Roger L'Estrange (13)

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.

Wasps in a Honey Pot

There was a whole swarm of Wasps got into a Honey-Pot, and there they cloy’d and clamm’d themselves, till there was not getting out again; which brought them to understand in the Conclusion, that they had paid dear for their Sweetmeats.

Loose Pleasures become necessary to us by the frequent Use of them, and when they come once to be habitual, there’s no getting clear again.

illustration from the Medici Aesop

An Ape and a Fox

An Ape found many Inconveniencies by going bare-arse, went to a Fox that had a well spread bushy Tail, and begg’d of him only a little Piece on’t to cover his Nakedness: For (says he) you have enough for both, and what needs more than you have Occasion for? Well, John (says the Fox) be it more, of be it less, you get not one single Hair on’t; for I would have ye know, Sirrah, that the Tail of a Fox was never made for the Buttocks of an Ape.

Providence has assign’d every Creature its station, lot, make and figure; and ‘tis not for us to stand correcting the Works of an incomprehensible Wisdom, and an almighty Power.

illustration from a 15th-century Aesop

A Lyon and a Bull

In the days of Yore, when Bulls liv’d upon Mutton, there was a Lyon had a Design upon a mighty Bull, and gave him a very civil Invitation to come and sup with him; for says he, I have gotten a Sheep, and you must needs take part on’t. The Bull promis’d, and went; but so soon as ever he saw what a clutter there was with huge, over-grown Pots, Pans, and Spits, away he scowr’d immediately. The Lyon presently call’d after him, and ask’d him, whither in such haste? Oh, says the Bull, ‘tis high time for me to be jogging, when I see such Preparation: For this Provision looks as if you were to have a Bull for your Supper, rather than a Mutton.

When a Man has both an Interest and an Inclination to betray us, there’s no trusting him.

A Dog Invited to Supper

A Gentleman invited a Friend to supper with him, and the Gentleman’s Dog was so well bred as to invite the Friend’s Dog to come for Company. The Dog came at his Hour, and into the Kitchen he went, to see what good Cheer was toward: But as he was there, wagging his Tail, and licking his Lips, at the thought of what a Meal he was to make on’t, the roguy Cook got slily behind him, and spoil’d the Jest. He took him up by the tail at unawares, and after a Turn or two in the Air, flung him out of the Window. So soon as ever the poor Devil had recover’d the squelch, away he scampers, bawling like mad, with I know not how many prick-ear’d Curs at the Heels of him, to know how he lik'd his Welcome. Why truly, says he, they have given me as much drink as my Skin will hold; and it has made me so light headed, I could not find the right Way out of the House again.

Love me, love my Dog, says the old Proverb; and there’s somewhat of good Manners, as well as good Nature in’t: For there are certain Decencies of Respect due to the servant for the Master’s sake.

illustration from a 17th-century Aesop

Large Promises

There was a poor sick Man, that according to the Course of the World, when Physicians had given him over, betook himself to his Prayers, and vow'd a Sacrifice of a thousand Oxen ready down upon the Nail, to either Apollo, or Aesculapius, which of the two would deliver him from his Disease. Ah my dear! (says his Wife) Have a care what you promise; for where would you have these Oxen if you should recover? Sweet heart (says he) thou talk'st like a Fool: Have the Gods nothing else to do, dost think, than to leave their Business, and come down to sue me in an Action of Debt? They restor'd him however for that bout, to make Tryal of his Honesty and good Faith. He was no sooner up, but for want of living Oxen, he made out his number upon Paste, and offer'd them up in Form upon an Altar. For this Mockery, divine Vengeance pursu'd him, and he had an Apparition come to him in a Dream, that bad him go and search in such a Place near the Coast, and he should find a considerable Treasure. Away he went, and as he was looking for the Money fell into the Hands of Pyrates. He begg'd hard for his Liberty, and offer'd a thousand Talents of Gold for his Ransome; but they would not trust him, and so he was carried away, and sold afterwards as a Slave for as many Groats.

The Dev'l was sick, the Dev'l a Monk would be; / The Dev'l was well, the Dev'l a Monk was he.

illustration from the Medici Aesop

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

Roger L'Estrange (12)

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 Smith and his Dog

A Blacksmith took notice of a Cur he had, that would be perpetually sleeping, so long as his Master was at his Hammer; but whenever he went to Dinner, the Dog would be sure to make one. So he ask’d the Dog the Reason on’t. What’s the Meaning of it, says he, that so long as I’m at the Forge, you are still taking your Nap; but so soon as my Chops begin to walk, yours must be walking too for Company? There’s a time to sleep (says the Dog) and a time to wake; and every thing is well done that is done in due season.

All Creatures do naturally look to the main Chance; that is to say, the Business of Food and Propagation.

illustration by Caldecott

A Fowler and a Black-Bird

As a Fowler was bending his net, a Black-Bird call'd to him at a distance, and ask'd him what he was doing. Why, says he, I am laying the Foundations of a City; and so the Bird-Man drew out of Sight. The Black-Bird mistrusting nothing, flew presently to the Bait in the Net, and was taken; and as the Man came running to lay hold of her; Friend, says the poor Black-Bird, if this be your way of Building, you'll have but few Inhabitants.

There is no Sham so gross, but it will pass upon a weak Man that is pragmatical and inquisitive.

illustration from a 19th-century Aesop

A Fawn and a Stag

A Fawn was reasoning the Matter with a Stag, why he should run away from the Dogs still; for, says he, you are bigger and stronger than they. If you have a Mind to stand, y’are better arm’d; and then y’are fleeter if you run for’t. I can’t imagine what should make you so fearful of a Company of pitiful Curs. Nay, says the Stag, ‘tis all true what you say, and ‘tis no more than I say to my self many Times; and yet whatever the Matter is, let me take up what Resolution I please, when I hear the Hounds once, I cannot but betake myself to my Heels.

‘Tis one thing to know what we ought to do, and another thing to execute it; and to bring up our Practice to our Philosophy: He that is naturally a Coward, is not to be made Valiant by Counsel.

illustration by Weir

A Man Bit by a Dog

One that was bitten by a Dog, was advised, as the best Remedy in the World, to dip a piece of Bread in the Blood of the Wound, and give it the Dog to eat. Pray hold your Hand a little (says the Man) unless you have a mind to draw all the Dogs in the Town upon me; for that will certainly be the end on’t, when they shall find themselves rewarded instead of punish’d.

Good Nature is a great Misfortune where it is not manag’d with Prudence. Christian Charity, ‘tis true, bids us return Good for Evil; but it does not oblige us yet to reward where we should punish.

illustration from a 19th-century Croxall

A Boy and his Mother

A School-Boy brought his Mother a Book that he had stollen from one of his Fellows. She was so far from correcting him for’t, that she rather encourag’d him. As he grew bigger, he would be still keeping his hand in ure with somewhat greater Value, and brought to Justice for’t. His Mother went along with him to the Place of Execution, where he got leave of the Officers, to have a Word or two in private with her. He put his Mouth to her Ear, and under pretext of a Whisper, bit it clear off. This impious unnatural Villany turn’d every Body’s Heart against him more and more. Well, good People (says the Boy) here you see me an Example, both upon the Matter of Shame and of Punishment; and it is this Mother of mine that has brought me to’t; for if she had but whipt me soundly for the Book I stole when I was a Boy, I should have never come to the Gallows for pilfering now I’m a Man.

We are either made or marr’d in our Education; and Governments, as well as private Families, are concern’d in the Consequences of it.

illustration by Bewick