a Window, up comes a Bat to her, and Asks her why she did not Sing in the Day, as well as in the Night. Why (says the Nightingale) I was catch'd Singing in the Day, and so I took it for a Warning: You should have thought of this then, says T'other, before you was Taken; for as the Case stands now, Y'are in no Danger to be Snapt Singing again.

A Wrong Reason for the Doing of a Thing, is worse than no Reason at all.

illustration from the Medici Aesop

An Ape and a Dolphin

People were us’d in the Days of Old, to carry Gamesome Puppies and Apes with ‘em out to Sea, to pass away the Time withal. Now there was One of these Apes, it seems, aboard a Vessel that was cast away in a very great Storm. As the Men were Padling for their Lives, and an Ape for Company, a certain Dolphin that took him for a Man, got him upon his Back, and was making towards Land with him. He had him into a safe Road call’d the Pyraeus, and took occasion to ask the Ape whether he was an Athenian or not? He told him Yes, and of a very Ancient Family there. Why then (says the Dolphin) you know Pyraeus: Oh! Exceedingly well, says t’other (taking it for the Name of a Man). Why Pyraeus is my particular good Friend. The Dolphin upon this, had such an Indignation for the Impudence of the Buffoon-Ape, that he gave him the Slip from between his Legs, and there was an end of my very good Friend, the Athenian.

Bragging, Lying, and Pretending, has Cost many a Man his Life and Estate.

illustration by Bransom

A Swallow and a Crow

Upon a Dispute betwixt a Swallow and a Crow, which was the Greater Beauty of the Two: Yours, says the Crow, is only a Spring-Beauty, but mine lasts all the Year round.

Of two Things equally Good, that’s the Best that lasts the longest.

A Sow and a Bitch

A Sow and a Bitch had a Dispute once, which was the Fruitfuller of the Two. The Sow Yielded it at last to the Bitch; but you are to take Notice at the same time, says she, that your Puppies are All Blind.

The Question among all Sorts of Competitors is not Who does most but who does Best.

illustration from the 17th-century Aesop

A Boy and Cockles

Some People were Roasting of Cockles, and they Hiss’d in the Fire. Well (says a blockheaded Boy) These are Villainous Creatures sure, to Sing when their Houses are a-fire over their Heads.

Nothing can be Well that’s out of Season.

illustration from the Medici Aesop