[16] A prince.--The infant Duke de Bourgogne. See Note to Table IV., Book XII. The context shows that La Fontaine was over seventy when this fable was written. [17] _Patroclus_.--In the Trojan war, when Achilles, on his difference with Agamemnon, remained inactive in his tent, Patroclus, his friend, put on Achilles' "armour dread," and so caused dire alarm to the Trojans, who thought that Achilles had at last taken the field. X.--THE LOBSTER AND HER DAUGHTER.[18] The wise, sometimes, as lobsters do, To gain their ends back foremost go. It is the rower's art; and those Commanders who mislead their foes, Do often seem to aim their sight Just where they don't intend to smite. My theme, so low, may yet apply To one whose fame is very high, Who finds it not the hardest matter A hundred-headed league to scatter. What he will do, what leave undone, Are secrets with unbroken seals, Till victory the truth reveals. Whatever he would have unknown Is sought in vain. Decrees of Fate Forbid to check, at first, the course Which sweeps at last with torrent force. One Jove, as ancient fables state, Exceeds a hundred gods in weight. So Fate and Louis[19] would seem able The universe to draw, Bound captive to their law.-- But come we to our fable. A mother lobster did her daughter chide: 'For shame, my daughter! can't you go ahead?' 'And how go you yourself?' the child replied; 'Can I be but by your example led? Head foremost should I, singularly, wend, While all my race pursue the other end.' She spoke with sense: for better or for worse, Example has a universal force. To some it opens wisdom's door, But leads to folly many more. Yet, as for backing to one's aim, When properly pursued The art is doubtless good, At least in grim Bellona's game. [18] Aesop; also in Avianus. [19] _Louis_.--Louis XIV. XI.--THE EAGLE AND THE MAGPIE.[20]