[1] _Duke de Bourgogne_.--Louis Duke de Bourgogne (Burgundy), grandson of Louis XIV. He was the son of Louis de Bourbon, the Dauphin, to whom La Fontaine had dedicated the first collection of his Fables. (See note, Dedication of Book I.) He was born in 1682, and at the time of this dedication was about twelve years of age, and the pupil of Fénélon. See Translator's Preface. [2] _In war a hero_.--Louis, the Dauphin, father of the prince addressed. The Dauphin was then in command of the army in Germany. [3] This fable was first printed in the _Mercure Galant_, December, 1690, where it had a few additional lines, which the author cut out on republication in his XIIth Book. II.--THE CAT AND THE TWO SPARROWS.[4] To Monseigneur The Duke De Bourgogne. Contemporary with a sparrow tame There lived a cat; from tenderest age, Of both, the basket and the cage Had household gods the same. The bird's sharp beak full oft provoked the cat, Who play'd in turn, but with a gentle pat, His wee friend sparing with a merry laugh, Not punishing his faults by half. In short, he scrupled much the harm, Should he with points his ferule arm. The sparrow, less discreet than he, With dagger beak made very free. Sir Cat, a person wise and staid, Excused the warmth with which he play'd: For 'tis full half of friendship's art To take no joke in serious part. Familiar since they saw the light, Mere habit kept their friendship good; Fair play had never turn'd to fight, Till, of their neighbourhood, Another sparrow came to greet Old Ratto grave and saucy Pete. Between the birds a quarrel rose, And Ratto took his side. 'A pretty stranger, with such blows To beat our friend!' he cried. 'A neighbour's sparrow eating ours! Not so, by all the feline powers.' And quick the stranger he devours. 'Now, truly,' saith Sir Cat, I know how sparrows taste by that. Exquisite, tender, delicate!' This thought soon seal'd the other's fate.-- But hence what moral can I bring? For, lacking that important thing, A fable lacks its finishing: I seem to see of one some trace, But still its shadow mocks my chase. Yours, prince, it will not thus abuse: For you such sports, and not my muse. In wit, she and her sisters eight Would fail to match you with a mate. [4] The story of this fable seems to come from a fable by Furetière, titled "The Dog and the Cat." Antony Furetière was more famous as a lexicographer, and through his angry contention with the French Academy on the subject of his Dictionary, than as a poet. He lived between 1620 and 1688. III.--THE MISER AND THE MONKEY.[5]