Clarke: English (31)

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.

151. Of a Sheep Railing against a Shepherd

A sheep railed against a shepherd that, not content with the milk which he milked from her for his own use and the use of his children, moreover he stripped her of the fleece. Then the shepherd, angry, dragged her young one to death. The sheep says, what worse are you able to do to me? The shepherd says, I may kill thee, and throw thee out to be devoured by the wolves and dogs. The sheep held her peace, fearing still greater evils.

Moral. This fable shows that men ought not to grow warm against God, if he permitteth riches and children to be taken from them, when he is able to bring even greater punishments upon them both living and dead.

152. Of a Wagoner and a Wheel of the Wagon Creaking

A wagoner asked the wagon, wherefore the wheel, which was worse, creaked, when the rest did not do the same? To whom the wagon said, the sick always have used to be morose and complaining.

Morale. This fable shows that evils always are wont to drive men to complain.

153. Of a Man Willing to Try his Friends

A certain man very rich and liberal, had a great abundance of friends whom often he invited to supper, to whom they went most willingly. But willing to try whether they would be faithful to him in labours and dangers, he called together them all, saying that enemies were risen up against him, whom he resolved to kill; wherefore, arms being taken up, they should go with him, that they might revenge the injuries offered to him. Then all began to excuse themselves except two. Therefore, the rest being rejected, he held only those two in the number of friends.

Morale. This fable shows adverse fortune to be the best experiment of friendship.

154. Of a Fox Praising the Flesh of a Hare to a Dog

When the fox was put to flight by the dog, and just now was about to be caught, nor knew any other way of escaping, he said, O dog, why dost thou desire to destroy me, whose flesh cannot be of any use to thee? Take rather that hare (for the hare was near), whose flesh men say is most sweet. therefore the dog, moved by the counsel of the fox, the fox being let alone, pursued the hare, which yet he could not take for his incredible swiftness. After a few days the hare meeting the fox accused her vehemently (for he had heard her words) because she had shown him to the dog. To whom the fox said, O hare, why do you accuse me, when I have praised thee so greatly? What would you say if I had disgraced you?

Morale. This fable shows that men contrive destruction for others under the pretense of commendation.

155. Of the Hare Asking Craftiness, and the Fox Swiftness from Jupiter

The hare and the fox begged of Jupiter; this, that he would join swiftness to her craftiness; that, that he would join craftiness to his swiftness. To whom Jupiter answered, "We have bestowed gifts to all living creatures, from the beginning of the world, out of your most liberal bosom, but to have given all to one would have been the injury of others.

Moral. This fable shows that God has given his gifts with so equal a balance, that every one ought to be content with his own lot.

illustration by Tenniel (for another fable)