The Fables of Phædrus: Literally translated into English prose with notesPhaedrus
General
The Fables of Phædrus: Literally translated into English prose with notes
Phaedrus
Fables, Latin -- Translations into English
A certain Man withdrew from his chariot a Horse, ennobled by many
victories, and sold him for the mill. As he was being led out of doors
from the mill-stones to water, he saw his fellows going towards the
Circus, to celebrate the joyous contests at the games. With tears
starting forth, he said, “Go on and be happy; celebrate without me the
festive day in the race; at the place to which the accursed hand of the
thief has dragged me, will I lament my sad fate.”
FABLE XXI.
THE HUNGRY BEAR.
_Hunger sharpens the wits._
If at any time[17] sustenance is wanting to the Bear in the woods, he
runs to the rocky shore, and, grasping a rock, gradually lets down his
shaggy thighs into the water; and as soon as the Crabs have stuck to the
long hair, betaking himself to shore, the crafty fellow shakes off his
sea-spoil, and enjoys the food that he has collected in every quarter.
Thus even in Fools does hunger sharpen the wits.
[Footnote NF.17: _If at any time_)--Ver. 1. This is not a
Fable; it is merely an anecdote in natural history, and one not
very unlikely to have been true.]
FABLE XXII.
THE TRAVELLER AND THE RAVEN.
_Men are very frequently imposed upon by words._
A Man while going through the fields along his solitary path, heard the
word “Hail!” whereat he stopped for a moment, but seeing no one, went on
his way. Again the same sound saluted him from a hidden spot; encouraged
by the hospitable voice, he stopped short, that whoever it was might
receive the like civility. When, looking all about, he had remained long
in perplexity, and had lost the time in which he might have walked some
miles, a Raven showed himself, and hovering above him, continually
repeated “Hail!” Then, perceiving that he had been deluded: “Perdition
seize you,” said he, “most mischievous bird, to have thus delayed me
when I was in such a hurry.”
FABLE XXIII.
THE SHEPHERD AND THE SHE-GOAT.
_Nothing is secret which shall not be made manifest._[18]
A Shepherd had broken[19] the horn of a She-Goat with his staff, {and}
began to entreat her not to betray him to his Master. “Although unjustly
injured,” {said she}, “still, I shall be silent; but the thing itself
will proclaim your offence.”
[Footnote NF.18: _Be made manifest_)--Ver. 1. This moral is
couched in the same words as St. Luke, viii. 17: “For nothing is
secret which shall not be made manifest.”]
[Footnote NF.19: _A Shepherd had broken_)--Ver. 1. As Adry
remarks, this Fable more closely resembles the brevity and
elegance of Phædrus.]
FABLE XXIV.
THE SERPENT AND THE LIZARD.
_When the Lion’s skin fails, the Fox’s must be employed; that is to say,
when strength fails, we must employ craftiness._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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