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A UTHOR 
 
 TITLE: 
 
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 IN TWO 
 
 PLACE: 
 
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 DATE: 
 
 1860 
 
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 Bng. DavleB 
 Babrlua. 
 
 The fables of Babrlua. In tiro parte, translated 
 into English veree, from the text of Sir C.C. 
 Lewis, by the Rev. James Davies... London, 'Lock- 
 wood, I860. 
 
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 FABLES OF BABRIUS. 
 
 I 
 

 mSSSSSS 
 
 ^HE 
 
 FABLES OF BABRIUS, 
 
 A, 
 f 
 
 I 
 
 IN TWO PARTS. 
 
 TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH VERSE 
 FROM THE TEXT OF SIR G. C. LEWIS. 
 
 BY THE 
 
 REV. JAMES DAVIES, M.A. 
 
 Sometime Scholar of Lincoln College^ Oxford. 
 
 \ 
 
 I 
 
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 to 
 
 I 
 
 TO 
 THE RIGHT HONOURABLE 
 
 SIR GEORGE CORNEWALL LEWIS, 
 
 Secretary of State for the Home Department, 
 
 Honorary Student of Christ Church, Oxford, and 
 
 Editor of the Fables of Babrius, 
 
 THIS ATTEMPT TO RENDER INTO ENGLISH VERSE 
 
 THE FABLES OF AN AUTHOR, 
 
 WHOM HIS LITERARY LABOURS HAVE EFFECTUALLY 
 
 RESCUED FROM OBLIVION, 
 
 IS DEDICATED 
 
 WITH RESPECT AND GRATEFUL ACKNOWLEDGMENT 
 
 BY ONE 
 
 WHO WOULD FAIN TAKE HIM AS A MODEL 
 
 IN BLENDING CLASSICAL STUDY WITH THE SEVERER 
 
 DUTIES OF LIFE. 
 
 I Moor Court, Herefordshire, 
 
 June i^th, i860. 
 
 \ 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 r-" 
 
 \ 
 
 1 
 
 I 
 
 i 
 
 T^O question is more often put to one who pro- 
 fesses an acquaintance with the Fables of Babrius 
 than, "Who was Babrius? when did he live?" and 
 the querist is sceptical, when, in answer, he is bidden 
 to discard, as erroneous, the notion that it is to ^sop, 
 and not to Babrius, that he owes the collection of 
 Fables which charmed his youth. Yet so it is, and 
 it is hoped that the version of Babrius into English, 
 now put forth, may, with the aid of a prefatory state- 
 ment, based on the researches of the learned, tend to 
 place the matter in a true light. Those who have no 
 knowledge of Classics will marvel to see how much 
 is owed to a fabulist, whose work has been rescued 
 from oblivion within the last twenty years. 
 
 Not that no traces, indeed, of Babrius existed before 
 that date. Bentley indicated remains of his Fables in 
 
vm 
 
 Preface. 
 
 Preface, 
 
 IX 
 
 a dissertation which gave rise to the famous dispute 
 respecting the Epistles of Phalaris. These traces, 
 Tyrwhitt, in 1776, followed up, collecting all the frag- 
 ments of Babrius found in the Grammarians, with 
 some new verses from a MS. of ^sopian Fables in 
 the Bodleian, and four entire fables (12, 58, 84, 129,) 
 which had come down from one source or another. 
 Later still, an Italian, Francesco de Furia, edited 
 from MSS. in the Vatican library, several Fables 
 before unpublished, which added greatly to the 
 Babrian remains ; for though in the form of prose, 
 they were found easily reducible into Choliambic 
 verse, into which they had been turned by our author 
 from the oral or traditional collections of ^sopian 
 Fables, and out of which (says Blomfield, Mus. Crit. 
 I. 410) they had been "transprosed " by some monk.' 
 
 1 There seems to have been no written collection of i€sop ; 
 for when he is cited by ancient authors, there occurs a diversity 
 which would have been prevented by a collected edition. See 
 Smith's Diet G. R. B. voL i. p. 47, b. . The same dictionary, 
 ibid, has the following account of the spurious prose collections 
 bearing the name of iEsop, now extant. *' These are three. 
 *'One containing 136 Fables, published first A.D. 1610, from 
 
 i 
 
 In 1844, M. Minoides Menas, a learned Greek, 
 commissioned by M. Villemain, Minister of Public 
 Instruction under Louis Philippe, found, amongst 
 other literary treasures, in the Convent of St. Laura, 
 on Mount Athos, a MS. of Babrius, lost in the middle 
 ages.^ It was much damaged, and the monks asked 
 so high a price for it, that Menas declined to Buy it, 
 and could only convey a transcript of it to Paris, 
 which M. Villemain placed in the hands of M. Bois- 
 
 " MSS. at Heidelberg. This is so clumsy a forgery that it men- 
 " tions the orator Demades, who lived 200 years after ^Esop, 
 " and contains a whole sentence from the Book of Job. Some 
 " of the passages Bentley has shown to be fragments of Choliam- 
 " bic verses, and has made it tolerably certain that they were 
 " stolen from Babrius. The second collection was made by a 
 "monk of Constantinople, Maximus Planudes, in the fourteenth 
 " century. These contain at least one Hebraism, and among 
 " them are words entirely modem, e.g. $otira\is, a bird, 
 *' $oijP€vpov, a beast, and also traces of Babrius. The third col- 
 " lection was found in a MS. at Florence, and published in 1809. 
 " Its date is about a century before the time of Planudes, and it 
 "contains the life which was prefixed to his collection, and 
 " commonly thought to be his own." 
 
 ^ This MS., with another on paper, a transcript of one found 
 a few years ago on Mount Athos, and containmg 95 Fables, which 
 appear as Part II. of the present translation, the Trustees of the 
 British Museum purchased of M. Menas in 1857, 
 
Preface. 
 
 sonade (see Class. Mus. IL 413), by whom it was 
 published in October, 1844. In this transcript and 
 in the MS. the Fables are arranged alphabetically over 
 eighty pages, according to the initial letter of each 
 Fable, but the collection only reaches the letter O. 
 The date of the MS. is supposed to be of the tenth 
 centui^, from the peculiarities of writing observable 
 in it After several other continental editions^ follow- 
 ing closely on the Parisian, Sir G. C. Lewis, no new 
 hand at Babrius even at that time (see a paper in 
 Philol. Mus. I. p. 282), put forth the first edition of 
 Babrius in England in 1846. This possesses among 
 other advantages, that of entering the field late 
 
 1 Boissonade's edition emends many blunders, which he as- 
 cribes to the Poet's being a Roman writing Greek, an idea which 
 seems to be baseless. Many errors are probably referable to the 
 transcriber. This first edition was followed very shortly by one 
 from Berlin, by Lachmann and several distinguished coadjutors: 
 an able work, enriched by a valuable appendix of Meineke on 
 Choliambic metre, but unduly depreciatory of the previous 
 labours of Boissonade. Soon after appeared an edition from 
 the Zurich press, by Baiter and Orelli, printed in good type, and 
 conveniently reserving for a subjoined "adnotatio critica " most 
 of their conjectural emendations. 
 
 Preface, 
 
 XI 
 
 enough to have availed itself of whatever was 
 valuable in the earlier editions. Its editor's Latin 
 notes, concise and to the point, strike the scholar as 
 the model of what Latin notes should be ; and afford 
 an argument in favour of a practice falling into 
 disuse and largely superseded by pages of English 
 annotation, long drawn out, the quality of which is 
 generally less remarkable than the quantity. Sir 
 ComewaU's preface is exhaustive ; and to it, as well 
 as to his supplementary MSS. notes, which, with 
 other information, the translator is anxious to ac- 
 knowledge with gratitude, the present preface is 
 chiefly indebted for its materials. 
 
 The first important question suggested by Sir 
 ComewaU's preface is as to the name and age of 
 Babrius. He discards the notion of Boissonade 
 that Babrius was a Roman,^ one Valerius Babrius, 
 observing that if he was, he was marvellously at 
 
 I This conjecture is based on the word BaXePpiov, in the MS* 
 from Mount Athos, and on the title BaXepiov x«pt«/*i8"fol arlxoi 
 prefixed to a fable ''De Jove et Spe," in the Harl. MS. Both 
 are corruptions of Bafiplov, 
 
- n m liMH i l l ** 
 
 Xll 
 
 Preface. 
 
 home in Greek language and literature ; and at any 
 rate was not desirous to pass for anything but a 
 Greek. His knowledge of natural history, political 
 institutions, mythology and geography, is all essen- 
 tially Greek. He nowhere mentions Italy or Rome, 
 or the lands to the west of the Mediterranean. 
 
 Assuming then that he was a Greek, we have but 
 .scanty data for a decision as to the time when he 
 flourished. The notion in Tyrwhitf s day was that 
 he lived at no long time prior to the Augustan age ; 
 a view which Sir G. C. Lewis seems to have held 
 when he wrote a paper in the Philological Museum 
 (I. p. 282), but which later studies have induced him 
 to alter. The Swiss editors, from supposed traces of 
 the Alexandrine grammarians and poets in his verse 
 and diction, are inclined to fix his date about the 
 time of Bion and Moschus ; while Bergk, in a paper 
 in the Class. Museum (III. 130), places it as far 
 back as b.c. 250, a time at which Alexander, son of 
 Craterus, was ruler over Euboea and Corinth. Lach- 
 mann and Fixius each contend for other petty 
 princes of a later date, in the Christian era. These 
 
 Preface. 
 
 xni 
 
 are but a few guesses out of a number sufficient to 
 justify the adaptation of an old proverb, " Quot critici, 
 tot sententiae ;" but Sir G. C. Lewis has relieved the 
 question of a difficulty imported into it, by discredit- 
 ing the hasty inference that the person addrest in 
 Proem I, as «J Bpdyxe riKvov, is the same who in 
 Proem II. is called J 7ro< fiaffiXiwe "AXe^dy^pov. At- 
 tempts to fix what Alexander is meant, by connecting 
 him with a son named Branchus, may well be deemed 
 labour lost.^ The natural inference is that in the First 
 Proem, and elsewhere, Branchus, a son of the poet, 
 is addressed, and that for his instruction the Fables 
 were written ; but that the Second Proem of Part I 
 which was prefixed probably to a second edition, so 
 to speak, of the whole Fables, was dedicated to a son 
 of some prince or Emperor Alexander, to whom 
 Babrius looked up as his patron. 
 Sir G. C. Lewis favours the opinion of Boissonade 
 
 » See Proem I. v. i. Part ist ; Proem II. v. i. Part ist And 
 compare with these the Proem commencmg the Second Part of 
 the Fables, which begins &Kovaov, S wo?; and also Fab. xxiv. v. 19. 
 Part II. 
 
XIV 
 
 Preface. 
 
 preface. 
 
 XV 
 
 that this Alexander was Alexander Severus (the date 
 of whose death was a.d. 235), and as this is only 
 conjecture, he brings in support of it several corrobo- 
 rative circumstances, which tend greatly to establish a 
 probability. 
 
 In the first place, Babrius is cited by no earUer writer 
 than Dositheus Magister,^ a grammarian, who lived 
 about 207 A.D., and in whose *Epfirjv£VfiaTa are two 
 Fables of Babrius in Choliambic verse (F. 84, 129); 
 which, if Dositheus himself introduced into his own 
 work, will bring Babrius to a date not later than Sep- 
 timius Severus, a.d, 207, or his son, Caracalla, to 
 whom Alexander Severus claimed sonship. 
 
 Again we may refer the words of Babrius in 
 Proem II. Part I. (where the Poet traces the origin 
 
 1 Plutarch, Lucian, Athenaeus, are silent as to Babrius ; yet, 
 had Babrius lived prior to the tune of Augustus, some of his 
 fables would probably have found their way into Plutarch : but 
 when that writer does introduce fables of a common subject with 
 those of Babrius, he invariably follows another version. Phae- 
 drus, too, boasting to be the first to transplant Greek fable into 
 Latium, mentions Msot^ alone, as furnishing his materials. It 
 would foUow that Babrius was unknown to Phaedrus, and Phae- 
 drus probably lived in the time of Tiberius. 
 
 of tlje " Fable " to Syria Antiqua, a view held by no 
 Other Greek writer), to a wish to flatter his assumed 
 patron, Alexander Severus, who was bom in Phoe- 
 nicia. It is clear, too, that the Poet had some Asiatic 
 connexion,^ which might still farther account for his 
 desire to please this prince, who was, moreover, an 
 especial patron and student of Greek literature ; * nor 
 need it be any stumbling-block that this Alexander is 
 .termed BatriXevs, seeing that Roman princes were so 
 called by the Greeks. 
 
 Those who are dissatisfied with this attempt to fix 
 the date of Babrius, will find no traces of his Fables 
 earlier than the Emperor Julian, a century or more 
 latere who, in his Epistle LIX, quotes a verse of 
 the thirty-second Fable, v. i. without the author's 
 name. Tzetzes and Suidas, alone, the latest of the 
 grammarians, quote much from Babrius, previous to 
 the finding of the present MSS.; and all that we can 
 
 1 Thus he was familiar with the Arabs, Fab. 57, v. i«. The 
 name, too, Branchus, indicates a connexion with Asia. So too, 
 perhaps, does the dialect he uses, i.e. the Ionic. (See below.) 
 
 » SeeLamprid. vit. Alex. Sev. c 47, 30. 
 
 r] 
 
■i*^;;a£_i*- tr.-jr.. _Jb«i_««.*^J..-t-i 
 
 XVI 
 
 Preface. 
 
 arrive at, with any approximation to certainty, is, that 
 Babrius lived between the close of the first century 
 after Christ and the age of Juliaa 
 
 There was no Greek metrical version of the 
 iEsopian Fables before that of Babrius. Socrates 
 seems to have versified a Fable or two in elegiacs 
 whilst in prison. Demetrius Phalereus published 
 a collection, but that was in prose. When fables 
 occur in Xenophon, Aristotle, Plutarch, and Lucian, 
 they are narrated in the writer's own words, not cited 
 from any poet Suidas gives fragments of fables in 
 Elegiac or Heroic verse, but whence gathered is un- 
 known. Callimachus would seem to have turned 
 some ^sopian Fables into Choliambics ; but Babrius 
 claims the honour to himself, and says (Proem II. 
 9 — 12) that many imitators forthwith sprung up. His 
 Fables were known in Greece before the age of Suidas 
 and Tzetzes : and the prose collections of Maximus 
 Hanudes, and others in later days, have been mainly 
 based on his version. Nor was it till after the revival 
 of letters that the opinion obtained any credence, 
 that the prose iEsopian Fables were really those of 
 
 Preface, 
 
 xvn 
 
 iEsop. Nothing could be more manifestly unsound. 
 Even before Bentley, learned men pronounced them 
 the offspring of later monks : not probably designed 
 to be literary impostures, but rather entertaining 
 paraphrases. In any wise the Fables of Babrius may 
 claim to be the basis, or stock material, of all that 
 comes down to our day under the name and credit 
 
 of jiEsop. 
 
 The nature of the present work, intended as it is 
 for the general reader, precludes any extended re- 
 marks upon the Choliambic Metre, in which the 
 Fables of Babrius are written. Scholars will find 
 the subject amply treated in the preface of Sir G. C 
 Lewis (pp. XV— xx). Suffice it here to say that a 
 Choliambic (a lame, halt Iambic) differs from the 
 Iambic Senarius in always having a spondee or 
 trochee for its last foot : the fifth foot, to avoid slow- 
 ness of metre, being generally an Iambic 
 
 Neither need more be said respecting the dialect 
 of Babrius than that it is Ionic, but with great ap- 
 proaches to the Attic dialect in later and more com- 
 mon use. The Ionic was the dialect used by aU 
 
 b 
 
XVUl 
 
 Preface. 
 
 Choliambic poets from the days of Hipponax and 
 Ananius/ and it was therefore natural that Babrius 
 should follow it, even if not, as seems possible, him- 
 self connected with Ionia. 
 
 A very interesting portion of Sir G. C. Lewis's 
 preface is his analysis of the -^sopian Fable, with 
 a view to establishing the indigenous Greek origin of 
 this class of compositions from a consideration of its 
 natural history. 
 
 It seems to have been the peculiarity of the 
 iEsopian Fable to admit sometimes mere apologues 
 {e.g. F. ii. XV.), sometimes conversations between 
 gods and men (e.g. x. xx. xxx.) ; but chiefly to intro- 
 duce brutes, or inanimate nature, as endowed with 
 speech, for the inculcation of virtue, prudence, or 
 political truth.^ 
 
 ^ Hipponax was an Ionian, who flourished B.C. 540, and Ana- 
 nius about the same period. See an account of them in Muller 
 and Donaldson's Hist Gr. Lit vol. i. pp. 188 — 91. 
 
 * "In the ^sopean Fable the actions and business of men 
 are the real and prominent object, while beasts are merely intro- 
 duced as a veil or disguise. It is exclusively the invention of 
 those who detected in the social habits of the lower animals points 
 
 
 Preface. 
 
 xix 
 
 In Babrius, the chief interlocutors are the Lion 
 and the Fox, especially the former,^ who figures 
 as the king of beasts with royal title and prero- 
 gatives. And there is abundant proof that the lion 
 was in the earliest ages a native of the Peloponese 
 as well as of Northern Greece. The tiger never 
 appears as a character in ^sopian Fable, though 
 incidentally mentioned once or twice by Babrius. 
 (P. I. Fab. xcv. 17 — 19; cii. 7 — 9.) It was un- 
 known in Greece until after the expedition of 
 Alexander. The most ancient fable in which it is 
 found bearing a part is that of Avianus (Fab. 17) 
 in the fifth century. The spotted pard, which 
 occurs once in Part II. Ixxii. and incidentally in 
 
 of resemblance with those of man ; and while they retained their 
 real character in some respects, found means, by the introduction 
 of reason and speech, to place them in the light required for 
 their purpose." — Muller and Donaldson's Gr. Lit. vol. i. 192. 
 
 1 A strong argument against the Roman origin of Babrius. 
 There is no reason to believe that the lion ever existed in Italy, 
 except when in the Imperial period he was imported from Africa 
 for the combats of the Amphitheatre. See ''Lion in Greece,'* 
 G. C. L. Notes and Queries, Vol. viii. p. 81, 2d Series. "Lion 
 in Italy," Ibid. p. 282. See also the Preface to Babrius, pp. 
 xxii. xxiii. 
 
■AkJlk 
 
 Preface, 
 
 Preface, 
 
 XXI 
 
 Part I. (Fab. cii. 8), is mentioned in Homer, and 
 is a native of Arabia and Palestine. There seems 
 to have been, even in later times, a constant con- 
 fusion between the tiger and the leopard. 
 
 Besides the domestic animals (the horse, ass, ox, 
 goat, sheep, dog, and cat^), we find the wolf and 
 the stag, and occasionally the bear, introduced into 
 these fables. The camel and the ape^ appear 
 more rarely, and the sow, as an unclean beast, 
 more rarely stilL There are two instances of its 
 introduction in the recently discovered portion of 
 Babrius. (Cf. Part II. Fab. Ixxiv. Ixxv.) The 
 elephant also only finds a place in Fable xli. of 
 
 * The ancients did not distinguish accurately between olXoupoi, 
 "the cat," and 7oA.% "the weasel." Cf. Fab. xvii. xxvii. xxxi. 
 xxxii cxxi. ; Part II. Fab. IxviL The same confusion occurs in 
 Latin between "mustela" and "feles." Both animals appear 
 to have been kept by the ancients for the same object, to kill 
 birds and mice. See Notes and Queries, 2d Series, VoL viii 
 p. 261, &C. "Ancient Names of the Cat." 
 
 • The Camel, Fart I. xl. Ixxx. ; Part II. Ixxvii. The Ape, 
 Part I. XXXV. Ivi. ; Part II. xxiil and IxxviiL In the second 
 part we find the hedgehog, Ixxiii., the flea in Fab. xcii. xciii. 
 xciv., and even a more unpresentable insect is mentioned in 
 Fab. buxvi 
 
 (t 
 
 the second part. The cock, however, plays a very 
 conspicuous part in the ^sopian Fable. (Cf. v. 
 xvii. cxxi. cxxiii. ; Part II. xvi.) This bird was a 
 very early importation from Asia into Greece, though 
 after the time of Homer. (Cf. Knight's Proleg. to 
 Hom. § 6.) 
 
 On the whole, it may be affirmed that though 
 Babrius occasionally mentions animals of foreign 
 extraction, and known only to the later Greeks, 
 yet he only or chiefly introduces those, as characters 
 in his Fables, which are recognised by the earliest 
 traditions of the ^Esopian Fables : a strong argu- 
 ment for the European origin of this class of 
 fiction. 
 
 The style of Babrius is justly described as easy, 
 pure, and elegant. Neither, while it is far from 
 being ornate, is it in any degree bald or meagre. 
 He seems to have aimed at that simplicity and 
 clearness which are most essential to the force and 
 point of fable-literature. His plots are, generally, 
 versified forms of the oral or traditional collections, 
 purporting to be those of iEsop. But he here and 
 

 JnhJikJIJI 
 
 Preface^ 
 
 there apparently introduces some of his own inven- 
 tion, or some which are adapted from others. His 
 epimyth, or moral, constantly differs from that of the 
 parallel prose fable which has come down to us; 
 a remark which suggests the question of the genuine- 
 ness of these epimyths : into which, as regards Part 
 I, Sir G. C. Lewis has carefully examined, in some 
 MSS. notes, which he has kindly communicated to 
 the translator — ^the results of which are subjoined.^ 
 
 It now remains that some notice should be taken 
 of the second part of Babrius, edited in 1859 by 
 Sir G. C. Lewis, from a transcript by M. Menas of 
 a MS. on Mount Athos ; which, with the original of 
 
 1 He divides the epimyths of Part I. into three classes, the 
 spurious, the doubtful, and the genuine, as foUows :- 
 
 Spurious, Fab. xiiL xxix. (v. 5) xxxiiL xxxviiL lii. Ix. IxxL 
 IxxiL Ixxxii. Ixxxiv. Ixxxv. (v. 20) xciv. (v. 10) xcvi. evil cxxix. 
 
 Doubtful, Fab. xxi. xxiv. xxv. xliiL Ivi. Ixxxi. Ixxxiii. 
 
 Genuine. Fab. iv. v. ix. x. xi. xiL xiv. xviii. xxii. (v. 15) xxiiL 
 xxix. (v. 6,) xxxi. xxxiv. xxxv. xxxvi. xl. xli. xliv. xlvii. 1. lix. 
 Ixiv. bcv. Ixvi. Ixvii. Ixx. Ixxiv. Ixxxv. (v. 19) xciv. (v. 9) cxvL 
 
 In translation, these have generally been rendered, except in 
 one or two instances, where it was difficult to make any sense of 
 what was evidently spurious. It would not be difficult to arrange, 
 under the three classes above, the epimyths of the second part 
 
 Preface. 
 
 xxm 
 
 (I 
 
 the copy from which the Parisian edition of 1844 
 was printed, was purchased by the Trustees of the 
 British Museum, in 1857. It has come to us in a 
 v^iy imperfect state, and far removed from its pris- 
 tine form, both as to metre and diction. Yet ample 
 marks and traces of Babrius remain in both respects, 
 traces which could not be the result of literary 
 fraud. It appears that at first there was consider- 
 able suspicion of forgery with reference to this MS. 
 But in the words of Sir G. C. Lewis, "the undesigned 
 " coincidences with the prose Fables are beyond the 
 " skill of any forger." " I have no doubt " (he adds) 
 "that the MS. of Menas was what it professed to 
 " be, namely, a copy from a genuine archetype." Such 
 is also the opinion of other scholars who at first 
 doubted j and it is one which a comparison of the 
 recovered Fables with the corresponding prose ver- 
 sions will certainly strengthen and confirm. 
 
 The second part of Babrius is edited by our 
 English Editor, more briefly than the first And 
 there are very many sentences in its text, which 
 critical skill can hardly remedy. To translate such 
 
XXIV 
 
 Preface, 
 
 is, perhaps, a matter of ingenuity, of which the 
 translator trusts that he has not entirely fallen short \ 
 though once or twice he has been obliged to omit 
 a passage, of which he could make literally nothing. 
 
 In both parts his great aim has been to produce 
 a version which, while literal, should preserve, as 
 far as lay in his power, the elegance and terse- 
 ness of the original: a difficult task, in which he 
 can at most hope to have achieved but partial 
 success. It would be ungrateful, before committing 
 the volume to the public, to omit testifying to the 
 ready assistance and kindly encouragement to per- 
 severe in a work, in some slight degree akin to 
 his own, which he has received throughout from the 
 distinguished scholar and statesman, who, among 
 other titles, may claim that of being the English 
 editor of Babrius. 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 PART I. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Proem I. ..... 3 
 
 Proem II 4 
 
 I. The Archer and the Lion 5 
 
 IL The Husbandman who had lost his Mattock . . 6 
 
 III. The Goatherd and the She Goat 7 
 
 IV. The Fisherman and the Fish 8 
 
 V. The Young Cocks 8 
 
 VI. The Fisherman and the Little Fish 9 
 
 VII. The Horse and the Ass 10 
 
 VIIL The Arab and the Camel 11 
 
 IX. The Fisherman Piping 12 , 
 
 X. The Female Slave and Venus 13 
 
 XI. The Man and the Fox 14 
 
 XII. The Nightingale and the Swallow 15 
 
 XIII. The Husbandman and the Stork 16 
 
 XIV. The Bear and the Fox 17 
 
 XV. The Athenian and the Theban 18 
 
 XVI. The Wolf and the Nurse 19 
 
 XVII. The Cat and the Cock 20 
 
 XVIII. The North Wind and the Sun 20 
 
 XIX. The Fox and the Grapes . . . ai 
 
 XX. The Carter and Hercules . , i% 
 
XXVI 
 
 XXL 
 
 XXIIL 
 
 XXIV. 
 
 XXV. 
 
 XXVI. 
 
 XXVII. 
 
 XXVIII. 
 
 XXIX 
 
 XXX. 
 
 XXXI. 
 
 XXXII. 
 
 XXXIV. 
 
 XXXV. 
 
 XXXVI. 
 
 XXXVIL 
 
 XXXVIII. 
 
 XXXIX. 
 
 XLI. 
 
 XLIL 
 
 XLIIL 
 
 XLIV. 
 
 XLV. 
 
 XLVI. 
 
 ■A.X««V11. 
 
 XLVIII. 
 
 XLIX. 
 
 L. 
 
 LII. 
 
 Index. 
 
 PACK 
 
 The Oxen and the Butchers 23 
 
 The Grizzled Man and his Two Sweethearts . 24 
 
 The Drover that lost a Bull 25 
 
 The Marriage of the Sun «6 
 
 The Hares and the Frogs 27 
 
 The Farmer and the Cranes a8 
 
 The Captured Weasel 29 
 
 The Ox and the Toad 29 
 
 The Aged Horse 30 
 
 The Sculptor and Mercury . ^ 31 
 
 The Cats and Mice 31 
 
 The Cat and Venus 33 
 
 The Farmer and the Starlings 33 
 
 The Boy eating the Entrails 35 
 
 The Monkeys 36 
 
 The Oak and the Reed 36 
 
 The Heifer and the Bull 37 
 
 The Pine 38 
 
 The Dolphins and the Crab 39 
 
 Omitted. 
 
 The Lizard 39 
 
 The Dog and the Cook 40 
 
 The Stag and the Hunters 40 
 
 The Bulls and the Lion . 42 
 
 The Goatherd and the Goats 4^ 
 
 The Sick Stag 43 
 
 The Old Farmer and his Sons 44 
 
 Omitted. 
 
 The Workman and Fortune 45 
 
 The Fox and the Woodcutter 46 
 
 The Widow and the Sheep 47 
 
 The Driver and the Waggon . 48 
 
 Index. xxvii 
 
 PAGE 
 
 LIII. The Wolf and the Fox 48 
 
 LIV. Omitted. 
 
 LV. The Ox and the Ass 49 
 
 LVI. Jupiter and the Monkey 50 
 
 LVIL Mercury's Wagon and the Arabs 51 
 
 LVIII. Jove's Cask 52 
 
 LIX. Jupiter, Neptune, Minerva, and Momus ... 52 
 
 LX. The Mouse that fell into the Pot 54 
 
 LXI. The Hunter and the Fisherman 54 
 
 LXII. The Mule • • • . 55 
 
 LXIII. The Hero (or Daemon) 55 
 
 LXIV. The Fir-tree and the Bramble 57 
 
 LXV. The Crane and the Peacock 58 
 
 LXVI. The Man with Two Wallets 58 
 
 LXVII. The Wild Ass and the Lion 59 
 
 LXVIII. Apollo and Jupiter 6© 
 
 LXIX. The Hare and the Hound 61 
 
 LXX. The Marriages of the Gods 61 
 
 LXXI. The Husbandman and the Sea ...... 62 
 
 LXXII. The Birds and the Jackdaw 63 
 
 LXXIIL The Kite 64 
 
 LXXIV. The Man, the Horse, the Ox, and the Dog . . 65 
 
 LXXV. The Unskilful Physician 66 
 
 LXXVI. The Knight and his Charger 67 
 
 LXXVII. The Fox and the Crow 68 
 
 LXXVIII. The Sick Crow 69 
 
 LXXIX. The Dog and the Shadow 70 
 
 LXXX. The Camel 70 
 
 LXXXL The Fox and the Monkey , 71 
 
 LXXXII. The Lion and the Fox 71 
 
 LXXXIII. The Horse and the Groom 7a 
 
 LXXXIV. The Gnat and the Bull * • 73 
 
xxviii Index. 
 
 PAOC 
 
 LXXXV. The Dogs and the Wolves 73 
 
 LXXXVI. The Swollen Fox 75 
 
 LXXXVII. The Dog and the Hare 7<5 
 
 LXXXVIII. The Lark and its Young 76 
 
 LXXXIX. The Wolf and the Lamb 78 
 
 XC. The Lion and the Fawn 79 
 
 XCI. The Bull and the Goat 79 
 
 XCII. The timid Hunter 80 
 
 XCni. The Wolves and the Sheep 81 
 
 XCIV. The Wolf and the Heron 81 
 
 XCV. The Sick Lion 83 
 
 XCVL The Wolf and the Young Ram 88 
 
 XCVn. The Lion and the BuU 88 
 
 XCVra. The Lion Wooer 89 
 
 XCIX. The Wolf and the Dog 90 
 
 C. The Lion and the Eagle 9^ 
 
 CL The Wolf and the Fox 9« 
 
 Cn. The Lion ruling justly 9* 
 
 CIH. The Sick Lion and the Wild Beasts ... 93 
 
 CIV. The Dog bearing the Bell 95 
 
 CV. The Wolf and the Lion 95 
 
 CVI. The Gentle Lion 9^ 
 
 CVn. The Lion and the Mouse 98 
 
 CVIIL The Country Mouse and Town Mouse ... 99 
 
 CIX. The Crab and its Mother lor 
 
 ex. The Dog and his Master loi 
 
 CXI. The Ass carrying Salt IM 
 
 CXII. The Mouse and the Bull 103 
 
 CXIII. The Shepherd and the Dog 104 
 
 CXIV. The Lamp 104 
 
 CXV. The Tortoise and the Eagle 105 
 
 CXVL The Husband and the Gallant 106 
 
 ■ tl 
 
 Index. xxix 
 
 PAGE 
 
 CXVII. The Man and Mercury joy 
 
 CXVIII. The Swallow that dwelt near the Judges . . 108 
 
 CXIX. The Image of Mercury 109 
 
 CXX. The Frog Physician j iq 
 
 CXXI. The Hen and the Cat no 
 
 CXXII. The Ass and the Wolf i„ 
 
 CXXIII. The Hen that laid Golden Eggs 112 
 
 CXXIV. The Traveller and Truth 113 
 
 CXXV. The Ass and the Lap-dog 1 14 
 
 CXXVL The Playful Ass .' .' 116 
 
 CXX VH. The Fowler, Partridge, and Cock .... 116 
 
 CXXVIII. Jupiter the Judge ug 
 
 CXXIX. The Ant and the Grasshopper no 
 
 Fragment L The Sheep and Shepherd 120 
 
 PART XL 
 
 I. Proem. . j^^ 
 
 IL The Lark burying its Father 134 
 
 IIL -^sop in a Dockyard 125 
 
 IV. The Eagle and the Man 12^ 
 
 V. The Goat and the Vine igy 
 
 VI. The Lion and the Man 13* 
 
 VII. The Swan and the Goose xa8 
 
 VIII. The Frogs ug 
 
 IX. The Frogs asking a King . 130 
 
 X. The Archer and the Eagle 13a 
 
 XI. The Oxen and the Wagon 133 
 
Index. 
 
 PAOX 
 
 XII The Frogs . . . i33 
 
 XIII. The Vagrant Priests of Cybele I34 
 
 XIV. The Husbandman and the Eagle I3<> 
 
 XV. The Husbandman and Fortune I37 
 
 XVI. The Woman and her Maidservants .... 138 
 
 XVII. The Wizard Woman ^39 
 
 XVIII. The Old Woman and the Doctor .... 140 
 
 XIX. The Dogs and the Fox H* 
 
 XX. The Dragon and the Eagle I43 
 
 XXI. The Bees and the Shepherd I44 
 
 XXII. The Shipwreck'd Man and the Sea .... 145 
 
 XXIII. The Fox and the Monkey 146 
 
 XXIV. Jupiter, Prometheus, Pallas, and Momus . . 147 
 XXV. The Trumpeter H^ 
 
 XXVI. Hercules and Pallas i49 
 
 XXVII. Hercules and Plutus 15© 
 
 XXVIII. The Apple-tree, Pomegranate, and Bramble . 151 
 
 • XXIX. The Travellers and the Crow i5« 
 
 XXX. The Kite and the Snake I53 
 
 XXXI. Lies and Truth i53 
 
 XXXII. The Lion and the Goat 156 
 
 XXXIII. The Crow and the Swan i57 
 
 XXXIV. The Dog and the Cockle 158 
 
 XXXV. The Bull, the Lioness, and the Wild Boar. . 158 
 
 XXXVI. The Gnat and the Lion IS9 
 
 XXXVII. The Swallow and the Crow 160 
 
 XXXVIIL The Gull and the Kite i6l 
 
 XXXIX. The Horse and the Stag 161 
 
 XL. The Lion, the Wolf, and the Fox .... 163 
 
 XLI. The Lion, Prometheus, and the Elephant . . 165 
 
 XLII. The Peacock and the Crane 167 
 
 XLHL The Wolf and the Ass 168 
 
 Index. xxxi 
 
 XLIV. The Wolf and the Lion . . ^T^ 
 
 XLV. The Wolf and the Sheep ' ! .' 170 
 
 XLVL The Jackdaw and the Crows. ' * ^^^ 
 XLVn. The Flies. . . ^ 
 
 XLVIII. The Moon and its Mother 
 
 XLIX. The Mouse and the Frog 
 
 L. The Spendthrift and the Swallow . . . * 17^ 
 LL See Part I. 128 «... 74 
 
 LII. See Part L 124 . '^^ 
 
 ^ • • 175 
 
 LIIL The Sheep and the Dog. (See I. Fragment L ) 175 
 UV. See Part I. i2<? . 
 LV. The Ass and the Fox . . 
 
 LVI. The Ass wearing the Lion's Skin j^g 
 
 LVII. An Ass carrying an Image jy_ 
 
 LVIIL The Birdcatcher and the Lark ....*.'] ,80 
 LIX. The Tail and Members of a Serpent ... * 181 
 
 LX. The Farmer and the Serpent .182 
 
 LXI. The Boy hunting Locusts jg_ 
 
 LXIL The Young Thief and His Mother. ' ' tS. 
 
 LXm. The Cockles ... • • • i«4 
 
 LXIV. Prometheus and Mankind. . . im 
 
 LXV. The Thirsty Pigeon ....".!! .1 ,8 
 
 LXVL The Man and the Partridge .188 
 
 IXVIL The Bat and the Cat *. ' * 80 
 
 LXVin. The Tortoise and the Hare \ \ W \ \\ ^^ 
 
 LXIX. The Rose and the Amaranth ! .' 191 
 
 LXX. The Shepherd and the Wolf 102 
 
 LXXI. The Olive and the Fig-tree jq 
 
 LXXIL The Pard and the Fox ^ - 
 
 LXXin. The Fox and the Hedgehog .....".'.' jge 
 
 LXXIV. The Sow and the Bitch \ im 
 
 LXXV. The Sow and the Bitch ... ' * r«^ 
 
 '97 
 
xxxii Index. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 LXXVI. Goods and EvUs ^99 
 
 LXXVII. The Camel and Jupiter ^oo 
 
 LXXVIII. The Dancing Monkeys «<» 
 
 LXXIX. The Fox and the Goat ^oi 
 
 LXXX. The Bees and Jupiter * . 203 
 
 LXXXI. The Son and the Father '»04 
 
 LXXXII. The Wild Boar and the Fox -205 
 
 LXXXIII. The Lioness and the Beasts 206 
 
 LXXXIV. The Bald Rider. 207 
 
 LXXXV. The Crane and the Fox »o8 
 
 LXXXVI. The Husbandman and the Lice 209 
 
 LXXXVIL The Brazier and His Dog ^lo 
 
 LXXXVm. The Husbandman and the Viper . . . . «ii 
 
 LXXXIX. Winter and Spring a" 
 
 XC. The Swallows and the Swans ^U 
 
 XCL The Two Pots ««6 
 
 XCn. The Flea and the WresUer 'ai? 
 
 XCIIL The Flea and the Man 118 
 
 XCIV. The Flea and the Ox '219 
 
 XCV. The Ass's Shadow ^^o 
 
 Notes "* 
 
 THE 
 
 FABLES OF BABRIUS. 
 
 B 
 
I 
 
 PROEM I. 
 
 'T^HE race of just men flourish'd first, of old ; 
 
 Its name, son Branchus, was the " age of gold," 
 ♦ # ♦ ♦ » 
 
 Third after these was born a brazen race, 
 
 And next the god-sprung heroes found their place ; 
 
 Fifth came a stock depraved, an iron root. 
 
 But 'twas the Golden age, when every brute 
 
 Had voice articulate, in speech was skill'd, 
 
 And the mid-forests with its synods fiU'd. 
 
 The tongues of rock and pine-leaf then were free ; 
 
 To ship and sailor then would speak the sea ; 
 
 Sparrows with farmers would shrewd talk maintain ; 
 
 Earth gave all fruits, nor ask'd for toil again. 
 
 Mortals and gods were wont to mix as friends. 
 
 To which conclusion all the teaching tends 
 
 Of sage old ^sop ; him, to whom belong 
 
 Fables set forth in free, outspoken song. 
 
 These should a place in thy remembrance get ; 
 
 Therefore for thee this honeycomb I set, 
 
 Desirous, as I hive it, to assuage 
 
 The harsh Iambic's bitterness and rage. 
 
 B 2 
 
» 
 
 The Fables of Babrim. 
 
 PROEM 11. 
 
 The Fable, royal Alexander's son ! 
 
 Is a device by Syrians old begun. 
 
 Belus and Ninus ruled, when it was young. 
 
 iVnd clever iEsop to th' Hellenic tongue 
 
 Gave fables first. The like Cybisas spake 
 
 To Libyans. I, in mine, old forms forsake, 
 
 And, with gold cheek-piece bitting fiery horse. 
 
 Commend my mythiambic to the course. 
 
 Yet I no sooner had unbarr'd the door, 
 
 Than others enterM. Theirs the Muse to soar 
 
 In griffin-like productions, over-wise ; 
 
 Tho' past mine own their knowledge doth not rise. 
 
 Now I in simple speech my fables set. 
 
 Nor care the famed Iambic's teeth to whet. 
 
 Rather to dull their edge, to soothe their stings. 
 
 Aims he, who now this second volume sings. 
 
 
 FABLE I. 
 
 u 
 
 u 
 
 THE ARCHER AND THE LION, 
 (P. F.403.) 
 
 A SKILFUL archer the hill country sought. 
 Intent on sport His coming quickly brought 
 To every wild beast fear and headlong flight. 
 The lion only tarried to invite 
 The archer's onslaught. " Haste not ! Prythee stay," 
 The stranger said ; " nor hope to win the day. 
 Learn from mine envoy, whom you soon shall meet, 
 Your wisest plan." Forth sped his arrow fleet 
 From no great distance ; and was buried deep 
 In the beast's flank. Afraid his post to keep 
 The wounded lion straight essay'd to fly 
 To where the lonesome woodland thickets lie. 
 But, lo ! a fox was standing at his side. 
 Who urg'd him still the archer's shafts to bide. 
 Not so ! " the lion said ; "beguile not me ! "* 
 Yon envoy came but now so bitterly. 
 That doubly fierce his master needs must be. 
 
 « 
 
 « 
 
 u 
 
 .-; 
 
The Fables of Bahrius, 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 11. 
 
 THE HUSBANDMAN WHO HAD LOST HIS 
 
 MA TTOCK. 
 
 Trenching his vineyard once a husbandman 
 
 His mattock lost ; and to inquire began, 
 
 If it had gone by any workman*s theft. 
 
 But each denied. When no resource was left, 
 
 To put them on their oaths, he took them all 
 
 Up to the city. 'Tis our wont to call 
 
 The country gods poor folks : but those who dwell 
 
 In walls, we deem, are true, and order well. 
 
 Now in a fountain in the foregate street 
 
 The party stay'd to rest, and wash'd their feet. 
 
 Just then the crier rich rewards was telling 
 
 To him who'd show who robVd the sacred dweUing. 
 
 The farmer heard, and said, « My joume/s vain ! 
 
 ** If the god knows not, who has robbed his fane, 
 
 ** And but from men, for bribes, the news receives, 
 
 " How can he know, or find out, other thieves % '* 
 
 I 
 
 III. 
 
 THE GOATHERD AND THE SHE GOAT. 
 
 (P. F. 17.) 
 
 A GOATHERD wish'd to gather home his flock ; 
 
 Some came ; some tarried ; on a cleft of rock 
 
 The fragrant shoots of mastich and goatsrue 
 
 One she -goat into disobedience drew. 
 
 Quickly the hireling lifted up a stone. 
 
 Which brake her horn, tho' from a distance thrown. 
 
 And now he sued her : " Goat and fellow-slave, 
 
 " By Pan, the patron of these glens, I crave, 
 
 " Do not thou to my lord this act proclaim, 
 
 " I meant not that the stone should take good aim." 
 
 " Nay, how,'' said she, " a plain fact can I hide ? 
 
 " My horn is telltale, tho' my tongue be tied." 
 
8 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 IV. 
 
 THE FISHERMAN AND THE FISH. 
 (p. F. «6.) 
 
 His late-cast net ashore a fisher drew, 
 Enclosing fish, not all alike nor few ; 
 The smaller, taking flight, contrived to get 
 Safe through the bottom of the meshy net. 
 Whilst in the ship the greater emptied lay. 
 
 Tis surely safe, and farthest from harm's way. 
 To be but small : for you shall seldom see 
 The high in rank escape calamity. 
 
 V. 
 
 THE YOUNG COCKS. 
 
 (p. F. 21.) 
 
 Two Tanagrsean cocks a fight began ; 
 Their spirit is, 'tis said, as that of man ; 
 Of these the beaten bird, a mass of blows, 
 For shame into a corner creeping goes ; 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 The other to the housetop quickly flew, 
 
 And there in triumph flapp'd his wings, and crew. 
 
 But him an eagle lifted from the roof, 
 
 And bore away. His fellow gain'd a proof 
 
 That oft the wages of defeat are best, 
 
 None else remain'd the hens to interest 
 
 Wherefore, O man, beware of boastfulness. 
 Should fortune lift thee, others to depress, 
 Many are saved by lack of her caress. 
 
 / 
 
 VI. 
 
 THE FISHERMAN AND THE LITTLE FISH. 
 
 (p. F. 28.) 
 
 A FISHERMAN, who all the seashore drain'd. 
 
 While he with slender rod sweet life maintain'd, 
 
 Once caught with horsehair line a tiny fish, 
 
 Ill-suited for the frying-pan or dish. 
 
 The gasping fish its captor thus besought : 
 
 " What am I worth ? For what shall I be bought ? 
 
10 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 ft 
 
 u 
 
 ** I'm not half-grown ! whom on yon rocky shore 
 " My mother in the sea-weed lately bore. 
 " Now let me go ; oh, kill me not in vain, 
 And you shall catch me when you come again, 
 On sea-weed food ere then grown large and fine, 
 " And meet to grace a board, where rich men dine." 
 As thus she prayed, she raised a piteous moan 
 And panted much ; but the old man was stone. 
 Vain was her hope with winning words to plead ; 
 He said, while piercing her with ruthless reed : 
 
 " Who holds not fast a small but certain prize, 
 " Is but a fool, to seek uncertainties." 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 " VVouldst thou but share my load, I might survive, 
 Said he, " but else I sha'n't be long alive." 
 " Move on," the other cried ; " don't worry me 1" 
 The ass crept on reproved ; and presently 
 Sank under toil, and died as he had said ; 
 His master therefore set the horse instead 
 Beside him, shifted all the weight, and laid 
 This and the ass's skin, when it was flay'd, 
 With all its trappings, on the horse's back : 
 He cried, " Ah, ill advised ! alack, alack ! 
 " I would not bear a part, however small ; 
 " And now constraint hath laid upon me all." 
 
 II 
 
 VIL 
 
 THE HORSE AND THE ASS. 
 
 A MAN, who kept a horse, along the way 
 Unladen used to lead him, and to lay 
 His burden on an aged ass, who groaned, 
 And coming to the horse his fate bemoaned. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 THE ARAB AND THE CAMEL, 
 (p. F. 68.) 
 
 An Arab, having heap'd his camel's back, 
 Ask'd if he chose to take the upward track 
 Or downward ; and the beast had sense to say, 
 " Am I cut off then from the level way % " 
 
f/ -'■• 
 
 ■•■■"■"•-' ' •"- - - • -•* ■■ »• — -« -■ • ... l—iflCIMjaM^MI 
 
 — a jCn i i> jaM*MlnB»— — i t glf- a a n 
 
 
 TAe Fables of Babrius. 
 
 IX. 
 
 THE FISHERMAN PIPING, 
 
 (p. F. 27.) 
 
 A FISHER play'd the pipes with wondrous skill, 
 And hoping shoals of fish, of their own will, 
 Would to the sweet sound of his piping throng, 
 Let down his net, and piped a tuneful song. 
 But when his breath was spent, his piping nought, 
 He cast again, and fish in numbers caught. 
 These panting here and there ashore he spied, 
 And, as he washM his net, thus sharply cried : 
 " Dance without music now ! Had ye been wise, 
 " Ye had before danced to my melodies.' 
 
 w 
 
 Indifference is oft a losing game \ 
 
 But when you catch the prize, at which you aim, V 
 
 Then is your time to ridicule and blame. J 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 13 
 
 
 THE FEMALE SLAVE AND VENUS. 
 
 A MAN, enamour'd of his ugly slave, 
 
 An arrant slut, to her for asking gave 
 
 Whatever she would. Hence, as more gauds she wins, 
 
 And trails fine purple o'er her slattern shins, 
 
 At wife and mistress she defiance flings ; 
 
 But Venus, as the cause of these good things, 
 
 With lamps she fain would honour, and each day 
 
 Make offering, supplicate, pay vows, and pray ; 
 
 Till to her came the goddess, in her sleep, 
 
 And, while the house was hush'd in slumber deep, 
 
 Said, " Thank me not, as tho' I'd made thee fair ; 
 
 " To him that thinks thee so, a hate I bear." 
 
 Whoso in what is foul can beauty find, 
 Is surely God-abhorr'd, and halt in mind. 
 
14 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 15 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 THE MAN AND THE FOX. 
 
 (p. F. ^l,) 
 
 A MAN, that on his vines* and orchards' foe, 
 The fox, a strange affront designed to throw, 
 Bandaged its tail with tow, applied a light, j 
 And sent it forth. Now Heaven's just oversight 
 Led the flame-bearer to its captor's fields ; 
 It was the time for crops, when harvest yields 
 A hopeful prospect of abundant share ; 
 The man pursued, deploring wasted care ; 
 And Ceres did not bless his threshing-floor. 
 
 One should be meek, and ne'er be vex^d sore. 
 Anger a vengeance worth avoidance hath, 
 That bringeth damage to the quick-to-wrath. 
 
 XII. 
 
 THE NIGHTINGALE AND THE SWALLOW. 
 
 (p. F. 10.) 
 
 Far from men's fields the swallow forth had flown. 
 
 When she espied amid the woodlands lone 
 
 The nightingale, sweet songstress. Her lament 
 
 Was Itys to his doom untimely sent. 
 
 Each knew the other through the mournful strain, 
 
 Flew to embrace, and in sweet talk remain. 
 
 Then said the swallow, " Dearest, liv'st thou still ? 
 
 " Ne'er have I seen thee, since thy Thracian ill. 
 
 " Some cruel fate hath ever come between ; 
 
 ** Our virgin lives till now apart have been. 
 
 " Come to the fields : revisit homes of men : 
 
 " Come dwell with me, a comrade dear, again, 
 
 " Where thou shalt charm the swains, no savage brood 
 
 " Dwell near men's haunts, and quit the open wood : 
 
 " One roof, one chamber, sure, can house the two, 
 
 "■ Or dost prefer the nightly frozen dew, 
 
1^*111 
 
 i6 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 17 
 
 " And day-god's heat % a wild- wood life and drear ? 
 " Come, clever songstress, to the light more near." 
 To whom the sweet-voiced nightingale replied : 
 " Still on these lonesome ridges let me bide ; 
 " Nor seek to part me from the mountain glen ; 
 " I shun, since Athens, man, and haunts of men ; 
 " To mix with them, their dwelling place to view, 
 " Stirs up old grief, and opens woes anew." 
 
 Some consolation for an evil lot 
 
 Lies in wise words, in song, in crowds forgot. 
 
 But sore the pang, when, where you once were great, 
 
 Again men see you, housed in mean estate. 
 
 XIII. 
 
 THE HUSBANDMAN AND THE STORK. 
 
 (f. p. 100.) 
 
 Thin nets a farmer o'er his furrows spread. 
 And caught the cranes that on his tillage fed : 
 And him a limping stork began to pray, 
 Who fell with them into the farmer's way : 
 
 u 
 
 I am no crane : I don't consume the grain : 
 " That I'm a stork is from my colour plain \ 
 " A stork, than which no better bird doth live : 
 " I to my father aid and succour give." 
 The man replied : " Good stork, I cannot tell 
 " Your ways of life : but this I know full well, 
 " I caught you with the spoilers of my seed : 
 " With them, with whom I found you, you must bleed." 
 
 Walk with the bad, and hate will be as strong 
 'Gainst you as them, e'en though you no man wrong. 
 
 XIV. 
 THE BEAR AND THE FOX. 
 
 (p. F. 69.) 
 
 A BEAR for man was boasting fondness rare. 
 Whose corpse, he urged, he was not wont to tear. 
 To whom quoth Reynard, " Were the choice my 
 
 own, 
 " You should tear corpses, but let life alone ; 
 " Let none that hurt my life, my death bemoan." 
 
 c 
 
iiii lii i PH ii 
 
 i8 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 19 
 
 XV. 
 
 THE A THENIAN AND THE THEBAN. 
 
 (p. F, 50.) 
 
 A Theban and Athenian took one road, 
 And thence, no marvel, conversation flow'd. 
 They came to speak of heroes, in their walk. 
 And, after other long and needless talk. 
 The Theban fain Alcmena's son would prove 
 Greatest of men, and now of gods above. 
 Th' Athenian argued, that far nobler fate 
 Was that of Theseus, so divine his state. 
 Compared with Herc'les and his servile lot : 
 And soon the wordy talker victory got. 
 The other, Theban-like, in words outmatch'd, 
 Thus, with rough wit, the argument despatched : 
 " There : you prevail ! So then may we displease 
 •* Theseus : and you Athenians Hercules !" 
 
 XVI. 
 
 THE WOLF AND THE NURSE, 
 
 (p. F. 275.) 
 
 A COUNTRY nurse, to fright her babe to peace, 
 
 Said, " Wolf shall have thee, or thy cries must cease." 
 
 The wolf o'erheard, believed the scolding crone, 
 
 And stay'd in hopes to find the feast his own. 
 
 But evening came ; the babe was hush'd to rest : 
 
 The wolf still gaped, with rav'ning hunger prest. 
 
 At last his hopes to utter dulness grew : 
 
 Then to his anxious helpmate he withdrew. 
 
 " How cam'st thou empty f said she. He replied, 
 
 " Because upon a female I relied." 
 
 c 2 
 
-.-LaiL'JiJiygjy f 
 
 30 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 XVII. 
 THE CAT AND THE COCK, 
 
 (p. F. 15.) 
 
 A CAT that ambush'd for some house-birds lay. 
 Swung itself, baglike, from a peg one day. 
 'Twas seen by a sagacious sbrewd-tongued cock, 
 Which shrilly thus began the cat to mock ; 
 " Full many bags I've noticed heretofore : 
 " But none the grinders of a live cat bore." 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 More sharply, tighter round him drew the folds, 
 And sheltered by a crag his station holds. 
 But now the Sun at first peer'd gently forth, 
 And thaw'd the chills of the uncanny north ; 
 Then in their turn his beams more amply plied, 
 Till sudden heat the clown's endurance tried : 
 Stripping himself, away his cloak he flung : 
 The Sun from Boreas thus a triumph wrung. 
 
 The fable means, " My son, at mildness aim : 
 Persuasion more results than force may claim." 
 
 21 
 
 4«cVi. V XXJl* 
 
 THE NORTH WIND AND THE SUN 
 
 (p. F. 82.) 
 
 Betwixt the North wind and the Sun arose 
 A contest, which would soonest of his clothes 
 Strip a wayfaring clown, so runs the tale. 
 First Boreas blows an almost Thracian gale, 
 Thinking perforce to steal the man's capote : 
 He loos'd it not : but as the cold wind smote 
 
 XIX. 
 
 THE FOX AND THE GRAPES. 
 (P- F- 33.) 
 
 There hung some bunches of the purple grape 
 On a hill-side. A cunning fox, agape 
 For these full clusters, many times essa/d 
 To cull their dark bloom, many vain leaps made. 
 
■tpi 
 
 maa 
 
 m m 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 23 
 
 illlr 
 
 They were quite ripe, and for the vintage fit ; 
 But when his leaps did not avail a whit, 
 He joumey*d on, and thus his grief composed : 
 ** The bunch was sour, not ripe, as I supposed.'' 
 
 XX. 
 
 THE CARTER AND HERCULES. 
 
 (p. F. 81.) 
 
 A CARTER from the village drove his wain : 
 And when it fell into a rugged lane, 
 Inactive stood, nor lent a helping hand j 
 But to that God, whom of the heavenly band 
 He really honour'd most, Alcides, pra/d : 
 " Push at your wheels," the God appearing said, 
 And goad your team \ but, when you pray again. 
 Help yourself likewise, or you'll pray in vain.'* 
 
 u 
 
 a 
 
 XXI. 
 
 THE OXEN AND THE BUTCHERS. 
 
 (p. F. 80.) 
 
 Some oxen wished the butcher tribe to kill. 
 Who boasted a to them destructive skill. 
 But when they met, and now for direful fray 
 Whetted their horns, an ox of ancient day 
 Among them, who for years had borne the plough. 
 Said, " These at least have hands experienced, how 
 " To kill and carve us, not to hack and hew : 
 " But if we chance on men to slaughter new, 
 " We shall die twice. One will not lack to fell 
 " The ox, but one perhaps to do it well." 
 
 A man in haste from present woes to flee 
 Should see his path from worse disaster free. 
 
MM 
 
 ^f 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 XXII. 
 
 THE GRIZZLED MAN AND HIS TIVO SWEET- 
 HEARTS. 
 (P. F. 56.) 
 
 A MAN on whom mid-age its mark had set, — 
 He was no longer young, nor old as yet, — 
 Was wont to brush his black hair mixt with grey, 
 And then in Love's sweet revels spend his day. 
 He wooed two loves, a young one and an old ; 
 The young one was desirous to behold 
 Her lover youthful. Age would mate with age. 
 Hence evermore the damsel strove to wage 
 War against each grey hair she chanc'd to find : 
 The elder tried to leave no black behind ; 
 Till each in turn, by plucking out his hair, 
 Young love and old, had left him bald and bare. 
 
 Woe worth the man entrapp'd by woman's lure, 
 For such are ever pluck'd and stripped, be sure. 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 25 
 
 XXIII. 
 
 THE DROVER THAT LOST A BULL. 
 (P. F. 83.) 
 
 To a far forest for a bull that stray'd, 
 A well-hom'd beast, a drover quest had made. 
 Then to the mountain nymphs and gods around, 
 Hermes and Pan, he sware, in case he found 
 The thief, a lamb should fall a sacrifice. 
 Crossing a hill, his noble bull he spies 
 Feasting a lion. Then he vows in grief, 
 To add an ox, if he escape the thief. 
 
 Hence, it would seem, this lesson we are taught. 
 Not to uplift a vow devoid of thought, 
 By instant trouble's pressure overwrought. 
 
'\"wm Iwii "I iini" T* 
 
 26 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 XXIV. 
 
 THE MARRIAGE OF THE SUN. 
 (p. F. 77.) 
 
 The Sun's espousals were at summer's prime, 
 Hence all the beasts enjoy'd a jovial time. 
 The frogs too led the dance in marsh and mere, 
 Till a toad check'd them, saying, " Nought is here 
 " To call for joy, but rather grief and moan, 
 " For if he dries each spring, while yet alone, 
 " How by this union are we not undone, 
 " If like himself he should beget a son ? " 
 
 Many o'er trifles needlessly exult. 
 From which too often sorrow will result. 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 27 
 
 
 XXV. 
 
 THE HARES AND THE FROGS, 
 (p. F. 237.) 
 
 To end their days the hares made up their mind. 
 And since they were of beasts the feeblest kind, 
 Timid of heart, and dull in all but flight. 
 To hide themselves in some dark pool from light- 
 But as to a broad swamp they drew more near, 
 Upon its margin hosts of frogs appear, 
 Which into slimy depths affrighted leap. 
 As the hares paused, one said, " Your courage keep. 
 " Let us return ! To die we need not seek, 
 " For here are others than ourselves more weak." 
 
28 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 29 
 
 XXVI. 
 
 THE FARMER AND THE CRANES. 
 
 (p. F. 93.) 
 
 A farmer's land, fresh sown with wheaten grain, 
 
 Was being wasted by the hurtful crane. 
 
 Long did the farmer lift an empty sling, 
 
 By fear alone their troop discomfiting. 
 
 But when they found he only smote the air, 
 
 To fly at his approach they did not care : 
 
 Till he no longer made a feint to throw. 
 
 But laid with stones the greater number low. 
 
 Quitting the com, the rest began to cry, 
 
 " Come, to the land of pygmies let us fly. 
 
 " This man, it seems, content no more with fright, 
 
 " Is now beginning to put forth his might." 
 
 I 
 
 XXVII. 
 
 THE CAPTURED WEASEL. 
 
 (p. F. 89.) 
 
 A MAN had trapp'd a weasel, which to drown. 
 He in a water-vessel tied it down. 
 But when she said, " How shamefully my aid 
 In catching mice and lizards have you paid ! " 
 
 1 1 1^^ own the debt," cried he; "but did not you 
 
 " Stifle each bird, and rob each dwelling too, 
 " And empty every nieat-pot ? You shall die ! 
 *' For I'm more hurt than profited thereby." 
 
 XXVIII. 
 
 THE OX AND THE TOAD. 
 (p. F. 84.) 
 
 An ox at water once a toadling crush'd, 
 Whose dam, then absent, quickly homeward rush'd, 
 And question'd all its brethren where it was : 
 " Mother, 'tis dead. Before its time, alas. 
 
30 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 " Beneath the hoof of a huge quadruped 
 
 « 'Twas trampled down ! " " Was it as large," she said, 
 
 " As this 1 " She tried her proper size to strain. 
 
 " Mother," cried they, "forbear ! nor fume in vain. 
 
 " You'll rend yourself in sunder, ere you rise, 
 
 " Howe er you ape it, to that monster's size." 
 
 XXIX. 
 
 THE AGED HORSE. 
 
 (p. F. 174.) 
 
 Once an old horse was sold to work the mill : 
 And yok'd each eve a grinder's task to fill. 
 At last it groan'd and said : " What courses past, 
 " Round what strange millers' turns I wheel at last ! 
 
 Be not too much with fortune's hopes elate : 
 Age ends for many in a troubled state. 
 
 w 
 
 4i 
 \'rl 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 THE SCULPTOR AND MERCURY.. 
 
 (P. F. 265.) 
 
 A MAN had wrought a Mercury for sale 
 In marble. Would-be buyers did not fail. 
 One for a pillar (he'd just lost a son) 
 To buy it wish'd, for a god's statue one. 
 Night came : yet it the sculptor had not sold. 
 So he agreed at morn again t' unfold 
 The statue, if they'd come. In slumber deep 
 He gazed on Hermes at the gates of sleep, 
 Who said, " Good measure of my worth you take, 
 ** Since god or corpse of me you mean to make.'* 
 
 THE CA TS AND MICE. 
 
 (p. F. 291.) 
 
 Between the cats and mice of old there raged 
 A truceless war : a feud no blood assuaged. 
 The cats were victors. And the vanquished mice 
 Deem'd this the cause, and this their army's vice, 
 
 31 
 
32 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 33 
 
 A lack of leaders of distinguisht front, 
 
 And discipline, to meet the battle's brunt. 
 
 Then chose they mice for rank, might, counsel, famed. 
 
 And, as to prowess, more than all unblamed. 
 
 Who marshalling their squadrons soon devise 
 
 A mimic phalanx, troops, and companies. 
 
 Now, all array'd and marshalFd, forth there stood 
 
 A mouse, and challenged all the feline brood. 
 
 Thin straws from mud walls every chief had bound 
 
 Before his brows. Beheld of all around, 
 
 They took the lead, the foremost of the host : 
 
 Alas ! again the mice the day have lost. 
 
 Safe to their holes the undistinguished fled : 
 
 But for each vainly-ornamented head 
 
 The narrow entrance proved, alack, too small : 
 
 Alone outside were ta'en the heroes all. 
 
 Meetly o'er them the foe a trophy set : 
 
 For each mouse-chief a feline captor met. 
 
 Our fable's moral is, that safety lies 
 
 Less in high rank than that which most despise. 
 
 XXXII. 
 
 THE CA T AND VENUS. 
 (p. F. 88.) i 
 
 A CAT, that loved a handsome man, was blest 
 By the Loves' mother granting her request : 
 To change her shape permission Venus gave 
 For lovely woman's : such who would not rave 
 Unless he won 1 Twas now the man's to bend 
 To love and marriage. At the banquet's end 
 A mouse ran past Down the deep couch's side , \ 
 Intent upon its capture sprang the bride. 
 The nuptials ceased. Love vanish'd from among 
 His mocking sports. For nature was too strong. 
 
 XXXIII. 
 
 THE FARMER AND THE STARLINGS, 
 
 (p. F. ^g,) 
 
 The Pleiads set, 'twas time to cast the seed : 
 A farmer sow'd his fallow : then took heed 
 To watch and guard it ; for a countless host 
 Of black and croaking daws had o'er it cross'd. 
 
 
 
.".U 'l pi, J i l.j . 
 
 34 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 35 
 
 And starlings, bent the tillage to destroy. 
 
 With empty sling there follow'd him a boy. 
 
 Now with the starlings 'twas the usual thing, 
 
 To list the farmer calling for his sling ; 
 
 And fly ere he discharged it. Hence he sought 
 
 A new device, and thus the stripling taught 
 
 To act " My lad, since we must needs outwit 
 
 " This clever race of birds, a plan Tve hit. 
 
 " So when they come, and I for bread shall ask, 
 
 " To hand the sling, not bread, will be your task." 
 
 The starlings came, and on the tillage fed ; 
 
 And he, as was agreed on, ask'd for bread. 
 
 They did not fly. The lad supplied the stones 
 
 And sling. The old man aim'd and brake the bones 
 
 Of many a starling : shoulders, crowns, and shins : 
 
 Till from his land the remnant flight begins. 
 
 Some cranes that met them ask'd them " how they 
 
 fare % " 
 Then said a daw : " Of base mankind beware ! 
 " Each speaks to other, words unlike his deeds." 
 
 Dread is the race that but by guile succeeds. 
 
 XXXIV. 
 
 THE BOY EATING THE ENTRAILS. 
 (p. F. 348.) 
 
 What time with vineboughs men the broad-floor strew, 
 A ball to Ceres once the rustics slew. 
 Tables of, meat and casks of wine were there ; 
 But one poor lad had gorged too large a share 
 Of the bull's entrails. Swoln he homeward hies, 
 And sore bewails his stomach's weight and size. 
 Once in his mother's arms, " Alas ! " cried he. 
 " What is't % " she said. " Oh, all is o'er with me ! 
 " My wretched fate is present death, no doubt ; 
 " For, mother, see, my bowels gushing out." 
 " Don't try to keep it down ! " the dame replied ; 
 " 'Tis not your own, dear ! but the bull's, inside ! " 
 
 So when an orphan's substance guardians spend, 
 And retribution comes to faithless friend. 
 To such, deep-groaning at disgorging hour, 
 Methinks this fable one might quote with power. 
 
 D 2 
 
* '-i^'i-m 
 
 3^ '^he Fables of Babrius, 
 
 XXXV. 
 
 THE MONKEYS. 
 (p. F. 366.) 
 
 Twins at each birth the female monkey bears. 
 Yet gives not them her love in equal shares. 
 For, by her illstarr'd fondness one opprest 
 Is kill'd with kindness in her rugged breast. 
 The other as a useless idiot thrown 
 Adrift, an outcast, thrives when left alone. 
 
 Men's natures oft are such, that friendliness 
 In them than hate is to be chosen less. 
 
 w^mmmrnrnm^" 
 
 .> ' ,,l ' .,^ .y. ■■ '■ - ' ,."■ , 1 ...... . .. ' j ' l * 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 37 
 
 Upon the bank, by rippling water fed, 
 
 Unnumber'd reeds. " Twas strange," the stout oak 
 
 said, 
 "That plants so frail and feeble did not fall, 
 " While giant oaks are riven up roots and all." 
 Sagely the reed made answer : " Marvel not : 
 " Through struggling with the blasts, a fall you got : 
 " If but our slender tops the light breeze fill, 
 " We meekly bend us with a yielding will." 
 
 So spake the reed. Our fable, look you, shows 
 'Tis best to bow to might, and not t' oppose. 
 
 THE OAK AND THE REED. 
 (p.F. 179.) 
 
 A MOUNTAIN-WIND tore from its roots an oak, 
 A wondrous old-world plant, with sweeping stroke ; 
 And lodg'd it in a stream, where to and fro 
 The eddies swa)^d it. Close beside there grow 
 
 XXXVII. 
 
 THE HEIFER AND THE BULL. 
 (P. F. 113.) 
 
 A HEIFER yet unbroken, roaming free, 
 A bull hard-work'd in ploughing chanced to see ; 
 And said, " Poor wretch, how grievous is thy toil !" 
 Nought said the bull, but still uptum'd the soil. 
 
38 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 Soon, when the rustics held their solemn feast, 
 
 The aged bull to pasture went released ; 
 
 But ropes that bound its homs the heifer drew, 
 
 That it with blood the altar might bedew. 
 
 To whom this sentence then the elder spoke : 
 
 " 'Twas for this end they kept thee from the yoke. 
 
 " Young before old, thou dost the altar deck ; 
 
 " The axe, and not the yoke, will bruise thy neck." 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 39 
 
 A fable this, intended to declare. 
 
 That not so dreadful is a stranger's blow. 
 
 As wrongs which men receive from those they know. 
 
 THE DOLPHINS AND THE CRAB, 
 (p. F. Il6.) 
 
 'TwiXT whales and dolphins there was difference 
 
 great : 
 And to them came a crab to mediate. 
 
 XXXVIII. 
 
 THE PINE. 
 
 (p. F. 123.) 
 
 Some woodmen, bent a forest pine to split. 
 
 Into each fissure sundry wedges fit, 
 
 To keep the void, and render work more light. 
 
 Out groan'd the pine, "Why should I vent my spite 
 
 " Against the axe, which never touch'd my root, 
 
 " So much as these curst wedges, mine own fruit ; 
 
 " Which rend me through, inserted here and there !" 
 
 Just as, in states, if one of small renown 
 Should act peacemaker for each rival crown. 
 
 XLI. 
 
 THE LIZARD. 
 (P. F. 388.) 
 
 'Tis said a lizard burst its back in twain 
 In vain attempts a dragon's size t' attain. 
 Hurt to thyself will be thy certain fate. 
 If men far higher thou shouldst imitate. 
 
■■aSIIB9:::a_«K^-' 
 
 40 
 
 The Fables of Bahrius. 
 
 XLII. 
 
 THE DOG AND THE COOK, 
 (p. F. 6a.) 
 
 High feast a cit was holding, at the end 
 Of sacrifice. His house-dog ask'd a friend, 
 Whom he had met, to come and share his meal. 
 He came. The cook upraised him by the heel 
 And toss'd him o'er the wall into the street 
 Whom when each dog did with the question greet, 
 "^ What cheer ? " he said, " What more could be 
 
 desired, 
 " When I scarce know by what way I retired ? " 
 
 XLIIL 
 
 THE STAG AND THE HUNTERS. 
 (p. F. 128.) 
 
 An antler'd stag, athirst in midday heat, 
 Drank of a silent pool beneath his feet 
 At these and at his hoofs he felt disdain, 
 As the clear stream reflected them again. 
 
 <fPHM 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 41 
 
 Not thus his horns with swelling heart he eyed \ 
 
 But Nemesis was near, to chasten pride. 
 
 For soon a train of huntsmen fill'd the ground. 
 
 With ample nets and keenly-scenting hound. 
 
 He saw and fled, nor stay'd to quench his thirst, 
 
 And with fleet foot across the champain burst. 
 
 A thickly-tangled wood at last he gain'd, 
 
 And found his antlers in its boughs detained. 
 
 f Mistaken wretch ! " he cried, " with scorn to treat, 
 
 " In pride of treacherous horns, my saving feet ; 
 
 '* Had those been true, these had secured retreat." 
 
 When you on your affairs deliberate, 
 Hold nought beforehand in a certain state. 
 Yet cast off" nought as hopeless in disgust, 
 Our greatest traitors oft are hopes we trust 
 

 The Fables of Bahrius. 
 
 I V 
 
 XLIV. 
 TIf£ BULLS AND THE LION, 
 
 (P. F. 394.) 
 
 Three bulls together in one pasture grazed : 
 Of seizing these a lion's hopes were raised. 
 He thought their union all his aims would foil, 
 So with deep-festering slanders to embroil 
 The friends he bent his mind. Asunder they 
 Became, in turns, the lion's easy prey. 
 
 If thou wouldst live securely to the end, 
 Distrust a foe, but hold thou fast a friend. 
 
 XLV. 
 
 THE GOATHERD AND THE GOATS. 
 
 (p. F. 13.) 
 
 TwAS snowy weather : and a goatherd led 
 Into a cave, he deem'd untenanted. 
 His goats, all-white with snow descending thick ; 
 But thither, as be found, had come more quick 
 
 The Fables of Babrtus. 43 
 
 Some hornbd wild goats, a far larger stock, 
 And finer, too, than his accustom'd flock. 
 Green shoots to them he soon began to fling : 
 But to his own let tedious famine cling ; 
 Till, when the sky grew clear, he found them dead. 
 Meanwhile the wild goats hurried off to tread 
 The trackless thickets of unpastured heights. 
 Hence ridicule upon the goatherd lights. 
 Returning goat-less. Seeking prizes new, 
 He lost the profit of his old one too. 
 
 /., 
 
 XLVI. 
 
 THE SICK STAG. 
 (p. F. 131.) 
 
 A STAG, whose lissome joints grew stifl", had made 
 A grassy couch outside a woodland shade. 
 Hence ample fodder to his need he found. 
 Till soon, to see their neighbour, gathered round 
 Whole tribes of beasts j (a right good neighbour he !) 
 Each came, and each with his supplies made free 
 
^2 
 
 The Fables of Babriiis. 
 
 The Fables of Babrtus, 
 
 43 
 
 XLIV. 
 
 THE BULLS AND THE LION, 
 (p. F. 394.) 
 
 Three bulls together in one pasture grazed : 
 Of seizing these a lion's hopes were raised. 
 He thought their union all his aims would foil, 
 So with deep-festering slanders to embroil 
 The friends he bent his mind. Asunder they 
 Became, in turns, the lion's easy prey. 
 
 Some horned wild goats, a far larger stock. 
 And finer, too, than his accustom'd flock. 
 Green shoots to them he soon began to fling : 
 But to his own let tedious famine cling ; 
 Till, when the sky grew clear, he found them dead. 
 Meanwhile the wild goats hurried off to tread 
 The trackless thickets of unpastured heights. 
 Hence ridicule upon the goatherd lights, 
 Returning goat-less. Seeking prizes new. 
 He lost the profit of his old one too. 
 
 / 
 
 If thou wouldst live securely to the end, 
 Distrust a foe, but hold thou fast a friend. 
 
 XLVL 
 
 XLV. 
 THE GOATHERD AND THE GOATS. 
 
 (p. F. 12.) 
 
 TwAS snowy weather : and a goatherd led 
 Into a cave, he deem'd untenanted. 
 His goats, all-white with snow descending thick \ 
 But thither, as he found, had come more quick 
 
 THE SICK STAG. 
 (p. F. 131.) 
 
 A STAG, whose lissome joints grew stiff, had made 
 A grassy couch outside a woodland shade. 
 Hence ample fodder to his need he found. 
 Till soon, to see their neighbour, gathered round 
 Whole tribes of beasts j (a right good neighbour he !) 
 Each came, and each with his supplies made free 
 
44 
 
 Tke Fables of Babrius. 
 
 By thoughtless nibbling, ere it sought the wood. 
 Thus sank, not by disease, but want of food, 
 A stag that scarce had yet two crow-lives told : 
 Had he lack'd friends, he haply had died old ! 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 " But if 'twixt brothers' hearts exists a breach, 
 " The single rod pourtrays the fate of each." 
 
 Love between brothers is man's best of gifts, 
 And oft the humble to high fortune lifts. 
 
 45 
 
 XLVII. 
 
 THE OLD FARMER AND HIS SONS. 
 (p. F. 103.) 
 
 Among old worthies lived an ancient man 
 
 With many sons : and since his life began 
 
 To wane at last, that truth might so be taught, 
 
 He bade that there should be before him brought 
 
 A bundle of thin rods. 'Twas soon at hand. 
 
 " Now use," said he, " the strength you each command, 
 
 " To break the sticks, my sons, thus closely bound." 
 
 " Well," he rejoined, when force in vain was found, 
 
 " Then take them one by one." Each broke with ease. 
 
 " E'en thus," he cried, " my children, if ye please 
 
 " To live in union, none have power to mar 
 
 " Your bond of strength, e'en though superior far. 
 
 THE WORKMAN AND^FORTUNE. 
 ((p. F. 316.) 
 
 Close to a well a workman slept one night. 
 Unwittingly. But Fortune met his sight. 
 He seem'd to hear ; " What ho, there, sirrah, wake I 
 " Lest of thy tumble I the blame should take 
 " Among mankind, and earn an uglier name : 
 " For each man's trips and haps I bear the blame, 
 " Howe'er his own the fault, 'tis just the same." 
 
 
46 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 •k^'^t- 
 
 THE FOX AND THE WOODCUTTER. 
 
 (p. F. 35-) 
 
 Hard on a fox a hunter in full chase 
 Was pressing. Reynard, needing breathing-space, 
 Spying a woodman, cried, " By those who save, 
 " 'Neath yonder just-felFd poplars let me crave 
 " A shelter. To the field betray me not." 
 The woodman sware. The fox a shelter got. 
 The hunter came, and of the man would know, 
 " Did the fox enter there, or onward go ?" 
 Said he, " I saw not ;" but his finger showed 
 Meanwhile to reynard's hiding-place the road. 
 In haste at once the hunter passing on 
 Believed the words. Her hottest danger gone, 
 Our fox began from out the poplar-heap 
 With fawning tail, but spiteful grin, to peep. 
 The old man said, " You owe your life to me. 
 " Twas I from risk of capture set you free j 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 4^ 
 
 " Be grateful therefore." " To be sure," she cried, 
 " For the vast help, I saw your acts supplied. 
 « Farewell I The Oath-god will exact his due. 
 " If your voice saved me, yet your finger slew." 
 
 Let none (Heaven's purpose errs not) think to flee 
 The sure deserts of secret perjury. 
 
 THE WIDOW AND THE SHEEP. 
 
 (p. F. 382.) 
 
 A WIDOW kept at home a single sheep : 
 Out of whose fleece a larger gain to reap 
 She clipp'd it rudely, press'd the shears too near 
 Its flesh, and kept them not from wounding clear. 
 The smarting sheep cried : " Do not torture me, 
 " My blood in weight will small addition be. 
 " Nay, mistress, nay 1 My flesh if you require, 
 " To kill me quick, a practis'd butcher hire. 
 " But if 'tis fleece and wool, not flesh, you need, 
 " Shearers will shear me, yet not make me bleed." 
 
|8 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 THE DRIVER AND THE WAGGON, 
 (p. F. 79.) 
 
 Strong bulls to town upon their shoulders drew 
 A four-wheerd wain. Its creakings were not few. 
 Then was the driver wroth ; and drawing near, 
 He spoke so plain, it could not choose but hear. 
 « Thou worst of goods, will not thy groaning cease, 
 " Though they whose shoulders draw thee, hold their 
 peace % " 
 
 It is a base man's way, to raise a moan. 
 As if the toil of others were his own I 
 
 LIII. 
 
 THE WOLF AND THE FOX. 
 
 (p. F. 271.) 
 
 A HAPLESS fox fell in a wild wolfs way. 
 
 And pray'd him her old life to spare, not slay. 
 
 "I will, by Pan, I will ;" the wolf replied, 
 
 " If in thy next three words thou hast not lied." 
 
 1 
 
 1 11 
 
 I; 
 
 f 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 49 
 
 "Well: first then," said she, "would we had not 
 
 met ! 
 " Next, that a blind wolf had my path beset ! 
 " And, third and last," she added, " go for ever ! 
 « I trust from this day forth to meet thee never !" 
 
 THE OX AND THE ASS, 
 
 (p. F. 104.) 
 
 With a she-ass, best shift his means allow'd, 
 A tiller yoked his only ox, and ploughed. 
 When these he was preparing to unyoke. 
 Their work being over, thus the ass bespoke 
 The ox : " Who carries home the old man's gear ? 
 " The beast whose wont it is," said he, " 'tis clear. 
 
 »» 
 
 w 
 
 E 
 
so 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 LVL 
 JUPITER AND THE MONKEY. 
 
 A BABY-SHOW with piizcs Jove decreed 
 For all the beasts, and gave the choice due heed. 
 A monkey-mother came among the rest ; 
 A naked, snub-nosed pug upon her breast 
 She bore, in mother's fashion. At the sight 
 Assembled gods were moved to laugh outright. 
 Said she, " Jove knoweth where his prize will fall ! 
 " I know, my child's the beauty of them all." 
 
 This Fable will a general law attest, 
 
 That each one deems that whaf s his own, is best. 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 51 
 
 LVIL 
 MERCURY'S WAGON AND THE ARABS. 
 
 (p. F. 141.) 
 
 Hermes had laden once a cart with lies. 
 And much deceit, and divers villanies. 
 This he essa/d to drive from race to race, 
 Passing near every nation's dwelling-place, 
 And giving each a share. He came at last 
 To the Arabian land. As this he passed, 
 Down brake his wagon suddenly, 'tis said. 
 And stuck. The Arabs, eager for a raid. 
 And hoping here a merchant's precious load. 
 Rifled the wain, nor sent it on its road 
 To other tribes beyond them. Hence I find 
 That false and knavish is each Arab's mind. 
 And, as experience proves, to Arab tongue 
 No particle of truth hath ever hung. 
 
 E 2 
 
Sa 
 
 The Fables of Babrtus, 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 53 
 
 LVIII. 
 
 JOVE'S CASK, 
 
 Jove in a cask all blessings pack'd and hid, 
 
 A charge for man : but first secured the lid. 
 
 Unbridled man, agog to scan the gift 
 
 And its contents, essa/d the top to lift. 
 
 Releas'd, each blessing mounted to the sky 
 
 And would not bide below, when free to fly. 
 
 Hope only tarried. Her the lid secured. 
 
 When closed at last. And thus hath Hope endured 
 
 In human homes. In her sole form we see 
 
 Earnest of all the goods, that then did flee. 
 
 LIX. 
 
 JUPITER, NEPTUNE, MINERVA, AND MOMUS. 
 
 (p. F. 155.) 
 
 Pallas, 'tis said, with Neptune and with Jove, 
 Which should create a thing most perfect, strove. 
 
 Jove makes the choicest of created things, 
 
 A man. A dwelling to him Pallas brings : 
 
 Neptune a bull. They gave the umpire's post 
 
 To Momus : Heaven as yet he had not lost 
 
 And he, as was his nature, hating all. 
 
 At blaming the bull's horns to work must fall, 
 
 Because they were not set beneath his eyes, 
 
 For then he'd see to strike. Man lost the prize. 
 
 Because not open was his breast, but closed. 
 
 Else each would see his neighbour's plans exposed : 
 
 He blamed the house, because no wheels were made 
 
 Of iron at its base ; that it, convey'd 
 
 To other climes might pass with roving lord. 
 
 What purports then to us the Fable's word ? 
 Prefer not thou to carp : but strive to do. 
 Momus will nought in pleasant aspect view. 
 
54 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 LX. 
 
 THE MOUSE THAT FELL INTO THE POT 
 
 A MOUSE into a lid-less broth-pot fell : 
 
 Choked with the grease, and bidding life farewell, 
 
 He said : " My fill of meat and drink have I, 
 
 " And all good things : 'tis time that I should die." 
 
 Thou art that dainty mouse among mankind. 
 If hurtful sweets are not by thee declined. 
 
 
 THE HUNTER AND THE FISHERMAN. 
 
 (p. F. 2 20.) 
 
 A HUNTSMAN going laden from the hill, 
 
 A fisher too, whose fish his basket fill. 
 
 As luck would have it, chanced one day to meet, 
 
 And lo ! the hunter thought the fish a treat ; 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 55 
 
 The fisherman preferred the hunter's game. 
 
 So they exchanged their spoil. They did the same. 
 
 Each for a time, to suit the other's taste, 
 
 With all they took : till some one said, "You'll waste 
 
 " And mar by use the present charm of these : 
 
 " And each again will seek what used to please." 
 
 LXII. 
 
 THE MULE. 
 
 (p. F. 157.) 
 
 A MULE, in lazy manger fed on hay, 
 
 And fresh with com, began to leap and say. 
 
 Kicking his heels, " A racer is my dam, 
 
 " And I for her a match in fleetness am." 
 
 Yet with sad visage soon his course he check'd, 
 
 Constrain'd his sire, the ass, to recollect. 
 
■ " » »*' - -- 
 
 56 
 
 The Fables of Bahrius, 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 57 
 
 \a2LxW* 
 
 THE HERO {OR DAEMON). 
 (p. F. i6i.) 
 
 A GOOD man for a hero's fane assigned 
 
 Space in his court-yard. Here he loved to bind 
 
 Wreaths on the altars, rich libations pay, 
 
 And, sacrificing oft, devoutly pray. 
 
 " Loved hero, hail ! thy fellow-lodger bless 
 
 " With plenteous gifts." At midnight his address 
 
 Met answer. " Heroes can vouchsafe no good 
 
 "To man ; for these 'twere meet the Gods were sued. 
 
 " Tis rather all the ills that fall to men, 
 
 " That we dispense : when seeking evil then, 
 
 « Pray us ! Ask one, and many Fll bestow. 
 
 " So now to whom to sacrifice you know !" 
 
 I 
 
 II 
 
 1 
 
 LXIV. 
 
 THE FIR-TREE AND THE BRAMBLE. 
 
 (p. F. 125.) 
 
 A FIR-TREE and a bramble disagreed, 
 For the fir alway paid to self the meed 
 Of praise. " I'm fine, well-grown in point of size 
 " And my straight top is neighbour to the skies. 
 " 'Tis I, am roof of mansions, keel of ships : 
 " So much my comeliness all trees outstrips." 
 To whom the bramble said, " Keep well in view 
 " The axe, whose business is thy trunk to hew, 
 " And saws, that cut thee : haply thou'lt prefer 
 " To be the bramble, rather than the fir." 
 
 All men of mark more rank and credit gain 
 Than meaner folks, but still more risks sustain. 
 
58 
 
 7 he Fables of Babrius. 
 
 LXV. 
 
 THE CRANE AND THE PEACOCK. 
 (p. F. 397.) 
 
 To a bright-plumaged peacock, smart and vain, 
 
 This sharp retort fell from an ashen crane. 
 
 " Through these dull wings, whose colour you decry, 
 
 " I scream aloft, in starry heights I fly. 
 
 " You, cock-like, flap your wings. The tail you spread, 
 
 " With all its gold, is never seen overhead." 
 
 Rather would I in threadbare coat aspire, 
 Than live inglorious, tho' in rich attire. 
 
 LXVI. 
 
 THE MAN WITH TWO WALLETS. 
 (P- F- 359- ) 
 
 Prometheus was a god, an elder god : 
 Man, the brutes' lord, he fashion' d of the sod, 
 'Tis said, and round his neck two wallets hung, 
 Full of all ills, that rise mankind among : 
 
 I 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 59 
 
 One, holding others' faults, in front was thrown : 
 The larger, slung behind him, held his own. 
 
 Hence others' falls, methinks, men clearly see : 
 But when one should look homeward, blind are we. 
 
 LXVII. 
 
 THE WILD ASS AND THE LION. 
 
 (p. F. 258.) 
 
 Chase-partners were the lion and wild ass : 
 That did in prowess, this in speed surpass : 
 A booty of fat beasts their hunt supplied. 
 Which into three the lion would divide. 
 "This first," said he, "as foremost, I shall take 
 " In right of kinghood. That my equal stake 
 " Marks as my part. And, for the hindmost lot, 
 " 'Twill cause you hurt, unless you flee, I wot." 
 
 Measure your strength, nor, with a man more strong, 
 To company, or partnership belong. 
 
6o 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 6i 
 
 1 YVTTT 
 APOLLO AND JUPITER. 
 
 (p. F. 151.) 
 
 Said the far-darter to the gods on high, 
 
 " Not one can farther shoot or throw than I." 
 
 In sport great Jove Apollo's challenge took, 
 
 And quick the lots in Mars' cap Hermes shook. 
 
 Luck was with Phoebus. Soon the golden bow 
 
 And string he circles ; lets the arrow go, 
 
 And shoots within the gardens of the West 
 
 Said Jove, when the same range his feet had prest, 
 
 " Space fails me, boy. To what point can I shoot ? 
 
 Thus without shaft he won the arrow's fruit 
 
 
 THE HARE AND THE HOUND. 
 
 A DOG, no novice in the chase, pursued 
 A rough-pawed hare, disturb'd from tangled wood, 
 And soon was left behind. A goatherd near, 
 "Fine runners beat you !" said, the hound to jeer. 
 Said he, " One needs must use far more despatch 
 " To save one's own, than other lives to snatch." 
 
 LXX. 
 
 THE MARRIAGES OF THE GODS. 
 
 (p. F. 162.) 
 
 The Gods were wedding. Each had found a mate. 
 To War it chanced till last of all to wait. 
 And so with Insolence, left all alone, 
 In love he fell, and won her for his own. 
 So runs the Fable. Hence, devoted swain, 
 Where'er she goes, he follows in her train. 
 
 
62 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 H 
 
 Oh then may Insolence, most apt to smile 
 
 On commons, and to lead them wrong the while, 
 
 Be ever from our states and nations far, 
 
 For close behind her comes her husband, War. 
 
 LXXI. 
 
 THE HUSBANDMAN AND THE SEA. 
 
 (P, F. 94.) 
 
 A COUNTRYMAN beheld a crowded ship 
 
 Its prow beneath the arching surges dip ; 
 
 "Would thou hadst ne'er been ploughed," he cried, 
 
 " thou main ! 
 " Harsh element, of which all men complain." 
 The sea o'erheard, assumed a woman's tone, 
 And said, " I pray you, leave my name alone. 
 " For 'tis not I that cause you all these woes : 
 " But every blast that round about me blows, 
 " See me and sail me, yonder winds removed, 
 " And gentler than your earth you'll own me proved." 
 
 Bad natures oft turn many goods to worse. 
 Thus e'en a blessing comes to seem a curse. 
 
 JL<A.Jvll. 
 
 THE BIRDS AND THE JACKDAW. 
 
 (p. F. 200.) 
 
 A CONTEST in Heaven's courts for beauty's prize. 
 Bright Iris, who with the Gods' tidings hies, 
 Proclaim'd to birds. The news soon spread to all. 
 And to himself each hoped the meed would fall. 
 Rose from a rock, that rarely goat had scaled, 
 A spring, whose clear wave ne'er in summer fail'd. 
 To it resorted all the feather'd race. 
 Intent on washing, each, its wings and face, 
 Shaking its wings, its plumage combing clean ; 
 When, lo ! a jackdaw to approach was seen, 
 A crow's now-ancient son. From ev'ry plume 
 And each wet shoulder he made haste to assume 
 A stolen feather. Soon his various guise 
 In the Gods' sight the eagle's form outvies. 
 Him Jove, astonished, victor had declared. 
 Had not the swallow, Pallas-like, unbared 
 
64 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 The cheating rogue, her feathers quick to claim ; 
 " Pray," said the daw, " expose me not to shame." 
 To pluck him, next, the thrush and turtle-dove, 
 Tomb-haunting lark, and jay, together strove ; 
 The hawk, a-watch for birds not yet full grown, 
 Nay, all the birds. Thus was the jackdaw known 
 
 My son, array thee in thy proper dress : 
 
 For borrow*d clothes will leave thee garmentless. 
 
 (p. F. 170.) 
 
 Of old far other was the kite's shrill cry 1 
 Till once she heard a horse neigh tunefully. 
 She needs must ape the steed ; and then nor heard 
 Her former voice, nor that which she preferred. 
 
 I 
 
 i' 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 65 
 
 LXXIV. 
 
 THE MAN, THE HORSE, THE OX, AND THE DOG. 
 
 (p. F. 173.) 
 
 A HORSE, an ox, a dog, distrest by cold. 
 
 To seek the warmth of a man's house made bold. 
 
 He let them enter by his open'd door. 
 
 And was not slack to give them of his store. 
 
 Warming his guests withal beside his hearth : 
 
 The horse found com, of vetch the ox no dearth. 
 
 While the dog shared the table of his host. 
 
 Then fain would they requite their supper's cost ; 
 
 And so its life's chief habit each bestows. 
 
 The horse gave first. Hence each among us glows 
 
 With leaping spirit in our early prime. 
 
 The ox came next. Therefore, at mid-life's time, 
 
 Man toils, and dearly loves to hoard and save. 
 
 The dog, 'tis said, life's latest features gave. 
 
 Whence, Branchus, each, as age steals o'er him, grows 
 
 Peevish apace, caressing only those 
 
 To whom he looks for food. A strangei^s face 
 
 Provokes his bark, and never wins his grace. 
 
 F 
 
66 
 
 The Fables of Bahrius, 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 67 
 
 XuywJv. V* 
 THE UNSKILFUL PHYSICIAN. 
 
 (p. F. 169.) 
 
 There lived a quack. And all but he could tell 
 
 A sick man not to fear ; he'd soon be \\rell : 
 
 " Diseases run their time, but then are over ; " 
 
 The doctor came and said, " You won't recover ! 
 
 « Make aU your preparations. You must die ! 
 
 " I scorn to cheat : I'm not the man to lie. 
 
 "To morrow at the most you'll scarce get o'er ! " 
 
 He said, nor visited his patient more. 
 
 But, lo ! the man from his disorder rose, 
 
 Pallid, and somewhat shaky on his toes. 
 
 Taking his walk, the doctor met him so : 
 
 " Good morrow ! How goes on the world below % " 
 
 " Oh ! deadly lively ! Lethe's draught is flat ! 
 
 " But if you'd know what hell's high powers were at, 
 
 " Doctors just now incurr'd their fiercest threats, 
 
 " Because each sick man well so quickly gets. 
 
 " They were proscribing all. Among the first 
 " They talk'd of posting you. But forth I burst 
 " A little timid from the shadowy crowd, 
 " And suppliant before their sceptres bow'd ; 
 " And sware to them the truth I could not hide, 
 " You were no doctor, but had been belied." 
 
 LXXVI. 
 
 THE KNIGHT AND HIS CHARGER. 
 (p. F. 178.) 
 
 A KNIGHT his charger pamper'd day by day, 
 So long as war was rife, with corn and hay. 
 As his brave comrade in the battle's din ; 
 But when war ceas'd, and peace at last came in. 
 When from his deme the knight drew pay no more. 
 Oft from the woods to town his charger bore 
 Huge logs of timber, and with various load 
 Toil'd as a hireling on a weary road \ 
 
 F 2 
 
 V 
 
68 
 
 The Fables of Bahrius. 
 
 On sorry chaff he barely life preserved, 
 
 And yoked for draught, no longer knighthood serv'd. 
 
 But war again was heard without the walls, 
 
 On each to burnish arms the trumpet calls, 
 
 To whet his steel, his war-horse to array : 
 
 Again our knight has bridled for the fray 
 
 His charger, led for him to take the field, 
 
 But its weak limbs began to sink and yield. 
 
 " Go rank thyself with infantry," it said : 
 
 " If thou could'st me from horse to ass degrade, 
 
 " No more can I my former self be made." 
 
 LXXVII. 
 
 THE FOX AND THE CROW. 
 
 (p. F. 204.) 
 
 A CROW upon his perch was munching cheese, 
 When a sly fox by arguments like these, 
 To suit herself, beguiled him of his prize : — 
 "Fair are thy plumes, good crow, and bright thine 
 eyes, 
 
 77ie Fables of Babrius. 
 
 69 
 
 " Charming thy neck, an eagle's breast thou hast, 
 
 " In talons thou art by no brute surpassed. 
 
 " 'Tis strange that dumb should be a bird so smart !" 
 
 The flattered crow became elate in heart, 
 
 And, cawing, from his mouth the cheese let fall \ 
 
 This reynard snatch'd, and tauntingly did call, 
 
 " Tis true thou wast not dumb, for thou canst speak, 
 
 " Yet, spite of all thou hast, thy mind is weak." 
 
 LXXVIII. 
 
 THE SICK CROW, 
 
 (p. F. 208.) 
 
 A SICK crow to its weeping mother said, 
 
 " Weep not, but pray the Gods that from the bed 
 
 " Of sad disease and suffering I may rise." 
 
 " Will any god," said she, " child, hear my cries, 
 
 " And save thee % Is there one of whom 'tis true, 
 
 " His altar never has been robb'd by you ? " 
 
7a 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 71 
 
 T Y'YT'V 
 
 THE DOG AND THE SHADOW. 
 (p. F. 233.) 
 
 Tray from the shambles stole a piece of meat ; 
 And, as he cross'd a stream, upon its sheet 
 Of crystal saw the shadow magnified ; 
 Which, letting go the flesh, to grasp he tried. 
 He gained nor it, nor that which he had lost, 
 And, supperless, again the river cross'd. 
 
 All avaricious men consume in vain 
 Uncertain lives, in fleeting hope of gain. 
 
 LXXXI. 
 
 THE FOX AND THE MONKEY. 
 (p. F. 43.) 
 
 A FOX said to an ape, " The stone you see 
 " Records my sire's and grandsire's memory." 
 Said Pug to .Reynard, " Lie, as likes you best, 
 " For none remain your story's truth to test." 
 
 It marks a bad man not to shrink from lies, 
 When, lying, he can shun detective eyes. 
 
 LXXX 
 
 THE CAMEL, 
 (P. F. 181.) 
 
 A DRINKING master would his camel bring 
 
 To dance to flutes, and brazen cymbal's ring. 
 
 " Would that I could on a plain road advance, 
 
 " Causing no laughter," said she, " much less dance." 
 
 LXXXII. 
 
 THE LION AND THE FOX. 
 (p. F. 257.) 
 
 A MOUSE ran o'er a sleeping lion's mane. 
 
 And the roused brute his wrath could not restrain 
 
 So bristling up, he leapt from out his lair. 
 
 A neighbour-fox derision did not spare. 
 
 \ 
 
mm 
 
 mmm 
 
 72 
 
 ne Fables of Babrius. 
 
 That on a mouse the king of brutes should spend 
 His ire. Said he, " I fear not, cunning friend, 
 " Lest mice my skin should nettle, and escape : 
 " But roads o'er me take an ill-habit's shape." 
 
 The boldness of the impudent repress, 
 Small though it be, before it can progress I 
 Nor let it by the mean be lightly dreamt. 
 That thou wilt be a butt for their contempt. 
 
 LXXXIII. 
 
 THE HORSE AND THE GROOM. 
 (p. F. 176.) 
 
 A GROOM each day his horse kept currying. 
 Yet each day too the corn-bin emptying. 
 Then said the horse, " If sleek you really would 
 " Behold me, prythee, do not sell my food." 
 
 True love will study things expedient 
 
 And useful. Vain, indeed, is ornament 
 
 As a makeweight, when needful things are spent 
 
 .1 
 
 i iM iii i i 'r r 'nl i i i» *n i i"i r i i—jwi'Wi 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 73 
 
 LXXXIV. 
 
 THE GNAT AND THE BULL. 
 (P. F. 235.) 
 
 A GNAT on a bull's horn his seat had made. 
 And, pausing first, thus with a buzz he said : 
 " If I bear down or bend your neck a whit, 
 " I'll go and on yon river-poplar sit" 
 The bull cried, " Stay or go, for aught I care, 
 " I did not even know when you came there." 
 
 Absurd is he, who, being nought, will try 
 
 To cope with great men, and ape something high. 
 
 LXXXV. 
 
 THE DOGS AND THE WOLVES. 
 
 (p. F. 267.) 
 
 A FEUD between the dogs and wolves arose. 
 And of their host the dogs as leader chose 
 One from Achaia : who, Uke general sage. 
 Kept holding back. His troops began to rage 
 

 
 74 
 
 T^e Fables of Babrius, 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 75 
 
 At his preferring ambush to fair fight 
 
 " Why I delay," he answered, " hear aright, 
 
 " And why I'm careful Prudence can't be wrong. 
 
 " Our foes I see are one united throng ; 
 
 " But some of us have from Molossia come, 
 
 " Others from Crete, from Acamania some : 
 
 " Some are Dolopian : others Cyprus boast, 
 
 " Or Thrace their home : in short, a various host 
 
 "We differ, unHke these, in colour too, 
 
 " Being, some black, and some of ashen hue : 
 
 " While some are bright and mottied in the chest, 
 
 " Others are white. Discordant bands at best 
 
 " How can I marshal, with an eye to war, 
 
 " Gainst troops that all alike in all things are 1 " 
 
 For aught more good than harmony to seek 
 Is vain. Disunion slavish is, and weak. 
 
 LXXXVI. 
 
 THE SWOLLEN I'OX, 
 (p. F. 31.) 
 
 An aged oak was at its roots deca/d, 
 Wherein the wallet of a hind was laid. 
 Ragged and brimful of stale bread and meat ; 
 A fox ran in, and its contents did eat 
 Her stomach thence, no marvel, wax'd so stout. 
 That through the opening she could not get out 
 She wept Another fox, that came that way. 
 Said jeeringly, " Till you are fasting, stay ! 
 " You won't find egress, till you grow as thin 
 " In stomach, as you were when you got in." 
 
V 
 
 76 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 11 
 
 LXXXVII. 
 
 THE DOG AND THE HARE. 
 
 (p. F. 229.) 
 
 Chasing a mountain hare, a certain hound 
 Would one while bite her, if a chance he found, 
 And one while turn and lick her as a friend ; 
 Said puss at last, " Let double-dealing end. 
 " Be a true brute. If friend, why do you bite % 
 « But if a foe, why fawn, nor be downright % " 
 
 Of an uncertain class of minds are those. 
 Whom, if to trust or distrust, no one knows. 
 
 LXXXVIII. 
 
 THE LARK AND ITS YOUNG, 
 
 In the green corn a lark, that nurs'd his young, 
 At dawn, in answer to the lapwing sung. 
 And now his brood had fed on com so long, 
 That they had crests, and on their wings were strong. 
 
 \ \\ 
 
 So the field's owner, when he came to see 
 The harvest ripe, said, " Now 'tis time for me 
 " To gather all my friends, that I may reap." 
 But one of the young crestlings chanc'd to keep 
 Watch on his words, and ran, his sire to tell, 
 That to remove them elsewhere it were well. 
 But he replied, "'Tis not yet time to flee ! 
 " Who trusts to friends, not over-fast is he." 
 When the man came, and saw the sun's bright ray 
 Had caused the ear o'er-ripe to fall away. 
 And said, he'd hire reapers the next mom. 
 And pay all hands to bind and sheave the corn, 
 Then the lark to his novice children cries, 1 
 
 " Tis time, my sons, that each one elsewhere flies, 
 " Since on himself, not friends, the man relies." 
 
 /i 
 
 /i 
 
mmmm 
 
 78 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 LXXXIX. 
 
 THE WOLF AND THE LAMB. 
 (P. F. 274.) 
 
 A WOLF beheld a lambkin once astray, 
 And did not give brute force at once its way, 
 But, bent to seize it, found this specious plea : 
 "Small though you were last year, you slander'd me." 
 "Nay ! how last yearl A year I've not been bom." 
 "Well, then, you nibbled my own field of com !" 
 "I eat nor grass nor corn ! A nursling still !" 
 " Have you not dmnk then of my private rill % " 
 " As yet, my mother's milk's my beverage." 
 Upsprang the wolf, and ate the lamb in rage. 
 ** A wolf," said he, "can't for his supper wait, 
 "Though all his pleas you may invalidate." 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 19 
 
 XC. 
 
 THE LION AND THE FA WN. 
 
 A LION raved. A fawn from woods hard by 
 Saw, and began, " Ah ! wretched we ! " to cry. 
 " How must we, when he's mad, expect to fare, 
 " Whom, in his sane state, none of us could bear?" 
 
 X€I. 
 
 THE BULL AND THE GOAT. 
 (p. F. 396.) 
 
 Once, in a cave the goatherds had forsaken, 
 
 A bull had from a lion refuge taken. 
 
 But to contest his entrance there remain'd 
 
 One goat within, who hombd war maintain'd. 
 
 " Pshaw ! " said the bull, " could I yon beast elude, 
 
 "I'd bear a little space to see you rude ! 
 
 " Just let the lion pass, and you shall note 
 
 " How wide the difference 'twixt bull and goat." 
 
/ 
 
 w 
 
 80 
 
 Tke Fables of Babrius, 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 ^i 
 
 THE TIMID HUNTER. 
 (P- F. 114.) 
 
 A LION-HUNTER oncc, who couragc lack'd, 
 
 In the hill-forests dense his game had track'd. 
 
 A woodman near a tall fir met his view, 
 
 Whom by the Nymphs he pra/d, if aught he knew, 
 
 To point the wild beasf s steps, that harbour'd near. 
 
 The other said, " Good luck has brought you here ! 
 
 " The lion's self to you I'll quickly show." 
 
 Pale, and with chattering teeth, he cried, " No, no ! " 
 
 " Pray don't oblige me, friend, beyond your task : 
 
 "To see the lion's track, not him, I ask." 
 
 i 
 
 XCIII. 
 
 THE WOLVES AND THE SHEEP. 
 
 (p. F. 268.) 
 
 The wolf-tribe sent the flock an embassy. 
 
 And proffer'd oaths of peace and amity. 
 
 The terms were that the dogs should be disgraced, 
 
 Who caused the feud now sought to be effaced. 
 
 The sheep, weak, silly creatures, were disposed 
 
 To scout old friends. An old ram interposed. 
 
 And said, his thick wool bristling from below, 
 
 " A novel mediation this, I trow ! " 
 
 " How, if unguarded, am I safe with you, 
 
 " When even now my perils are not few, 
 
 " Though, while I feed, I keep my watch-dog true ?" 
 
8a 
 
 ne Fables of Babrius. 
 
 THE WOLF AND THE HERON, 
 
 (p. F. 276,) 
 
 A BONE in the wolfs throat was firmly set : 
 
 Then covenanted he the hern should get 
 
 A due reward, if, letting down his neck. 
 
 He'd draw the bone, and thus his suflfering check. 
 
 The hem extracted it, and claim'd his prize, 
 
 " Nay," said the wolf, with grinning teeth and eyes, 
 
 " A meed of healing great enough you've found, 
 
 " Your head from out the wolfs jaw safe and sound.' 
 
 It is ill wages, when the bad you aid. 
 To take no hurt, is to be well-repaid. 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 83 
 
 xcv. 
 
 THE SICK LION, 
 (p. F. 243.) 
 
 Sick in a rocky cleft a lion lay. 
 
 Glad on the ground his failing limbs to stay. 
 
 With him a fox was chiefly intimate, 
 
 To whom he said, " Wouldst have me 'scape my fate ? 
 
 " Then know, I hunger for the stag that dwells 
 
 " 'Neath yon wild pine amid the woodland dells. 
 
 " And I, you wot, can hunt the stag no more \ 
 
 " But if you choose your honied words to pour 
 
 " Into his ears and trap him, mine's the prize !" 
 
 Away went Reynard : where the wild wood lies 
 
 She found him leaping o'er the mossy grass. 
 
 And, first embracing, then began to pass 
 
 High compliments, and say she came to bring 
 
 Good news. " My neighbour is the forest king, 
 
 " The lion ; he is sick, nay well nigh dead : 
 
 " And he was thinking who should rule instead 
 
 G 2 
 
iigSig 
 
 84 
 
 The Fables of Bahrius. 
 
 « O'er beasts. To find a pig with sense is hard ! 
 
 " The bear is dull \ and wrathful is the pard. 
 
 " The braggart tiger ever stands alone. 
 
 ** He deems the stag is meetest for his throne. 
 
 « 'Tis light of form ; it lives unnumber'd years ; 
 
 " Fearful to reptiles is the horn it rears, 
 
 " Branching like trees, to bulls' horn un-allied ; 
 
 « Need I say more % The choice is ratified. 
 
 « You are to rule the beasts that roam the hills ; 
 
 " Oh ! then, whene'er the throne your highness fills, 
 
 " Pray think of Reynard, who first let you know 
 
 " These news. I've said. Good-bye, my dear ! I go 
 
 " To join the lion ; he may need me back : 
 
 " My counsel now in all things he would lack. 
 
 " You'll come, child, too, if the advice you heed 
 
 " Of an old head. 'Tis fitting you should speed 
 
 « To counsel him, and cheer him in his woes : 
 
 " Small things win much at life's extremest close, 
 
 " And souls are in the eyes of them that die :" 
 
 Thus spake the fox. The stag's heart leapt on high 
 
 At her feign'd words. He sought the cavern home 
 
 Of the wild beast, and wist not what should come. 
 
 The Fables oj Babrius, 
 
 85 
 
 Reckless upsprang the lion from his lair. 
 And fail'd, through haste, of more than just to tear 
 The stag's ear with his talon-tips. Afraid, 
 Straight from the door it fled to woodland shade. 
 The fox to clap her paws in spite was fain, 
 Because her labour had been spent in vain. 
 Gnashing his teeth the lion raised a groan ; 
 Chagrin and famine seiz'd him, both in one. 
 Again he call'd the fox, again he pray'd 
 The stag by some fresh trick might be betra/d. 
 Revolving schemes from her heart's inmost core, 
 " I'll do your will," she said, " tho' hard, once more." 
 Then follow'd she, like sage dog, on the scent. 
 Weaving her wily tricks, as on she went ; 
 Asking each shepherd ever and anon, 
 " Knew he which way a bleeding stag had gone ?'* 
 Each that had seen it, pointing led the way 
 To where, she found, the fleet stag resting lay, 
 Tired with the chase, in deeply shaded wood. 
 And there with forehead unabash'd she stood. 
 A shudder smote the stag in back and knees. 
 Wrath overflow'd his heart His words were these : 
 
86 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 " Now you pursue me, wheresoever I fly ; 
 
 " But, hated one, discomfiture is nigh, 
 
 " If you approach, and dare to mutter aught. 
 
 " Go play the fox to others yet untaught 
 
 " In wiles. Stir others up, and make them reign." 
 
 But Reynard heard unmoved. In blameful strain 
 
 She said, " Art thou so mean, so full of fear 1 
 
 " And dost thou thus suspect associates dear ? 
 
 " The lion planning what might profit thee, ' 
 
 *< And how to rouse thee from past apathy, 
 
 " Just touch'd thine ear, a dying father's act, 
 
 " For he desired no precept should be lack'd 
 
 " By thee for keeping sovereignty so great ; 
 
 " But thou his weak claw's tickling couldst not wait, 
 
 " And, tearing thyself off, wast wounded sore. 
 
 " Hence he, than thou, is now offended more, 
 
 " For trial shows thee weak, unfit to trust ; 
 
 " So into kinghood he the wolf will thrust. 
 
 « Ah me I an evil lord ! What will befall % 
 
 " Thou art a cause of ills to one and all. 
 
 " Nay, come and show more courage than of old, 
 
 " Nor cower, like sheep just straying from the fold. 
 
 TTie Fables of Babrius. 
 
 87 
 
 " Now may my oath by springs and leaves be known, 
 
 " So may I subject be to thee alone, 
 
 " As he intends no harm, but in good will, 
 
 " Bids thee the lordship of the beasts to fill." 
 
 Cajoling thus the brocket, him she won 
 
 Into the selfsame fate again to run. 
 
 So when he lay, inclosed within the lair, 
 
 The lion had, himself, most dainty fare, 
 
 Gorging the flesh, the marrow from each bone 
 
 And entrails lapping. Famishing, alone 
 
 Stood the decoyer, till she slily stole 
 
 And ate the heart, which near her chanc'd to roll ; 
 
 The single gain of all her toil was this : 
 
 Which soon the lion, counting, came to miss. 
 
 Of all the inward parts. Indignant then 
 
 He search' d each lair, and hunted every den. 
 
 And Reynard said, to cheat him of the truth, 
 
 " Don't search in vain ! It had no heart in sooth. 
 
 " To own a fine heart he was likely, who 
 
 " A second time came visitor to you \ ** 
 
88 
 
 The Fables of Bahrius. 
 
 XCVL 
 
 THE WOLF AND THE YOUNG RAM, 
 
 A WOLF pass'd by a wall \ and from its top 
 A young ram peeping much abuse let drop. 
 Gnashing his teeth the wolf said bitterly, 
 " Boast not thyself. Thy place abuses me !" 
 
 Let no one then, whom luck or accident 
 Makes strong awhile, to insolence give vent 
 
 XCVIL 
 
 <i ■ 
 
 THE LION AND THE BULL. 
 
 (p. F. 262.) 
 
 A LION once conceiving a design 
 
 Against a wild bull, feign' d that at the shrine 
 
 Of Cybele he meant to sacrifice. 
 
 And bade the bull ; who, blind to his device, 
 
 \ _____ 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 89 
 
 Promised to join the feast, and came and stood 
 At his host's door. Seeing the kitchen strew'd 
 With cauldrons of hot water, cleavers bright. 
 Sharp carving-knives, but nought for food in sight. 
 Save a cock bound, he to the hills made off : 
 Much did the lion, when he met him, scoff. 
 " Nay," said the bull, " this token proves I came. 
 " Your ample kitchens larger victims claim." 
 
 XCVIII. 
 
 THE LION WOOER, 
 
 (p. F. 249.) 
 
 A LION, smitten with a beauteous maid, 
 
 Ask'd her in marriage of her sire, who said, 
 
 Without show of dislike or hollowness, 
 
 " I'd give consent, and gladly, I profess ! 
 
 " What sire a mighty lion would refuse ! 
 
 " But timid are young maids' and children's views. 
 
 " Just think how large your teeth ! how long you wear 
 
 " Your talons ! What maid, do you think, will dare 
 
90 
 
 The Fables of Babrim^ 
 
 " To clasp you boldly, see you unalarm'd % 
 " If you would wed, against these fears be arm'd. 
 " Be a wild beast no more, but suitor mild." 
 On wings of promise, by the words beguiPd, 
 The lion drew his teeth, his talons pared 
 With surgeon's knife, then to the sire repaired. 
 And showing them he claimed his bride. But aU 
 With stones or clubs on him began to fall. 
 He lay inactive, e'en as dying swine, 
 Taught by a crafty old man to divine. 
 That 'tis not nature's will that men should burn 
 For lions, or they love mankind in turn. 
 
 XCIX. 
 THE WOLF AND THE DOG. 
 
 (p. F. 278.) 
 
 There met a wolf a dog exceeding sleek, 
 Of whom the former soon began to seek, 
 " In what abode he grew so fat and large." 
 Said he, " I live at a rich master's charge." 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 " But how," said Wolf, "became thy neck so bare V 
 
 " Rubb'd by the iron collar which I wear : 
 
 " My master had it forg'd, and placed on me." 
 
 The wolf on this made answer mockingly : 
 
 " Adieu ! for me, the nurture I refuse, 
 
 " Through which the iron is my neck to bruise." 
 
 91 
 
 C. 
 
 THE LION AND THE EAGLE, 
 
 (F. DEFURIA, 358.) 
 
 AN eagle to a lion flew, and pra/d 
 
 To be his partner. "What should let ?" he said 
 
 In answer. " Only you must certify, 
 
 " You will not let your faith take wings and fly : 
 
 * On friend unsettled how could I rely?" 
 
90 
 
 Tke Fables of Babrius, 
 
 The Fables of Babrtm, 
 
 91 
 
 " To clasp you boldly, see you unalarm*d % 
 " If you would wed, against these fears be arm'd. 
 « Be a wild beast no more, but suitor mild." 
 On wings of promise, by the words beguil'd, 
 The lion drew his teeth, his talons pared 
 With surgeon's knife, then to the sire repaired. 
 And showing them he claimM his bride. But all 
 With stones or clubs on him began to fall. 
 He lay inactive, e'en as dying swine, 
 Taught by a crafty old man to divine, 
 That 'tis not nature's will that men should bum 
 For lions, or they love mankind in turn. 
 
 XCIX. 
 
 THE WOLF AND THE DOG. 
 (p. F. 278.) 
 
 There met a wolf a dog exceeding sleek, 
 Of whom the former soon began to seek, 
 " In what abode he grew so fat and large.*' 
 Said he, " I live at a rich master's charge." 
 
 " But how," said Wolf, "became thy neck so bare ?" 
 
 " Rubb'd by the iron collar which I wear : 
 
 ** My master had it forg'd, and placed on me." 
 
 The wolf on this made answer mockingly : 
 
 " Adieu ! for me, the nurture I refuse, 
 
 " Through which the iron is my neck to bruise." 
 
 I 
 
 C. 
 
 THE LION AND THE EAGLE. 
 
 (F. DE FURIA, 358.) 
 
 An eagle to a lion flew, and pra/d 
 
 To be his partner. "What should let ?" he said 
 
 In answer. " Only you must certify, 
 
 " You will not let your faith take wings and fly : 
 
 * On friend unsettled how could I rely?" 
 
91 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 CI. 
 
 THE WOLF AND THE FOX. 
 
 (p. F. 272.) 
 
 A FINE-GROWN wolf his tribe in size outvied, 
 The rest surnamed him "lion." Puff'd with pride 
 He could not bear renown, but left his kin, 
 And with the lions friendship strove to win. 
 Then said a jeering fox, " From me be far 
 " That frenzy, in the mists of which you are. 
 « For you, no doubt, to wolves a lion seem, 
 " But lions count you wolf, in their esteem." 
 
 THE LION RULING JUSTLY, 
 
 (p. F. 242.) 
 
 A LION ruled : no brawling lion he, 
 
 Nor fierce, nor one who used brute force with glee ; 
 
 But mild and just, as any child of man. 
 
 'Twas in his reign, or so the story ran, 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 The wild beasts held a congress, with this aim, 
 Each to do justice, and receive the same. 
 And when each brute accounted, as by law, 
 Wolves to the lambs, the pard to the chamois. 
 Tiger to stag, and peace pervaded all, 
 A cow'ring hare said, " Ever did I call 
 " Upon the gods, to grant this day ere long, 
 " Which makes the weak a terror to the strong." 
 
 93 
 
 cm. 
 
 THE SICK LION AND THE WILD BEASTS. 
 
 (p. F. 246.) 
 
 A LION hunting could no longer go. 
 
 He had grown old full many a year ago. 
 
 So in his cave he laid him, feigning sick. 
 
 And gasping, not in truth, 'twas all a trick. 
 
 His once deep voice now seem'd so faint and low : 
 
 Quickly did Rumour to each beast's den go ; 
 
 Her tale, the lion's sickness, grieved them all, 
 
 And each went in, on the old king to call. 
 
 
i«lt*.:«*— *—'-*--*- _,;.»—*» 
 
 94 
 
 The Fabki of Babrius, 
 
 The Fables oj Babrius. 
 
 95 
 
 These, in their turn, he took with ease, though weak, 
 And, feasting on them, found his age grow sleek. 
 Yet one, who guess'd his trick, a fox, afar 
 Ask'd, " Prythee, good my liege, say how you are V* 
 He answer'd, " Best of creatures, how d'ye do 1 
 « Come nearer, nor from far your old friend view. 
 « Come, sweet one, with the balm your words can 
 
 give, 
 " And comfort me who have not long to live." 
 Said fox, " Good-bye, my leaving you'll forgive ; 
 « I must be off, forewarn'd by many a track 
 " Of beasts, which you can scarcely prove came back." 
 
 He that is taught by strange calamity 
 And is not first in falling, blest is he ! 
 
 CIV. 
 
 THE DOG BEARING THE BELL, 
 
 (p. F. 224.) 
 
 A DOG was fond of biting "on the sly," 
 
 Whose master, this ill trick to notify 
 
 Abroad, a brazen bell around him tied. 
 
 On this the dog began to ring with pride 
 
 His bell in every square. Then to him said 
 
 An elder dog, "Why proudly Uft your head, 
 
 " Poor wretch ? no badge of worth you sound in this, 
 
 " But a plain proof of what you do amiss." 
 
 CV. 
 
 THE WOLF AND THE LION 
 
 (p. F. 279.) 
 
 A WOLF was bearing home a sheep one day 
 Snatch'd from the fold. A lion in the way 
 Captured his spoil. The wolf, far off, made moan : 
 " Wrongly;' he cried, " youVe robb'd me of my own.** 
 
96 
 
 The Fables of Bahrius. 
 
 The mocking lion answer'd with dehght ; 
 
 " Of course 'twas given by friends, and your's by rights 
 
 CVL 
 
 THE GENTLE LION, 
 
 <« " 
 
 A LION once the noblest life of men 
 Would emulate, and in his spacious den 
 " At home," with kindness to entreat essay'd 
 All the best kinds of beasts of hill or glade. 
 Large grew the crowd of various brutes apace, 
 For which his kindly " menage " found a space : 
 While each he loved and feasted as a guest, 
 Meting to all the food they fancied best. 
 He 'd ta'en a friendly fox his den to share, 
 With whom his life was mostly smooth and fair ; 
 But carver to him was an ancient ape, 
 Each messmate's share to parcel out and shape. 
 This ape, if guest unwonted crossed the door, 
 Set the same meal his lord and him before. 
 The lion*s chase some recent spoil had ta'en, 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 97 
 
 While Reynard did but scraps of stale meat gain. 
 
 So when a purposed silence she maintained. 
 
 And now from food and feast her paws restrain'd. 
 
 Her conduct's motive fain the host would seek : 
 
 " Sage fox, in wonted fashion, prythee, speak ; 
 
 " Share, dearest, share the feast with cheerful face." 
 
 ** Best," cried the fox, " of all the wild-beast race, 
 
 " With much solicitude I waste my heart ; 
 
 ** Nor do things present merely cause the smart ; 
 
 " But what is coming, I with grief foresee ; 
 
 " For if fresh guests come hither constantly, 
 
 " One after other, and this habit grows, 
 
 " I shall miss even stale meat, I suppose." 
 
 A lion's smile o'er the pleased lion came : 
 
 " I told the ape so. Me then do not blame." 
 
 H 
 
 / 
 
98 The Fabler of Babrius. 
 
 CVIL 
 
 THE LION AND THE MOUSE. 
 
 (p. F. -256.) 
 
 To dine on captured mouse a lion thought : 
 But on the verge of fate the wretch besought 
 (Poor household thief) the beast, in words of fear ;' 
 « Twere meet that, hunting hombd bulls and deer, 
 « With suchlike meat you should your paunch make 
 
 fatj 
 " But a poor mouse t 'tis wrong such food as that 
 « Should ever touch your lips. Oh, spare me, pray ! 
 « Small as I am, this boon I may repay." 
 The beast let go his suppliant with a smile ; 
 But, himself netted in a little while. 
 By youthful hunters he was made secure. 
 Slyly the mouse stole to an aperture. 
 Nibbled with tiniest teeth the sturdy twine, 
 And let the beast again see daylight shine, 
 Unbound : requiting thus his former gift. 
 
 To men of sense plain is our fable's drift 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 99 
 
 
 ' 
 
 CVIII. 1/ 
 
 THE COUNTRY MOUSE AND TOWN MOUSE. 
 
 (p. F. 297.) 
 
 Two mice, of whom one spent a-field his day. 
 The other's hole in rich town storehouse lay. 
 To have their food in common both agreed : 
 And so the town-bred mouse came first, to feed 
 Where now the field was fresh with verdant fruits j 
 And nibbling there the moist and bitter roots 
 Of com, from dingy clods by no means free, 
 " The life of wretched ant is yours," said he, 
 " Eating scant barley in the depths of earth. 
 " For me — I find much plenty and no dearth. 
 « I dwell in plenty's horn, compared with you. 
 " Come and feast freely, as you 'd wish to do, 
 " Leaving the moles to burrow in the soil." 
 He won the simple mouse from rustic toil. 
 Men's homes to enter, 'neath their walls to bore ; 
 And show'd him where there is of pulse a store, 
 
 H 2 
 
■CSSB3ESS9S 
 
 TOO 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 lOI 
 
 A cask of figs, and where the meal-bags are ; 
 
 Where the date-chest, and where the honey-jar. 
 
 When, spurred and much delighted by all these, 
 
 He from a basket dragg'd a piece of cheese, 
 
 Lo ! some one oped the door ; away he leapt. 
 
 And trembling, to his hole's aperture crept. 
 
 Crowding his host, and venting hideous squeaks. 
 
 But in a while from his retreat he sneaks. 
 
 Intent a Camiroean fig to taste ; 
 
 But, after something, upon them in haste 
 
 Came some one else. They hid. The country mouse 
 
 Said, " Feast, and fare you well, in plenty's house : 
 
 " Of these abundant revels take your fill ; 
 
 " You '11 find them mainly fraught with risk and ill* 
 
 " Meanwhile, desert my smooth clod will not I, 
 
 " Where I munch barley, and all tears defy ! " 
 
 CIX. 
 
 THE CRAB AND ITS MOTHER, 
 (p. F. 187.) 
 
 " Don't walk aslant, nor o'er the moist rock draw 
 « Crosswise," its dam said to the crab, " thy claw." 
 « Nay, first," cried he, " Mother and mentor too, 
 " Walk straight yourself : I '11 watch and follow you." 
 
 ex. 
 
 THE DOG AND HIS MASTER, 
 
 (p. F. 227.) 
 
 " Gape not," a man about to travel cried 
 To his dog near him ; " but to start provide ; 
 « For you must go with me." It wagg'd its tail. 
 And said, " I'm right ! 'Tis you in quickness fail." 
 
F 
 
 102 
 
 The Babies of Babrius. 
 
 CXI. 
 
 THE ASS CARRYING SALT. 
 (p. F. 322.) 
 
 A HUCKSTER, who Contrived an ass to keep, 
 Hearing that salt on the sea-coast was cheap, 
 Chose to invest in it With goodly load 
 ' Homeward he drove. When fairly on the road, 
 Into a stream the ass unconscious rolled, 
 And, the salt melting, had no weight f uphold. 
 So rose with greater ease, and lightly sought 
 And reach'd the bank. More salt the owner bought ; 
 Again he brought his ass to load : again 
 Piled his bags heavier. Then, in toil and pain, 
 Crossing the stream that caused his former fall, 
 The ass, on purpose, slipt, lost salt and all \ 
 And, at his luck triumphant, lightly rose. 
 Now did the huckster a new scheme propose ; 
 'Twas this : — " To cany inland from the sea 
 " Whole loads of porous sponges : salt-bags he 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 103 
 
 « Was sick of." So the ass, in knavish sort. 
 When to the stream again his load he brought, 
 Fell down on purpose. Every sponge was soak'd 
 At once, and he to heavier burden yoked ; 
 Home on his back he bore a double bale. 
 
 Where men have oft succeeded, they may fail. 
 
 CXII. 
 
 THE MOUSE AND THE BULL. 
 
 A BULL was bitten by a mouse. In pain 
 
 He tried to catch it : but 'twas first to gain 
 
 The mouse-hole. With his horns, to raze its walls, 
 
 The bull essays, until asleep he falls, 
 
 Sinking, fatigued, hard by. Forth straightway hies 
 
 The peeping mouse, bites him again, and flies. 
 
 Uprose the bull, perplext what now to do. 
 
 And the mouse squeak'd to him this moral true ; 
 
 " Not always mighty are the great. 'Tis seen 
 
 « Sometimes, that stronger are the small and mean." 
 
•• '■■ ■ ii p iw iii ,%i !i i ii »< ii i iiiiiiii i ii^iiiniwimpii niii i ii n i f i i iinptmipmiiBip 
 
 Ri**w«*"aipwi 
 
 HWf 
 
 104 
 
 The Fables of Bahriut 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 £05 
 
 CXIII. 
 
 THE SHEPHERD AND THE DOG. 
 
 (p. F. 371.) 
 
 A MAN about to fold his sheep at eve, 
 Was going a yellow wolf with them to leave 
 Penn'd up. The sheep-dog saw, and said, " What 
 
 haste 
 " To save the sheep, you bring him in to waste % " 
 
 CXIV. 
 
 THE LAMP. 
 
 (p. F. 285.) 
 
 A LAMP that swam with oil, began to boast 
 
 At eve, that it outshone the starry host. 
 
 And gave most light to all. Her boast was heard : 
 
 Soon the wind whistled : soon the breezes stirred. 
 
 And quench'd its light. A man rekindled it, 
 
 And said, " Brief is the faint lamp's boasting-fit, 
 
 *' But the stat-light ne'er needs to be re-lit." 
 
 cxv, 
 
 THE TORTOISE AND THE EAGLE, 
 (p. F. 419.) 
 
 Once to the divers, gulls, and wild sea-mews 
 
 A sluggish tortoise thus expressed her views. 
 
 " Would that I, too, had had the luck to fly !" 
 
 An eagle chanced to hear, and made reply : 
 
 " Tortoise, how much shall be the eagle's prize, 
 
 " If to the air he makes thee lightly rise ?" 
 
 " Thou shalt have all and each of ocean's gifts !" 
 
 " Agreed ! " the eagle cries, and lightly lifts 
 
 The other to the clouds, upon her back. 
 
 Then lets her fall, and on the hill-side crack 
 
 Her brittle coat of shell. He heard her cry, 
 
 At the last gasp : " I well deserve to die ! 
 
 " Where was to me of clouds and wings the need, 
 
 " Who on my mother earth could make no speed 1" 
 
J/^K- 
 
 io6 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 The Fables of Bdbrim, 
 
 107 
 
 CXVI. 
 
 THE HUSBAND AND THE GALLANT, 
 
 A YOUTH was singing sweetly at mid-night : 
 A wife that heard him, rose, and in delight 
 Peep'd from her windows, whence a view she had, 
 By the bright moon-beam, of a handsome lad. 
 She therefore left her spouse asleep to snore, 
 Came down the halls, and passed without the door, 
 And quickly gain'd the object she desired. 
 Her husband rose in haste : his eyes enquired 
 Where was his mate, whom in the home he lack'd 1 
 Soon did the song his doubting steps attract 
 Then cried he to his wife, " Be not dismay'd, 
 " This youth within our house to sleep persuade." 
 He took him in : the youth found both were bent 
 To please, and of the wife grew negligent 
 So runs the fable. Read its moral right, 
 Tis ill to triumph, when one may requite. 
 
 CXVII. 
 
 i 
 THE MAN AND MERCUR K 
 
 (p. F. 118.) 
 
 The sea engulfed a ship and all its crew, 
 Which one beholding this conclusion drew, 
 " That the gods rule unjustly : for that they 
 " A host of harmless men agreed to slay, 
 " Because one godless wretch was in the ship." 
 But as the words were just upon his lip, 
 A swarm of ants surprised him, urged by haste 
 f Tis nothing strange), some barley chaff to taste. 
 Stung by one ant, on all the grumbler trod : 
 Hermes appear'd, and tapped him with his rod. 
 Said he, " Will you not let the Gods then do 
 " To you that justice, the ants meet from youl" 
 
io8 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 109 
 
 cxviir. 
 
 t 
 
 THE SWALLOW THAT DWELT NEAR THE 
 
 JUDGES. 
 
 (P. F. 418.) 
 
 Accustom'd ever to men's haunts to cling, 
 Her nest a tawny swallow built in spring 
 On walls, that skirted some old judges' homes ; 
 Where of seven nestlings mother she becomes ; 
 Nestlings, unfringed with purplish feathers yet ; 
 And these, each one in turn, a serpent ate, 
 Gliding from out his hole. The bird forlorn 
 Forthwith began, in words like these, to mourn 
 For her ill-fated babes, untimely ta'en * 
 " Alas, my sad fate," thus did she complain, 
 " Since, where men's laws and ordinances are, 
 " Thence a poor swallow, injured, flies afar." 
 
 ."3 
 
 if ,* 
 
 ikj 
 
 >*ft^ 
 
 '1 
 
 CXIX. 
 
 THE IMAGE OF MERCURY. 
 
 A MAN, a craftsman, cherish'd, wrought in wood, 
 A Hermes, before whom each day he stood 
 With offerings of meat and drink : yet still. 
 Much to his indignation, he fared ilL 
 He took the image by its leg, and dash'd 
 It on the ground j so when its head was smash'd. 
 Out fell some gold. He pick'd it up, and said, 
 " Ungrateful God to friends, and wrong of head ! 
 " For when we served thee, thou didst nowise aid, 
 "But when we scoff'd, our wrongs with good hast 
 
 paid. 
 " Would I had known before that nought was due, 
 " Save this new service. Mercury, to you." 
 
 In fables ^sop gods doth introduce. 
 To teach us how to act in daily use. 
 Honour to cross-grain'd folks is toil in vain ; 
 Insult them, and their kindnesses you gain. 
 
no 
 
 Tke Fabhs of Babrius, 
 
 cxx. 
 
 THE FROG PHYSICIAN, 
 (p. F. 78.) 
 
 That tenant of the swamp, and friend of shade, 
 The frog, who in the dykes his dwelling made, 
 Came on dry land, and thus each creature told : 
 " I am a doctor, who the science hold 
 " Of drugs more rare than Poean's art can reach, 
 " Whom high Olympus deems the heavenly leech." 
 " How then," asked Reynard, " if you others cure, 
 " Your own sad lameness come you to endure ? " 
 
 CXXL 
 
 THE HEN AND THE CA T. 
 
 (p. F. 16.) 
 
 A HEN was sick. To her a cat inclined 
 Her head. " How do % For what have you a mind % 
 " ni get you all you wish. But don't say * die ! ' " 
 " If you'll be off," said she, " that will not I." 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 Ill 
 
 cxxn. 
 
 THE ASS AND THE WOLF. 
 
 (p. F. 334.) 
 
 An ass went lame, from treading on a stake ; 
 He spied a wolf, and fearing he might take 
 Death for his certain doom, said, " Wolf, I die : 
 " Hear my last breath : I'd rather thou wert nigh 
 " To sup on me, than vulture, or than crow. 
 " Yet this slight harmless boon on me bestow; 
 « The splinter from my foot extract, I pray ; 
 " That painless thus my soul may wing its way 
 " To Hades." " This I grudge not," he replied. 
 T extract the stake his teeth their aid supplied. 
 But now the ass, his pain and anguish sped, 
 Kick'd the gray gaping wolf, and turn'd, and fled. 
 When he had bump'd his snout, and grinders too. 
 « Ah ! " said the wolf, " this luck to me is due ! 
 « Why was it that to cure the lame I took, 
 « Who from the first knew nought, but how to cookl" 
 
112 
 
 The Fables of Bahrius, 
 
 The Fables of Bahrius, 
 
 "3 
 
 CXXIII. 
 
 THE HEN THA T LAID GOLDEN EGGS. 
 
 (P. F. 343-) 
 
 When golden eggs a fine hen daily laid, 
 
 Its owner thought to find his fortune made 
 
 From endless treasure in its bowels stored : 
 
 He slaughtered it, to pounce upon the hoard. 
 
 Its inward parts like other birds he found, 
 
 And mourn'd his baffled hopes with grief profound. 
 
 Thus oftentimes doth greediness of more 
 Rob men of even what they had before. 
 
 CXXIV. 
 
 [Compare Part II. Fable LIL] 
 
 THE TRAVELLER AND TRUTH. 
 (p. F. 314.) 
 
 In a lone spot, with no one by her side. 
 And much cast down, a traveller espied 
 A noble dame, who seem'd in evil case. 
 Said he, "Why dost thou tarry in this place 1 
 * What ails thee, lady ? Who art thou, in sooth 1 " 
 " If thou wouldst know," she answer'd, " I am Truth !" 
 At this amazed, the traveller ask'd her, " Why, 
 " Haunting lone spots, from cities dost thou fly % " 
 To which the goddess of deep mind replied, 
 " Because aforetime there were few that lied. 
 " But now hath falsehood spread o'er all mankind, 
 " And if thou'lt hear, and I may speak my mind, 
 " Man's life in these days evil we shall find." 
 
114 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 V/-A.Jv. V. 
 
 THE ASS AND THE LAP-DOG. 
 
 [Compare Part II. Fable LIV.] 
 (P. F. 331. F. DE FURIA, 367, P. 150.) 
 
 A MAN a Maltese dog kept, and an ass; 
 
 The latter, as was usual, com and grass 
 
 Ate in a courtyard, to a manger tied ; 
 
 But graceful gambols were the pet-dog's pride, 
 
 While round its lord with various leaps it pressed, 
 
 And oft by him was fondled in his breast, 
 
 A pleasant toy, of solaces the best. 
 
 The ass meanwhile was used to grind by night 
 
 The grain of Ceres, fetching, while 'twas light. 
 
 Wood from the hill, things needful from the field ; 
 
 Hence did his spirit to sore anguish yield 
 
 To see the whelp in luxury's own lap. 
 
 Losing no time his manger's bonds to snap, 
 
 With awkward capers to the hall he came. 
 
 With what strange fawning ! What attempts at game ! 
 
 l%e Fables of Babrius. 
 
 The table thrown into the midst he smash'd. 
 And all the plates at once to atoms dash'd. 
 Next, near his master as he supp'd, he drew, 
 His hoofs, to hug him, o'er his back he threw : 
 But now the servants marking how he fared 
 From this rough usage that the ass had dared. 
 To save their master, interposing, rushed 
 And rescued him, when he was well-nigh crush'd. 
 Then, as the ass was gasping his last breath, 
 (With cornel clubs they beat him near to death,) 
 Said he, " As I deserv'd, a luckless ass, ^ 
 " I suffer ! Wherefore did I scorn to pass 
 " My days among the mules % Why, wretchedly, 
 " A tiny lap-dog's rival strive to be % " 
 
 All are not fit for every fate, be sure : 
 Nor is the lot of envious men secure ! 
 
 115 
 
 I a 
 
ii6 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 
 CXXVL 
 
 THE FLA YFUL ASS, 
 
 (F. DE FURIA, 368, p. 151.) 
 
 Mounting a roof, an ass the tiling broke 
 With his rough sport ; whom with a switch's stroke 
 A man compell'd his downward course to track. 
 The ass to him who outraged thus his back 
 Remark'd, "Why, yesterday, and ere that too, 
 " An ape by this same sport delighted you." 
 
 CXXVII. 
 
 TI/£ FOWLER, PARTRIDGE, AND COCK, 
 
 (P. DE FURIA, 369.) 
 
 Upon a bird-catcher a friend dropt in, 
 
 His meal of herbs just going to begin. 
 
 Nought had the bird-cage. Nothing had he caught 
 
 So he to slay a speckled partridge thought, 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 117 
 
 A bird he'd tamed and kept for a decoy ; 
 
 But thus it pra/d that he would not destroy 
 
 Its life : " How will you manage with your net 
 
 " In fowling henceforth % Who for you will get 
 
 " Together a bright flock of social birds \ 
 
 " To the sweet music of what minstreFs words 
 
 " Will you repose % " He set the partridge free, 
 
 And chose a bearded cock for butchery. 
 
 But from its perch a crowing voice was borne, 
 
 '* Whence will you learn, how much it wants to mom, 
 
 " When you have slain the hour-seer % or know, 
 
 " When sleeps Orion of the golden bow % 
 
 " Who shall of morning duties monish you, 
 
 " What time the bird-trap now is moist with dew % " 
 
 " True ! you," quoth he, " the useful hours divine, 
 
 " Yet must my friend have wherewithal to dine ! " 
 

 ii8 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 CXXVIII. 
 
 [Compare Paxt II. Fable LI. J 
 JUPITER THE JUDGE, 
 
 (P. F. 152.) 
 
 Jove ordered Hermes to write each man*s sin 
 On earthen tablets, and to pile them in 
 A coffer : thus to make bad men atone. 
 But as the tablets in a heap were thrown, 
 Into Jove's hands, at eveiy settling day, 
 Some quickly, others slowly find their way. 
 We must not therefore be surprised, if some 
 Early do ill, but late to judgment come. 
 
 ITie Fables of Babrius, 
 
 119 
 
 CXXIX. 
 
 THE ANT AND THE GRASSHOPPER, 
 
 (p. F. 401.) 
 
 In winter time, an ant dragged forth, to diy. 
 Some com, by him last summer heap'd on high. 
 A starved grasshopper begg'd that he would give 
 Some share to it, lest it should cease to live. 
 "What did you," asked he, "all the summer longf 
 " I lagg'd not, but was constant in my song." 
 Laughing, the ant said, as he barr'd his wheat, 
 " Dance in the cold, since you sang in the heat ! " 
 
 Of needful things *tis better thought to take. 
 Than joy and revels our mind's study make. 
 
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 mmmmmmSSM^ 
 
 -. » ■"■ i «" p«i « * iii M iii £ i3|ii><|iiMBMrt»<fcMhlBti 
 
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 120 T^e Fables of Bdbrius, 
 
 FRAGMENT I. 
 THE SHEEP AND THE SHEPHERD. 
 
 (LACHMANN, 130. P. F. 317.) 
 [Compare Part II. Fab. LIIL] 
 
 A SHEEP one day addressed its shepherd thus : 
 " You keep our fleeces after shearing us ; 
 " Our teeming milk you drain, and turn to cheese. 
 " Your couHtless lambs, our young, not yours, are 
 
 these; 
 " We get no gain, I wot ! But all the earth, 
 " E*en on the hills, for thee gives verdure birth, 
 " Gives tender herbage, laden with the dew \ 
 " These are our food, yet at no cost to you. 
 " Yon dog the while midst us, to you so cheap, 
 " On as good food as feeds yourself, you keep. 
 The dog o'erheard and said, " Were I elsewhere 
 " And not amongst you, yours were sorry fare. 
 " Now, running round about you every way, 
 " The inroads of the wolf and thief I stay." 
 
 END OF PART I. 
 
 1 11 £2. 
 
 FABLES OF BABRIUS. 
 
 PART II. 
 
wimmmr\iim 
 
 f 
 
 FABLE I. 
 
 PROEM. 
 
 Son, to this second book thine ear incline. 
 
 Should it embitter thee far more than brine, 
 
 Yet afterward a sweeter taste I leave 
 
 Than honey. Yet not me, I pray, receive 
 
 As him that spake these fables. They belong 
 
 To Sardian ^Esop, whom most grievous wrong. 
 
 And god-abhorr'd, at Delphian hands befell 
 
 So /*// they treated one who sang so well 
 
 Fools that they were, they forced him down a steep, 
 
 And left their sons a hateful name to keep. 
 
tmmm 
 
 124 
 
 Tke Fables of Babrim. 
 
 IL 
 
 THE LARK BURYING ITS FATHER, 
 (P. F. 211. Aristoph. a v. 471, &c.) 
 
 Among old saws this also -^sop said*: 
 
 'Ere other birds, 'ere e'en the earth was made, 
 
 A first existence had the tufted lark ; 
 
 Whose darling child reached life's allotted mark, 
 
 And death, it chanced, by some disorder met. 
 
 Now, as the earth was not in being yet, 
 
 She knew not where, (how should she % ) to inter 
 
 Her dead. Five days 'twas left expos'd by her : 
 
 Then, sore perplex't, for grave she lent her head. 
 
 'Tis holy, gather hence, t' entomb the dead: 
 And filial love is a time-honour'd thing, 
 Of laws the best ; and nature's ordering. 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 125 
 
 III. 
 
 ^SOP IN A DOCKYARD, 
 (p. F. 19.) 
 
 At leisure to indulge in seeing sights. 
 
 The gaze of ^Esop on a dockyard lights. 
 
 He chanced on shipwrights there, with nought to do, 
 
 Who at the sage their gibes full rudely threw, 
 
 And by their mocking challenged his reply. 
 
 His words in this not pointless fable lie. 
 
 " Chaos and Water from the first had been ; 
 
 " But Jove desired that Earth, till then unseen, 
 
 " Above the mass of waters should arise ; 
 
 " Then did he her ' to swallow thrice' advise 
 
 " * The waterfloods.' At the first draught she made, 
 
 " Behold the mountains in their height displayed. 
 
 " When now the earth her second gulp had ta'en, 
 
 " Naked to view stood many a grassy plain. 
 
 " And should she soon to take a third see fit 
 
 " Your craft, methinks, will straight her craftsmen quit" 
 
Tr'^!!*ff'**iiP!wnni 
 
 126 
 
 The Fables of Bahrius, 
 
 Who use to betters silly words and light, 
 Alway against themselves the laugh invite. 
 
 IV. 
 
 THE EAGLE AND THE MAN. 
 , (p. F. 6.) 
 
 An eagle once was netted by a hind ; 
 
 Who, having clipped its wings, no more confined 
 
 Its freedom midst the birds about his cot 
 
 A fowler soon this bird by purchase got, 
 
 Let its wings grow, that late had been cut short, 
 
 And kept it thus for purposes of sport. 
 
 Soon it essayed a flight, and seized a hare, 
 
 A gift 'twas glad to its new lord to bear. 
 
 A fox looked on, and to the eagle said : 
 
 " To thy first lord, not this, be honour paid, 
 
 " Lest he again should catch thee in his toil, 
 
 " And thee, by clipping, of thy wings despoil." 
 
 These words the sacred eagle's answer are : 
 
 " Good men I must respect, from bad keep far." 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 127 
 
 V. 
 
 THE GOAT AND THE VINE, 
 
 (p. F. 404.) 
 
 A VINE with foliage and ripe clusters bloom'd. 
 Its shoots a goat with nibbling tooth consumed. 
 Whom thus the vine addrest : "Why injure me ? 
 " And browse my leaves % Is there no grass for thee ? 
 "Yet thou ere long thy just deserts shalt meet. 
 " Though now my shoots thou to the quick dost eat, 
 " To me no less shall satisfaction rise, 
 " When juice o'er thee I pour in sacrifice." 
 
 VI 
 
 THE LION AND THE MAN. 
 (P. F. 63.) 
 
 A LION and a man, together thrown, 
 Held conversation each in boastful tone. 
 Their gaze, in walking, on a statue lit, 
 A man astride a lion, strangling it 
 
iii» m i wni —i ii r; i IP - 
 
 ,,. I •."■.' [ ■ 
 
 128 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 The man this sculpture bade the lion see, 
 
 And said, " 0*er lions note our mastery." 
 
 " Nay," said the beast, " if lions only knew 
 
 " The sculptor's art, on mortals not a few 
 
 " By lions crush'd and strangled you might gaze." 
 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 Away to doom the tuneful swan was led ; 
 But when his song his species heralded. 
 That song was able to postpone his end. 
 
 Speech used in ^ason many doth befriend. 
 
 129 
 
 Each doth himself in his own talk be-praise. 
 
 VIL 
 
 THE SWAN AND THE GOOSE, 
 (p. F. 215.) 
 
 To feed a swan, one purchase with a goose, 
 
 A different reason did a man induce. 
 
 One for the table, one for song was fed. 
 
 So when he came the goose's blood to shed, 
 
 (It had been fatted for its master's board,) 
 
 Night, drawing on, her film o*er all things pour'd. 
 
 Best of all times for catching birds is night ; 
 
 Yet faiFd the owner to distinguish right 
 
 Which was the swan, and which the goose might be — 
 
 Hence for the goose, by accident left free. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 THE FROGS. 
 (p. F. 74.) 
 
 In marshy swamp two frogs were wont to bide. 
 When in the summer season this was dried. 
 They left it, for another home to look. 
 And in their road a well of water took. 
 Beholding this, thus spake the first of these : 
 " Into this well descend we, if you please, 
 " Since both for food and dwelling it bids fair." 
 The other said, with blame-suggestive air. 
 
I30 
 
 The Fables vf Babrius. 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 131 
 
 " Nay, but suppose this too should chance to fail, 
 " How from a depth so great could we avail 
 " To re-ascend 1 " 
 
 Hence learn a moral true, 
 Without forethought 'tis useless aught to do. 
 
 IX. 
 
 THE FROGS ASKING A KING. 
 (p. F. 76.) 
 
 The curse of anarchy the frogs anno/d ; 
 
 Who to Heaven's throne an embassy employ'd, 
 
 To ask, if Jove would furnish them a king. 
 
 He knew the frog was but a silly thing ; 
 
 So order'd Hermes right into the bog 
 
 To throw, for king of croakers, a mute log. 
 
 As the log fell, the waters felt the blow, 
 
 And the frogs hasten'd to the depths below. 
 
 In terror for the moment at the sound. 
 
 But a short space, after these things, went round ; 
 
 And when they saw their sovereign motionless. 
 They cast off fear, scorn only to profess j 
 So much so, that on it they boldly stept. 
 And mounted there, seats undisputed kept. 
 Such king to own, occasioned high disdain ; 
 And up they went to the Gods' courts again. 
 Where they the chief of rulers much besought 
 To send them such a monarch as they ought 
 To have. " That beam was quite unfit to sway 
 " Mute logs, far more such living beings as they. 
 " That stump was grown but to be food for fire." 
 Next Jove sent down an eel for their desire. 
 They saw that this was also a mere fool. 
 And would not have it over them to rule. 
 A third legation then they sent to Jove, 
 With earnest pray'r their second king to move. 
 And give them one with better sense supplied. 
 Fitly o'er them with justice to preside. 
 Their message, heard, led Jove offence to take. 
 And send them for their king a water-snake ; 
 Who, getting all in turn within his power, 
 D!d each poor frog with ruthless maw devour ; 
 
 K 2 
 
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 ■...aHi ii J !' !'! 
 
 •"■ ' ■»■ ii n ai l.' 
 
 132 
 
 ne Fables of Babrius. 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 133 
 
 No more to cry « coax," no more to croak I 
 
 Such fate too many of mankind provoke, 
 When from old rulers they their love revoke. 
 
 THE ARCHER AND THE E4GLE. 
 
 (p. F. 4.) 
 
 An archer at an eagle took his aim. 
 
 The shaft he sent, true to the eagle came. 
 
 To whom when, as he tumM his head, 'twas known, 
 
 The shaft was wing'd with feathers of his own ; 
 
 " Ah ! luckless me ! " his dying accents said ; 
 
 " With mine own feathers I have made my bed." 
 
 V 
 
 Most from their own, much loss have suffered. J 
 
 XL 
 
 THE OXEN AND THE WAGON. 
 [Compare Part I. Fable LIL P. F. 79.] 
 
 Their wain some oxen to a village drew. 
 And at its creaking axle wrathful grew. 
 Turning to it, they said, " Why creak you thus % 
 " When all the burden has been laid on us." 
 
 When others work, some call the toil their own, 
 And, over what they had no hand in, moan. 
 
 XII. 
 
 THE FROGS. 
 
 Two frogs were dwelling each to other near ; 
 Now one abode in a deep marshy mere. 
 Which at no distance from the highroad lay ; 
 One in a puddle on the carriage-way. 
 
134 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 135 
 
 He of the mere the other recommends 
 
 To change his quarters, come, and live as friends. 
 
 And thus a safer dwelling to obtain. 
 
 The other said, declining, " Twould be pain 
 
 " Too great for him accustomed haunts to quit," 
 
 And held his way, tillpassing over it 
 
 A wagon came ', by which the frog was crushed^ 
 
 And thus on fate, by not complying, rush'd. 
 
 THE VAGRANT PRIESTS OF CYBELE. 
 
 (p. F. 390.) 
 
 For common use to Rhea's vagrant priests 
 Was sold an ass, most luckless among beasts. 
 That it might carry for these begging knaves 
 Rites, food, whatever from thirst or hunger saves. 
 These roam'd, as is their wont, the country through. 
 And craved provisions, asking, « Who but knew, 
 
 " Among the swains, how Attis fair was maim'd % 
 " To Rhea's drum who would not be ashamed 
 " To fail in gifts of first-rate pulse and bread % " 
 At length the ass, o'erburden'd, fell down dead. 
 Poor wretch, and said good-bye to all his toil. 
 Him the rogues hasten'd of his hide to spoil. 
 And stretch'd it, closely-fitted, o'er a drum : 
 On other roguish priests they chanced to come. 
 As they were roaming through the villages. 
 Furnished with drums. And they were asked by 
 
 these. 
 How fared their ass. " It died long time ago," 
 They answered, " yet it now receives a blow 
 " So often, that, had it been still alive, 
 « 'Neath these it could by no means long survive." 
 
 ■niaLiMiii iiMrfBt II iiiiiiiii».iii«iiiMiwi»i 
 
i3<5 
 
 The Fables of Bdbrius. 
 
 The Fables of Bdbrius. 
 
 137 
 
 XIV. 
 
 THE HUSBANDMAN AND THE EAGLE, 
 
 (p. F. 92.) 
 
 A RUSTIC saw an eagle in the snare, 
 And, as he much admired its beauty rare, 
 He loosed it from its fetters forth to roam : 
 Thence did the eagle a warm friend become 
 To its preserver. For, f avoid the heat 
 And catch the breeze, it saw him take his seat 
 Beneath a wall. It snatch'd, as o'er it flew, 
 A burden from his head, and this it threw 
 Far off. The rustic, eager to pursue 
 His pack, made for it. Down the walling fell : 
 And thus the rustic was requited well 
 
 Kind acts, if birds in grateful memory set. 
 Can any, save the worst of men, forget % 
 
 XV. 
 
 THE HUSBANDMAN AND FORTUNE, 
 
 (p. F. lOI.) 
 
 Gold, as the earth he dug, a labourer found, 
 And every day with garlands wreath'd the ground. 
 Seeing that thence he reap'd undoubted good ; 
 But with this speech dame Fortune o'er him stood : 
 " Why ever, man, dost thou my gifts mistake 
 " For earth's % 'Twas I that did thy riches make, 
 « I, by whose help 'tis said that some are blest, 
 " Who chance to find me kinder than the rest ; 
 " And those unblest, to whom bad luck I bring. 
 " Now I enrich thee thus, as purposing 
 " To try thy judgment, while this wealth I send, 
 "Whether thou wilt it well or ill expend. 
 "Twere meet, thou shouldst feel gratitude to me ; 
 " For if thy -nature changed with times should be, 
 " And thou unworthily shouldst squander all, 
 " On me, and not on earth, the blame would fall." 
 
138 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 139 
 
 If any to thee do an office kind, 
 
 See that they never thee unmindful find. 
 
 XVL 
 
 THE WOMAN AND HER MAIDSERVANTS, 
 
 (p. F, 1 10.) 
 
 A VERY careful dame, of busy way. 
 Kept maids at home, and these, ere break of day. 
 She used to rouse as early as cock-crow. 
 They thought 'twas hard to be awakened so, 
 And o'er wool-spinning be at work so long ; 
 Hence grew within them all a purpose strong 
 To kill the house-cock, whom they thought to blame 
 For all theu: wrongs. But no advantage came. 
 Worse treatment than the former them befell ; 
 For when the hour their mistress could not tell 
 At which by night the cock was wont to crow, 
 She roused them earlier, to their work to go. 
 A harder lot the wretched maids endured. 
 
 Bad judgment oft hath such results procured. 
 
 XVII. 
 
 THE WIZARD WOMAN. 
 (p. F. in.) 
 
 A WOMAN boasted the divining art. 
 
 And that, when Gods make the wrongdoer smart, 
 
 Her spells could bar the curse of ancient sin. 
 
 Large fee paid those who would her secret win. 
 
 She found this trade all arts of life surpassed ; 
 
 So when the witch much substance had amass'd, 
 
 Some, on this charge, an accusation wrote, 
 
 And she was sentenced by a fateful vote. 
 
 One saw her led away for death, and cried : 
 
 " What ! was it not thy promise and thy pride, 
 
 " From other mortals wrath divine to turn ? 
 
 " Thy jurors' votes why didst thou fail to earn 
 
 . " By thy persuasion % This escaped thy plan, 
 
 (" Thinkmg t' upset things sacred, and to man 
 
 " The counsels of the Gods-above unseal, 
 
 « And how much anger they toward sinners feel,) 
 
 " To avert thy dragging o'er the fatal way." 
 
 A just atonement lying prophets pay. 
 
 ^. 
 
140 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 THE OLD WOMAN AND THE DOCTOR, 
 
 (p. F. 107.) 
 
 Afflicted with disorder in the eyes, 
 An ancient dame a famous doctor tries, 
 In hopes that he her malady may cure. 
 Now 'twas agreed, before a witness sure, 
 That if that woman's eyesight he should save, 
 An ample fee the oculist should have : 
 But if the healer rid not of disease 
 His patient, he should forfeit all his fees. 
 As then with oils he did her eyes anoint. 
 And of his daily visit made a point, 
 BUndfolding her withal, her sight to shade, 
 Free with his patient's property he made. 
 Thus he continued every day to do, 
 And when he by degrees her goods withdrew. 
 And all her stock had actually ta'en. 
 At last the woman did her sight regain. 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 141 
 
 Of course the healer further claim'd his fee. 
 
 The dame, with sight recovered, fail'd to see 
 
 Aught of her chattels, and refused to pay 
 
 A doctor, who with these had made away. 
 
 The healer pressed his suit, his payment sought ; 
 
 She put him off, and would not pay him aught. 
 
 Before the courts he therefore brings the case, * 
 
 And then the woman, standing face to face 
 
 Before the jurors, told them all the truth : 
 
 " This doctor, gentlemen, pretends, in sooth, 
 
 " He heal'd mine eyes, which healing balms did need; 
 
 " But I maintain that blindness sore indeed 
 
 " I suffer still ; for with mine ailing eyes 
 
 " I saw goods, chattels, riches, all I prize, 
 
 " At home. But now, when yon rogue says I see, 
 
 " Not one of these, I say, is seen by me." 
 
 'Tis thus, to love of gain when bad men yield. 
 By their own hands their doings are reveal'd. 
 
143 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 THE DOGS AND THE FOX, 
 
 (p. F. 219.) 
 
 One day some dogs a lion's skin had found ; 
 
 To tear it hastened each audacious hound ; 
 
 And when a fox their impudence beheld, 
 
 " If still," said she, " his place the lion held 
 
 " Amid the living, ye should find his claws 
 
 " Would, oh ! how much, surpass your feebler jaws." 
 
 To lesser men who, left alone, assail 
 An absent better, use this simple tale ! 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 143 
 
 XX. 
 
 7HE DRAGON AND THE EAGLE, 
 
 (p. F. 120.) 
 
 A DRAGON and an eagle fiercely met, 
 Contending, which should which as captive get 
 The dragon got the eagle 'neath his yoke, 
 And bound him fast, so as almost to choke. 
 A farmer saw, and loosed the dragon-chain, 
 And bade the eagle roam at large again. 
 At this the dragon deep resentment bore, 
 And in the farmer's cup did venom pour. 
 So when he was about to lift it up. 
 Not knowing its contents, and drain the cup. 
 On this the eagle pounced with flapping wings, 
 And from the farmer's grasp the vessel flings. 
 Thus him that saved him did the eagle save, 
 Thus to his champion grateful succour gave. 
 
I4# 
 
 The Fables of Bahrim. 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 145 
 
 THE BEES AND THE SHEPHERD. 
 (p. F. 288.) 
 
 Some busy bees, beneath an old oak's roots 
 Were making wax of gather'd flowers and fruits. 
 A shepherd saw them in sweet toil partake, 
 And of their comb a capture fain would make. 
 Round him they buzz'd, outvying one another 
 T avert the theft, the thief with stings to smother. 
 At last the shepherd, stung and smitten sore, 
 Exclaim'd, " I go 1 no honey want I more, 
 " If I must needs encounter stings of bees !" 
 
 Keep from another's goods, and dwell at ease. 
 
 . XXIL 
 
 THE SHIPWRECKED MAN AND THE SEA. 
 
 (p. F. 94.) 
 
 A shipwreck'd man, by ocean cast ashore, 
 
 Slept when his weary toil at last was o'er ; 
 
 But, in a while, up-rising out of sleep, 
 
 He blamed with many a charge the treach'rous deep ; 
 
 Saying, that she had sailors oft beguiled, 
 
 Wearing for these a surface calm and mild. 
 
 And a fair face, betokening placid seas, 
 
 And yet o'erwhelm'd them, if they tried the breeze.. 
 
 But she to him in words like these replied : 
 
 " Sailor, who crossest oft the ocean-tide, 
 
 •* The winds, not me, I pray thee, learn to blame ; 
 
 " For my calm nature ever is the same, 
 
 " As thou beholdest even at this hour ; 
 
 " But when, unlook'd for, boisfrous tempests lour, 
 
 « With anger'd waves my depths they agitate." 
 
 Let blame on causes, not their agents, wait 
 
 !l 
 
146 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 147 
 
 XXIIL 
 
 THE FOX AND THE MONKEY: 
 (p. F. 44.) 
 
 A DEEP-TONED ass, with over-weening bray, 
 
 Proclaimed to every beast a congress-day. 
 
 The meeting's object was a king to name, 
 
 From whose wise rule the brutes might justice claim. 
 
 An ape amongst them danced to music's sound, 
 
 And hence as king of beasts was named, and crowned. 
 
 The envious fox was bent to play the cheat : 
 
 Fixt in some nets she saw a piece of meat, 
 
 And led the monkey to the guilesome snare, 
 
 Saying, " I've found a treasure vast and rare, 
 
 " A prize, by human custom, due to kings." 
 
 Into the nets the monkey thus she brings. 
 
 Said Reynard, mocking, " Being such a fool, 
 
 " Dost think, good ape, among the beasts to rule 1 
 
 Fare as befits thee, and not ill thou'lt fare ; 
 But over-strength will heavier damage share. 
 
 XXIV. 
 
 JUPITER, PROMETHEUS, PALLAS, AND MOMUS 
 [Compare Part I. LIX. P. F. 155.] 
 
 Prometheus, Jove, and the Tritonian maid, 
 
 That each would make one thing, agreed and said. 
 
 Jove made a bull ; Prometheus fashion'd men ; 
 
 Pallas a dwelling. Envious Momus then 
 
 Was .critic. He, of hatred ever full 
 
 To works divine, said, "Jove had spoil'd the bull ; 
 
 " Whereas o'er horns he should have placed the eyes, 
 
 " Eye below horn in Jove's construction lies." 
 
 Prometheus was to blame : he fail'd to place 
 
 Man's mind outside, " that none in actions base 
 
 " Might lack detection, each might plainly read 
 
 " Of what each seVral man stood most in need." 
 
 Nor did the work of Pallas pass unblamed ; 
 
 « Unfixt, of right, should be the house she framed, 
 
 " With wheels beneath, that if an evil one 
 
 " Should sojourn near, with ease it might begone." 
 
 L 2 
 
■WMt^vav 
 
 148 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 149 
 
 Justly was Jove with Momus wroth, I wot, 
 Who the gods' gifts to censure scrupled not. 
 
 My son, this fable's teaching is not small ; 
 Into oblivion do not let it fail. 
 For ever toward mankind the gods are good ; 
 Yet, not e'en these escape maligners rude ; 
 And if, in fact, gods could not Momus flee. 
 What must not men endure from such as he ? 
 
 XXV. 
 
 THE TRUMPETER, 
 (p. F4 386.) 
 
 A HERALD to the fight the host did stir : 
 No warrior he, but a good trumpeter. 
 Now he, when taken, to his captors spake, 
 " My life, for I am guiltless, do not take ; 
 " For never man in the wild battle-plain 
 " Have I, nor e'en my faithful trumpet, slain. 
 " No metal beside this do I possess." 
 This was to him their answer pitiless : 
 
 " Why, 'tis for this thou art about to die, 
 
 " More than all else. Thou giv'st the battle-cry 
 
 " To others, though no fighter." 
 
 That man kills. 
 
 Who any work, through which we die, fulfils. 
 
 XXVI. 
 
 HERCULES AND PALLAS. 
 (p. F. 159.) 
 
 Along a narrow lane went Hercules ; 
 And something sheep-like on the ground he sees, 
 Which with his club f exterminate he tries ; 
 But it, once struck, began to grow in size. 
 Seeing it to such bulk so quickly swell. 
 To heavier blows with all his might he fell. 
 To wondrous bulk again the monster rose, 
 And block'd the way, all passage to oppose. 
 Hercules majvell'd how the thing would end, 
 Cast down his club, and halted. Where to wend 
 
ISO 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 He knew not. Lo ! Athena met his sight. 
 
 " Spare toil," quoth she, " and, hero, learn aright, 
 
 " Strife is the strange appearance which you see. 
 
 " Let it but, as before, unhindered be, 
 
 " And unincreas'd 'twill bide. In contest thus 
 
 " SwolFn, as you see, it masters all of us." 
 
 XXVII. 
 
 HERCULES AND PLUTUS, 
 (p. F, i6o.) 
 
 Bidden to feast at each immortal's side, 
 The hero once with men, now deified. 
 Sweet converse with each God h«ld Hercules, 
 Till he had come to Plutus, last of these. 
 To speak to him the hero's soul disdain'd. 
 Nor converse with him, like the rest, maintain'd. 
 Jove in amazement for an answer pressed, 
 Why he had ev'ry other God address'd, 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 But not one syllable to Plutus said. 
 Then Hercules to Jove this answer made : 
 " Why, because him, abhorr'd on earth by me, 
 " I never saw but in rogues' company," 
 
 151 
 
 XXVIII. 
 
 THE APPLE-TREE, POMEGRANATE, AND 
 
 BRAMBLE. 
 
 (p. F. 385.) 
 
 For beauty's prize once strove the apple-tree 
 With the pomegranate. Each strove angrily. 
 The thorn-inflicting bramble, dwelling nigh, 
 Heard all the strife, and uttered language high 
 To both. " Let us from rivalry desist 
 " For beauty's prize, my friends." 
 
 Bid that man list 
 This fable, who himself, tho' vastly less, 
 Would thrust mid nobler men, through foolishness. 
 
fllimmmmm^''-mmmmmmm 
 
 152 
 
 Tke Fables of Babrius, 
 
 XXIX. 
 
 THE TRAVELLERS AND THE CROW. 
 
 (p. F. 3U.) 
 
 As men to work did from a village go, 
 
 Upon their path came suddenly a crow, 
 
 Flying above, and blind in his left eye : 
 
 And one man said that this was reason why 
 
 They should turn back : the omen did not bode 
 
 Good luck to them, if they pursued their road. 
 
 Not without wit the other answer'd thus : 
 
 " How could that bird tell aught of fate to us, 
 
 " Which not her own bereavement had foreknown, 
 
 " Or round her eyes a guard she would have thrown." 
 
 MAWMiiMipwi^^ 
 
 The Fables of Babrius^ 
 
 153 
 
 XXX. 
 
 THE KITE AND THE SNAKE, 
 (p. F. 207. ) 
 
 Bearing aloft a snake the kite up-flew. 
 Whom with a bite its captive turning slew, 
 And thus addrest him, as he breath'd his last : 
 " Into such phrensy wherefore wast thou cast, 
 " As to have injured me, who hurt thee not % 
 
 a 
 
 " What thou for me designedst, is thy lot" 
 
 j\.2\.2iA.t 
 
 LIES AND TRUTH 
 
 A HAUGHTY troop unto a village hies, 
 
 A muster strong of over-ruling Lies. 
 
 Of broider'd purple were the robes they wore ; 
 
 Each of their steeds its jgolden cheek-piece bore. 
 
«* 
 
 Jf54 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 Behind, a throng audacious followed quick, 
 
 Deceit and Guile, and every knavish Trick. 
 
 And lo ! they met a maiden on their iroad. 
 
 Her dress and fashion of a simple mode, 
 
 Nay, somewhat poor. Yet stately was her mien. 
 
 And long unfed, poor sufferer, had she been. 
 
 Her did these Lies accost, and sought to know 
 
 Whither, and on what errand she would go. 
 
 She answefd, " Pardon, sirs, if no reply 
 
 " Comes from a throat with thirst and hunger dry." 
 
 So then the Lies thus answered her again :-— 
 
 " To yon near village follow in our train ; 
 
 ** Tis but a small one, yet 'tis well supplied : 
 
 " Well-victuaird hostels will good cheer provide ; 
 
 " Come as our guest, and you shall eat your fill." 
 
 She followed them, deject, and downcast still, 
 
 Into the inn : but ne'er' a word she said. 
 
 Mine host on their arrival quickly spread 
 
 For them a table fill'd with various meats. 
 
 Whence each one, as he lists, his fancy treats. 
 
 This done, they bridled steeds, and cried to " horse !" 
 
 When for his reckoning asks the host, of course. 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 155 
 
 On this the Lies were wroth at his demand, 
 Which they nor paid, nor yet would understand. 
 The brood of impudence in vain he sues : 
 They answer straight, " That he has had his dues, 
 " That they have paid, like gentlemen, the cost." 
 To press each for his share was labour lost : 
 And much less could he force the banded throng : 
 Against a troop was ever one man strong ? 
 Upon the door-step sta/d the fellow-guest. 
 Without a word, but still with look deprest 
 The landlord now despaired to see his own : 
 And "Truth, where art thoul" cried in heightened tone. 
 She answered : " Here, good sir, but what to do 
 « I knew not : till I met yon reckless crew, 
 " My want of food was wholly unsupplied ; 
 " Ay, and without them, I had long since died." 
 
■MMMMHIMIIM 
 
 tmmmimmmmamm 
 
 156 
 
 TAe Fables of Bahrius. 
 
 JLA.Jv.li. 
 
 THE LION AND THE GOAT. 
 
 (p. F. 253.) 
 
 A LION met a goat, beside a spring, 
 
 In summer thirst to all brings suffering, 
 
 To beasts, and soil, and plants, no less than man. 
 
 For the first sip a quarrel then began. 
 
 Dire was the strife, and would have led to death, 
 
 But that they parted, to recover breath 
 
 For further conflict, just a little space. 
 
 Looking each other fiercely in the face : 
 
 And gathering vultures suddenly they spied. 
 
 Which, from aloft, their wrathful struggle eyed, 
 
 In expectation of a well-timed treat, 
 
 Since he that fell would furnish dainty meat. 
 
 Now, as on these the weary champions gaze, 
 
 The Fables of Babrim. 
 
 " Come, cease we fighting," each to other says ; 
 " Better be friends, than yield the vultures food ! 
 
 By thee, my son, too, be dire strife eschew'd, 
 For homes and cities it hath ever strew'd. 
 
 157 
 
 »» 
 
 Jv.Jv.xL11j.. 
 
 THE CROW AND THE SWAN. 
 
 (p. F. 206.) 
 
 A CROW the swans their fair complexion grudged : 
 He would have been quite as white-skinn'd, he 
 
 judged, 
 Did he but float on river, or on lake : 
 He left the hearths, where he was wont to take 
 His food, and to the swans' dank dwelling went. 
 To him no change of hue ablution lent. 
 But famine kill'd him, when no food he got. 
 
 Nature a change of dwelling alters not. 
 
158 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 XXXIV. 
 
 THE DOG AND THE COCKLE. 
 
 (p. F. 223.) 
 
 To swallow eggs was a dog's wonted fun : 
 
 Seeing a cockle, this he took for one, 
 
 And gorged it with a gulp immediately : 
 
 Then sorely griped in bowels by and by, 
 
 « A just reward," quoth he, "my sin hath found, 
 
 " Because for eggs I took whate'er was round." 
 
 Choose thou the real, not what fair may sound. 
 
 J 
 
 XXXV. 
 
 THE BULL, THE LIONESS, AND THE WILD BOAR, 
 
 (p. F. 395.) 
 
 A BULL a lion wrapt in slumber caught, 
 Whose death by goring with his horns he wrought ; 
 His dam came up, and o'er her cub made wail : 
 A wild boar overheard her piteous tale. 
 
 The Fables of Babriiis. 
 
 159 
 
 Standing afar,—" How many more," quoth he, 
 
 " Of mothers weep for offspring bitterly, 
 
 " Which having slaughter'd, ye your banquet keep. 
 
 Know that ill-doers their deserts shall reap. 
 
 XXXVI. 
 
 THE GNAT AND THE LION, 
 (p. F. 234.) 
 
 A BOASTING gnat drew to a lion near : 
 
 And said : " No greater strength for me to fear 
 
 " Hast thou ! What is thy force 1 — ^with claws to 
 
 scratch, 
 " With teeth to bite % — ^this might a woman match : 
 " Nay, oft she does, when striving with her mate 
 " For no great ends. My strength is far more great. 
 " But come ! let us the strength of each compare ! '* 
 It buzz'd, and fixed on parts devoid of hair, 
 And the poor lion's face and nostrils stung. 
 That lion's claws to his own visage clung, 
 
^^^ 
 
 i6o 
 
 The Jbdbles of Babrius, 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 i6i 
 
 Reeking with blood. He yielded in despair. 
 Then the gnat's trumpet sounded triumph rare. 
 It flew aloft, in lion-victor's pride, 
 Till, captured in a spider's web, it cried, 
 " Alas my wretched fate, since e'en tho' I 
 ** The greatest conquer, by the small I die !" 
 
 Weakness 'gainst strength may something seem to do, 
 Yet pays the cost to foes it never knew. 
 
 XXXVII. 
 
 THE SWALLOW AND THE CROW. 
 
 'p. F. 416.) 
 
 A TWITTERING swallow hailM a husky crow. 
 " Me for a royal maid of Athens know ! 
 " And as a daughter of her kings of yore : 
 " Not small renown our house of heroes bore." 
 To this vague prattle (love of talk was strong :) 
 She adds the tale of Tereus, and his wrong. 
 
 I 
 
 These words to her the crow in answer said : 
 " Pandion's boastful child, Athenian maid ! 
 " Had you a tongue, to what lengths would you go, 
 " Since, when it is cut off, you twitter so ! " 
 
 xxxvin. 
 
 THE GULL AND THE KITE. 
 (p. F. 239.) 
 
 A GULL once gorged a fish, fell down, and died. 
 Because its throat to pass the spoil denied. 
 A kite looked on, and said : " Just fate ensues, 
 " Since, though a fowl, a fishy food you choose." 
 
 Aim your own st^ion, and no more, to fill. 
 Work nature's bests, and you escape from ill. 
 
 M 
 
l62 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 •I 
 
 %'■ 
 
 XXXIX. 
 
 THE HORSE AND THE STAG. 
 
 (r. F. 175. ARISTOT. RHET. 11. 10.) 
 
 At summer season, o'er a flowery mead 
 
 A well maned horse was wont at large to feed ; 
 
 And ill brook'd he that any other beast 
 
 Should graze the herbage, where he loved to feast. 
 
 For his sole use he deemed the meads unfold 
 
 Their verdure. But a stag, not over bold, 
 
 Came oft, and nibbled at the grassy plain ; 
 
 So how to punish her he wrack'd his brain. 
 
 Seeing a man, he ask'd his sage advice. 
 
 Who said that he would help him in a trice 
 
 To take upon the stag a vengeance just, • 
 
 If to the bridle he his mouth would trust, 
 
 And on his saddled back the man might ride. 
 
 The horse— a slave since then till now— complied. 
 
 Observe, I pray, the grievous curse cntail'd, 
 Where selfishness has over sense prevail'd. 
 
 77ie Fables of Babrius. 
 
 163 
 
 ''I 
 
 'A 
 
 iti " 
 
 ii 
 
 
 ! 
 
 THE LION, THE WOLF, AND THE FOX. 
 
 (p. F. 255.) 
 
 A LION sick within his cave reclined ; 
 Then came each beast of all the savage kind 
 To visit and cntpiire for their king. 
 Beyond the rest tlie fox kept loitering. 
 Now, the wolf fixt on this auspicious time 
 Silly to charge the fox with treason's crime, 
 " Since she alone witli negligence did treat 
 " The king of brutes, to whicli the earth is meat, 
 " When she to ease his sufferings should be near, 
 " As wise in counsel, and in judgment clear :" — 
 Up came the fox, as the wolf closed his speech, 
 And hir. last words chanc'd Reynard's ears to reach. 
 The lion shook his mane in angry mood. 
 To see the fox into his cave intrude ; 
 But the sagacious fox was nowise cowed. 
 And only pray'd for right of s[)eech allowed. 
 'Twas granted. Then said she (the wolf stood near) 
 
 M 2 
 
 i' 
 
 >il 
 
I 
 
 164 
 
 The Fahhi of Babrius. 
 
 « Now who, my liege, of beasts assembled here, 
 
 « Hath rendered thee such loyal aid as I ? 
 
 « I have the country traversed low and high, 
 
 " And question'd every leech concerning thee, 
 
 " In hopes some one might point a remedy ; 
 
 « Aye and I've found, nor vainly sought, the way : 
 
 « Physicians learned by experience say, 
 
 " That hence the patient certain ease shall win, 
 
 " If from a living wolf he strip the skin, 
 
 " And this, yet warm, around his body wrap." 
 
 He said. Forthwith the wolf, that plann'd a trap, 
 
 Lay dead ; and thus the debt of malice paid. 
 
 « O wolf, ill-fated ! " Reynard laughing said, 
 
 « 'Twas better that thou shouldst not counsel ill 
 
 " The lion, but guide right his kindly will : 
 
 « For whoso against others brings about 
 
 « Evil, the same shall turn and find him out." 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 165 
 
 XLL 
 
 THE LION, PROMETHEUS, AND THE ELEPHANT. 
 
 (r. F. 161.) 
 
 The lion urged it as a constant charge 
 Against Prometheus, that while fine and large 
 He made him, and with teeth had arm'd his jaw, 
 Fencing withal each foot with horny claw, 
 And rank'd him first of brutes for valour's praise, 
 " Such though I am, the cock my soul dismays," 
 Quoth he. Prometheus made him this reply: 
 ** Pray, why on me should idle censure lie % 
 " All I could give thou hast, as it was fit ; 
 " But if at times thy spirit quails a whit, 
 " No marvel ! In nought else thou fallest short." 
 So when Prometheus gave him this retort, 
 The lion bitterly his fate bemoan' d. 
 And his own cowardice, condemning, own'd. 
 He cared no more to live in such disgrace. 
 But, in this mind, encounter'd face to face 
 
 
 ■ , .^1 
 
 .r.-»v-" 
 
 i'ft. -^ 
 
1 66 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 An elephant, with which to talk he sta/d. 
 
 Seeing its ears were hither thither sway'd, 
 
 He asked, " Why thus in motion keep your ears 1 
 
 " What beast, good sir, so dread to you appears, 
 
 " As thus your hearing-organs to confound f 
 
 It chanced a gnat buzzM presently around : 
 
 " Seest thou yon buzzing mite 1" the huge beast said, 
 
 ** Let it once pierce mine ear, and I am dead." 
 
 The lion, hearing this, took heart to cry, 
 
 " Why should I any more desire to die, 
 
 " Since better far than elephants am I % 
 
 " And as much better in my lot have fared, 
 
 " As cock beats gnat, when both have been compared." 
 
 None are unblest, save by comparison : 
 This is a wise saw, and an ancient one. 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 167 
 
 XLII. 
 
 THE PEACOCK AND THE CRANE, 
 (P. P. 397. Compare Part I. LXV.) 
 
 The fine-helm'd peacock and the Libyan crane 
 Were wont to pasture on one grassy plain. 
 Long time in mutual amity they passed. 
 But dire contention made them foes at last. 
 And golden plumage strove with ashen hue, 
 To which a good complexion's meed was due. 
 Jibes at the crane the grinning peacock throws, 
 And mocks its colour with uplifted nose \ 
 Claiming his own " to be the perfect wing 
 " Of gold and purple, worthy of a king." 
 To whom the crane a fitting answer made : 
 " And yet 'tis I who cloud-capp'd heights pervade ; 
 " Nighest the shining stars my notes are heard, 
 " While you are but a weak and slow-paced bird, 
 " That skim the ground, nor ever upward go ; 
 " But, like a bantam-cock, mid chickens crow." 
 
"PV 
 
 i68 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 Fame, tho* I threadbare went, Fd covet most 
 Riches, with name unknown, on me were lost. 
 
 XLIII. 
 
 THE WOLF AND THE ASS. 
 
 (p. F. 281.) 
 
 A WOLF, whom fellow wolves to lead them chose, 
 
 Would fain to all an equal law propose, 
 
 That whatsoe'er each took in foraging, 
 
 To share amongst his fellows he should bring. 
 
 An ass heard this, and bristling up his mane. 
 
 To the fair dealer spoke in laughing strain : 
 
 *' Well have you said, intending laws to frame 
 
 " To govern wolves. But tell me how you came 
 
 " In a sly corner of your lair to lay 
 
 " Apart the feast, which you stole yesterday ?" 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 169 
 
 XLIV. 
 
 THE WOLF AND THE LION 
 
 (p. F. 280.) 
 
 In desert spots a wolf had chanced to roam, 
 
 And, when the day-star neafd its western home. 
 
 Seeing his shadow long and tall appear. 
 
 Said, " Being larger, need I lions fear % 
 
 " Sure, to a hundred feet in measure grown, 
 
 " I shall be lord of all, not brutes alone !" 
 
 Upon th' exulting wolf a lion sprung. 
 
 And seized and ate him. The confession wrung 
 
 From his last utterance was, " My cause of doom 
 
 " Is, that on self-opinion I presume." 
 
170 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 Jf%.Xay » 
 
 THE WOLF AND THE SHEER 
 (p. r. 285.) 
 
 Bitten by dogs, a wolf lay sick and sore, 
 
 And of a passing sheep began to implore 
 
 Relief for thirst A spring of water flow'd 
 
 Hard by. Then said he, « Were there but bestow'd 
 
 " By thee a draught of this, my thirst to slake, 
 
 ** To furnish mine own meat I'd undertake." 
 
 " I give thee drink ! then I should be thy meat ! " 
 
 The sheep replied. 
 
 Fly foes that use deceit 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 171 
 
 XLVI. 
 
 THE JACKDAW AND THE CROWS. 
 
 (p. F. 201.) 
 
 A DAW in size his fellows much surpass'd, 
 So on his tribe a scornful glance he cast, 
 And chose to be a tribesman of the crows. 
 He therefore sought their presence, to propose 
 Dwelling with them, and clubbing for his food. 
 His form they neither knew, nor understood 
 His accents, with his race in unison ; 
 So, beating him, they made him quick begone. 
 Driven from these, he sought his own again ; 
 But they, at his desertion in disdain — 
 Because they thought his conduct insolent— 
 To take him back by no means would consent 
 An outlawed, homeless daw was he from thence. 
 
 None will attain with strangers influence. 
 
172 
 
 The Fables of Bahrius. 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 ns 
 
 jfkX^ V XJLt 
 THE FLIES. 
 
 (P. F. 293.) 
 
 On honey in a storeroom spilt, some flies 
 Began to feast in gathering companies. 
 The sweet repast their lingering wills detained, 
 And as their feet were by its poVr constrained, 
 Upon the wing no longer could they rise ; 
 Then, as they choke, each one to other cries, 
 " Alas ! poor creatures, down our lives we lay, 
 " Most sadly by brief pleasure led astray." 
 
 XLVIII. 
 
 THE MOON AND ITS MOTHER. 
 
 (p. F. 389.) 
 
 The moon her lady mother once besought. 
 That a close-fitting tunic might be wrought 
 For her. To whom her mother, smiling, said, 
 " How shall a dress be wrought or measured 
 
 " For thy uncertain figure 1 over-great 
 " Now, near the full ; and then in bursting state -, 
 " Gibbous and crescent-shaped thou wilt be soon. 
 " All through the month come changes of the moon." 
 
 XLIX. 
 
 THE MOUSE AND THE FROG. 
 (p. F. 298.) 
 
 A FIELD-MOUSE to a frog, by evil lot, 
 
 Became a friend, and hence destruction got ; 
 
 For with the field-mouse first they came to eat, 
 
 And then resorted to the frog's retreat. 
 
 But evil soon became the frog's design. 
 
 He tied his friend's foot to him with a line. 
 
 And dragg'd him to the margin of a lake, 
 
 A bath within its marshy depths to take : 
 
 Drown'd by the waters thus, the mouse was choked. 
 
 And perish'd, to a frog by being yoked. 
 
 Its corpse then as the eddying surface bore, 
 
 A hawk with eager talons upward tore. 
 
174 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 175 
 
 With it was dragged the frog, to which 'twas tied : 
 Doom'd for the hawk two banquets to provide, 
 He learn'd what wages want of thought betide. 
 
 1 
 
 " Appearing ere the spring-tide, thou hast wrought ] 
 ** Ruin to me, and to thyself, for nought." 
 
 Evil is wastefulness and want-of-thought. 
 
 L. 
 
 THE SPENDTHRIFT AND THE SWALLOW. 
 
 (p. F. 304.) 
 
 To a young spendthrift but one garb was left, 
 Of all but this by reckless waste bereft 
 He saw a swallow, out of season, fly 
 Near him, and heard its little twittering cry. 
 Thinking at once that the spring-tide was near, 
 Of parting with his coat he had no fear ; 
 And so he took and sold it, like the rest : 
 But soon, when winter storms about her prest. 
 And suddenly the strong wind round her rolFd, 
 Alas ! the wretched swallow died of cold. 
 Her for a while the young man looked upon, 
 And said, " Poor bird, much evil hast thou done ! 
 
 LI. 
 
 See Part L 128. 
 
 See Part L 124. 
 
 LHI. 
 
 THE SHEEP AND THE DOG. 
 (P. F. 317. Compare Fragment 1, Part I.) 
 
 A SHEEP one day address'd its shepherd thus : 
 " You shear our fleece, and keep it, shorn, from us ; 
 You drain our milk, and press it, if you choose : 
 Our young to swell your flock we ne'er refuse. 
 
 it 
 
 ti 
 
176 
 
 The Fables of Bahrius, 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 177 
 
 i 
 II 
 
 " For us nought else you do, but simply lead 
 
 "To pasture. All the grass, on which we feed, 
 
 " Is found for you by kind, all-nursing earth. 
 
 " E'en on the hills a fruitful soil gives birth 
 
 " For you, without your help, to verdure new, 
 
 " Beneath moist air, and soft descending dew. 
 
 " Yet while such profit from us you derive, 
 
 " Still you would have your dog among us thrive, 
 
 " Feeding it, as yourself, on best of food." 
 
 The dog was near and heard. These words ensued 
 
 « O, thou that bleatest foolish-minded talk, 
 
 " Were it not that I oft amidst you walk, 
 
 "Abundant herbage you no more would eat, 
 
 " But be to brutes, that roam the hills, a treat. 
 
 " Now running all around you, timid sheep 
 
 " From busy thief, and ravening wolf I keep." 
 
 To thankless men this fable is addrest. 
 Who benefactors with ill-names molest. 
 
 LIV. 
 
 See Part I. 125. 
 
 LV. 
 
 THE ASS AND THE FOX. 
 (P- F. 325-) 
 
 An ass was fond of eating prickly food. 
 
 And grinning Reynard ask'd, when this she viewed, 
 
 " With tongue so soft, how is it, best of brutes, 
 
 " That on hard food you live, and thorny fruits % 
 
 " How can your tongue from prickly wounds escape ? " 
 
 To babblers well this fable thou may'st shape. 
 
lyS 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 LVI. 
 
 THE ASS WEARING THE LION'S SKIN. 
 
 (P. F. 333.) 
 
 In lion's skin an ass once went about, 
 
 And threw the brute creation into rout ; 
 
 They thought him a true lion, not an ass : 
 
 He therefore tried, when Reynard chanced to pass, 
 
 If, like the rest, a fox would yield to fright. 
 
 But when he met that wily creature's sight 
 
 (Now she, by chance, that moment heard him bray). 
 
 Quoth she to him, " Be sure of what I say, 
 
 " Had I not just now marked you when you bray'd, 
 
 " I, like my fellow-brutes, had been afraid." 
 
 ? 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 179 
 
 Lvir. 
 
 AN ASS CARRYING AN IMAGE. 
 (P. F. 3;?4.) 
 
 A COUNTRYMAN had placed upon his ass 
 An image ; and, in driving, made him pass 
 Right through a village. All men homage paid 
 Unto the idol. Then the ass betra/d 
 Elation, thought himself a god, and felt 
 That 'twas to his divinity they knelt. 
 Pricking his ears, with an astounding bray. 
 He presently declined the onward way ; 
 At seeing which his driver angry grew, 
 And with a stick compell'd him to pursue 
 His journey. " Thou art but an ass," said he, 
 " Though on thy back there rides divinity." 
 
 N 2 
 
I 
 
 1 80 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 LVIII. 
 THE BIRD-CATCHER AND THE LARK, 
 
 (p. F. 340.) 
 
 A BIRD-CATCHER, whilc he his springes set, 
 
 Was by a lark, that saw him, quickly met. 
 
 " What dost thou here, so busy on the ground % " 
 
 Quoth he, " A first-rate city this, I found ! " 
 
 He went and hid himself when this was said. 
 
 Straight came the lark, by his false words misled, 
 
 In haste at once to plant its colony : 
 
 And in the toils was caught unwittingly. 
 
 Up ran the bird-catcher to seize his prey; 
 
 Then did the captive to its captor say, 
 
 ** If cities such as these, good sir, you plant, 
 
 " The list of dwellers in them will be scant." 
 
 Cities and homes are most made desolate. 
 When evil heads have care of their estate. 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 181 
 
 LIX. 
 
 THE TAIL AND MEMBERS OF A SERPENT. 
 
 (P. F. 344.) 
 
 A serpent's tail once claim'd the lead to take, 
 
 And drag the other members in its wake. 
 
 Then did the body it, as mad, oppose : 
 
 " How wilt thou lead us without eyes or nose % 
 
 " Unlike the rest of beasts, that roam a-field." 
 
 In vain. The thinking limbs were forced to yield. 
 
 So the tail led the rest with senseless sway, 
 
 And blindly dragg'd the body every way. 
 
 It fell at last into a cleft of rock, 
 
 Whence back, head, body, met a fearful shock. 
 
 Then fawningly it did the head beseech : 
 
 " Save, mistress, save me, pray, from danger's reach, 
 
 " For of bad judgment now I reap the fruit." 
 
 This fable to a commons best will suit 
 Which, frensied and perverted, fain would rise 
 And hold dominion over men more wise. 
 
i82- 
 
 The Fables of Babriiis. 
 
 THE FARMER AND THE SERPENT. 
 
 (p. F. 96.) 
 
 A SNAKE, that by a farmer's door did hide, 
 Stung his child's foot, and so the infant died. 
 Great was the sorrow which the parents bore. 
 And the sire, smitten by a blow so sore. 
 Taking a stone, approach'd the serpent's den, 
 Waiting to kill it coming forth again. 
 Out from its hole it came to hunt for prey : 
 Up ran in eager haste the sire straightway, 
 And at it with main force he cast a stone, 
 Which lack'd success, to little purpose thrown ; 
 His aim to hurt the murderous snake did fail, 
 Further than, at its end, to bruise its tail. 
 Then fearful lest the reptile him should slay. 
 And thus the fracture of that tail repay. 
 Honey and meal and water he procured, 
 And thus his foe to be at peace adjured. 
 
 ": 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 But then the monster, hissing from its hole 
 (To which, when wounded, it for shelter stole). 
 Some such defiance at the father threw : 
 " Till you the tomb, the stone / cease to view, 
 " There never can be peace betwixt us two." 
 
 LXI. 
 
 THE BOY HUNTING LOCUSTS. 
 (p. F. 350.) 
 
 To gather locusts forth a lad had gone. 
 He caught a host, ere he set eyes upon 
 A scorpion. Thinking this a locust, he 
 Hollow'd his hand, and stretch' d it eagerly 
 To grasp his prize. The reptile saw the lad 
 Was guileless, and with him this converse had : 
 " Boy, get thee gone, nor hands upon me lay ! 
 " For, catching me, thou'lt cast thine all away." 
 
 183 
 
 J 
 
i84 
 
 The Fables of Bahrius, 
 
 THE YOUNG THIEF AND HIS MOTHER. 
 
 (p. F. 351.) 
 
 A BOY from school purloin'd a comrade's slate, 
 
 And to his mother bore his prize, elate. 
 
 She took it, did not say his act was wrong. 
 
 Or warn his hands from what did not belong 
 
 To them. Ere long the youth had leam'd to thieve, 
 
 And would not, untouched, things more precious leave. 
 
 The wonted habit soon became a trade : 
 
 Then, in the act of sacrilege way-laid 
 
 And caught, with hands behind him bound he went 
 
 The road the lawless are with hangmen sent 
 
 With tears and moans his mother went behind, 
 
 And her son begg'd the hangmen to be kind. 
 
 And to him this one favour to accord. 
 
 To breathe within her ear some latest word. 
 
 Ready to list, she near her offspring drew, 
 
 Who violently bit her ear in two. 
 
 f 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 185 
 
 When she deplored such treatment from her child. 
 And the bystanders' language was not mild 
 In blame of one whose acts so impious proved 
 Towards her that bare him ; " Surely it behoved 
 « Her, first and foremost," said he, " to deter 
 *' My youth from theft. I owe my wreck to her. 
 " 'Twas she who welcomed first the stolen slate. 
 " 'Tis she conducts me now to Pluto's gate." 
 
 LXIII. 
 
 THE COCKLES. 
 
 (p. F. 214.) 
 
 A-ROASTiNG cockles, said a farmer's son, 
 When they to hiss and bubble had begun, 
 " Ye senseless creatures, that, with homes on fire, 
 " Strike up a tuneful strain, and join in choir." 
 
i\ 
 
 iS6 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 LXIV. 
 
 PROMETHEUS AND MANKIND, 
 (P. F. 383.) 
 
 Prometheus erst, when Jove the order spake, 
 Proceeded men and brutes, 'tis said, to make. 
 But when Jove saw that beasts outnumbered men, 
 He bade him mix some of the brutes again. 
 And fashion them into the human mould. 
 The brutes into a lump Prometheus rolled, 
 And form'd men of it, e'en as Jove desired. 
 But, as for those so moulded, it transpired 
 That in the change they gained a human shape. 
 Yet did not from their earlier mind escape ; 
 But kept that to the end, which they began 
 By sharing with the brutes and not with man. 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 187 
 
 LXV. 
 
 THE THIRSTY PIGEON. 
 (P- F. 3570 
 
 A THIRSTY pigeon on a sign-board spied 
 
 A cup of water, at mid summer-tide. 
 
 Taking the picture for the actual thing. 
 
 She bore down on it with a rustling wing. 
 
 Unwittingly against the board she dash'd. 
 
 And fell to earth with wings and feathers smash'd \ 
 
 The cat at once an easy prey secured. 
 
 Rush upon nought, with purpose unmatured, 
 If passion guides, quick ruin is ensured. 
 
 J 
 
i88 
 
 Tike Fables of Bahrius. 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 189 
 
 LXVL 
 
 THE MAN AND THE PARTRIDGE, 
 (P. F. 356.) 
 
 A SPORTSMAN in his net a partridge caught, 
 
 To sup on which immediately he thought : 
 
 But for her life entreating mournfully 
 
 She cried, " Oh spare, and do not slaughter me, 
 
 " And I for thee a crowd of birds will get, 
 
 " Decoying ready victims to thy net." 
 
 Said he, " Thou silly partridge, stay thy cry ; 
 
 " It is for this cause chiefly thou shalt die, 
 
 " That never more thou may'st betray thy friends." 
 
 Evil designed for others ever tends 
 
 To thine own hurt. And so doth ev'ry plan 
 
 Thy malice plots against a fellow-man. 
 
 I 
 
 LXVII. 
 
 THE BAT AND THE CAT, 
 (P- F. 307). 
 
 That foe to every feathered fowl, the cat, 
 Caught, as it lay upon the ground, a bat ; 
 Which, fearing instant doom without delay, 
 Endeavour'd thus with pra/rs her fate to stay : 
 " Oh, do not slaughter me, good cat," said she, 
 " No living thing hath e'er found hurt from me. 
 " I in the daylight never quit my nest : 
 " When beasts go out to hunt, I take my rest, 
 " But forth at moonless dusk I alway fare, 
 " To get my food in dew-encumber'd air." 
 The cat then answer'd thus : "As I'm a foe 
 " To birds in general, can I let thee go % " 
 "I am no bird," was next the bat's reply: 
 " Four-footed, fed on bloodless food am I." 
 On hearing this the cat its prey resign'd. 
 'Twas saved from no small peril, soon to find 
 
190 
 
 The Fables of Bahrius, 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 191 
 
 Another captor of the feline brood, 
 
 Which thought to take it, like a mouse, for food. 
 
 But then she pra/d and said, "No mouse was 
 
 she, 
 " For she had wings, and wing'd no mouse could 
 
 be:" 
 Thus came she out of double danger free. 
 
 LXVIII. 
 
 THE TORTOISE AND THE HARE. 
 
 (p. F. 420.) 
 
 To the shy hare the tortoise smiling spoke, 
 
 When he about her feet began to joke : 
 
 " I'll pass thee by, though fleeter than the gale." 
 
 " Pooh !" said the hare, "I don't believe thy tale." 
 
 " Try but one course, and thou my speed shalt 
 
 know." 
 " Wholl fix the prize, and whither we shall go % " 
 
 
 Of the fleet-footed hare the tortoise asked. 
 
 To whom he answer'd, " Reynard shall be tasked 
 
 " With this ; that subtle fox, whom thou dost see." 
 
 The tortoise then (no hesitater she !) 
 
 Kept jogging on, but earliest reached the post ; 
 
 The hare, relying on his fleetness, lost 
 
 Space, during sleep, he thought he could recover 
 
 When he awoke. But then the race was over ; 
 
 The tortoise gain'd her aim, and slept her sleep. 
 
 From negligence doth care the vantage reap. 
 
 THE ROSE AND THE AMARANTH. 
 (p. F. 384.) 
 
 An amaranth had sprung up near a rose, 
 And said, " Than thee no flower more comely grows, 
 " Long'd for by gods, and dear to man, as well. 
 " I count thee blest both for thy fragrant smell, 
 
192 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 Fables of Babrius. 
 
 ^n 
 
 " And lovely beauty." Then the rose replied, 
 " Good amaranth, 'tis vain the truth to hide : 
 " For me the threads of life are quick outspun ; 
 " For if not pluckM, I soon am all undone 
 " By withering. But thou dost alway bloom, 
 " And living, ever-green, escape the tomb." 
 
 May a fixt lot (no matter small or great) 
 
 Be rather mine, than high but changeful state. 
 
 Quickest the daring robber to pursue. 
 
 But if the dogs of chasing weary grew. 
 
 And toward the sheepcot, failing to o'ertake 
 
 The spoiler, chanced their backward road to make, 
 
 Not, as in chase, the tame wolf onward went. 
 
 But for a share fell in by accident 
 
 Or, should no other wolf, to steal a sheep, 
 
 Chance from outside into the fold to leap, 
 
 Then with the dogs he made a sly repast 
 
 On one. The shepherd caught the rogue at last, 
 
 And from a tree, to kill him, let him swing. 
 
 LXX. 
 
 Good habits do not from ill natures spring. 
 
 THE SHEPHERD AND THE WOLF. 
 (p. F. 374-) 
 
 A wolf's young cub was by a shepherd caught 
 This, with his dogs to nurture, home he brought. 
 In time it grew up, in the sheepfold reafd. 
 Where if so be another wolf appear'd, 
 Intent to rob of lamb or kid the fold, 
 First rank among the dogs would this one hold, 
 
 \\ 
 
194 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 LXXI 
 
 THE OLIVE AND THE FIG- TREE, 
 
 (p. F. 134.) 
 
 Olive and Fig-tree strove for beauty's prize. 
 
 " At no time," said the first, " my foliage dies,' 
 
 ** But the fig's bloom is put forth, once for all, 
 
 " At one set season, and is then but small.*' 
 
 So then to her the fig-tree made reply : 
 
 " Nay ! but when snows fall from the wintry sky, 
 
 " And settle in thy leaves, still in their bloom, 
 
 " Thy beauteous freshness doth but bring thee doom. 
 
 " Whereas, on finding me of foliage quit, 
 
 " Snow falls to earth. I am unhurt by it." 
 
 To man's disgrace tends beauty void of wit. 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 195 
 
 LXXII. 
 THE PARD AND THE FOX. 
 
 (p. F. 42.) 
 
 Once did a spotted pard to boast begin 
 Of all the brute-kind the most various skin, 
 To whom said Reynard : " Be it so ! Yet I 
 " Possess a mind of more variety 
 " Than thy skin or thy mind." 
 
 Each magnifies 
 That which within his own possession lies. 
 
 LXXIII. 
 
 THE FOX AND THE HEDGEHOG. 
 
 (p. F. 36. ArISTOT. RhET. II. 20.) 
 
 ^sop in Samos to a chief, his friend. 
 Upon his trial, wishing aid to lend— 
 This chief was of the wealthiest in the isle— 
 With this apt fable did the mob beguile. 
 
 o 2 
 
196 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 Crossing a rapid stream a fox one day 
 
 By the tide's violence was borne away 
 
 Into the deep gorge of a rocky hole, 
 
 There falling down she lay, poor fainting soul, 
 
 Wholly unable from her place to move. 
 
 And long with her sad plight but feebly strove. 
 
 Then upon her a swarm of dog-ticks burst, 
 
 Craving for food, to suck her blood athirst 
 
 But a stray hedgehog spied her troubled state, 
 
 And, to her sufferings compassionate, 
 
 Ask'd, runs the story, " If her wish would be 
 
 " The dog-ticks' slaughter f " By no means," said she, 
 
 " I pray you by the Nymphs, this swarm disperse." 
 
 " Why would you not be rid of such a curse T* 
 
 The hedgehog asked again. " Because e'en now 
 
 " These in each vein are full of blood, I trow !" 
 
 Replied sly Reynard, " What they drain is slight. 
 
 " Get rid of these when full, and you invite 
 
 " Others to come, a famine-wasted force, 
 
 " And wholly suck my blood without remorse." 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 igl 
 
 T//E SOW AND THE BITCH. 
 
 (p. F. 409.) 
 
 The sow and bitch betwixt them held dispute 
 Which was best breeder. Said the &ew, "No brute 
 " With four legs bears more quick than I, you'll find." 
 " Yes," said the -biteh, " but then your whelps are 
 blind." 
 
 LXXV. 
 
 THE SOW AND THE BITCH. 
 
 (p. F. 408.) 
 
 A sow and bitch each other did revile. 
 
 The first, by her who guards Cythera's isle, 
 
 Sware with her teeth the other's bones to break. 
 
 The bitch then mock'd the thought a sow should take 
 
 An oath by Venus, as her favourite. 
 
 " That thou shouldst swear by Venus, sure, is fit ! 
 
198 
 
 The Fables of Bahrius. 
 
 " For thou, 'tis plain, by her art most beloved, 
 " Seeing that she hath from her fane removed 
 *' Farthest the men that make a meal of pork." 
 Then grunts the sow, whose wits were all at work 
 " Learn thou that it from this is chiefly seen, 
 « How much beloved I am by beauty's queen ; 
 " For hating him that seeks to do me hurt, 
 " Or dares to kill me, him she doth avert. 
 " But thou hast an ill-savour, live or dead.'* 
 
 t* 
 
 A man of sense converts whatever is said 
 By evil speakers, mockery to raise, 
 Through skilful handling into real praise. 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 199 
 
 GOODS AND EVILS. 
 
 (p. F. I.) 
 
 Evils once thrust the blessings all away 
 From their free sojourn midst the sons of clay. 
 For hosts of evils had the earth possest. 
 Then did the blessings soar to Heaven, in quest 
 Of satisfaction on th' usurping race, 
 Nor deign'd with such to tarry in one place. 
 In blending them Nature had been to blame ! 
 How could they mix, if, evermore the same, 
 Jarring and quick-to-clash are man's affairs ] 
 To fix their rule, to Jove they lift their pray'rs. 
 Jove's fiat was : " Let ills be mixt below. 
 " Singly among men be it yours to go !'* 
 
 Hence then it is, that ills in numbers run : 
 For they are join'd, and go not one by one. 
 But all good things come down from Jove to men, 
 Each to but one or two, and slowly then. 
 
200 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 LXXVII. 
 
 THE CAMEL AND JUPITER. 
 
 (p. F. 184.) 
 
 Grudging a bull its horns the camel went, 
 Pra/rs for the like at Jove's throne to present. 
 Jove in disgust, because she wish'd for more, 
 Though she had a fine, stalwart frame before. 
 Not only gives no horns, but also shears, 
 To check her grasping, somewhat from her ears. 
 
 To seek what fate omits, unmeet appears. 
 
 LXXVIII. 
 
 • ■ 
 
 THE DANCING MONKEYS. 
 (p. F. 360.) 
 
 To teach some apes bethought him Egypt's king 
 The Pyrrhic dance. Of every living thing 
 Apes are most imitative. What men do 
 Under their notice, they will copy too. 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 201 
 
 Dress'd then in bright and elegant array, 
 These famous maskers set about their play, 
 With many looking on. Most gracefully 
 Awhile they acted : till a stander-by, 
 A fine smart fellow, from his vest let drop 
 Handfuls of nuts, and brought them to a stop. 
 These, spilt around, the apes no sooner view. 
 Than they cease dancing, tear their robes in two, 
 Smash all their masks, and rush on these amain. 
 Making their monkey-breeding vastly plain. 
 
 To change one's nature is but toil in vain. 
 
 T YVTV 
 
 THE FOX AND THE GO A T. 
 (p. F. 45.) 
 
 A GOAT athirst, when it beheld a pool, 
 Descended a deep gorge, its heat to cool. 
 He drank, ere he discover'd how unwise 
 
 II! 
 
 Was his descent. Alone he could not rise 
 
p iiiiiii n >" " iw i »ii r * 
 
 202 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 From out the pit. He paused, look'd up, and sought 
 Assistance. Thirst had just then Reynard brought 
 To pass the opening. She the goat espied, 
 And ask'd him, if the stream a draught supplied. 
 " Ay ! and as clear as crystal !" answered he, 
 " But the hole's steep, its outlet hard to see." 
 The Fox then to the broad-beard made reply : 
 " Faint not at that : I lookM down from on high, 
 " And judg'd that thence *twas easy to ascend. 
 " Come, make thine horns against the pit side bend," 
 Thus said the Fox, " that I may come down so : 
 " Then running up 111 drag thee from below." 
 She came down, drank, and went up from the pit. 
 Yet, after all, help'd not the goat a bit. 
 And when he blamed her base ingratitude, 
 Then the fox made this observation rude : 
 * Nay ! if of sense you^d had as large a share, 
 « As you can boast a wavy beard of hair, 
 * Not without egress had you been down there." 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 203 
 
 
 THE BEES AND JUPITER. 
 
 (p. F. 287.) 
 
 The Hymettian bee, a mother of the combs. 
 Once with a gift approach'd the heavenly homes, 
 Honey for Jove, fresh-gather'd from the hives, 
 Honey, in which o'er smoke and age survives 
 A flow'ry scent. Delighted with the gift 
 Jove sware to grant the pra/r she might uplift. 
 " Grant me a sting, that if by men," she said, 
 " Upon my combs a rifling hand be laid, 
 " I may, by stinging such, my hurters slay." 
 Angry was Jove to hear the insect pray 
 For man's destruction : yet, however loth, 
 He could but grant where he had pledged his oath. 
 The sting, however, which he gave, was such. 
 That when bees smite, they perish with the touch. 
 Her sting the life, that keeps her on the wing. 
 She leaves that life where'er she leaves her sting. 
 
204 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 LXXXt 
 
 THE SON AND THE FA THER. 
 
 (p. F. 349.) 
 
 A TIMID old man had a valiant boy, 
 
 And dream*d he saw a lion him destroy. 
 
 So fearing lest the dream should be fulfill'd, 
 
 A pleasant room for him he set to build ; 
 
 And, as some solace for vexation sore, 
 
 Had wild beasts painted o'er each wall and door. 
 
 Among them was the lion's picture shown. 
 
 So when on this the young man's glance was thrown, 
 
 Rage and chagrin more fiercely on him press' d, 
 
 And standing near, the lion he addrest : 
 
 " O worst of brutes, because my father's eye 
 
 " In dreamy sleep did once behold a lie, 
 
 " I am thus idly prison'd for a dream. 
 
 " On thee what vengeance shall sufficient seem 1 " 
 
 Threatening the lion with his words so grand, 
 
 The young man through a panel thrust his hand. 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 205 
 
 To break a splint from a bush near the wall, 
 Meaning to bum the lion as tinder small : 
 But as the prickles chanced to wound his thumb. 
 Quick was the swelling to his waist to come. 
 Opprest with wracking pain the young man lay. 
 And soon his anguish took his speech away : 
 O'er Acheron's stream, poor wretch, another fare. 
 
 What fate allots thee, be resign'd to bear. 
 
 Nor seek by shifts thy destiny to cheat. 
 
 For what must come, 'tis best a man should meet. 
 
 LXXXII. 
 
 THE WILD BOAR AND THE FOX, 
 
 (p. F. 407.) 
 
 A WILD boar once stood at an old tree's foot. 
 Whetting his tusks. The query Reynard put : 
 What fancy led him thus his tusks to whet. 
 No risk being near, no hunter to beset 
 
llMHi«B 
 
 206 
 
 The Fables of Babrim. 
 
 The Fables of Babrim. 
 
 207 
 
 His path— in fact, no need. The boar replied, 
 " I, like a fool, should wretchedly have died 
 "Oft, had I sought arms but when danger prest." 
 
 Man's life is all a plot. Be ready, lest 
 Evil befall. Precaution's ever best 
 
 LXXXIII. 
 
 THE LIONESS AND THE BEASTS. 
 
 (p. F. 240.) 
 
 An answer to the quadrupeds once came, 
 That put their boasts of fruitfulness to shame. 
 In truth they went and tax'd the lioness, 
 Wishing against her to prove barrenness. 
 "Come tell thou us, how many cubs dost bear?" 
 She smiled, and met them with this answer rare, 
 But one, yet he is thoroughbred all o'er." 
 
 J 
 
 LXXXIV. 
 
 THE BALD RIDER. 
 (p. F. 410.) 
 
 A BALD man in a wig did ride a race : 
 
 A sudden gust dislodged it from its place. 
 
 It flew aloft, by breezy motion borne, 
 
 And the by-standers laugh'd the man to scorn. 
 
 But said the bald-head, as he ceased to ride, 
 
 " What marvel if strange locks refused to bide 
 
 " Where mine own hair had long deserted me V 
 
 Vexed at the loss of goods let no man be : 
 For borrowers of this life's things are we. 
 
 ii 
 
 Than hosts of fools one man of sense is more. 
 
208 
 
 The Fables of Bahrius. 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 209 
 
 LXXXV. 
 
 THE CRANE AND THE FOX, 
 
 (p. F. 34.) 
 
 The Libyan crane and shameless fox agreed 
 That each by turns would with the other feed. 
 Sly Reynard only set some greasy broth 
 Before her guest, pour'd on a broad plate forth \ 
 And bade her of the feast to take her fill. 
 Much fun she caused, as evermore her bill 
 With useless toil she struck against the ware, 
 Whilst of the broth it failed to gain a share. 
 The Libyan bird then sought to entertain 
 The roguish fox, and play the host would fain. 
 Of barley-meal a thin-necked jar was full, 
 And out of this her bill, thrust in, could pull 
 Enough of food. So now the laugh had she 
 At Reynard, who stood gaping hungrily. 
 The fox's snout would not the jar-neck fit 
 
 LXXXVL 
 
 THE HUSBANDMAN AND THE LICE. 
 
 (p. F. 411.) 
 
 A PLOUGHMAN was half eaten up by lice. 
 Leaving his plough, he shook his garment twice. 
 When a third time they bit him shamelessly, 
 Wishing by all means of them to get free, 
 Lest cleanliness should loss-of-work require, 
 He doff'd his clothes, and threw them on the fire. 
 
 I would not have him thrice from fire abstain, 
 Who twice hath lost his wits by woman's bane. 
 
 For what you do to others, they'll be quit 
 
2IO 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 211 
 
 XiA.JvJL V XX. 
 
 71IE BRAZIER AND HIS DOG. 
 (P. F. 413.) 
 
 A BRAZIER in his house a pet-dog kept ; 
 And while the master forged, the spaniel slept ; 
 But when the master dined, he rose from sleep, 
 A fawning watch for scraps and bones to keep. 
 The man once shook his staff in angry mood. 
 And said, " Most wretched of the canine brood, 
 " What shall I do with such a slumbering cur, 
 " From laziness so strong, so hard to stir ? 
 " Dost thou not know that toil alone doth send 
 " Gifts that are good 1 
 
 »» 
 
 I'd have thee, without end. 
 An idler's ears with this sound warning fill -, 
 Tis idleness that makes a man fare ilL 
 
 LXXXVIII. 
 
 THE HUSBANDMAN AND THE VIPER. 
 
 (P. F. 97.) 
 
 It happen'd to a labourer to behold 
 
 A viper frozen by excessive cold. 
 
 At winter, in the fields. By pity press'd. 
 
 He lifted jt and placed it in his breast, 
 
 Hoping to kindle vital warmth anew. 
 
 Away the viper, quick reviving, threw 
 
 Its numbness, and the friendly rustic stung, 
 
 Who said, a-dying, as from him he flung 
 
 The snake : " I spared the wretch. My doom is 
 
 meet 
 " When whole, I should have crush'd it 'neath my 
 
 feet" 
 
 p 2 
 

 212 
 
 The Fables of Bahrius, 
 
 LXXXIX. 
 
 WINTER AND SPRING. 
 
 (p. F. 414.) 
 
 Ho.\R Winter Strang these words, to jeer at Spring : 
 
 " To none doth thine appearance quiet bring. 
 
 " One to the groves, to fields another hies 
 
 " In haste, or where the woodland valley lies. 
 
 " To such the choicest early flowers are treats, 
 
 " Lilies, or roses ever-breathing sweets, 
 
 " They cull to glad the eye, the wreath to twine : 
 
 "These gifts hath Spring. But these are less than 
 
 mine. 
 " For I, who ride upon the sea-dash'd prows, 
 " Disturb the waves, the stormy wind arouse. 
 ** By me the rains and frozen hails are brought ; 
 " And lumps of snow to icy substance wrought ; 
 ** So that all tarry, while I last, at home, 
 " At hearth or board, and do not care to roam ; 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 213 
 
 (C 
 
 But revel in the sweet sound of the lyre, 
 " Strains of melodious song, and youthful choir. 
 " These are all Winter's makeweights, you must know ! 
 " And granted that delight and praises flow 
 " From men's lips at thy name ', yet while I shed 
 " Charms o'er men's homes, my name is cherished 
 " By those who rightly judge, as sweet of sound." 
 
 For thine, o'er strange goods, claim not higher 
 
 ground ; 
 For e'en in these some beauty may be found. 
 
 XC. 
 
 THE SWALLOWS AND THE SWANS, 
 (p. F. 416.) 
 
 Gibes at the snow-white swans the swallows threw, 
 Because they from men's company withdrew, 
 But loved to hover round the meads, and bide 
 By the marsh-pools, and by the river side. 
 
314 
 
 The Fables of Babrius. 
 
 V 
 
 III ml '' 
 
 Delighting most of all to dwell apart, 
 And keep remote from crowds their tuneful art 
 " Our charm is in great cities, men and all, 
 " In roof, and chamber, corridor and hall," 
 Thus said the swallows, " And we chirp our tale 
 " Most sweetly ; yea, the old establish'd wail 
 " Babbled from ancient days to th' Attic race, 
 " Of Athens and Pandion, Tereus, Thrace, t 
 " Exile and marriage, mutilated tongue, 
 " Wrongs, writing-tablets, Itys slaughter'd young : 
 " How we had long a shape with men the same, 
 " But then, by transformation, birds became." 
 More said the Attic maids in such-like strain, 
 Yet did the swans to answer scarcely deign, 
 Nor then till late. They hated wordy tales. 
 Their answer giv'n, of wit in no way fails. 
 " Oh, prating children of Athenian birth, 
 " All men would seek lone corners of the earth, 
 " From love of song, with gladness for our sakes, 
 " When Zephyr, blowing soft and sweetly, makes 
 " Our wings relax, and idly catch the breeze \ 
 " For such would list to honied melodies. 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 215 
 
 u 
 
 tl 
 
 " Therefore it is we sing some trifling song : 
 "Albeit afar from every human throng, 
 " And that but rarely. 'Tis our fairest boast 
 " That measure in our strains we study most, 
 " Nor let our muses mingle with the crowd. 
 " But that of you men weary 'tis allowed, 
 " Nor will your nearness calmly tolerate ; 
 
 For yiour unmeasured twittering they hate. 
 
 Yet in all this ye suffer but your due, 
 "Since with your tongues cut out, 'twere well ye 
 
 knew 
 ** The charm of silence, and your prate gave o'er 
 " Of shameful wrongs, which in the house ye bore. 
 " But, not the less, ye babble most of all, 
 " Yet no melodious utterance let fall ; 
 " For ever is the maimed tongue deplored, 
 " And Itys slain by Zethus with the sword/' 
 
 h } 
 
214 
 
 The Fables of Baonus, 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 215 
 
 u 
 
 u 
 
 Delighting most of all to dwell apart, 
 And keep remote from crowds their tuneful art 
 " Our charm is in great cities, men and all, 
 " In roof, and chamber, corridor and hall," 
 Thus said the swallows, " And we chirp our tale 
 " Most sweetly ; yea, the old establish'd wail 
 " Babbled from ancient days to th' Attic race, 
 " Of Athens and Pandion, Tereus, Thrace, « 
 " Exile and marriage, mutilated tongue, 
 Wrongs, writing-tablets, Itys slaughtefd young : 
 How we had long a shape with men the same, 
 " But then, by transformation, birds became." 
 More said the Attic maids in such-like strain, 
 Yet did the swans to answer scarcely deign, 
 Nor then till late. They hated wordy tales. 
 Their answer giv'n, of wit in no way fails. 
 " Oh, prating children of Athenian birth, 
 " All men would seek lone comers of the earth, 
 " From love of song, with gladness for our sakes, 
 " When Zephyr, blowing soft and sweetly, makes 
 " Our wings relax, and idly catch the breeze ; 
 " For such would list to honied melodies. 
 
 Akt*- 
 
 ** Therefore it is we sing some trifling song : 
 
 " Albeit afar from every human throng, 
 
 " And that but rarely. 'Tis our fairest boast 
 
 " That measure in our strains we study most, 
 
 " Nor let our muses mingle with the crowd. 
 
 " But that of you men weary 'tis allowed, 
 
 " Nor will your nearness calmly tolerate ; 
 
 " For y.our unmeasured twittering they hate. 
 
 " Yet in all this ye suffer but your due, 
 
 "Since with your tongues cut out, 'twere well ye 
 
 knew 
 " The charm of silence, and your prate gave o'er 
 " Of shameful wrongs, which in the house ye bore. 
 " But, not the less, ye babble most of all, 
 " Yet no melodious utterance let fall ; 
 *' For ever is the maimed tongue deplored, 
 " And Itys slain by Zethus with the sword." 
 
 
2l6 
 
 The Fables of Babrita, 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 217 
 
 THE TWO POTS. 
 
 (p. F. 422.) 
 
 A RIVER on its stream two pots conveyed : 
 One was of brass, and one of clay was made. 
 The latter to the former, floating nigh, 
 Cried, " Float afar, and do not sail hard by : 
 '* For if you nearer draw, Fm sure to break" 
 
 A poor man's house is very apt to shake, 
 When men of greater power are dwelling near, 
 And injury from them may fairly fear. 
 
 XCII. 
 
 THE FLEA AND THE WRESTLER, 
 (p. F*. 424, ^.) 
 
 Upon a wrestler's foot once perch'd a flea. 
 He moved. It hopp'd and bit him sturdily. 
 Then was he wroth, and fain would it secure \ 
 Again it hopp'd, and got off" safe and sure. 
 The wrestler worried, though by bites of fleas. 
 Cried groaning, " Wilt not aid me, Hercules % " 
 
 It is mere insult to the Gods above 
 To pray them lesser evils to remove. 
 
2l8 
 
 The Fables of Babrius, 
 
 XCIII. 
 THE FLEA AND THE MAN. 
 
 (p. F. 424.) 
 
 A FLEA, which bit his foot, annoy'd a man. 
 
 He caught it, and to ask of it began, 
 
 " Who art thou, that thou dost so sharply bite, 
 
 " And puncture all my body with delight ? " 
 
 Said it to him : " My life I thus sustain. 
 
 " Spare me : of no great harm can you complain." 
 
 And he in anger made it this reply, 
 
 "Therefore by these hands thou shalt straightway 
 
 die. 
 " For what is evil, be it great or small, 
 " I would not have exist, to hurt at all." 
 
 The I'ables of Babrius. 
 
 219 
 
 XCIV. 
 THE FLEA AND THE OX, 
 
 (p. F. 426.) 
 
 Once of an ox a flea this question ask'd : 
 
 " Why do you bear by mortals to be task'd, 
 
 " And daily toil for them, since surely you 
 
 " Are a courageous brute, a fine one too % 
 
 " Whereas I bite their flesh, though small to see, 
 
 " And fearless drink their red blood greedily." 
 
 The ox replied, " To men I know my debt. 
 
 " From them I ever care and kindness met. 
 
 " My forehead and my shoulders oft they stroke, 
 
 " And scratch and rub me, pleasure to provoke." 
 
 To the strong ox the flea then answer made, 
 
 " Ah ! but to luckless me this rubbing trade, 
 
 " You talk of, would result in death outright, 
 
 " Whene'er upon me men's nails chanced to light." 
 
 We ever love the hand that doth us good. 
 But requite hurt with hurt, in vengeful mood. 
 
220 
 
 Tike Fables of Bahrius, 
 
 XCV. 
 
 THE ASS'S SHADOW. 
 (P. F. 339- ) 
 
 A MAN of Athens on a summer's day, 
 
 To Megara was fain to make his way 
 
 On a pack-ass, he hired for a fixt sum. 
 
 So as he joume/d, when midday was come, 
 
 What time the sun pours down his beaming heat, 
 
 Under the ass's shade he sought retreat, 
 
 To shelter from the sun's excessive rays. 
 
 But the ass-driver now his right gainsays ; 
 
 " Th' agreement was for seat, and not for shade." 
 
 To which the other said, "that he had paid 
 
 " For the whole ass, and so its shadow bought." 
 
 So strifes about a shadow come to nought. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 NOTES TO BABRIUS. 
 
NOTES TO BABRIUS. 
 
 PART I. 
 
 Proem II. 5.— Cybisas, or Cybissus. Theon and Apthonius, 
 later teachers of rhetoric, mention Cybissus the Libyan, and 
 Connis the Cilician, as fabulists. Cf. Muller and Donaldson, 
 Gr. Lit i. 193. Fables of the Phrygians, Cilicians, and Cypri- 
 ans, are mentioned by Greek writers. See Bemhardy, Vol. I. 
 p. 58. 
 
 Fab. XII. — This fable is based on the mythical story of 
 Procne, Philomela, and Itys. The former of the sisters was 
 transformed into a swallow, the latter into a nightmgale. And 
 the fable expresses the habits of each bird, the one building its 
 nest near men's homes, and under their roofs, the other apart in 
 far retreats. See Ov. Met vi. 668. For a full account of the 
 legend, the English reader may consult Grote's History of Greece, 
 Vol. I. p. 269—271. Compare also Babrius, Part II. Fab. 
 XXXVII. and Fab. XC. on the same subject 
 
 Ibid. v. 22. — Philomela's woes began after she had left 
 
 Athens, on a visit to her sister Procne, whose husband Tereus 
 
 conceived for her a fatal passion, which caused all the tragic tale, 
 
 on which the Greek poets so much delight to dwell. 
 
 Fab. XXXL— See preface with reference to the confusion 
 
224 
 
 Notes to Babrtus, 
 
 between alKovpos and yaXrj, observable in Babrius and elsewhere. 
 And see Notes and Queries, Vol. VIII. p. 261—3. " The ancient 
 names of the cat." 
 
 Fab. XXXII. — ^The Pleiads were the daughters (seven in 
 number) of Atlas and Pleione. They were transformed into a 
 duster of stars at the back of Taurus, whose rising was in April 
 or May, and their setting in November. Theocr. Id. xiii. -25. 
 Virg. Georg. iv. 231. Hesiod (Works and Days, 384) places 
 the time for ploughing at the season of their setting. 
 
 Fab. XLVI. — v. 9, 10. The stag was anciently supposed to 
 be an exceedingly long lived animal ; but the opinion is confuted 
 by Aristotle, H. A. vi. 29, and by later experience. It's life 
 is at most from thirty-five to forty years in duration, according to 
 Buffon and Cuvier. 
 
 Fab. LVIII.— In this fable Babrius follows the later version 
 of the story of Pandora's Box, i. e. that it was full of goods not 
 of ills. The old version is mentioned in Hesiod, Works and 
 Days, 94—105. There, however, we read of Hope being left 
 behind after the rest As also, in Theognis, 1131—1146, we 
 read of Hope remaining alone on earth, after Faith, and Modesty 
 and the Graces had removed to Heaven. 
 
 Fab. LXIII. — ^Ancient writers, such as Xenocrates, Em- 
 pedocles, and to a certain extent Plato, treat the remnants of 
 the half wicked silver age as daemons ; not good, as Hesiod held 
 and represented them, but malignant and wicked. See Grote 
 H. G. i. pp. 95—7. Ibid. 570— I, note. Here the heroes are con- 
 founded with these daemons. Compare Plut Qusest Graec. c 
 fi p. 292, where it appears that with the Locrians at Opus 
 Zedfuav was equivalent to "Hpm. 
 
 For the custom of wreathing the altars with fillets, alluded to 
 in V. 3 of this fable, compare Theocr. Id, xxvi. 3—9, Horat Od. 
 iv. XL 6, i. xbc. 13. Virg. Ed. viil 64. 
 
 JVotes to Babrius, 
 
 2 2 k 
 
 Fab. LX VI.— Babrius here adheres to the later fable, about 
 Prometheus creating men, traces of which occur in Callimachus, 
 and elsewhere. He places him among the Gods, but the Gods 
 of the eariiest period. For other fables in Babrius on the subject 
 of Prometheus making man, see Part II, Fab. 64, which gives a 
 similar version of the creation of man by him, to that of Horace, 
 Od. i. xvi. 13, Fertur Prometheus adder e principi, ^c. 
 
 Fab. LXVIII. 4. —For the custom of placing the lots in a 
 helmet, compare Hom. II. vii. 176, where the lots are placed in 
 Agamemnon's helmet, which is then shaken by Nestor. 
 
 Ibid. 7.— The garden of Hesperus, or of the Hesperides, 
 was in the more early writers placed at the remotest bound of 
 t;he earth, afterwards at the extreme west, on the coast of Libya. 
 Hesiod, Theog.215, Plm. H. N. vi. 36, Virg. ^n. iv. 484, Ov. 
 Met iv. 632 — 8. 
 
 Fab. LXXL— Compare Cicero Pro Cluentio, c. 49, Herodot 
 vii. 16. 
 
 Fab. LXXII. v. 6.— Grote, in his History of Greece, Vol. II. 
 p. 289, remarks upon the inadequacy and irregularity of the 
 supply of water in the low grounds of Greece. " Most of the 
 rivers are torrents in the early spring, and dry before the end of 
 summer. Rain runs off as rapidly as it falls, and springs are 
 rare." Horace refers to this fable of the daw in his Epistles, i. 
 iii. 18 — 20. 
 
 Fab. LXXXV. — Bergk, in a paper in the Classical Museum, 
 Vol. iii. pp. 130—134, thinks that this fable, with its enumeration 
 of Acamanian, Dolopian, Molossian, Cretan dogs, &c. refers to 
 the Achasan league, and to Aratus, as the Achaean dog chosen as 
 the leader. He considers the wolves to be no other than the 
 j^tolian league, and from this fable he gathers his chief argiunent 
 for supposing King Alexander to be Alexander of Corinth and 
 Nicoea. 
 
 Q 
 
226 
 
 Notes to Babrius. 
 
 Fab. XCV. 11, — Of the hatred of stags for all the serpent 
 tribe, see Plin. Nat His. viii. 50, xxii. 37, yElian. N. A. II. 9. 
 
 Dioscorides De Mat. Med. III. 73, and Pliny 1. c state that 
 serpents do not take hurt from the bites of serpents, if they feed 
 on the plant " elaphoboscos " ; and that the seed of this plant 
 mixed with wine is a cure for the bites of serpents. 
 
 Fab. XCVIII. — Dubner and Lachmann agree in thinking the 
 epimyth spurious here, and so does Sir G. C. Lewis. It is 
 therefore not translated in this version. Eumenes exposed to 
 the Macedonians the perfidy of his adversary's offers by quoting 
 this fable. Cf. Thirlwall, Hist Gr. vii. p. 273, 4. 
 
 Fab. CVH. — The epimyth of this fable has not been tran- 
 slated, because in addition to being judged to be spurious, it 
 lacks point. 
 
 Fab. CVIII. — Compare Hor. Sat II. vi. 79. See also Fab. 
 XCIX above. As to the Camirsean fig mentioned in v. 25, see 
 Smith's Diet Gr. Rom. Geogr. Vol. I. pp. 713, 5. Camirus 
 was a town of Rhodes, one of the three most ancient in the 
 island, which was famous for its wine, raisms, and figs. 
 
 Fab. CXV. 7— Respecting the riches and vast commerce of the 
 Red Sea, or Mare Erythraeum, see Smith's Diet. Gr. Rom. 
 Geogr. Vol II. 857, 8. See also the fabulist Avianus, Fab. II. 
 
 Fab. CXXV. — ^This fable should be carefully compared with 
 the 54th fable in the second part of the original. The object of 
 the translator has been to include in the 125th fable of this part, 
 the result of a careful comparison of tiie two slighUy differing 
 texts. This fable is one which has been reduced to choliambic 
 metres, from the prose MSS. of the Vatican, see F. De Furia, 
 p. 150. Aristotle H. A. x. 6. mentions the Maltese dog, kwHiq}^ 
 McAiraTov. 
 
 Fab. CXX viii. —This fable, like the 125th, had been restored 
 to its metrical choliambic form before the discovery of the MS. 
 
 Notts to Babrius, 
 
 237 
 
 of Babrius. See the edition of F. De Furia, Fab. 365. The 
 translation is based on a comparison of this fable and of fab. 5 1, 
 in the second part. 
 
 Fragm. I. — The 'same may be said here, as with reference to 
 fables 125 and 128. The fragment is easy of completion if we 
 compare with it Fab. 53, in Part IL 
 
 PART II. 
 
 Proem. Fab. I. — For the murder of ^sop by the Delphians, 
 who did not agree with him respecting the distribution of money 
 among the citizens, with which he had been charged by 
 Croesus, see Plutarch de ser. Num. vind. p. 556. The Del- 
 phians repented, and granted compensation to his grandson. See 
 Smith, D. <j. R. B. vol. i. p. 47.* 
 
 Fab. II. — Cf. Arrstoph. Av. 474. 
 
 Fab. V. — Compare Ovid. Fast. I. 357. See, too, Virg. Georg. 
 
 II. 374—9- 
 
 Fab. XI. — Compare the slightly varied fable of Babrius, p. i. 
 Fab. 52. 
 
 Fab. XIII. — The Galli, or priests of Cybele, seem to have 
 had their origin in Phrygia, and to have been chosen always 
 from a poor and despised race of people; for while no other 
 priests were allowed to beg, the Galli were permitted to do so on 
 certain days. Compare Cicero de Leg. II. c. 9 and 16. Smith's 
 Diet G. R. A. 447." 
 
 Ibid. — V. 6, 7. Atys or Attis was a beautiful shepherd of 
 Phrygia, beloved by Cybele, whence arose all his misfortunes. 
 See Ovid. Fast. iv. 221 — 44. His death was annually bewailed 
 by the Gain Compare the poem on the subject of Atys in 
 
228 
 
 Nofei to Bahrius. 
 
 Catullus, LXIIL— These references will explain the allusions 
 in the text of this fable. 
 
 Fab. XVI. i. — A slight emendation of the Greek text suggests 
 •itself to the translator, viz. to read Strircp for Savep, and to omit 
 the comma after d<&d€i. This gives an intelligible sense to the 
 passage, and facilitates translation. In the next fable verses 
 13 — 17 are evidently imperfect, and it is hopeless to attempt a 
 literal translation. An approximatory guess is the translatoi s 
 only resource. 
 
 Fab. XXII. — Compare with this fable that which occurs as 
 Fable 71 of the first part Sir G. C. Lewis illustrates the reply 
 of the sea in v. 9 — 14, by a distich of Solon, from which it 
 appears to have originated (p. 21, ed. Schneidewin), and by the 
 speech of Artabanus to Xerxes, Herodot. vii. 16. In the last 
 verse of the fable we would read, 
 
 rots UpwTiv oHxh fOicriv airiois iiifixpov. 
 
 Fab. XXIV.— Compare Part I. Fab. LIX. The epimyths 
 present the chief difference between the two. 
 
 Fab. XXVIII. — Compare the epimyth of this fable, which 
 has a political end in view, with Fable 39, Part I. v. 3, 4. 
 
 Fab. XXXII. — There is no prose version extant of this 
 singular fable. But it may be compared with Babr. Part I. Fab. 
 57. and Part II. 52, with which it, in parts, corresponds. The 
 three concluding verses seem hopelessly corrupt, and defy 
 translation. 
 
 Fab. XXXVII.— Cf. Fab. XII. p. i, and Fab. XC. Part IL 
 and. see Note on the former. 
 
 Fab. XXXIX. — Horace, Epist. I. x. 34. AristoL Rhet. II. 20. 
 , Fab. XLI. 6. — Pliny, in his Natural History, x. 24, says of 
 the cock, " that it is an object of terror even to lions, the 
 noblest of the brute kind." The elephant seems to be very 
 
 Notes to Babrius, 
 
 229 
 
 sensitive of the attacks of insects, frequently rolling itself in mud, 
 contracting his skin, and so crushing them between its wrinkles, 
 or gathering boughs with his trunk to brush them away, or, if 
 these artifices fail, collecting dust with his trunk, and strewing it 
 over the most sensible parts of his body. See Encycl. Britann. 
 Art. Mammalia, vol. 12, pp. 469, 70. 
 
 Fab. XLII.— Compare Fab. I.XV. in Part I. and LXXXV. 
 Part II. Avianus, Fab. 15, says, "Threiciam volucrem fertur 
 Junonius ales," &c., and ^lian notes that the crane migrates in 
 the autumn to Libya and ^Egypt, N. A. II. i, IIL 13. Compare 
 Aristoph. Aves. 710. The epimyth here and at Fable LXV. in 
 the first part are very simular. 
 
 Fab. LL— Compare CXXVIIL in Part I. 
 
 Fab. LIL— Compare above. Fab. XXXI. Part IL 
 
 Fab. LIII. LIV. — Compare with these respectively, Fragm. I. 
 in Part I. and Fable CXXV. in Part L The translation is made 
 up of a comparison of both. The Maltese dog is mentioned by 
 Aristot. H. A. X. 6 ; Probl. X. 13. 
 
 Fab. LIX. — In the application of the fable of the Belly and 
 its Members, as related by Shakespeare, (Coriolanus, Act I. 
 Scene i,) Menenius calls one of the citizens, " the great toe of 
 the assembly," 
 
 '* For that being one of the lowest, basest, poorest. 
 Of this most wise rebellion, thou goest forward." 
 
 The fables are wholly dissimilar in purpose, but these words of 
 Shakespeare are a parallel to the description of the tail in this 
 fable of Babrius. 
 
 Fab. LXIV. — Simonides of Amorgos, in his poem ircpl 
 yovoXKQv^ represents Jove as having formed women out of brutes, 
 availing himself of the nature of each, e.g. the craft of the fox, 
 or the cleverness of the ape, in moulding the nature and 
 
230 
 
 Notes to Babrius, 
 
 character of each woman. For Prometheus, and his part in the 
 fable, Cf, Horace, Od- I. xvi. 13 "Fertur Prometheus," &c. 
 Fulgent, Mythol. III. De Peleo, and see Ovid Met I. 82—8. 
 See also above, Part I. Fab. LXVI. note. 
 
 Fab. LXVII. — The reading i-npiiv instead of 0i{piji/ in v. 14 
 has been adopted for translation. 
 
 Fab. LXXI. — See note in Kitto's Bible on Psalm Hi. 8, re- 
 specting the greenness and long life of the olive tree. 
 
 Fab. LXXII. — Avianus (Fab. 40) has a version of this fable, 
 the concluding lines of which are, — 
 
 Vade, ait, et pictse nimium confide figurae, 
 Dum mihi consilium pulchrius esse queat, 
 
 Miremurque magis quos munera mentis adomant, 
 Quam qui corporeis enituere bonis. 
 
 Fab. LXXIII. — Compare Aristotle, Rhet. II. 20, where, how- 
 ever, a demagogue, not a rich man, is represented as on his trial. 
 Tiberius used this fable,, a little altered, as a reason for not often 
 changing governors of provinces, or appointing successors, 
 unless in case of a governor's death. See Whiston's Josephus, 
 Antiq. Jews, Book XVIII. c. vi. note 5. 
 
 Fab. LXXVIII. — Compare with this fable, illustrative of the 
 force of nature, Part I. Fab. XXXII. It is given also by 
 Lucian ; Piscator, c. 36, who likewise tells it of a king of Egypt. 
 See also Lucian's Apology, c. v. where the monkeys are said to 
 have been the property of Cleopatra, 
 
 Fab. LXXX. — See Aristot. H. A. IX. 40. Pliny, H. A. XI. 
 c. 17. Nicander Theriaca, v. 809. Virg. Georg. IV. 236, and 
 Servius's note there. 
 
 Fab. LXXXL— Compare the story of Atys and Adrastus, 
 Herodot. I. 34—45. 
 
 Fab. LXXXIV. — Sir G. C. Lewis suggests the omission of 
 
 Notes to Bahrius. 
 
 231 
 
 v 2 m the text of this fable, and, for dKivovs, reading imt^v^v in 
 the end of v, i. 
 
 Fab. LXXXVI.— This fable is narrated nearly word for word 
 by Sylla, in a speech recorded in Appian's Civil Wars, Book I. 
 p. 413. Steph. q. V. 
 
 Fab. XC— Compare with this fable. Fab. Xll. Part I. 
 According to Homer, Od. XIX. 517—23, Zethus, king of 
 Thebes, married Aedon, daughter of Pandareus, and Itylus was 
 the offspring of this union. She slew her son in mistake for the 
 eldest child of Niobe, her husband's brother's wife. Sir G. C. 
 Lewis suggests reading yL7\rphs or UpSKVTts at the end of v. 42, 
 for Zri0ov, and referring the whole, as is most natural, to the 
 tragical tale of Tereus and Procne. Itylus was slain by the 
 sword of Aedon, not of Zethus. 
 
 Fab. XCV. — For the proverb irepl 6vov a-Kias, see Lucian. 
 Hermotim 71 ; Aristoph. Vesp. 191, and the Scholiast there, 
 who says that the fable was used by Menander, in one of his 
 plays ; and by Demosthenes, see Orat. De Pace, p. 6^, notes, 
 and Plat. Phoedr. p. 203, and the notes of Ast and others. It 
 seems, in all these passages, that the proverb refers to conten- 
 tions about matters of the very slightest moment 
 
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