Clarke: English (24)

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.

116. Of a Linnet and a Boy

The linnet being asked by the boy by whom she had been held in his delights and nourished with sweet meats, why, having gone out of the cage, she was unwilling to return, said, "That I may be able to feed at my pleasure, not at thine."

Moral. This fable shows that liberty of life is to be preferred before all delights.

117. Of a Jester and a Bishop

A jester, coming to a certain bishop, rich indeed but covetous, on the calends of January, asked a golden piece of money in the name of a new-year's gift. The prelate said that the man was mad who believed that so much money would be given him for a new-year's gift. Then the jester began to ask some silver money but, when he said that this seemed too much to him, he entreated that he would give him a brass farthing. But when he was not able to wring this from the bishop, he said, "Reverend Father, bestow on me your blessing for a new-year's gift." Then the bishop said, "Son, bend thy knees that I may bless thee." But the jester said, "I will not have thy so cheap blessing! For if it availed a brass farthing, truly never wouldst thou grant it to me."

Moral. This fable is made against those bishops and priests who esteem wealth and riches more than the sacred rites and mysteries of the church.

118. Of the Puet Honored Unworthily

Almost all the birds being invited to the wedding of the eagle bore it unworthily that the puet was preferred to the rest because she was fine with a crown and adorned with various colored feathers, when she was always want to nestle among the mud and filth.

Moral. This fable reproves the folly of those who in honoring men rather are wont to mind the splendor of clothes and excellency of beauty than virtues and morals.

hoopoe at PixaHive

119. Of the Priest and the Pears

A certain greedy priest, going out of his country to a wedding to which he had been invited, found a heap of pears in the road, of which he touched not one indeed, but rather, having them in derision, he sprinkled them with urine, for he resented that meats of this kind should be offered in the journey, who was going to sumptuous dainties. But when he had found in the way a certain brook so increased with the showers that he was not able to pass over it without danger of life, he resolved to returned home. But, returning fasting, he was oppressed with so great hunger that unless he had eaten those pears which he had sprinkled with urine, when he could not find anything else, he had been dead with hunger.

Moral. This fable advises that nothing is to be despised, seeing that nothing is so vile and abject which may not sometime be of use.

120. Of a Hog and a Horse

The hog, beholding the horse of a warrior who, armed, went to battle, said, "Fool, whither dost thou hasten? For perhaps thou wilt die in the fight." To whom the horse answered, "A knife will take life from thee, fattened amongst mud and filth, when thou shalt have done nothing worthy of praise, but glory shall accompany my death."

Moral. This fable hints that it is more honest to die, things being carried famously, than to protract a life spent basely.