ProjectGutenberg'sLiteraryFablesofYriarte,byTomasdeIriarte

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Title:LiteraryFablesofYriarte

Author:TomasdeIriarte

Translator:Geo.H.Devereux

ReleaseDate:May7,2012[EBook#39640]

Language:English

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LITERARYFABLESOF

YRIARTE.

(TomásdeIriarteyOropesa)

TRANSLATEDFROMTHESPANISH,

BY

GEO.H.DEVEREUX.

BOSTON:

TICKNORANDFIELDS.

MDCCCLV.

TO

THECLASSOF1829

IDEDICATE

THISUNPRETENDINGRESULTOFSOMELEISUREHOURS.

IdonotflattermyselfthatitwillmakeanyconspicuousadditiontotheworthyachievementsthathavealreadygracedourrollwithnamesthatrankhighinthelistsofScience,PhilosophyandLiterature.But it ispleasant tome toconnectthistranslationofacollegetext-book—usedbyusall,longago,withinthewallsofoldHarvard—withthememoryofyouthfulpursuitsthathaveneverlosttheircharm for the mind, and early associations that retain, with all their originalfreshnessandgeniality,theirholdupontheheart.

PREFACE.

The Fable has always been a popular mode of conveying certain kinds ofinstruction. The brief and simple illustrations it affords give additionalweightandpointtomoralapothegmsorsententiouscriticisms.Likethefeatherontheshaft, they serve to increase the force anddirect the aimmorecertainly to themark.Apertinentfactoranaptfictionbreathes,evenintoadryandcurtaxiom,a living and practical interest which opens to it hearts and heads that wouldotherwisepassitbywithindifference,orrevoltfromitwithimpatience.Manyofthese unpretending allegories have been familiar to us all, in childhood, in agreatvarietyofdresses,andhavelongformedastandardpartofourliterature—congenialaliketonurserydaysandtomatureage.

Thefablescontainedin the littlecollectionhere translatedarenot,withoneortwoexceptions,foundamongthewidelypopularandfamiliarfablestowhichwehavealluded.Theywerewritteninaforeigntongue,lessgenerallyunderstood,amongus,thansomeotheroftheEuropeanlanguages;andtheyaredesignedfora special and somewhat abstruse purpose. Both these circumstances tend tonarrowtheirsphereofcirculation;andwepresumethat theyformabooklittleknowntomostEnglishreaders.

Ifwedonoterrinourestimateofthem,theLiteraryFablesofDonThomasDeYriartearewellworthyofperusal.Theyareaptlyandingeniouslyadaptedtothetruths they seek to inculcate; and they are remarkable for a terse simplicityofformandstyle,wellsuitedtotheobjectsandcharacterofsuchproductions.Themaximsandcriticismstheyenforcemustapprovethemselvestothemind,bothoftheprofessedscholarandthegeneralreader.

Theauthorwasborn inTeneriffe,A.D.1750,butwaseducatedand residedatMadrid,wherehedied in1791,at theearlyage,ofcourse,of forty-oneyears.His uncle, Don Juan De Yriarte, was the chief superintendent of the royallibrary;andthenephewwaseducatedunderhisauspices.Inhiseighteenthyear,hecommencedhisliterarycareerbythewritingofdramas,andthetranslationofplays from theFrench for theSpanish stage.He spent his life in theduties ofsundryofficesunderthegovernment;yetheverysoonassumedandmaintaineda high consideration as a scholar and writer. His works, however, were of acharactertocommandbutlittleinterestfromposterity,withtheexceptionofthefablestranslatedinthislittlevolume.

Ofthem,ProfessorTicknor,fromwhoselearnedworkonSpanishliteraturewe

havecollectedthesedetails,speaksasfollows:—

"Here,he,insomedegree,struckoutanewpath;forhenotonlyinventedallhisfictions,whichnootherfabulist,inmoderntimes,haddone,butrestrictedthemall, in theirmoralpurpose, to thecorrectionof thefaultsandfolliesofmenoflearning—anapplicationwhichhadnotbeforebeenthoughtof.Theyarewrittenwith great care, in no less than forty different measures, and show anextraordinary degree of ingenuity in adapting the attributes and instincts ofanimals to the instruction, not of mankind at large, as had always been donebefore,buttothatofaseparateandsmallclass,betweenwhomandtheinferiorcreationtheresemblanceisrarelyobvious.Thetaskwascertainlyadifficultone.Perhaps, on this account, they are too narrative in their structure, and failsomewhat in the genial spirit which distinguishes Esop and La Fontaine, thegreatestmastersofApologueandFable.Buttheirinfluencewassoneededintheageofbadwritingwhentheyappeared,andtheyare,besides,sogracefulintheirversification,thattheywerenotonlyreceivedwithgreatfavoratfirst,buthaveneverlostitsince."—Ticknor'sHist,ofSpan.Literature,vol.iii.,p.279.

Wehaveendeavoredtodischargewithfidelitythedutyoftranslation;attemptingtopreservetheformandspiritoftheauthor,asfaraswasconsistentwithgivingtheworkanEnglishdress.With thisview,wehaveaimed toproducea literalandcharacteristicreflectionoftheoriginalratherthananexpandedandhighly-wrought paraphrase. Where we could do so, we have sought to preserve themetre,oranearlyanalogousone,inorder,ifpossible,togiveaclearideaoftheSpanishworktotheEnglishreader.Butthisisnotpracticableinallcases.ThepeculiarconstructionofSpanishrhymes,togetherwiththeobstinacywithwhichsomewordsandsentencesrefusethesternyokeofourEnglishrules,renderthetask,alwayshard,sometimesimpossible.TheterminalinflectionsoftheSpanishlanguage and its accentuation are widely different from those of the Anglo-Saxon; and so axe the arbitrary arrangementsof the rhythm,which are, in thelatter, farmoreexactingandprecise.Theprofessed scholarwill recognizeandmakedueallowanceforsuchobstacles.Tothepublicatlargeweshallhopeourlittlebookmayconveysomeinstructionandamusement,inapalatableshape.Ifso,itmaygive,toanovelclassofsubjects,somewhatofthewell-knowninterestinspiredbythegracefulandpopularfictionsofEsop,GayandLaFontaine.

G.H.D.

Salem,October25th,1854.

CONTENTS

THEELEPHANTANDOTHERANIMALSTHESILKWORMANDSPIDERTHEBEAR,THEMONKEYANDTHEHOGTHEDRONESANDTHEBEETHETWOPARROTSANDTHEMAGPIETHESHOWMAN'SMONKEYANDHISMASTERTHECATHEDRALBELLANDTHELITTLEBELLTHEASSANDTHEFLUTETHEANTANDTHEFLEATHEWALL-FLOWERANDTHETHYMETHERABBITSANDTHEDOGSTHEEGGSTHEDUCKANDTHESNAKETHEMUFF,THEFAN,ANDTHEUMBRELLATHEFROGANDTHETADPOLETHEBUSTARDTHELINNETANDTHESWANTHEHACKMULETHEGOATANDTHEHORSETHEBEEANDTHECUCKOOTHEBATANDTHECATTHEOWLANDLAMP,ANDTHEDOGSANDTHERAGMANTHETHRUSH,PARROTANDMAGPIETHEWOLFANDTHESHEPHERDTHELION,EAGLEANDBATTHEMONKEYTHEASSANDHISMASTERTHETURNSPITANDTHEMULEOFTHEWELLTHEAUTHORANDTHERATTHESQUIRRELANDTHEHORSETHEFOPANDTHELADYTHEOSTRICH,THEDROMEDARY,ANDTHEFOXTHECROWANDTHETURKEYTHESILKWORMANDTHECATERPILLARTHEPURCHASEOFTHEASSTHEOXANDTHEGRASSHOPPERTHEMACAWANDTHEMARMOTTHEPORTRAITTHETWOINNSTHETEA-PLANTANDSAGETHECAT,THELIZARD,ANDTHECRICKETTHECONCERTOFTHEBEASTSTHESWORDANDTHESPITTHEUNFORTUNATESTHECOCKSTHEMONKEYANDTHEMAGPIETHENIGHTINGALEANDTHESPARROW

THEGARDENERANDHISMASTERTHETWOTHRUSHESTHELACE-MAKERSTHEHUNTERANDHISFERRETTHEPIG,THECOCKANDTHELAMBTHEFLINTANDTHESTEELTHEJUDGEANDTHEROBBERTHEHOUSEMAIDANDTHEBROOMTHELIZARDSTHEWATCHESTHEMOLEANDOTHERANIMALSTHEROPE-DANGERTHEOWLANDTHETOADTHEOILMERCHANT'SASSTHECONNOISSEURSTHEFROGANDTHEHENTHEBEETLETHERICHMAN'SLIBRARYTHEVIPERANDTHELEECH

INTRODUCTION.

FABLEI.

THEELEPHANTANDOTHERANIMALS

Longyearsago,infar-offland,Wheneverybrutebeasthadaway,Whathethoughtandfelt,tosayInlanguageallcouldunderstand—ThesagaciousElephantobservedAmongthesecreaturesmanyafailing,Andgrossabuses,too,prevailing,Whichstrenuousreformdeserved.Hecalledthemall,fromfarandnear,Hisstricturesontheirwaystohear.WithreverencethemostprofoundHislongproboscisswepttheground;

Incarefulphrase,welllearnedbyheart,Hethendischargedthecensor'spart—Athousandsillyfoiblesnoted,Athousandviciousactionsquoted;Envy,workingsorevexation,Ostentatiousinsolence,Idleness,procrastination,Thearroganceofignorance.

HissoundandnoblecounselstirsTheheartsofmanylisteners,Accepting,withduereverence,Thedictatesofhisgeneroussense.TheguilelessLambandthriftyAnt,TheBee,frugalandprovident,ThetrustySetter,andtheDove,Everfaithfultoherlove,TheobedientHorse,theLinnetshy,AndthesimpleButterfly.But,oftheaudience,apartnotsmallDeclaredthattheiroffendedprideSuchlanguageplaincouldnotabide;Notthey—no,notatall.TheTigerandrapaciousWolf,Openingtheirlankjaws'bloodygulf,Againsttheadviserrave;Hisvileabuse,amongthecrowd,ThevenomousSerpenthissedaloud;While,allaround,thewhisperingtoneOfWaspandHornet,FlyandDrone,Amurmuringechogave.ThemischievousBalm-cricketleaptFromthetumultuousthrong;TheLocustspreadhisclangingwing,Hisgreedyconsciencefeltthesting;ThewrigglingCaterpillarcreptHissneakingwayalong;TheWeaselarchedhisspitefulback;TheFoxkeptsilenceshrewd;

TheMonkey,sauciestofthepack,Mocked,withgrimacesrude.

ThestatelyElephantlookeddownUponthevexedturmoil:"Toeachandallandyettonone,"—Spakehiscalmvoiceabovethebroil,—"ThesecensuresIapply;Lethimwhowincesputthemon;Whonot,hearquietly."

Whoevermaymyfablesread,Thistruthimportantlethimheed:Thattoallnations—nottoanyone—Andtoalltimes,theyspeak.TheworldhasshownalikeThefaultsatwhichtheystrikeIneachrevolvingweek.Then—sincethewarningfingerPointsatnodestinedhead—WhofeelsthecensurelingerMustsuponhisownbread.

FABLEII.

THESILKWORMANDSPIDER.

AthiscocoonabusySilkwormlabored;ASpider,whowithallhermightwasspinningHardby,withlaughmalicious,thusbespokehim.Insillyexultationtaskscomparing:"Whatthinkyouofmyweb,goodMasterSilkworm?ThisverymorningIbeganit,early,Andnow,mid-daywillseethejobcompleted.Justseehowfineandbeautifulitis,too!"

Coollyrepliedthepreciousfabric'sworkman:"'Tistrue—yourlabortellsusitsownstory."

Letthosewhoboasttheirnumerousvapidvolumes,Knowthat'tisquality,notbulk,that'sprecious.Whatcostssmalllaborisofsmallervalue.

FABLEIII.

THEBEAR,THEMONKEYANDTHEHOG.

APiedmonteseaBearhadtaughtUpontwolegstheartofdancing;

Toearntheirbread,themastersought,Byshowingoffhisawkwardprancing.

Now,Bruin,anxioustoexcel,BeforetheMonkeyshowedhisskill.

"HowdoIdance,friend?Pritheetell.""Ill,"saidtheMonkey,"veryill."

"Iamafraidyoulookonme,"SaidBruin,"withajealouseye.

Now,thatImovequitegracefully,Andknowthestep,canyoudeny?"

AjollyPigwasstandingby,Andshouted,—"Bravo!noblydone!

Abetterdancer,sureamI,Wasneverseenbeneaththesun."

Hespoke.ButBruinthoughtfulstood,Andsoberlythegruntereyed;

Atlast,insadandhumblemood,Tohisloudpraisehethusreplied:

"WhenMonkeydidmydancingslightIdidnotmuchthecensureheed;

ButnowIsee,byyourdelight,Itmustbemiserable,indeed."

Authors,whoseekanoblefame,Markwellthemoralofmyverse!

That'sbadwhichworthyjudgesblame;Whatbadapplaud,isworse.

FABLEIV.

THEDRONESANDTHEBEE.

Byasenseoftheirbadreputationmolested,TheDronesingravecouncilassembledoneday;

Andvariousmeasureseachidlersuggested,Towashoftheirsloththesadstigmaaway.

Nootherexpedientwellcouldtheysee,Intheeyesofallanimalsbettertostand—

Thoughlazyandstupidaswelltheycouldbe—Thantotry,atthemakingofhoney,theirhand.

Butthelaborprovedverydistasteful,indeed;Theworkmen,arude,inexperiencedcrew;

TheybegantobedoubtfuliftheyshouldsucceedVerywellinattainingtheobjectinview.

Togetridoftheirtroubletheyfainwouldcontrive,ByinterringinstateanoldBeethathaddied—

AnotableBeeofaneighboringhive,Ofallhercompanionsthemodelandpride.

Withpompandwithhonortheylaudedhername,Infuneralobsequies,brilliantandgrand;

Panegyricsimmortaltheybuzzedtoherfame,Forthewhitestofwaxandhoneysobland.

Thisdone,withmuchself-satisfactiontheystop.ButaBeesaidinscorn,"Isthisallyoucando?

OfthehoneyImake,notonesingledropWouldIgiveforthefussofyourbeggarlycrew."

Howmanythereare,whotheiremptinessmask,Byquotingwisewordsfromthelipsofthedead!

Butwithalltheirpretence,didtheyever,Iask,Produceanysuchfromtheirownshallowhead?

FABLEV.

THETWOPARROTSANDTHEMAGPIE.

AdamefromSt.DomingoBroughtwithherParrotstwain.NowthisislandishalfGallic,HalfownstheflagofSpain;Thus,intwodifferentlanguages,TheParrotstalkedamain,TillthegallerywheretheircageshungDiscordantwasasBabylon.SoontheFrenchandtheCastilianTheymixedupinsuchabotherThat,intheend,nosoulcouldtellIfitwereoneor'tother.TheFrenchParrotfromtheSpaniardTookacontributionsmall;WhiletheSpanishbirdchangednigheachwordFortheidiomofGaul.

Theirmistresspartsthebabblers—AndtheFrenchmankeptnotlongThephraseshehadborrowedFromlessfashionabletongue.TheotherstillrefusesHisjargontogiveover;ButnewmeritratherchoosesInthishotchpotchtodiscover—ExultingthathethuscanvaryTherangeofhisvocabulary.

InmongrelFrench,oneday,HeeagerlybeggedafterThescrapingsofthepot;Withheartyroaroflaughter,Frombalconyacrosstheway,AMagpieshoutedoutAtthefollyofthelout.

TheParrotansweredpertly,Aswithargumentconclusive,—"YouarenothingbutaPurist,Oftastefoolishlyexclusive."—?"Thanksforthecompliment,"quothMagpie,curtly.

Manymen,insooth,thereare,LiketheParrots,everywhere;Withtheirownlanguagenotcontent,Wouldamongreltongueinvent.

FABLEVI.

THESHOWMAN'SMONKEYANDHISMASTER.

Thatauthenticauthor,FatherValdecebro,—InhisveraciousNaturalHistory,Whoexercisedhiswarmimagination,Byspotsandmarks,eachbeastminutelypainting,Andtold,instylesofancifulandturgid,AbouttheUnicornastoundingmarvels,AndtothefabulousPhoenixgavefullcredence,—Inhiseighthbook,orninth,—whichI'veforgotten,—RelatesthestoryofafamousMonkey.

Thestoryran:ThatitwasaMonkeyskilfulInthousandtricks,whoservedapuppetshowman:Thatthoughtoneday,inabsenceofhismaster,Toasksomebeasts—hisownespecialcronies—Towitnessallhisentertainingjuggles.Firstheplayeddeadman;then,likeHarlequin,Dancedontheropewithsomersetandshuffle;Madedesperateleaps,exhibitedthesword-dance,Onhandsandfeetalternatespunincircles;Last,didthePrussianmanual,gunonshoulder.Withtheseandothertrickshelongamusedthem.But,betteryetthanany,—sincetheeveningHadnowsetin,noryettheaudiencewearied,—AnexhibitionwiththemagiclanthornHenowwouldgive,ashehadseenhismaster.

When,bypreliminaryexplanation,Hefixedattention,—asisshowman'scustom,—Behindthelanthornbeingdulystationed,Fromsidetosideheshovedthepaintedglasses,Eachsceneloquaciously,thewhile,explaining.

Thechamberwasalldarkened,asisusual;ButthespectatorsstrainedtheireyesattentiveInvain,fornonecouldseethebrilliantwondersWhichMonkeywassovolublyannouncing.

Allwereperplexed,andsoonarosesuspicionThattheseproceedingswerebutemptyhumbug.

TheMonkey,mostofall,wasdisconcerted;WhenMasterPedro,enteringunexpected,And,—whatwasgoingonatonceperceiving,—Halflaughingandhalfangry,saidtoMonkey,"Whatistheuseofallyourendlessgabble,Youfool,ifyouforgettolightyourlanthorn?"

Pardonmyhint,yedeepandsubtilewriters,Whoboasttobebeyondourcomprehensions;Yourbrainsaredarkastheunlightedlanthorn.

FABLEVII.

THECATHEDRALBELLANDTHELITTLEBELL.

Inacertaincathedralahugebelltherehung,Thatonlyonsolemnoccasionswasrung;Itsechoesmajestic,bystrokesthreeorfour,Nowandthen,ingravecadence,wereheard—nevermore.Forthisstatelyreserveanditswonderfulweight,Throughoutthewholeparish,itsglorywasgreat.

Inthedistrictthecityheldunderitssway,Ofafewwretchedrustics,ahamlettherelay;Andapoorlittlechurch,withabelfrysosmall,Thatyouhardlywouldcallitabelfryatall.Therealittlecrackedcow-bell,thatinitwasswinging,Forthepoorlittleneighborhooddidalltheringing.

NowthatthislittlebelfrymightapeinrenownThecathedral'shugetower,thatloomedupo'erthetown;Thatbrieflyandseldom—onfestivalsnoted—Thesaidlittlebellshouldberung—itwasvoted.Bythiscunningdevice,intheirrusticaleyes,Itstinklesoonpassedforabellofgreatsize.

Oftruemeritandexcellence,manymentry,Bygraveairsandlongfaces,theplacetosupply;AndthinkthattheirwisdomissurelyinferredFromtheirseldomvouchsafingtoutteraword.

Indeed,itistrue,inageneralway,Assesmaynotbeknowniftheynevershouldbray,Andforawiseanimalsafelymaypass;Ifoneopenshismouth,thenweknowhe'sanass.

FABLEVIII.

THEASSANDTHEFLUTE.

Beitgoodorbad,ThislittlelayTomeoccurredto-day,Bychance.

ThroughafieldinourvillageAwanderingassOnedaydidpass,Bychance.

Leftbyacarelessswain,Forgottenontheground,Thereaflutehefound,Bychance.

Ashestoppedtosmellit—Thisdonkeygrave—Asnorthegave,Bychance.

Intotheflutehisbreath

Happenedtofinditsway,Andtheflutebegantoplay,Bychance.

"Oho!"saidthewisebeast,"HowwellIcanplay!Whowillsaymenay?Bychance.".

Therearedonkeysplenty,Who,withoutonejotofart,May,foronce,wellplayapart,Bychance.

FABLEIX.

THEANTANDTHEFLEA.

AcuriousaffectationsomeputonOfknowingeverythingtheychanceupon.Whatevermattertheymayhearorsee,Howeverneworexcellentitbe,Ofsmallaccountandeasyalwaysdeemit,Andneverworthyoftheirpraiseesteemit.ThissortoffolksIcannotletgoby;But,fortheirfoolishpertness,Ishalltry,SureasIlive,toshowthemupinrhyme,IfIshouldwasteonthemawholeday'stime.

TheAntwasoncerelatingtotheFleaThewholesomelessonofherindustry;How,byherlabor,hersupportshegains;Howbuildstheant-hills;withwhatcareandpainsShegathersupthescatteredgrainsforfood;Andhowalllaborforthecommongood;

Withotherinstancesofenterprise,Thatmightwithmanypassforidlelies,If'twerenoteverydaybeforeoureyes.

ToallherstatementsstilltheFleademurred,—Yetcouldnotcontradictasingleword—Withtalklikethis:"Ah,yes,undoubtedly;Igrantit;certainly.O,soIsee!'Tisplain.Ithinkso,too,myself.Ofcourse.Allright.Iunderstand.There'sbetterandthereworse."

Withsuchevasions,patiencegrowingthin,Readyalmosttojumpoutofherskin,UntotheFleasheanswered,—"Now,myfriend,Togowithme,Ibegyou,condescend.Andsince,insuchgrandfashion,youassumeAllthissomightyeasytobedone,Giveusyourself,bywayofgoodexample,Ofyourowngreatabilities,asample."

Withimpudenceunmoved,repliedtheFlea:"Pooh,nonsense!Thinkyouthustopuzzleme?Whocouldn't,iftheychosetotry?But,stay,—I'veanengagementnow.AnotherdayWe'llthinkofit,"—andlightlyleapedaway.

FABLEX.

THEWALL-FLOWERANDTHETHYME.

AWall-flowerspoke,—asIhavesomewhereread,—AThyme-plantgrowinginaneighboringbed,Intheflowerlanguage,scornfullyaddressing:"Heavenhelpyou,Thyme!'Tisreallydistressing!Thoughthemostfragrantofallplants,Iown,Scarceahand'sbreadthabovethegroundyou'vegrown."

"Dearfriend,thatI'mofhumbleheight,'tistrue,ButwithouthelpIgrow.Ipityyou,Thatcannotrise,evenahand'sbreadthhigh,Withoutawalltoclimbby,ifyoutry."

Forwriters,who,byclingingtothenameOfothers,arrogateanauthor'sfame,—Byaddingtoawork,perchanceanote,Orashortpreface,—thisresponseIquote.

FABLEXI.

THERABBITSANDTHEDOGS.

ARabbit,whomTwoDogspursue,

IntothecopseInterrorflew.

Outofhisburrow,Attheclatter,

Acomradesprung.—"Friend,what'sthematter?"

"Thematter?Zounds!I'mfairlyblown;

ByvillainhoundsI'mhunteddown."

"IseethemyonderThroughthefurze.

Butthey'renothounds."—"Whatthen?"—"They'recurs."

"Curs,hey!ThensoIsmygrandmother!

YoudonotknowTheonefromt'other."

"Stupid!they'renaughtButmongrelcur."—

"They'rehounds,Isay."—"They'recurs,goodsir."

WhiletheydisputeThedogsarrive;

AndbothofthemEatupalive.

Yewho,importantMattersscorning,

Toywithtrifles,Takeourwarning.

FABLEXII.

THEEGGS.

BeyondthesunnyPhilippinesAnislandlies,whosenameIdonotknow;Butthat'soflittleconsequence,ifsoYouunderstandthattheretheyhadnohens;Till,byahappychance,atraveller,Afterawhile,carriedsomepoultrythere.Fasttheyincreasedasanyonecouldwish;Untilfresheggsbecamethecommondish.Butallthenativesatethemboiled,—theysay,—Becausethestrangertaughtnootherway.Atlasttheexperimentbyonewastried—

Sagaciousman!—ofhavinghiseggsfried.And,O!whatboundlesshonors,forhispains,Hisfruitfulandinventivefancygains!Another,now,tohavethembakeddevised,—Mosthappythought!—andstillanother,spiced.Whoeverthoughteggsweresodelicate!Next,someonegavehisfriendsanomelette:"Ah!"allexclaimed,"whataningeniousfeat!"

Butscarceayearwentby,anartisteshouts,"Ihaveitnow,—ye'reallapackoflouts!—Withnicetomatoesallmyeggsarestewed."Andthewholeislandthoughtthemodesogood,Thattheywouldsohavecookedthemtothisday,Butthatastranger,wanderingoutthatway,Anotherdishthegapingnativestaught,AndshowedthemeggscookedàlaHuguenot.

Successivecooksthusprovedtheirskilldiverse;ButhowshallIbeabletorehearseAllofthenew,deliciouscondimentsThatluxury,fromtimetotime,invents?Soft,hardanddropped;andnowwithsugarsweet,Andnowboiledupwithmilk,theeggstheyeat;Insherbet,inpreserves;atlasttheytickleTheirpalatesfancifulwitheggsinpickle.Allhadtheirday—thelastwasstillthebest.Butagraveseniorthus,oneday,addressedTheepicures:"Boast,ninnies,ifyouwill,Thesecountlessprodigiesofgastricskill—Butblessingsonthemanwhobroughtthehens!"

BeyondthesunnyPhilippinesOurcrowdofmodernauthorsneednotgoNew-fangledmodesofcookingeggstoshow.

FABLEXIII.

THEDUCKANDTHESNAKE.

OnthebordersofapondStoodaDuck,discoursingthus:"NaturetomeisgenerousAllcreatureselsebeyond.

Formylife,ithathnoboundWater,earthorairwithin;IcanflyorIcanswim,Whena-wearyoftheground."

AcunningSnakestoodby.Andheardthevauntingstrain;Andhissingsaid,"HowvainToholdyourselfsohigh!

NotonlandwiththefleetStag,OrswiftFalconintheair,Canyoumakegoodyourbrag:Inthewater,too,theTroutWillbeatyououtandout:Youwithneithercancompare."

Thewisemanknowethwell,Thatitisnotwisdom'sendInallthingstopretend,—Butinsomethingtoexcel.

FABLEXIV.

THEMUFF,THEFAN,ANDTHEUMBRELLA.

Ifsomeabsurdpresumptionshow—Inseekingeverythingtoknow,ToservebutforasingleuseMayalsobewithoutexcuse.

Uponatable,once,togetherlayAMuff,Umbrella,andaFan.Indialectsuchas,inaformerday,ThePotuntotheKettlespoke.TheUmbrellasilencebroke,Andtohistwocompanionsthusbegan:

"Nowprettyarticlesarenotyeboth!You,Muff,inwinterserveyourpurposewell;But,whenspringcomesabout,inidleslothInadarkcornermustforgottendwell.You,Fan,anuselessthingbecome,inturn,Whenheatdeclinesinsummer'sglowingurn,

Andcoldwindstakeyourofficequiteaway.Learnnow,fromme,abroaderparttoplay.Toshieldtheheadfromrainsofwintryskies,I,asUmbrella,servetheturn;Again,likepraiseIearnWhensummer'sardentraystheParasoldefies."

FABLEXV.

THEFROGANDTHETADPOLE.

OnTagus'banks,inartlesswonder,AlittleTadpole,onacanebrakegazing,Longwithitsmotherchattedoftheleaves,Ofthehugestalks,andverduresoamazing;Butnowtheairwiththefiercetempestheaves,Andtheroughwindsthecanebrakerentasunder—

Abrokencaneintothestreamfellover;"Come, look, my child," now said the thoughtfulmother,"Without,sostrong,luxuriantandsmooth—Within,allpithandemptiness,forsooth!"

IfourgoodFrogsomepoets'workshadread,Perchance,ofthemshemightthesamehavesaid.

FABLEXVI.

THEBUSTARD.

ThesluggishBustard,inherfoolishpate,Vexedwithheryoungones'awkwardflight,Purposedtoraiseabroodmorelight,Eventhough'twereillegitimate.

ForthisendmanyaneggshestoleFromPartridge,PigeonandtheKite,Andsundrybirdsofeasyflight;Andinhernestmixedupthewhole.

Longwhileandpatientlyshesatuponthem;Thoughsomeprovedaddled,yet,intime,therestWithafinebroodofnurslingsfilledthenest;Andmanyakind,ofcourse,wasfoundamongthem.

Ahostofbirdscollects,atherrequest,Toadmireherprogeny,sorareandnew;Buteachawaywithhisownoffspringflew,AndleftpoorBustardwithanemptynest.

Ye,whotheideasofothermenbroodover,—Bringoutyourfledglings.Letusseethemfly!

Then,"This,andthisismine,"resoundsthecryHowmuchbelongstoyou,we'llsoondiscover.

FABLEXVII.

THELINNETANDTHESWAN.

"Keepsilence,noisylittleone,"UntoaLinnetsaidtheSwan."Italmosttemptsmyselftosing;althoughNovoice,ourfeatheredtribesamong,Compareswithmineinmelody,youknow."

TheLinnetstillmaintainedherjoyoustrill."Whatinsolenceisthis!"continuedhe."Seehowthistinywarblertauntethme!NaughtbutmygreatconsiderationPreventsyourwell-deservedhumiliation,Bythedisplayofmysuperiorskill."

"Wouldyoumightsing!"repliedthelittlebird;"Withboundlesscuriosityweall—Allothervoicebysilentwondershackled—Shouldlistentothatharmonydivine,Whichboastsfargreaterfamethanmine;Thoughnoneofus,asyet,hatheverheard."KashlytheSwanessayed—butonlycackled.

Notstrange,thatemptyreputation,Without,orskillorgenius,atfoundation,Should,upontrial,cheattheexpectation!

FABLEXVIII.

THEHACKMULE.

Fullfedandantic,AHackMulepushed

WithspeedsofranticForthfromherstable,

ThatherriderScarcelywasable

Withreintoguideher.Halfourjourney

NotlongwillbideherInsucharace.

ButthefalsejadeNowslacksherpace.

Whattroublenow?Goon!Perhaps

Thespurwilldo.What,no?Thentaps

OfthislightrodOrharderraps

Frompointedgoad.Bothare,Ifind,

Invainbestowed.How!outofwind!

WithreadyheelsShekicksbehind,

Andbitesandsqueals.Whatacurvette!

Shejumpsandreels.Youdevil'spet,

WithhandandfootWe'lltryyouyet.

UponherbellyDownsheflounders,—

Heresprawlingflat.Amurrainfoul

Seizeonyoursoul!Amentothat!

TheMule,thatworkbeginsWithsuchcapers,

Isnotthemuleforme;And,whene'erIseeThatanyauthorvapors

Toomuchofhisintent,—Atonce,Isay,"Beware!Goodfriend,prayhaveacare

Ofthismule'spredicament."

FABLEXIX.

THEGOATANDTHEHORSE.

AGoat,inmutedelight,Tothesweetechoesofaviolin,Harmonious,longstoodlistening;Hisfeet,thewhile,insympatheticmeasure,Dancedallunconsciouslyforpleasure.And,toanhonestNag,who,inlikemoodAbsorbed,forgothisfood,Thesewordshespoke:

"Now,ofthesestringsyouheartheharmony,KnowthattheyaretheentrailsofaGoat,Whopastured,intimespast,withme.And,formyself,Itrustsomefuturetime—Blest thought!—such sonorous strains may rise frommine."

ThegoodHackturnedhimself,andansweredthus:"Neverareheardthesesoundsharmonious,Except,acrossthestringsconcordant,sweepThehairsthatfrommytailweredrawn.Myfrightisoverandthepainisgone;And,asreward,Inowthepleasurereap

Ofseeing,formyself,thehonorspaidTothesweetinstrument,throughmyownaid.Foryou,whohopelikepleasuretoderive,—Whenshallyoutasteit?Notwhileyou'realive.

Justso,invainawretchedwritertries,Throughouthislife,togaincelebrity;TobetterjudgmentofposterityHeleaveshiswork,and,thusconsoled,hedies.

FABLEXX.

THEBEEANDTHECUCKOO.

"Stop,Cuckoo,"saidtheBee;"Withmylaborinterferes

Thatunpleasantvoiceofthine,Alwaysringinginmyears.

Thereisnobird,insong,Somonotonousasthou.

Itiscuckooalldaylong,Andnothingbutcuckoo!"

"Weariesyou,mymonotone?"TheCuckoostraightrejoined;

"So,too,oneshapealone,Inthywaxencells,Ifind.

If,intheself-sameway,Youmakeahundredaseachone;

IfInothingnewcansay,Nothingnewbyyouisdone."

ThiswastheBee'sreply:

"AworkofusefulnessMaylackvariety,Andbevaluednonetheless.

ButinaworkdesignedTogratifythetaste,

Ifwenoinventionfind,Aughtelseistediouswaste."

FABLEXXI.

THERATANDTHECAT.

AttellingofrabiesoldEsopwasgrand;Withhissubtileinvention,hiswisdomsogreat.

Andastoryofhis,asIhaveitathand,IntoourownlanguageInowwilltranslate.

"Itisplain,"saidaRat,atthemouthofhishole,"Nodistinctionmorelovelyandnobleisfound

Thanfidelity.Thereforeitis,onmysoul,IloveandrespectthegenerousHound."

ACatanswered,hardby:"ThisqualityfineIassureyouisalsoameritofmine."—"Ah!what'sthat?"saidtheRat,as,interriblefrightHesprangtohishole,and,whensafeoutofsight,Justpokinghisnoseout,hecoollydidcall:"Youboastofit,hey?Idon'tlikeitatall."

Thehonorwhichmanywouldfreelyallow,Theyretract,whenitlightsonanenemy'sbrow.

Nowwhatsayyou,myreader?"ThefableisoneWhichdelightsandinstructs.Itisperfectlydone.

Esophad,inthesethings,awayofhisown."Ah!butlook,mygoodsir;fromthisnoddleofmineItallcame.YourfriendEsopwroteneveraline—Ofthewhole.—"Ah,indeed!Thenthefableisthine?"

Yesitis,learnedman;andIweenyou'llnotfail.Beingmine,toattackitwithtoothandwithnail.

FABLEXXII.—XXIII.

THEOWLANDLAMP,

AND

THEDOGSANDTHERAGMAN.

Thereisasetofdastardknaves,Vilecritics,thatwillwaittomakeattackOnauthorstilltheirvictimsare—alack!—Allsafeandquietintheirgraves;

Forlivingmen,theyknow,mightanswerback.

Tothissamepurpose,oncealittlelayMyoldgrandmothersangtome,

RecountinghowawanderingOwl,oneday,Intoaconventchancedtomakeherway;—I'mwrong—bydayitcouldnotbe.

For,withoutdoubt,theevening'ssunhadsetBelowthehorizonlongago.

Now,assheflewalong,ourOwlshemetALamporLanthorninthepassageset—WhichofthetwoIdonotknow.

Turningreluctantback,inangryspite,Thusspokesheouthermind:

"Ah,Lamp!withwhatunspeakabledelightI'dsucktheoilalloutofyouthisnight,Butthatmyeyesyoublind!

ButifIcannotnow,Sinceyouaresuchablazeofdazzlinglight,—IfIshouldfindyou,onsomeothernight,Unlighted,then,IshallbereadyquiteTomakeafeast,Ivow."

DenouncedthoughImaybe,Bycowardcritics,thatIhereexpose—BecauseIdaretheirmeannesstodisclose;Theirportraittheyshallsee

InyetanotherfableereIclose.

Beatinganolddustpan,ARagmanstood,when,barkingfuriouslyAsCerberus,twoDogs,eyinghimcuriously,Withvagabondishman,

Asistheirwont—howledsavagely.

TothematallGreyhoundSaid,"Letthewretchalone,—forheisoneWhofromdeaddogswillstripthereekingskinTosellforbread.NohonorcanyouwinOnhim—for,I'llbebound,

Fromlivingdogstheconsciousroguewillrun."

FABLEXXIV.

THETHRUSH,PARROTANDMAGPIE.

AThrush,whoheardaParrottalking—Ofhim,ratherthanofhisinstructor,man,

Desiredhimselfthemysterytolearn.And,inonelesson,suchlineaccentthoughtTohaveattained,that,inhisturn,HethegreatartofspeechbeganTotheMagpietoteach;andturnedhispupiloutAscholar,asaccomplishedas,nodoubt,ArethosewhowillpoorcopiesandtranslationsscanFormodels—Blundershocking!

FABLEXXV.

THEWOLFANDTHESHEPHERD.

TheWolfaShepherdblandlyonceaddressed:"Friend—letmesayIreallydonotknow

Whyyouwillviewmealwaysasapest;Youthinkmeabadfellow.Faith,Iamnotso.

Whatawarmcoatmyskininwinteryields!Itsheltersmanyamanfromcoldandwetting;

Moreover,too,fromstingoffleaitshields,Andotherinsectsvileyourcouchbesetting.

AgainstthewitheringblightofevileyeMyclawswillscreenyou—countercharmsecure.

Myfatforhurtsasovereignremedy—Theusesofmyteethyouknow,I'msure."

TheShepherdanswered:"Animalperverse!UponthyheadbeHeaven'seternalcurse!Onendlessmischiefbent—nothankstoyouIf,nowandthen,somegoodyouchancetodo."

Tomanybooks,intheseourdays,myverseAllotstheWolf'sfoulcharacterandcurse.

FABLEXXVI.

THELION,EAGLEANDBAT.

TheEagleandLionHeldsolemndebate;

TosettlebetweenthemSomemattersofstate

LoudcomplaintsoftheBatMadetheEagle—"Howlong

ShallthispitifulcreatureDaredoussuchwrong?

Withmyvassalsmixing,Toherbirdshipsheclings,—

Asproofirrefragable,Showingherwings;

Butsays,whenshechoosesOurlawstodefy,

I'mnosubjectofyours;AplainquadrupedI.

WouldyoucallmeaBird?Asadblunderyou'vemade!

ForIwearabroadsnout,Andnobeak,onmyhead?

Withmyvassals,sheslandersTheBeastsofyourreign;

Whenamongyoushewanders,OftheBirdswillcomplain."

"Inmyrealm,"saidtheLion,"Nomoreshallshecome."—

"Norinmine,"saidtheEagle—"Letthatbeherdoom."

Thenceforward,indarkness,Shewandersalone;

NoBirdandnoBeastSuchcompanionwillown.

Batsofauthors,whoseekTobetwothingsatonce,

TakecarelestyeproveInboth—butadunce!

FABLEXXVII.

THEMONKEY.

AMonkey,clothedinsilk,WillaMonkeystillremain;Sosaysanancientproverb,AndsosayIagain;Astoall,itclearlywillappear,Wholistentoourfablehere.

Indressofgaudyhues,Suchasharlequinwouldchoose,AMonkeytrickedherself.ButIratherthinktheelfFromhermastergotherfinery;Forelse,IhardlyseeHowMonkeycouldorclothortailorfindfind—Yetsothestorygoes—butnevermind.Seeingherselfsogay,ShethroughthewindowsprangUponaroofthatlayBelow,thentookherwayUntothefar-offlandofTetuan.Theproverbdon'tsaythis;

Butthereahistoryis,WhichIcannotcalltomind,—Forthebookisveryrare,—-WhichdoththetruthunravelWhithershedidtravel;WhichtodiscovermusthavecostaworldofcareButtheauthordoesnotsay,AndneithercanIguess.Ifbyship,orbythewayOftheIsthmusofSuez:Allthatweknowis,thatshecertainlywentthere.HereourfineladyfoundAjollyMonkeycrew,—ForMonkeysthereabound,—Butnakedeveryone:AsnootherstyletheyknewInthelandofTetuan.NowthenakedMonkeyscrowdAnadmiringglancetosnatch;Homagetopaytheypress;Andreadilyallowed,Tothebrainlesslittlewretch,WisdomandwittomatchThesplendorsofherdress.Andforthwithitwasdecided,Bygeneralaccord,Thattohershouldbeconfided,Asrulerofthehorde,AmeditatedforayFarandwideabouttheland,AstockoffoodtogatherTofeedthehungryband.SotheleadernewsetforthWithallhersubjecthost,And,notaloneherroad,Butherwitsaswell,shelost.Overmountain,moorandvalley,Forest,andridge,andplain,Deserts,riversandmorasses,

Shedraggedherweariedtrain.Whentheday'sworkwasoverTheycouldscarcelymovealimb;AndeachexhaustedroverDecided—ifagain,Throughhislife,insuchexcursionItshouldbehislucktojoin—ThathewouldchooseacaptainMoreskilled,ifnotsofine.Fromtoilandfromvexation,Theylearnedalessonbitter—Thatfineclothingisnotwisdom,Notallthingsgoldthatglitter.

Now,farthissideofTetuan,WemanyaMonkeysee,Who,thoughhewearthestudent'sWillstillablockheadbe.

FABLEXXVIII.

THEASSANDHISMASTER.

"OngoodandbadanequalvaluesetsThestupidmob.Frommetheworstitgets,Andneverfailstopraise,"Withvilepretence,Thescurrilousauthorthushistrashexcused.Apoetshrewd,hearingthelamedefence,Indignant,thusexposedtheargumentabused.

ADonkey'smastersaiduntohisbeast,Whiledolingouttohimhislockofstraw,"Here,takeit—sincesuchdietsuitsyourtaste,Andmuchgoodmayitdoyourvulgarmaw!"Oftentheslightingspeechthemanrepeated.

TheAss—hisquietmoodbyinsultheated—Replies:"Justwhatyouchoosetogive,Itake,Masterunjust!butnotbecauseIchooseit.ThinkyouInothinglikebutstraw?ThenmakeTheexperiment.Bringcorn,andseeifIrefuseit."

Yecaterersforthepublic,hencetakeheedHowyourdefaultsbyfalseexcuseyoucover!Feduponstraw—strawitmayeat,indeed:Tryitwithgenerousfare—'twillscorntheother.

FABLEXXIX.

THETURNSPITANDTHEMULEOFTHEWELL.

Ininnorconventkitchen,Thereaderoft,nodoubt,Turningthespitabout,Acontrivanceshrewdhasseen.

Awheelofwoodisit,Withstepsonouterrim,WhereaDog,ceaselessclambering,Turnsitbeneathhisfeet.

ADog,whoeveryday,Insuchwheel,performedhisstint,Thusexpressedhisdiscontent:"Hardworkandpaltrypay!

HereImayclimbandsweat;And,whenmytaskisdone,Theythrowmeoutabone,—Whiletheyeatallthemeat.

Wearily,wearilyon,Daypassesafterday.InthehouseIwillnotstay,Norinthehatedtown."

Thefirstchanceofflightimproving,Heslilyoffdidsteal;Tillhefound,inafield,awheelOfawell,whichaMulekeptmoving.

Ashiseyesheonitset,Hecried,—"Whathavewehere?BythisitwouldappearHere,too,they'reroastingmeat."

"NomeatIroast,butpumpWater,"repliedtheMule.—"Letme,now,tryapull;I'mlight,butupI'lljump.

Ah!prettyheavy,isit?SomethingharderImustwork.Whatthen?Iwillnotshirk;'Tisn'tturningtheoldspit.

Ishallbetterrationsearn,Andmorerespectcompel."—HerethelaboreratthewellInterrupted,inhisturn.

"TothespitandkitchenfireIadviseyoutogoback.AturnspitstrengthwouldlackForthetasktowhichyouaspire."

NowheartheMulesagacious!Wisely,sure,hecounselsthus;AndoneHoratiusFlaccus

Thissamematterdoesdiscuss.

HowidlydothanauthoryearnToundertake,wherehemustfail!ThelittleDogcannotavailThehugewell-wheeltoturn.

FABLEXXX.

THEAUTHORANDTHERAT.

Instudyofascholar,sageandmellow,TheredweltaRat,—adevilofafellow,—WhoonnaughtelsehishungerwouldassuageButproseandverseofmanyalearnedpage.InvaintheCatwatchedforhimnightandday;Herpawsshene'ercouldputuponawhisker.Ofcunningtrapsnoshrewddevice,Noarsenichidinsweetconfection,Noranyotherbaitormixture,Everpreparedforratsormice,Forlearnedscrollscouldcurehispredilection;Butwithwholepagesnightlyhemadeway.

Therascalgnawed,moreover,nothingless,WhatourpoorAuthorfurnishedtothepresses,—Hisworksofeloquenceandpoesy.And,asthemanuscriptstheaccursedbeastHadeatenoncebefore,madeheOfprintedpagestillmoreluxuriousfeast.

"Ah,whathardluckismine!"theAuthorcried."I'vehadenoughofwritingforthesegnawers.SinceallexperimentsinvainI'vetried,BlankpapernowI'llkeepwithinmydrawers,—Andnothingelse.Thismischiefmustbestayed."

But,lo!toofaithfultohiswastefultrade,Inpurewhitepaper,withoutstoporstint,Asheretoforewithmanuscriptandprint,Thevillanousverminlikedestructionmade.

Athiswit'send,aslastresort,Intohisinkhepours,incopiousdose,Corrosivesublimate,andwritesSomething;Iknownotwhetherverseorprose.'Tiseatenbytheanimalperverse,Andquicklyendshissport."Happyreceiptwhichmischiefsurerequites!"SarcasticsaidthePoet,thusrelieved."Lethim,whognawstoofreely,haveacareLesthismaliciousinsultproveasnare;Andtheimpatientwightheseekstobait,Shouldwritehimincorrosivesublimate."

Bemoderate,critic,—forunjustabuseSevereretaliationwillexcuse;Silencetokeep,beneathinvectivefroward,Arguesanauthoreitherdunceorcoward.

FABLEXXXI.

THESQUIRRELANDTHEHORSE.

ASteed,—anoblesorrel,—Dociletospurandrein,

BeforealittleSquirrelWentdashingroundaplain.

Watchingawhilehismotions,Soswift,yetregular,

TheSquirrelbriskbespeakshim

Asfollows:"Mydearsir,NogreatmeritAllthisdeftness,Graceandlightness—SuchI'veoftenseenbefore.Withequalspirit,JustsuchgambolsIcando,andevenmore.Iamsprightly,Iamactive;AlwayslightlyMovinground,Fromgroundtotree,Andtreetoground,Iamneverquietfound."

Checkinghispaceamoment,Thegoodcolthisgallopstayed,

Andingravetone,asfollows,TotheSquirrelanswermade:"Comingsandgoings,Turnsandtwists,Idlefreaks,Heedwholists.

Allthisnousefulpurposespeaks.NotsofutileMyendeavor,InmydutyFaithfulever.Mymastertoserve,Istraineverynerve

Tobealwayspromptandclever."

Onpueriletriflesoftheday,Sometimeandtalentsthrowaway;AndthustheSquirrel'sparttheyplay.

FABLEXXXII.

THEFOXANDTHELADY.

Afamousgallant,ofParisianrenown,AFopofthemostextravaganttaste,Whosilverandgoldlikewaterwouldwaste,Withanewsuiteachdaytodazzlethetown,—OnthefestivaldayofhisladyloveplacedOnhisshoestwopaltrybucklesoftin;Inordertoshow,bythisfrivolouswhim,Thathecourtednotfame,butthatfamecourtedhim.

"Whatbeautifulsilver,sobrilliantandgay!"Saidthelady."HuzzaforthetasteandtheruleOfthemasteroffashion,theprideofourday!"

Thusavolumeofnonsense,or,Iamafool,Theworldwilldevour,ifsubscribedwiththenameOfapopularauthor,establishedinfame.

FABLEXXXIII.

THEOSTRICH,THEDROMEDARY,ANDTHEFOX.

Apartyofbeastsassembledforpleasure,—Forbeasts,likemankind,thusdiversifyleisure,—Withathousanddiscussionsofthisandofthat,Werewhilingthetimeinasociablechat.

Ofthedifferentqualities,nowtheyconversed,Thateachanimalmarked;someamongthemrehearsedThedesertsoftheAnt,oftheHoundsosagacious;WhilesomepraisedtheBee,sometheParrotloquacious.

"True,true,"saidtheOstrich;"but'tiscleartome,—very,ThatnobeastsurpassesmyfriendDromedary.""Formypart,"saidDromedary,"ImustdeclareThatIthinkwecannonewiththeOstrichcompare."

Theassembly,astounded,waspuzzledtoguessWhythesetwoshouldsostrangeanopinionprofess.Coulditbethattheybothwerebulkyandstrong,Orthatbothboastedneckssoremarkablylong?

OrthatOstrichwasknownasasimpletonrare,Whiletheotherhadsurelynowisdomtospare?Oftheirmutualuglinessweretheybothjealous,Orthateachcoulddisplayaprotuberancecallous?

Orcanitbe—"Pooh!"saidReynardthesly;"Areyouallataloss?thensoamnotI.FromBarbaryboth,ofthedesert,eachbrother,Ashisfellow-countryman,praisestheother."

ShrewdlyourFoxtheriddlehasread;Ofwritersinplentythesamemaybesaid,Who,totestaman'sgenius,askwherehewasbred.

FABLEXXXIV.

THECROWANDTHETURKEY.

Abittercontestoncedidspring,—NomatterhowthefactIknow,—

Ontheirrespectivespeedofwing,BetweenaTurkeyandaCrow.

Whichfirstwouldreachtheappointedstation,Sureyoucantell,aswellasI,

Withoutmuchgraveconsideration,Ifyouhaveeverseenthemfly.

"Lookhere,"theloiteringTurkeycriesToCrow,halfvanishedoutofview;

"ThethoughtwilltomymindariseThatyouareblackanduglytoo.

Moreover,Ihavealwaysheard,"—Sheshoutsstilllouderafterhim,—

"Youareamostunluckybird,Forebodingnaughtbutevilsgrim.

Begonefromsight,disgustingbeast!Youfairlydomystomachturn;

Makingyourfoul,revoltingfeastOncarrioncorpsethatdogswouldspurn."

"Allthisisnothingtothecase,"AnsweredtheCrow,faroffinair;

"TheonlyquestionnowinplaceIsofourflightatrialfair."

WhenenviousdetractorsfindInwisemen'sworks,nowelcomefaults,

TheysatisfytheirspitefulmindBybaseandpersonalassaults.

FABLEXXXV.

THESILKWORMANDTHECATERPILLAR.

Attheverysametime,whenthegauntDromedaryAndOstrich,sougly,eachotherbepraised,

Intermssounmeasuredandextraordinary,

Thattheotherbrutesthoughtthembothutterlycrazed,TilltheFoxtoldthereason,andtheirwonderdispelled—Inthatsameassemblyaroseadiscussion

ConcerningtheSilkworm,artificerskilledInproducingofworksofsuchwonderfulfashion.

Asilkencocoonsomeonebroughtthemtosee;Theyexamine—theirplauditsareheartyandloud.

And,eventheMole,thoughasblindascouldbe,Concedesittobeamasterpieceproud.

ButanoldCaterpillar,whohisspitecouldnotstifle,Mutteredoutofacorner,"Thisfusswasabsurd.

Theirwondrouscocoonwasapitifultrifle;Itsadmirersallninnies,"hecoollyaverred.

Thebeastsateachotherlookedroundinamaze."Howcomesit,"saythey,"thatthiscreatureforlorn,

Whattherestofusallareunitingtopraise,Healone,wretchedworm,takesuponhimtoscorn?"

ThenupjumpedslyReynardandsaid,"Onmysoul,'Tiseasyenoughthereasontoshow;

Hismortifiedrancorhecannotcontrol;He makes cocoons too, though they 're worthless, we

know."

LaboriousGenius!when,stungbythesneerOftheenviouswretchwhowouldrobyouofglory,

Thelossofyourwell-deservedlaurelsyoufear,Thentakemyadviceandtellhimthisstory.

FABLEXXXVI.

THEPURCHASEOFTHEASS.

Yesterdaythroughourstreet

AnAssdidpass,Intrappingsmostcomplete—AgorgeousAss.SaddleandhaltertooWerebothbrannew;WithtasselsyellowOrredasrose.BesidesthefellowWoreplumesandbowsOfribbonsbright.BellstinklelightAsonhepaced;AndmanyaprankAndraredevice,Withcarvingnice,TheshearshadtracedOnbreastandflank.

Hiscunningmaster,—AsIwastold,—AGypsyjockey,ThecreaturesoldToaweakblockhead;AndtheysaidTheDonkeyColtHadcostthedoltButameresong.InhastealongTheexultingbuyerDrovehomethebeast,—Hispridetofeast,WhilefriendsadmireHisbargainrare.

"Letmeinquire,Neighbor,"—saysone,—"Ifbloodandbone,Goodashisclothes,Yourpurchaseshows."

Whereon,withcare,TheshowygearAndharnesslineTostriphegoes.Beneaththesaddle—Atfirstgooff—TheyfindhiswithersWithwartsallrough,Likemusketballs.Alongthespine,Andonhisshoulders,SixdreadfulgallsAppalbeholders.NothingtosayOftwogreatgashes,ThathiddenlayUnderthegirt;Andanoldhurt,Fromcruellashes,Cleantothebone,IntoatumorInveterategrown.Inbitterhumor,"Ah,preciousgull!"—Thehaplessownersaid,—"DonkeymoredullAthousandfoldThanthisbrutecull,IhavemymoneypaidFortrumperyvile,ThroughGypsywile."

Nowfaith,thisqueeraffairIoftennote.WellitappliesTofriendsofmine,Who,atgreatprice,Buybooks,thatshine

Inbindingsrichandrare,Butarenotworthagroat.

FABLEXXXVII.

THEOXANDTHEGRASSHOPPER.

AsinafieldthesturdyOxwasploughing,AGrasshopper,closebyhim,shrillysangout;"Ah!whatacrookedfurrow,friend,you'remaking!ThentheOxanswered,—"Sure,mylittlelady,Ifeveryotherfurrowwerenotdrawnstraight,Youneverwouldperceivethatthiswascrooked;Stop,then,reproachessounjustandfutile;ForwellIservemymaster,andheheedsnotAsinglefailure,insomuchaccomplished."

Nowletthecaptiouscriticthatpresumeth,—VainGrasshopper,theusefulOxreproaching,—Todragtolight,fromworksofsterlingmerit,Somepettyblemish,taketohimselfourmeaning.

FABLEXXXVIII.

THEMACAWANDTHEMARMOT.

Abrilliantly-coloredMacaw,Awanderingclown,nearthespot

Whereshehunginabalcony,saw—ASavoyard,morelikelythannot.

Hewasshowing—apennytogain—Ananimaluglyandsquat;

Whichhelaudedinhigh-soundingstrainThecreature,itwasaMarmot.

Theabsurdlittlebeast,athisword,Cameoutofhisboxintosight;

Whenuntohimsaidourgaybird:"Thismatteramazesmequite,

Thatmengivetheirmoney,toseeSuchacomicalcreatureasyou,

Whentheyfreelymaylookuponme,Cladinplumageofexquisitehue.

Youmaybe,foraughtthatIknow,Somecreatureofvalueuntold;

Butforme,'tisenoughthatyoushowYourselftoallcomers,forgold."

Ascribbler,whoheardtheremark,

Hunghishead,andwentsneakingawayBecause,forhislow,dirtywork,Hewaskeptbyaprinterinpay.

FABLEXXXIX.

THEPORTRAIT.

Aspreadingcontagion,defacingourtongueWithphrasesoutlandish,ourcriticsbemoan.

ButsomefoolshavetheirnotionsofpurityhungUponobsoletetermssupersedingourown.

Livingwordstheydespiseasavulgarintrusion,Andforgottenonesrakefromoblivion'sgloom.

Forawordofadviceonsuchstupidconclusion,Inphraseliketheirown,weheremustfindroom;

Intwodialects,jostlinginmotleyconfusion.

OfourowntimesaPainter—whojealousyfeltThatsomeportraitsantique,ofadaylongbygone

Fromtheconnoisseurswonbothlaudingandgelt—Determinedtomakesomeantiquesofhisown.

Soessaying,oneday,theportraittolimnOfacertainrichman,inhighestimateheld,

HedeemedthatadressofantiquitygrimWouldgivetohislimningtheimpressofeld.

ForasecondVelasquezhecountedtostand—Whenthetraitsofthesitter,toperfectcontent,

Havingdeftlydepicted—withgravecollarandband,Andglitteringgauds,heacostumebesprent

Thathadfigured,whilom,asstatelyandgrand.

Tohispatrontheworkhecarrieswithspeed.He,hisformthusycladwithwondermentsaw;

Bysuchoddgearfullsorelyastounded,Irede,—

Thoughthefaceoftheportraitshoweddaintyandbraw.

Thisantickhispatron,toquiphim,devised—ThePainteraguerdontogrant,tohisgree—

Inachest,asheir-loomfromhisancestryprized,Someoldcoinshadbeenlyingforcenturiesthree;

OfthefirstoftheCharles'andfifthFerdinand,OfPhilipthesecondandPhilipthethird:

ApursefulloftheseheplacedinthehandOfthePainterabashed—butne'ersaidaword.

"Withthesecoin—or,ascertes,Irathermightsay—Thesemedals,tomarketifIchancefortohis,"—

Quothourlimner,—"whenvictualsIneeded,Ipray,How,withsuch,couldIchaffermycheertosupply?

"Butsith,"saidtheother,"you'veprankedmeoutthereInaguise,thatwasoncebraveandlordly,—'tistrue,

Butwhichnolivingmanbutabeadlewouldwear;Asyou'vepaintedme,soIhavepaidyou.

Takeyourpictureagain,andpaintroundmythroatAcravat,insteadofthatcollarandband—

Yonsatinslasheddoubletexchangeformycoat,Andmyrapier,too,forthatbasket-hiltbrand;

Notone,inthecity'swholecompass,thereisWho,intrappingslikethese,wouldguessatmyphiz.

Paintmelikemyself,andthepriceI'lllaydownIngoodmoney,currentincountryortown."

Hold,now.IfwelaughatthefarcicalnotionOfthismodernPainter,anddeemitsodroll,

WhymaywenotlaughattheAuthor'sdevotion,Hisideaswhodrapesinantiquity'sstole;—

Whoshocksuswithphrasesallmouldywithage;Thinksodditygraceful;—andpurity'sself

Considershisstyle,whenhedarkenshispageWithexpressionsforgottenandlaidontheshelf;—

Andbelievesthatnotermbypuretasteisforbid,

IfitonlyweregoodinthetimeoftheCid?

FABLEXL.

THETWOINNS.

Comingtoalittletown,Themountain'sskirtswithin,Twoyouthfultravellers,seekingrest,LookedroundthemforanInn.

OftworivalInns,thehost,Each,withathousandoffers,Didthewayfarersaccost.

TogiveoffencetoneitherWastheirnaturaldesire;So,inthehouseofeither,Apartmentsonedothhire.

Ofthemansionstwain,Eachguestchooseth,forhimself,Inwhichhewillremain.

ToahousethatstretchedArounditsamplecourts.Itsbroadfrontpalatial,Onetravellerresorts.

AquarteredscutcheonshoneOvertheloftygate,Sculptureddeepinstone.

LessgrandtheotherInnAppeareduntothesight,But,comfortandgoodcheerwithin

Itspatron'strustrequite.

Chambers,itswallsdidscreen,Ofpleasanttemperature,Alllight,andbright,andclean.

Butitsrival,thehugepalace,Withitsarchitecturebold,Wasnarrow,darkanddirty,Andmiserablycold.

Aportaltallandsightly,—Withininclementgarrets,Withtiledroofcoveredslightly.

Itsinmatecomfortless,Didawearysojournmake;Andbewaileduntohiscomrade,Nextday,hissadmistake.

Hisfriendthusanswergives:"InlikemannermanyabookItsreader'shopesdeceives."

FABLEXLI.

THETEA-PLANTANDSAGE.

FromChina,once,theTea-plantcoming,MetwiththeSageuponhisway."Friend,"—saidthelatter,—"whitherroaming?"

"ForEurope,whereformetheypayAgenerousprice,"—quothTea,—"I'mbound."

"AndI,"—saidSage,—"toChina'smarketgo;

WhereIamheldinreverenceprofoundForbeverageorformedicine,youknow.InEuropenogoodfortunewaitsonme;Aworthlessherb,notcomparabletothee,Butquitetoocommonthere—toshine.Itoyourhomeamsent,andyoutomine.Goodluckattendyoutomynativeshore!Forneveryetwasanynationknown,ButgoldandpraiseswillprofuselypourOnforeignproducts,whileitslightsitsown."

Thissarcasmsomeabatementmayadmit,Forvaryingfanciesarethesouloftrade;But,ofthecomment,applicationfit,Inliteraryborrowings,maybemade.Forwhat,ingeneral,dothgoodservicerender,Inspecialcasessometimesprovesablunder.

Now,IamsurethatIcanSpaniardsshow,WhowilleternallybequotingWholepagesoutofTassoorBoileau;YetneverthinkorcaretoknowWhatlanguageGarcilasowrotein.

FABLEXLII.

THECAT,THELIZARD,ANDTHECRICKET.

Creaturesthereare,ofwondrousskillToridthemselvesofeveryill,Byuseofvegetablespecific—TheirsoundconstructionorganicPreservingbytheirlorebotanic.Theyknowallherbsmedicinal—diuretic,Narcotic,purgative,emetic,

Febrifuge,stypticandprolific,Cephalic,too,andsudorific.

ACat,theoreticandempirical,Therewas,—apedantmostrhetorical,—Thattalkedinloftystyle,magniloquentAsanygraveprofessoreloquent,—Seekingforvegetablessalutiferous,SaidtoaLizard,—"Ah!whatpangsmortiferousImust,tocurethisturgidnesshydropsical,Swallowsomeessenceofleavesheliotropical."

Lizard,atthisbombasticspeechastounded,—Thatwithbigtermsprofessionalresounded,—NaughtbetterknewwhatPussdidgabbleon,ThanifshespokeintongueofBabylon.Buttheridiculouscharlatan,hesaw,WithSunflowerleaveswasstuffingouthermaw."Aha!"—saidhe,—"learnedSignoraDropsical,Iknownowwhat'syouressenceheliotropical!"

AsillyCricketheardthedialogue;And,thoughheknewnaughtofthiscatalogueOfwordssooverwhelmingandsocurious,HonoredtheCatwithaneulogiumglorious.Forsometherearewhopompformerittake;And,ofwhat'sclearandsimple,mockerymake.

Loversofphraseshyperbolical,Andturgidaphorismsdiabolical,Exhaustingallthedictionary'sstoreOfgiant-wordedandbombasticlore,—Thoughmeaninglessandinappropriateall,—UponyourmouthingverbiagedogmaticalReflectsthispolysyllabicapologueenigmatical.

FABLEXLIII.

THECONCERTOFTHEBEASTS.

Attention—nobleauditory!WhiletherebeckItune;Andbepreparedwithplauditssoon,Whenyehaveheardmystory.

CertainofthesubjectbeastsOfthemightyLion'scourtAnentertainmentmusical,TomakehisRoyalHighnesssportUponhisbirth-dayfestival,Devised,—togracetheoccasiongay,Andpleasuretoinsure,TheyorganizedanorchestraTomakesuccesssecure.Asoftenitdothhappen,Littlewisdomwasdisplayed,Inchoosingactorscompetent,Thatunderstoodtheirtrade.

NaughtwassaidabouttheNightingale,OftheBlackbirdnotaword;OfLarkorLinnetnoonethought,OrtheCanary-bird.Singers,muchlessaccomplishedButmoreself-satisfied,TookuponthemselvesthechargeThemusictoprovide.BeforethetimeappointedToelectrifyallhearts,EachmusicianloudlyvauntedHowtheywouldplaytheirparts.AtlengththechoirthepreludeCommencedwithinthehall,Beforetheexpectantmultitude,—

Adroitperformersall—TwolustyCricketstreblesang;FrogandlocusttooktheirplaceTodoupthecontra-alto;HogandDonkeygruntedbase;While,tomakeupthemelody,TwoHornetsbriskthetenortry.WithwhatdeliciouscadenceAndaccentdelicateTheorchestraresounded,SureIneednothererepeat;I'llonlysay,thatmostStoppeduptheirears,atonce;But,fromdeferencetotheirhost,Theirannoyancesoughttohide,Atthebarbarousdissonance,Thatechoedfarandwide.

Frogsaw,bythewryfaces,Thatnobravo'scheeringshoutOrgladapplauseawaitedthem;Andsprangthechoirfromout."ThestupidAssisoutoftuneMostshockingly,"saidhe.

"No—'tisthetreble,"Donkeybrayed,"Thatmarstheharmony."

"TheHog,hefairlyspoilsthewhole,"AsqueakingCricketcried.

"No,no!"—saidChucky,—"onmysoul,IsaytheLocust,worsethanall,Outofalltimeandtunedothsquall."

"Thatspeechbecomesyouveryill!Mindwhatyousay!"—inaccentsshrill,Locustangrilyreplied."'Tisplainthatthoseconfoundedtenors,

TheHornets,aretherealsinners!"

TheLionsilencedthedispute:"BeforetheconcertwasbegunEachpuffed-upandconceitedbruteWasbraggingloud—yea,everyone;Andchallengedconfidentapplause,Asif,tohimalone,weredue,ThehonoroftheharmonyProducedbyyourmelodiouscrew.Nowtheexperimentismade,Andyourincompetencebetrayed—Onyourownshares,yeallaredumb,Inthisoutrageouspandemonium,And,toavoidpresumptuousshame,Eachonhisneighborlaystheblame.Nowgetyegone—andfrommysightForeverbanishedbe.Thedaybeware,thate'eryedareAgaintosingtome!"

Such,HeavengranttobeTheissueofthefray,Whenwriters,twoorthree,Theirscantywitsuniting,—IfthebookshouldmakeitswayEacharrogatesthepraise;Ifnot—theblamehelaysOnhiscomrade'swretchedwriting.

FABLEXLIV.

THESWORDANDTHESPIT.

Sheer,sharpandtrusty,temperedwell,

ASword,asgoodasfromtheskilfulhandOffamoussmithToledaneverfell,Theshockofmanyacombatdidwithstand.Inturn,itseveralmasterstrulyserved,Andbroughtthemsafethroughdangersmany.Thoughbetterfateitwelldeserved,Atauctionssoldforpaltrypenny,Somelucklesschance—whoeverwouldhavethoughtit?—Atlast,intoaninn'sdarkcornerbroughtit.There—likeanuselessthing—uponapinHungup,itateitselfawayInuselessrust,untilthemaid,oneday,Byorderoftheinnkeeper,hermaster,—Apreciousblockhead,too,hemusthavebeen,—Intothekitchentookit,—saddisaster!—Tospitahen.Degrading—shameuponher!—Whatoncehadbeenabladeofproofandhonor.

Whilethiswasgoingonwithintheinn,Acertainstranger,newlycometocourt,—Aclown,thatwouldamodishlifebegin,—Didtoacutlerforaswordresort.Thecutlersawthat,forthecaseinhand,Theswordwasbutanidleornament;And,ifthehiltcouldbutinspectionstand,Nomatterwhattheblademightbe—sosentHisboobycustomer,forthetime,away;—"Aswordshouldreadybeanotherday."Therogue,then,takesanoldandbatteredspit,Which,inhiskitchen,servicelonghaddone;Hecleans,andpolishes,andsharpensit;Andsellsittotheunsuspectingclown,—Insuchtransactionsmiserablyraw,—ForthegoodswordofThomasd'Ayala.Anarrantknave,asgallowse'erdidcure,—Theinnkeeperasgreatablockhead,—sure.

Withequalknaveryandstupidity,

MaynotwechargetheseviletranslatorsWho,withtheirworks,inwretchedrivalry,WeseeinfestingalltheworldofLetters?One,withbadversions,famouswritersfits—Thusturningnobleswordstovulgarspits.Anotherclothesvileworksinsoundingwords;Then,seekstosellhisspitsfortrustyswords.

FABLEXLV.

THEUNFORTUNATES.

Amanwho,fromhisbirth,wasdumbAnddeaferthanamole,

SometrifletoarrangewassetWithablindman,cheekbyjowl.

TheblindmanspokebysignsWhichthemutedidplainlymark;

When,inlikeway,hesaidhissay,Hisfriendwasinthedark.

Inthisoddpredicament,They,forfriendlyaid,accost

Apassingcomradeofthemboth,Whohisrightarmhadlost.

ThegesturesofthemuteHeexplainedinlanguagegood;

Andtheblindman,fromhismouth,Thewholematterunderstood.

ToclosethiscurioussceneAndconferencesingular,

AcontractitbehovedOfthebargaintoprepare.

"Friends,"—saidtheone-armedman,—"Imustheregiveupthetask;

ButtheschoolmasterwillcomeAndwriteit,ifyouask."

"Howcanacripplelame,"—Saidtheblindman,—"hithercome?

Why,hecanhardlystir.Wemustgotohimathome."

ThecripplethenthecompactTopaperdidtransfer;

Theblindandmaimedmandictate;Themutewasmessenger.

ForthispurposeanytwoWereenough,—andevenmore.

But,ofsuchahaplesscrew,Ittooknolessthanfour.

WereitnotthatinAlcarria,Alittlewhileago.

Thisverymatterhappened,—Asathousandgossipsknow,—

ItmighthavebeensurmisedThat,someonecontrivedthestory,

TohitofftheplandevisedByweakaspirantsforglory,

WhoclubtheirpensandbrainsSomewondrousworktotry,

Bytheirunitedpains,Whichwouldeachalonedefy.

FABLEXLVI.

THECOCKS.

ACock,thatwaswellknownAsachampionbraveandstout,

AndaChickenbuthalfgrownSquabbledsomethingabout,—

Butwhat,tome'sunknown,—And,afterfuriousdin,Atlastgotupaveryprettybattle;Inwhichthechicksuchfightdidshow,

Andtheoldonearoundsosharplyrattle,That,withaloud,exultantcrow,

Heclaimedthehonorsofthefieldtowin.Thentheseraglio'svanquishedlord,—

Hisrivaloutofhearingofhistongue,—Said,"Ah!intimehe'llmakeaprettybird,

But,now,poorfellow,heisveryyoung."

NomorehedaredhimselftomatchWiththeyounghero;butagain

WithanoldCockhehadascratch,—Ofmanyfights,aveteran,—

Whohardlylefthimplumeorcrest.Whereonhemutteredtotherest,"Thefineoldfellow!—surelyitwouldbeUnfairtothrashsooldachapashe."

LethimthatwillinstrifeengageOnanyquestionliterary,

PaylessattentiontotheageThantalentsofhisadversary.

FABLEXLVII.

THEMONKEYANDTHEMAGPIE.

Toherfriend,thecraftyMonkey,SaidaMagpie,—"Ifyou'llgo

Withmeuntomydwelling,I'vesomeprettythingstoshow.

For,sureyouknow,I'veskillAthousandthingstosteal.

Youshallseethem,ifyouwill,WhereImyhoardconceal

Inmychest."Repliedherfriend:"I'llwaitonyouwithpleasure."

SotheircourseforthwiththeybendToseetheMagpie'streasure.

Andthere,myladyMagpieProceededtoproduce,

First,anoldcoloredgarter,Thenahoopthatladiesuse,—

Twopettycoins,abuckle,Ofaknifeashabbyhandle,

Abladeofbrokenscissors,Andalittlebitofcandle,

ThebatteredtipofscabbardWornoutinancientwar,

Ascrapofgauzeandhalfacomb,Threepegsofaguitar,—

Withanendlesslotofknick-knacks,Thatgoodfornothingwere.

"Whatthinkyounow,friendMonkey?Don'tyouenvymemypelf?

Uponmyword,nootherbirdIssowealthyasmyself."

AshrewdgrimacetheMonkeymade,AndtoMagpieansweredshe:

"Thisisallanidlestory,Andyourwealthmeretrumpery.

InyourfaithfulchestyouburyEverypetty,stragglingwaif;

Notthattheyallareworthagroat,

Butbecauseitkeepsthemsafe.Lookatmyjaws,deargossip;Yousee,beneaththemhere,

Ihavetwonicesnugmagazines,Orchops,ifyouprefer.

TheseIcontractatpleasure,Orexpandthem,whenIplease.

WhatIlike,Ieatatleisure,—Andtheresidueinthese

Istow,theresafelytoremainTillIshallhungrybeagain.OldragsandwretchedrubbishYou,foolishbird,layby;

Sweetnutsandtenderfilberts,Andracysweetmeats—I,—

Meat,andwhateverelseisgood,Intimeofneed,toserveasfood."

ShalltheMonkey'slectureshrewdTotheMagpieonlygo?

Theadvice,Ithink,isgoodForthosewhomakeashow

Ofamedleyincoherent,Wherenomeaningisapparent.

FABLEXLVIII.

THENIGHTINGALEANDTHESPARROW.

ANightingalehervoiceonedaywastuningInnotestomatchanorgan'ssonorousswell;

WhenbyhercageachatteringSparrowroamingStopped—hissurpriseatherattempttotell.

"Imarvelmuch,thatsuchstrangepainsyoutake;Thatyou,whosingsosweetlyandsowell,

Yourimitators,thus,yourmodelsmake;Forsure,thenotestheorgan'spipesthatswell,

Itowestoimitationofyoursong."

"Nevertheless,"repliestheNightingale,—"Thoughithadlearnedofme,IwouldnotfailFromit,inturn,instructiontoderive.Andyouwillseethegoodresultserelong.Toimitatemynativeburstsitsought;IwishmyuntutoredstrainstomodifyBythedeeprulesofscienceithastaught.Andthus,goodsir,yousee,thatbyandby,Mynaturaltalentwillbyeducationthrive."

Hasthecapricesomelearnedfancycrossed,Thathourstostudygivenarelaborlost?Whowisestis,willeverstudymost.

FABLEXLIX.

THEGARDENERANDHISMASTER.

AcopiousfountainplayedInagarden'sflowerybed,

AndservedtoformabasinWheremanyfishwerefed.

OfthewateringofhisflowersTheGardenerthoughtalone;

Anddraineditdry,tillduesupplyForcarpandtenchwasgone.

HisMastersoonthemischiefsaw,

Andscoldsthecarelesssinner."TheflowersIlove;butalsolikeMymessoffishfordinner."

TheGardener,growncrusty,SoreadshisMaster'swhim,

Thatheletstheplantsgothirsty,Thatcarpandtenchmayswim.

Inthegarden,shortlyafter,Theindignantownerfound

Hisflowers,alldryandwithered,Upontheparchingground.

"Booby!youneednotwaterwaste,Andleavemenotafishtotaste;

Noryetdeny—tosavethefish—Asingleflowertogracethedish,"

Thoughthemaximmaybetrite,—Unlessyouhavetheskill,

Tasteandprofittounite,—Laybytheauthor'squill.

FABLEL.

THETWOTHRUSHES.

AThrush,withyearsgrowngray,Andwiseaswellasold,

Hisgrandsonaskedoneday,—Anunpractisedyouthandbold,—

Withhimtogostraightway,Theirmorningflighttohold,

Whereawell-stockedvineyardlay—

Onitslusciousfruittoprey.

"Wheremaythisvineyardbe?"—Theyounglingansweredcoy,—

"Andwhatfruitisthere?"—"We'llsee.Learnhowtolive,myboy,"

Saidthegrandsire."Comewithme,Andabanquetrichenjoy."

Ashespokethewords,heshewWherethicktheclustersgrew.

Thepertyoungpilferersaw;—"Isthisthefruityoupuff?

Whowouldthinkyouweresoraw?Whatpuny,witheredstuff!

Pooh!Itisn'tworthastraw.Now,biggerfruitenough,

AndbetterfarthananyhereIknowof,inagardennear.

Asinglegrape,I'llswear,Willprovebetterthanitall.

Butwe'llmakeatrialfair,"Whentheyreachthegardenwall,

Thefledglingshouts—"Lookthere—Howbigandnice!Icall

Thatfruit,indeed—notrash."Reader,itwasayellowcalabash.

ItmaynotmuchsurpriseThatyoungbirdsbychaffarecaught;

Butthat,bymenreputedwise,Booksshould,forbulk,bebought,

Andvaluedfortheirsize,Isstranger,isitnot?

Ifagoodwork,'tisgreatofcourse;Ifbad,themorethereistheworse.

FABLELI.

THELACE-MAKERS.

Nearalace-weaver,livedAmanwhomadesilverandgoldgalloons.

"Now,whowouldhavebelieved,Neighbor,"saidhe,"that,evenformoredoubloons,

ThreeyardsofyourlightlacearesoldThantenofmine,thoughwroughtinheavygold!"

"ThatmyarticlesexceedInvalue,sir,soverymuchyourown,

Isnotstrange;although,indeed,Youworkingold,andIinthreadalone.

ForskillisknowntoallTobeofgreaterworththanrawmaterial."

Letthose,atstylewhosneer,And,toregardthematteronly,condescend,

Notethat—ashereAsimplethreaddothpreciousgoldtranscend—

SoeleganceandfinishgiveThatformtothought,bywhichgreatworksshalllive.

FABLELII.

THEHUNTERANDHISFERRET.

Welltired,andexhaustedWiththeheatofthesun,

Butloadedwithrabbits,AHunterturnedhome.

Nearby—toaneighborHemetintheway—

HerecountedthelaborAndspoilsoftheday.

"Alongtramp,—myoldlad,AlldaydidItrudge;

Buttheluckisnotbad,IfIamthejudge.

SincethebreakofthedayI'vebeenoutinthesun;

Hotenough,Ishouldsay,—ButfairbusinessI'vedone.

Withouttoomuchbragging,Isayandrepeatit,—

NohunterinbaggingTheconiescanbeatit."

TheFerret'squickear,Inhisboxashehung,

Hismasterdidhear—Hisownpraisewhilehesung.

HissharpnosehepokedThroughitslatticeofwire;

"Nowsurelyyoujoked,—Ishouldliketoinquire,—

ThatIdidthework,Canyoutrulydeny?

Theserabbitsofyours,WhocaughtthembutI?

Solittledesert,Inmytoilsdoyousee,

Thatyounevercanmake

Someslightmentionofme?"

ThatthiscogentremarkThemastermightsting,

Abodymightthink;Butitdidnosuchthing.

Hewascoolassomewriters,Whoplaythemeangame—

Toborrowfromothers,Yetbreathenottheirname.

FABLELIII.

THEPIG,THECOCK,ANDTHELAMB.

Inacourt-yardapoultry-housedidlie,WhereabriskCockaroundatpleasureran;

Behindthecourt,inaconvenientsty,LayastoutPig—fatasanalderman.

Inthesameyard,alittleLambtherelived;Andgoodcompanions,too,wereallthethree;

Asmaybeveryeasilybelieved,Forsuchinfarmers'yardsweoftensee.

"Now,withyourleave,"—thethriftyPig,saidhe,TothemeekLamb,—"whatadelightfullot!

Andwhatapeaceful,happydestiny,Thelivelongdaytoslumber!Isitnot?

UponthehonorofaPig,Isay,That,inthiswretchedworld,there'snosuchpleasure,

Astosnoremerrilythetimeaway,Lettheworldwag,andstretchyourselfatleisure."

But,inhisturn,theCocktheLambaddressed,

SoonafterPiggydidhisdissertationend;"Tobewithhealthandactivevigorblest,Onemustsleepsparingly,mylittlefriend.

InhotJuly,orfrostywinterday,Withthebrightstarstowatch,isthetrueway.

Sleepnumbsoursenseswithastupidsloth;Infactunnervesthemindandbodyboth."

TheLambhearsboth,andknowsnotwhichtotrust.Heneverguesses—simplelittleelf—

Thatthefinerule,byeachlaiddown,isjustThatothersoughttodowhatsuitshimself.

Soamongauthors,—sometherearewhoneverThinkanydoctrinesound,ormaximclever,Orrulesasgoodforothers'guidanceown,Exceptingsuchastheyhavehitupon.

FABLELIV.

THEFLINTANDTHESTEEL.

TheSteeltheFlintabusedMostbitterlyoneday,Fortheunfeelingway,Inwhichhissideshebruised,Tochipoutthebrilliantsparks.AftersomesharpremarksTheypartedcompany;AndtheSteelcriesout,"Good-by!Unlesswithmeyou'reused,Oflittleworthyou'llbe!"

"Notmuch,"saidFlint,—"andyet,beyondadoubt,Justwhatyourselfareworth,theFlintwithout."

Thislittletaleofours,Leteachwriterbearinmind,WhodeepstudyhasnotjoinedTonativepowers.

Intheflint,nofirewefindWithoutthehelpofsteel;NordoesGeniusaughtavailWithouttheaidofArt.Longastheyworkapart,Theybotharesuretofail.

FABLELV.

THEJUDGEANDTHEROBBER.

Avillainwasbyhandsofjusticecaught,Justasofcash,andevenofhislife,Atthesharppointofmurderousknife,Alucklesswayfarertorob,hesoughtTheJudgeupbraidshimwithhiscrime—Heanswered:"Sir,fromearliesttimeI'vebeenarogue,practisedinpettytheft;Whenbuckles,watches,trunksandcloaks,Andswords,Istolefromotherfolks.Then,fairlylauncheduponmywildcareer,Ihousessacked.Now—nocompunctionleft—OnthehighwaysIrob,withoutafear.Letnotyourworship,then,makesuchastir,ThatIshouldrobandslayatraveller—Norofthemattermakeachargesosore!I'vedonesuchthingsthesefortyyears,andmore."

Dowethebandit'swretchedpleaallow?Yetwritersgivenoworthierexcuse,

Whojustify,byargumentofuse,Errorsofspeechorofexpressionlow—Urgingthelong-livedblundersofthepastAgainsttheverdictbysoundcriticscast.

FABLELVI.

THEHOUSEMAIDANDTHEBROOM.

AHousemaidoncewassweepingoutaroomWithaworn-outandverydirtyBroom;"Now,hangyouforaBroom!"—saidsheinwrath—"For,withthefilthandshredsyouleavebehindWhere'eryougo,you'remaking,tomymind,Moredirtthanyoucleanupuponyourpath."

Thebotcherswho,devoidofskill,pretendThefaultsofothers'writingstoamend,Butleavethemtentimesfullerthanbefore;LetnottheseblockheadsfearthatIshallscoreTheirpaltrybacks—IleavetheirblunderingtradeTotheaptcensureoftheserving-maid.

FABLELVII.

THELIZARDS.

ANaturalist,cruelasaTurk,TwoLizardsinhisgardencatches,AndcoollysetshimselfatworkToanatomizethelittlewretches.Theplumpestnowhehasdissected,

Andtornthereptilelimbfromlimb;WithmicroscopehetheninspectedIntestines,paws,andtail,andskin;Hepullsapart,forscrutiny,Theloinandbelly,neckandeye:Thentakeshispen—againhelooks—Alittlewritesandrecapitulates—Thememorandaentersinhisbooks;Tofreshdissectionthenhimselfbetakes.Somecuriousfriends,bychance,droppedintoseeThesubjectofhisshrewdanatomy.Onewonders—questionsoneproposes—Whileothersyetturnuptheirnoses.

Thisdone,thescientificmanGaveo'er,exhaustedwithhislabors.TheotherLizardjumpedandran,Inhisoldhaunts,tojoinhisneighbors.Tothem,infriendlychat,hestatedThematterswehavejustrelated.

"Youneednotdoubtit,friends,"—saidhe,—"Foreverythingmyselfdidsee.ThelivelongdaythismandidspendOverthebodyofourfriend.If,inus,attributessorareAreworthsuchpainsinwritingdown,Tocallusverminwhoshalldare?'Tisgrossabuse—asallmustown.Now,noblebrothers,ourhighstationLetuswithdignitymaintain,Ipray.Sure,weareworthygreatconsideration—Whateverspitefulfolksmaysay."

ItisnotworththewhiletonatterTheprideofwriterswedespise.'Tishonoringtoomuchthematter,Tocondescendtocriticize.

TheirpaltrytrashinseriouswayTonote—yourpainswillneverpay.

OfLizardstomakegreataccount,GivesthemoccasiontosurmiseTheirclaimstobeofsomeamount,Intheimpartialpublic'seyes—"Whateverspitefulfolksmaysay."

FABLELVIII.

THEWATCHES.

Aknotoffriends,invitedtoafeast,Attablesat—aloiteringguest,Whocamelongafteralltherest,Soughtforhistardinesstomakeexcuse:And,byhiscomradesforareasonpressed,DrewouthisWatch,and,holdingitonhigh,Replied—"'Tisyouareoutoftime,notI.'Tistwoprecisely—whereforethisabuse?"

"Absurd!"theyanswered."Friend,yourWatchisslow.Therestofuscamenearanhourago."

"But"—saidtheloiterer—"whatneedsarguemore?ItrustmyWatch,asIhavesaidbefore."

NowleteachwisermanthisreferencetakeTofoolishauthors,whogrossblundersmake;Thenquote—inordertomakegoodtheirstand—Thefirstauthoritythatcomestohand.

Butwithourstorywewillnowgoon.TheguestsallroundnexteagerlybeganTopulltheirWatchesouttotestthefact,—

Forallmenliketoprovetheirwordsexact;—Oneatthequarterstood;athalf,another;Onemadeitsixandthirtyminutespast;Thisfourteenmore,thattenlessthanthelast.NosingleWatchagreedwithanyother.Then,allwasdoubtandquestionandvexation.Byluck,theirentertainerchancedtobeAgreatproficientinastronomy.He,hisChronometerbyobservationCarefullyset,consulted—andthehourWasthreeo'clockandjusttwominutesmore.Thusheconcludedallthedisputation:"ToquoteopinionandauthorityAgainstthetruth,ifanyonecanseeTheuse—nopointneedsunsupportedbe.Forallcansurelysee,andmustadmit,forsooth,Manyopinionstheremaybe—butonlyoneistruth!"

FABLELIX.

THEMOLEANDOTHERANIMALS.

Somefour-footedcreaturesAssembledoneday,

AtthegameoftheblindmanTogethertoplay.

ADogandaMonkey,Brimfulofhistricks—

WithaFox,HareandEat,AndaSquirrel—madesix.

TheMonkey,heblindedTheeyesofthewhole;

BecauseofhishandsHehadbettercontrol.

AMoleheardtheirfrolic;Andsaid,—"SurelyI

Forthisfunamjustfitted—IthinkIwilltry."

Heaskstocomein;TheMonkeyagreed.

Somemischief,Idoubtnot,Hehadinhishead.

TheMole,ateachstep,Wouldstumbleandblunder.

Withhisskin-coveredeyes,Itwas,clearly,nowonder.

Attheveryfirsttrial,—Aswellmaybethought,—

Withoutmuchado,HisMoleshipwascaught.

Tobeblind-man,ofcourse,Tohimitnowfell:

AndwhowastherefittedToactitsowell?

But,togetupasham—Withaffectedsurprise,

Saidhe,—"Whatarewedoing?You'venotblindedmyeyes."

IfacreaturepurblindThuspretendshecansee,

WilltheblockheadconfesshimselfStupid—thinkye?

FABLELX.

THEROPE-DANCER.

AsanunpractisedurchinlessonstookIndancing,ofaveteranofthering,Onslackortightrope,—itisallonething,—Theyoungstersaid,—"Goodmaster,prithee,look;Howthisgreatstaffbothersandweariesme,Whichyoucallbalance-poleorcounterpoise!Inrope-dancing,whatuseonecandeviseForsuchaclumsyload,Icannotsee.Whyshouldyouwishmymotionssotofetter?Ilacknotstrength,noryetactivity.Forinstance,now—thisstepandposture—seeIfI,withoutthepole,can'tdoitbetter.

Look,master,there'snotonewhitoftroubleinit."Ashesaysthis,hethrowsthepoleaway—"What'scomingnow?Whatareyoudoing,pray?"He'sflatuponhisbackinhalfaminute!

"Atyourbestfriendyougrumble—sillywretch,"—Themastersaid,—"andifyouchoosetoscoutTheaidofartandmethod,—you'llfindoutThisisnotthelasttumbleyouwillcatch."

FABLELXI.

THEOWLANDTHETOAD.

AredOwlwassittingquietlyUpinhishole,inahollowtree,WherehechancedtocatchthecuriouseyeOfagreatToadthatwashoppingby.

"Holloa,upthere,SirSolitary!"—SpokeouttheToad,withaccentmerry,—"Pokeoutyourhead,andletussee,Handsomeorugly,whetheryoube."

"Ihaveneversetupforanelegantbeau,"—AnsweredtheOwltotheToadbelow."Toattemptbydaylighttomakeagreatshow,Willhardlydoforme—wellIknow.

"Andforyou,mygoodsir,—displayingyourgraceSojauntilynow,intheday'sbroadface,—Don'tyouthinkitwouldfarbetterbe,Ifyouhidinanotherhole,likeme?"

Alas!howfewofusauthorsliveBythegoodadvicetheOwldothgive!Allthenonsensewewrite,getprintedwemust;Although,totheworld,itbedryasthedust.Thelesson,mycomrades,isgood—letuslearnitItoftenwouldbemuchbettertoburnit.Butconspicuoustoadsweratherwouldbe,Thanmodestowlsinourownhollowtree.

FABLELXII.

THEOIL-MERCHANT'SASS.

Onceonatime,anAss,—AnOilman'shack,—BearinguponhisbackAhugeskinfilledwithoil,Withfooto'er-wornbytoil,Intohisstablesoughttopass;But,stumbling,struckhisnose

ThecruellestofblowsUponthedoor'sprojectingclamp."Now,isitnotashame,"—PoorDonkeydidexclaim,—"ThatI,whoeverydayCarrytunsofoil,mywayIntomyownstablecannotfind,MorethanifIwerestone-blind,Forwantofonepoorlamp?"

MuchIfear,thatthosewhogloryInbuyingbookstheyneverread,Fareasill,—Anddeservenomore;—but,iftheywillGrowwiser,letthemheedthisstory.

FABLELXIII.

THECONNOISSEURS.

Aquarrelrose,bothlongandloud,Awell-stockedwine-cellarwithin,Wherewine-bibbers—agoodlycrowd—Tastedandargued,talkedandsippedagain.

Theoccasionwas,thatmanytriedVeteranstheirvoicesdidcombine,Withobstinacy,rudeandflagrant,Thatnosuchdrinksourtimessupplied,Nosuchdelicious,lusciouswine,Asdaysgoneby—sogenerous,fine,Soripe,somellowandsofragrant.Intheopinionoftherest,Thelaterwinesweredeemedthebest.Theiropponents'theorytheyabuse;

Theirnotiontermedexaggeration,—Meretrashy,idledeclamationPickedupfrominterestedJews,Whoglosingtalesforcheateryuse.

OfeithersidetherabidhumThecellarfilledtooverflowing;Whenanoldtoperchancedtocome—Afamousconnoisseurandknowing.Saidhethen,—lettingslipanoath,—"ByjollyBacchus,thedivine,"—Amongsuchworthies'tisastrongone—"BetterthanI,forchoiceofwine,Nooneisfitted,bymytroth,Totelltherightonefromthewrongone.Socease,goodfriends,youridledin.YouseethatIamfromNavarre.Incask,orbottle,jugorskin,Hogsheadortub,orearthenjar,I'vetastedofthejuiceofgrape,Ofeverykind,ineveryshape.Totaste,distinguishandtojudge,Andsurelytolaydownthelaw,Inanyvintage,I'llnotgrudge,FromXeres'plainstoTudela.FromMalagauntoPeralta,FromtheCanaryIslestoMalta,FromValdepeñastoOporto,TheirwinesIknow—andmanymore,too.Itellyounow,'tisfollygreatTothinkthateverycaskofwine,Whichonitsheadbearsancientdate,Byagewillmellowandrefine.Timecannotmakethepoorwinegood;Ifmeanitwas,initsfirsthour,Itwillbewashystillandcrude,Innothingchanged,butturningsour.Worthnojotmorethishour,youknow,Thanvinegaracenturyago.

Newwines,fromtimetotime,thereare,—Thoughsomedespiseforbeingnew,—WhichverysafelymaycompareWithanywinesthatevergrew.Thoseyoudespise—althoughsurpassed,Occasionally,intimeslongpast,Bycertainvintages—yetmayTicklethepalatesofafutureday.Enough—tosettlethedispute—BadwineIholdinlowrepute,Andeverdoeschew.Butwhen'tisgood,Idraintheflask;Andnevervexmyselftoask,Ifitbeoldornew."

ManyalearnedboreKeepsupaconstantbother;Onepraisingancientlore—Modernalone,another.Bynosuchfoolishquestionvexed,Itakethejollytoper'stext;Thegood,whate'eritis,Iuse;Thebad,withoutaword,refuse.

FABLELXIV.

THEFROGANDTHEHEN.

Onceonatime,anoisyFrogHeardaHencacklingnearhisbog;"Begone!"saidhe;"yourclamorrudeDisturbsourquietneighborhood.What'sallthisshockingfussabout,Ibeg?"—"Nothing,dearsir,butthatI'velaidanegg."

"Asingleegg!andthereforesucharout?"—

"Yes,neighborFrog,asingleegg,Isay.Areyousotroubled,whenI'mnotputoutTohearyourcroakingallthenightandday?IboastthatIhavedonesomelittlegood,thoughsmall;Holdyouyourtongue!Youdonogoodatall."

FABLELXV.

THEBEETLE.

ForafableasubjectIhave,Whichwoulddoverywell,—butforrhymes

To-daymymuseistoograve;

Asshealwayswillbeatoddtimes—Andthetopicforsomebodystands,

Whosefancymorecheerilychimes.

ForthiswritingoffablesdemandsThatinverseourideasshouldflow;

Whichnotalwaysarematchedtoourhands,

ABeetlecontemptible,now,OfsaidfabletheheroIchoose;—

ForIwantonepaltryandlow.

Ofthisinsect,everyoneknowsThat—althoughfromnofilthherefrains—

Hewillne'ereattheleafofarose.

Heretheauthorshouldlavishhispains,While,aswellashistalentsallow,

Thisastonishingtasteheexplains.

Towindupthewhole,lethimshow,Byasentencepithyandterse,

Justwhathecouldhaveustoknow.

Andsolethimtrickouthisverse,Withadornmentsaccordingtotaste;

Butthismoralconclusiverehearse;

That,astheflowers'beautifulqueenWithnocoarse,filthybeetleagrees;

So,sometastelesswritersnokeenOrdelicatefancycanplease.

FABLELXVI.

THERICHMAN'SLIBRARY.

InMadrid,therewasarichman—and,theysay,Thattentimesasstupid,asrich,hewastoo;—

WhosemagnificentmansionmadeampledisplayOffurnituregorgeousandcostlyandnew.

"Itvexesmemuch,thatahousesocomplete,"—Tothiswealthydolt,saidaneighboroneday,—

"ShouldaLibrarylack,—anornamentgreat,—Sousefulandelegant,too,bytheway."

"Tobesure,"saidtheother,"howstrangethatthecaseTomeneveroccurred;I'llsupplythewantsoon.

Thereistimeenoughyet;and,inthefirstplace,Idevotetothepurposethenorthernsaloon.

Sendacabinet-makertoputupsomeshelves,Capacious,wellfinished,—nomatterforcost,

Then,inbuyingsomebooks,wewillbusyourselves;—Tomakeitallperfect,notimeshallbelost."

Thecasesaredone;theownerhecomes,Inspectsandapproves:"Andnow,"—saidthesnob,—

"Imustgooutandlookupsometwelvethousandtomes.'Ponmyhonor,'twillbeaprettygoodjob.

Iamalmostdiscouraged—ofmoneyadealItwilltake;and'tisworkforacentury,too.

Willitnotbemuchbetterthecasestofill,Withbooksmadeofpasteboard,asgoodtotheview?

Justthinknow—whynot?ApainterIknow,Forsuchlittlejobspreciselytheman;

Canwritetitlesoutfair,andmakepasteboardtoshowLikeleatherorparchment,ifanyonecan."

Andnowtothework,—bookspreciousandrare,Bothmodernandancient,hecausedtobepainted;

And,besidesprintedvolumes,healsotakescareTohavemanuscripts,too,insameguiserepresented.

Thepreciousoldfoolthen,eachday,setapartSomehourstowanderhislibraryround;

Till,learningthetitlesofmanybyheart,Hethoughthimselfgrowntoascholarprofound.

Truly,whatbetterneedsthestudent,—contentedOfbooks,nothingmorethantheirtitles,toknow

Thantoownacollectionrightskilfullypainted,Ofgenuinevolumespresentingtheshow?

FABLELXVII.

THEVIPERANDTHELEECH.

"Astrangelyinconsistentcrew!"—

SaidtheVipertothesimpleLeech,—"Menflyfrommeandseekforyou;Althoughtheygetabitefromeach."

"Allverytrue,"—theLeechreplied,—"Butthetwothingsaredifferentquite.

Ibitethesick,togivethemaid;Tokillthesoundandwell,youbite."

Now,gentlereader,withyoutakeThiscounsel,aswepart:

Andalwaysduedistinctionmake,Iffromthelashyousmart.

GreatisthedifferencebetweenCorrectionkindandmalicekeen.

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