Table of Contents

THE FABLES OF PHÆDRUS.

Book I.
		Prose.	Verse.
	Prologue	365	473
Fable I.	The Wolf and the Lamb	365	473
II.	The Frogs asking for a King	366	474
III.	The vain Jackdaw and the Peacock	367	475
IV.	The Dog carrying some Meat across a River	368	476
V.	The Cow, the She-Goat, the Sheep, and the Lion	368	476
VI.	The Frogs’ complaint against the Sun	369	476
VII.	The Fox and the Tragic Mask	369	477
VIII.	The Wolf and the Crane	370	477
IX.	The Sparrow and the Hare	370	478
X.	The Wolf, the Fox, and the Ape	371	478
XI.	The Ass and the Lion hunting	371	478
XII.	The Stag at the Stream	372	479
XIII.	The Fox and the Raven	372	480
XIV.	The Cobbler turned Physician	373	480
XV.	The Ass and the Old Shepherd	373	481
XVI.	The Stag, the Sheep, and the Wolf	374	481
XVII.	The Sheep, the Dog, and the Wolf	374	482
XVIII.	The Woman in Labour	375	—
XIX.	The Bitch and her Whelps	375	482
XX.	The hungry Dogs	376	483
XXI.	The aged Lion, the Wild Boar, the Bull, and the Ass	376	483
XXII.	The Man and the Weasel	376	483
XXIII.	The Faithful Dog	377	484
XXIV.	The Frog and the Ox	378	484
XXV.	The Dog and the Crocodile	377	485
XXVI.	The Fox and the Stork	378	485
XXVII.	The Dog, the Treasure, and the Vulture	379	486
XXVIII.	The Fox and the Eagle	380	486
XXIX.	The Ass deriding the Boar	380	—
XXX.	The Frogs frightened at the Battle of the Bulls	380	487
XXXI.	The Kite and the Pigeons	381	487
Book II.
	Prologue	382	488
Fable I.	The Lion, the Robber, and the Traveller	383	488
II.	Two Women of different Ages beloved by the Middle-aged Man	383	489
III.	The Man and the Dog	384	489
IV.	The Eagle, the Cat, and the Sow	384	490
V.	Cæsar to the Chamberlain	385	491
VI.	The Eagle, the Crow, and the Tortoise	386	492
VII.	The Mules and Robbers	387	492
VIII.	The Stag and the Oxen	387	493
	Epilogue	388	494
Book III.
	Prologue, to Eutychus	390	497
Fable I.	The Old Woman and the Cask	393	498
II.	The Panther and Shepherd	394	498
III.	Esop and the Farmer	395	—
IV.	The Butcher and the Ape	395	499
V.	Esop and the Insolent Man	395	499
VI.	The Fly and the Mule	396	499
VII.	The Dog and the Wolf	397	500
VIII.	The Brother and Sister	398	501
IX.	Socrates to his Friends	398	502
X.	The Poet on Believing and not Believing	399	502
XI.	The Eunuch to the Abusive Man	401	—
XI.	The Cock and the Pearl	401	504
XII.	The Bees and the Drones, the Wasp sitting as judge	402	505
XIII.	Esop at play	402	505
XIV.	The Dog to the Lamb	403	506
XV.	The Grasshopper and the Owl	404	507
XVI.	The Trees under the Protection of the Gods	405	508
XVII.	The Peacock to Juno	405	509
XVIII.	Esop’s Answer to the Inquisitive Man	406	509
	Epilogue	407	—
Book IV.
	Prologue	409	510
Fable I.	The Ass and the Priests of Cybele	410	509
II.	The Weasel and the Mice	411	510
III.	The Fox and the Grapes	411	511
IV.	The Horse and the Wild Boar	411	511
V.	Esop interpreting a Will	412	512
VI.	The Battle of the Mice and the Weasels	413	514
VII.	The Poet’s Defence against the Censurers of his Fables	414	514
VIII.	The Viper and the File	415	515
IX.	The Fox and the Goat	415	516
X.	Of the Vices of Men	416	516
XI.	A Thief pillaging the Altar of Jupiter	416	517
XII.	Hercules and Plutus	417	517
XIII.	The Lion reigning	417	—
XIV.	Prometheus	418	—
XV.	The She-Goats and their Beards	418	518
XVI.	The Pilot and the Mariners	419	518
XVII.	The Embassy of the Dogs to Jupiter	419	—
XVIII.	The Man and the Snake	420	519
XIX.	The Fox and the Dragon	421	519
XX.	Phædrus	422	520
XXI.	The Shipwreck of Simonides	422	520
XXII.	The Mountain in Labour	423	522
XXIII.	The Ant and the Fly	424	522
XXIV.	Simonides preserved by the Gods	425	523
	Epilogue	426	524
Book V.
	Prologue	427	526
Fable I.	Demetrius and Menander	427	527
II.	The Travellers and the Robber	428	528
III.	The Bald Man and the Fly	429	529
IV.	The Man and the Ass	429	529
V.	The Buffoon and Countryman	429	530
VI.	The Two Bald Men	431	532
VII.	Princeps the Flute Player	431	532
VIII.	The Emblem of Opportunity	433	534
IX.	The Bull and the Calf	433	534
X.	The Huntsman and the Dog	433	535

The New Fables—attributed to Phædrus.
Fable I.	The Ape and the Fox	435
II.	The Author	436
III.	Mercury and the two Women	436
IV.	Prometheus and Cunning	437
V.	The Author	438
VI.	The signification of the Punishments of Tartarus	438
VII.	The Author	439
VIII.	Æsop and the Author	439
IX.	Pompeius Magnus and his Soldier	440
X.	Juno, Venus, and the Hen	441
XI.	The Father of a Family and Æsop	442
XII.	The Philosopher and the Victor in the Gymnastic Games	442
XIII.	The Ass and the Lyre	443
XIV.	The Widow and the Soldier	443
XV.	The Rich Suitor and the Poor One	444
XVI.	Æsop and his Mistress	445
XVII.	A Cock carried in a Litter by Cats	446
XVIII.	The Sow bringing forth and the Wolf	446
XIX.	The Runaway Slave and Æsop	447
XX.	The Chariot Horse sold for the Mill	447
XXI.	The Hungry Bear	448
XXII.	The Traveller and the Raven	449
XXIII.	The Shepherd and the She-Goat	449
XXIV.	The Serpent and the Lizard	449
XXV.	The Crow and the Sheep	450
XXVI.	The Servant and the Master	450
XXVII.	The Hare and the Herdsman	450
XXVIII.	The Young Man and the Courtesan	451
XXIX.	The Beaver	451
XXX.	The Butterfly and the Wasp	452
XXXI.	The Ground-Swallow and the Fox	453
	Epilogue	453
Æsopian Fables—the authors of which are not known.
Fable I.	The Sick Kite	454
II.	The Hares tired of Life	454
III.	Jupiter and the Fox	455
IV.	The Lion and the Mouse	455
V.	The Man and the Trees	456
VI.	The Mouse and the Frog	456
VII.	The Two Cocks and the Hawk	456
VIII.	The Snail and the Ape	457
IX.	The City Mouse and the Country Mouse	457
X.	The Ass fawning upon his Master	458
XI.	The Crane, the Crow, and the Countryman	459
XII.	The Birds and the Swallow	459
XIII.	The Partridge and the Fox	460
XIV.	The Ass, the Ox, and the Birds	461
XV.	The Lion and the Shepherd	461
XVI.	The Goat and the Bull	462
XVII.	The Horse and the Ass	462
XVIII.	The Birds, the Beasts, and the Bat	463
XIX.	The Nightingale, the Hawk, and the Fowler	463
XX.	The Wolf, the Fox, and the Shepherd	464
XXI.	The Sheep and the Wolves	464
XXII.	The Ape and the Fox	465
XXIII.	The Wolf, the Huntsman, and the Shepherd	465
XXIV.	The Truthful Man, the Liar, and the Apes	466
XXV.	The Man and the Lion	467
XXVI.	The Stork, the Goose, and the Hawk	467
XXVII.	The Sheep and the Crow	468
XXVIII.	The Ant and the Grasshopper	468
XXIX.	The Horse and the Ass	469
XXX.	The Old Lion and the Fox	469
XXXI.	The Camel and the Flea	469
XXXII.	The Kid and the Wolf	470
XXXIII.	The Poor Man and the Serpent	470
XXXIV.	The Eagle and the Kite	471

THE FABLES OF PHÆDRUS.

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BOOK I.

THE PROLOGUE.

The matter which Æsop, the inventor of Fables, has provided, Ihave polished in Iambic verse. The advantages of this little work are twofold—that it excites laughter, and by counsel guides the life of man. But if any one shall think fit to cavil, because not only wild beasts, but even trees speak, let him remember that we are disporting in fables.

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Fable I.
THE WOLF AND THE LAMB.

Driven by thirst, a Wolf and a Lamb had come to the same stream; the Wolf stood above, and the Lamb at a distance below. Then, the spoiler, prompted by a ravenous maw, alleged a pretext for a quarrel. “Why,” said he, “have you made the water muddy for me while I am drinking?” The Fleece-bearer, trembling, answered: “Prithee, Wolf, how can I do what you complain of? The water is flowing downwards from you to where I am drinking.” The other, disconcerted by the force of truth, exclaimed: “Six months ago, you slandered me.” “Indeed,” answered the Lamb, “Iwas not born then.” “By Hercules,” said the Wolf, “then ’twas your father slandered me;” and so, snatching him up, he tore him to pieces, killing him unjustly.

This Fable is applicable to those men who, under false pretences, oppress the innocent.

Fable II.
THE FROGS ASKING FOR A KING.

When AthensI.1 was flourishing under just laws, liberty grown wanton embroiled the city, and license relaxed the reins of ancient discipline. Upon this, the partisans of factions conspiring, Pisistratus the TyrantI.2 seized the citadel. When the Athenians were lamenting their sad servitude (not that he was cruel, but because every burden is grievous to those who are unused to it), and began to complain, Æsop related a Fable to the following effect:—

“The Frogs, roaming at large in their marshy fens, with loud clamour demanded of Jupiter a king, who, by his authority, might check their dissolute manners. The Father of the Gods smiled, and gave them a little Log, which, on being thrown among them startled the timorous race by the noise and sudden commotion in the bog. When it had lain for some time immersed in the mud, one of them by chance silently lifted his head above the water, and having taken a peep at the king, called up all the rest. Having got the better of their fears, vying with each other, they swim towards him, and the insolent mob leap upon the Log. After defiling it with every kind of insult, they sent to Jupiter, requesting another king, because the one that had been given them was useless. Upon this, he sent them a Water Snake,I.3 who with his sharp teeth began to gobble them up one after another. Helpless they strive in vain to escape death; terror deprives them of voice. By stealth, therefore, they send through Mercury a request to Jupiter, to succour them in their distress. Then said the God in reply: ‘Since you would not be content with your good fortune, continue to endure your bad fortune.’”

“Do you also, O fellow-citizens,” said Æsop, “submit to the present evil, lest a greater one befall you.”

Fable III.
THE VAIN JACKDAW AND THE PEACOCK.

That one ought not to plume oneself on the merits which belong to another, but ought rather to pass his life in his own proper guise, Æsop has given us this illustration:—

A Jackdaw, swellingI.4 with empty pride, picked up some feathers which had fallen from a Peacock, and decked himself out therewith; upon which, despising his own kind, he mingled with a beauteous flock of Peacocks. They tore his feathers from off the impudent bird, and put him to flight with their beaks. The Jackdaw, thus roughly handled, in grief hastened to return to his own kind; repulsed by whom, he had to submit to sad disgrace. Then said one of those whom he had formerly despised: “If you had been content with our station, and had been ready to put up with what nature had given, you would neither have experienced the former affront, nor would your ill fortune have had to feel the additional pang of this repulse.”

Fable IV.
THE DOG CARRYING SOME MEAT ACROSS A RIVER.

He who covets what belongs to another, deservedly loses his own.

As a Dog, swimmingI.5 through a river, was carrying a piece of meat, he saw his own shadow in the watery mirror; and, thinking that it was another booty carried by another dog, attempted to snatch it away; but his greediness was disappointed, he both dropped the food which he was holding in his mouth, and was after all unable to reach that at which he grasped.

Fable V.
THE COW, THE SHE-GOAT, THE SHEEP, AND THELION.

An alliance with the powerful is never to be relied upon: the present Fable testifies the truth of my maxim.

A Cow, a She-Goat, and a SheepI.6 patient under injuries, were partners in the forests with a Lion. When they had captured a Stag of vast bulk, thus spoke the Lion, after it had been divided into shares: “Because my name is Lion, Itake the first; the second you will yield to me because I am courageous; then, because I am the strongest,I.7 the third will fall to my lot; if anyone touches the fourth, woe betide him.”

Thus did unscrupulousness seize upon the whole prey for itself.

Fable VI.
THE FROGS’ COMPLAINT AGAINST THE SUN.

Æsop, on seeing the pompous wedding of a thief, who was his neighbour, immediately began to relate the following story:

Once on a time, when the Sun was thinking of taking a wife,I.8 the Frogs sent forth their clamour to the stars. Disturbed by their croakings, Jupiter asked the cause of their complaints. Then said one of the inhabitants of the pool: “As it is, by himself he parches up all the standing waters, and compels us unfortunates to languish and die in our scorched abode. What is to become of us, if he beget children?”

Fable VII.
THE FOX AND THE TRAGIC MASK.

A Fox, by chance, casting his eyes on a Tragic Mask: “Ah,” said she, “great as is its beauty, still it has no brains.”I.9

This is meant for those to whom fortune has granted honor and renown, leaving them void of common sense.

Fable VIII.
THE WOLF AND THE CRANE.

He who expects a recompense for his services from the dishonest commits a twofold mistake; first, because he assists the undeserving, and in the next place, because he cannot be gone while he is yet safe.

A bone that he had swallowed stuck in the jaws of a Wolf. Thereupon, overcome by extreme pain, he began to tempt all and sundry by great rewards to extract the cause of misery. At length, on his taking an oath, aCrane was prevailed on, and, trusting the length of her neck to his throat, she wrought, with danger to herself, acure for the Wolf. When she demanded the promised reward for this service, “You are an ungrateful one,” replied the Wolf, “to have taken your head in safety out of my mouth, and then to ask for a reward.”

Fable IX.
THE SPARROW AND THE HARE.

Let us show, in a few lines, that it is unwise to be heedlessI.10 of ourselves, while we are giving advice to others.

A Sparrow upbraided a Hare that had been pounced upon by an Eagle, and was sending forth piercing cries. “Where now,” said he, “is that fleetness for which you are so remarkable? Why were your feet thus tardy?” While he was speaking, aHawk seizes him unawares, and kills him, shrieking aloud with vain complaints. The Hare, almost dead, as a consolation in his agony, exclaimed: “You, who so lately, free from care, were ridiculing my misfortunes, have now to deplore your own fate with as woful cause.”

Fable X.
THE WOLF, THE FOX, AND THE APE.

Whoever has once become notorious by base fraud, even if he speaks the truth, gains no belief. To this, ashort Fable of Æsop bears witness.

A Wolf indicted a Fox upon a charge of theft; the latter denied that she was amenable to the charge. Upon this, the Ape sat as judge between them; and when each of them had pleaded his cause, the Ape is said to have pronounced this sentence: “You, Wolf, appear not to have lost what you demand; Ibelieve that you, Fox, have stolen what you so speciously deny.”

Fable XI.
THE ASS AND THE LION HUNTING.

A dastard, who in his talk brags of his prowess, and is devoid of courage,I.11 imposes upon strangers, but is the jest of all who know him.

A Lion having resolved to hunt in company with an Ass, concealed him in a thicket, and at the same time enjoined him to frighten the wild beasts with his voice, to which they were unused, while he himself was to catch them as they fled. Upon this, Long-ears, with all his might, suddenly raised a cry, and terrified the beasts with this new cause of astonishment.I.12 While, in their alarm, they are flying to the well-known outlets, they are overpowered by the dread onset of the Lion; who, after he was wearied with slaughter, called forth the Ass from his retreat, and bade him cease his clamour. On this the other, in his insolence, inquired: “What think you of the assistance given by my voice?” “Excellent!” said the Lion, “so much so, that if I had not been acquainted with your spirit and your race, Ishould have fled in alarm like the rest.”

Fable XII.
THE STAG AT THE STREAM.

This story shows that what you contemn is often found of more utility than what you load with praises.

A Stag, when he had drunk at a stream, stood still, and gazed upon his likeness in the water. While there, in admiration, he was praising his branching horns, and finding fault with the extreme thinness of his legs, suddenly roused by the cries of the huntsmen, he took to flight over the plain, and with nimble course escaped the dogs. Then a wood received the beast; in which, being entangled and caught by his horns, the dogs began to tear him to pieces with savage bites. While dying, he is said to have uttered these words: “Oh, how unhappy am I, who now too late find out how useful to me were the things that I despised; and what sorrow the things I used to praise, have caused me.”

Fable XIII.
THE FOX AND THE RAVEN.

He who is delighted at being flattered with artful words, generally pays the ignominious penalty of a late repentance.

As a Raven, perched in a lofty tree, was about to eat a piece of cheese, stolen from a window,I.13 aFox espied him, and thereupon began thus to speak: “ORaven, what a glossiness there is upon those feathers of yours! What grace you carry in your shape and air! If you had a voice, no bird whatever would be superior to you.” On this, the other, while, in his folly, attempting to show off his voice, let fall the cheese from his mouth, which the crafty Fox with greedy teeth instantly snatched up. Then, too late, the Raven, thus, in his stupidity overreached, heaved a bitter sigh.

By this storyI.14 it is shown, how much ingenuity avails, and how wisdom is always an overmatch for strength.

Fable XIV.
THE COBBLER TURNED PHYSICIAN.

A bungling Cobbler, broken down by want, having begun to practise physic in a strange place, and selling his antidoteI.15 under a feigned name, gained some reputation for himself by his delusive speeches.

Upon this, the King of the city, who lay ill, being afflicted with a severe malady, asked for a cup, for the purpose of trying him; and then pouring water into it, and pretending that he was mixing poison with the fellow’s antidote, ordered him to drink it off, in consideration of a stated reward. Through fear of death, the cobbler then confessed that not by any skill in the medical art, but through the stupidity of the public, he had gained his reputation. The King, having summoned a council, thus remarked: “What think you of the extent of your madness, when you do not hesitate to trust your livesI.16 to one to whom no one would trust his feet to be fitted with shoes?”

This, I should say with good reason, is aimed at those through whose folly impudence makes a profit.

Fable XV.
THE ASS AND THE OLD SHEPHERD.

In a change of government, the poor change nothing beyond the name of their master. That this is the fact this little Fable shows.

A timorous Old Man was feeding an Ass in ameadow. Frightened by a sudden alarm of the enemy, he tried to persuade the Ass to fly, lest they should be taken prisoners. But he leisurely replied: “Pray, do you suppose that the conqueror will place double panniers upon me?” The Old Man said, “No.” “Then what matters it to me, so long as I have to carry my panniers, whom I serve?”

Fable XVI.
THE STAG, THE SHEEP, AND THE WOLF.

When a rogue offers his name as surety in a doubtful case, he has no design to act straight-forwardly, but is looking to mischief.

A Stag asked a Sheep for a measureI.17 of wheat, aWolf being his surety. The other, however, suspecting fraud, replied: “The Wolf has always been in the habit of plundering and absconding; you, of rushing out of sight with rapid flight: where am I to look for you both when the day comes?”I.18

Fable XVII.
THE SHEEP, THE DOG, AND THE WOLF.

Liars generallyI.19 pay the penalty of their guilt.

A Dog, who was a false accuser, having demanded of a Sheep a loaf of bread, which he affirmed he had entrusted to her charge; aWolf, summoned as a witness, affirmed that not only one was owing but ten. Condemned on false testimony, the Sheep had to pay what she did not owe. Afew days after, the Sheep saw the Wolf lying in a pit. “This,” said she, “is the reward of villany, sent by the Gods.”

Fable XVIII.
THE WOMAN IN LABOUR.

No one returns with good will to the place which has done him a mischief.

Her months completed,I.20 a Woman in labour lay upon the ground, uttering woful moans. Her Husband entreated her to lay her body on the bed, where she might with more ease deposit her ripe burden. “Ifeel far from confident,” said she, “that my pains can end in the place where they originated.”

Fable XIX.
THE BITCH AND HER WHELPS.

The fair words of a wicked man are fraught with treachery, and the subjoined lines warn us to shun them.

A Bitch, ready to whelp,I.21 having entreated another that she might give birth to her offspring in her kennel, easily obtained the favour. Afterwards, on the other asking for her place back again, she renewed her entreaties, earnestly begging for a short time, until she might be enabled to lead forth her whelps when they had gained sufficient strength. This time being also expired, the other began more urgently to press for her abode: “If” said the tenant, “you can be a match for me and my litter, Iwill depart from the place.”

Fable XX.
THE HUNGRY DOGS.

An ill-judged project is not only without effect, but also lures mortals to their destruction.

Some Dogs espied a raw hide sunk in a river. In order that they might more easily get it out and devour it, they fell to drinking up the water; they burst, however, and perished before they could reach what they sought.

Fable XXI.
THE AGED LION, THE WILD BOAR, THE BULL, ANDTHEASS.

Whoever has fallen from a previous high estate, is in his calamity the butt even of cowards.

As a Lion, worn out with years, and deserted by his strength, lay drawing his last breath, aWild Boar came up to him, with flashing tusks,I.22 and with a blow revenged an old affront. Next, with hostile horns, aBull pierced the body of his foe. An Ass, on seeing the wild beast maltreated with impunity, tore up his forehead with his heels. On this, expiring, he said: “Ihave borne, with indignation, the insults of the brave; but in being inevitably forced to bear with you, disgrace to nature! Iseem to die a double death.”

Fable XXII.
THE MAN AND THE WEASEL.

A Weasel, on being caught by a Man, wishing to escape impending death: “Pray,” said she, “do spare me, for ’tis I who keep your house clear of troublesome mice.” The Man made answer: “If you did so for my sake, it would be a reason for thanking you, and I should have granted you the pardon you entreat. But, inasmuch as you do your best that you may enjoy the scraps which they would have gnawed, and devour the mice as well, don’t think of placing your pretended services to my account;” and so saying, he put the wicked creature to death.

Those persons ought to recognize this as applicable to themselves, whose object is private advantage, and who boast to the unthinking of an unreal merit.

Fable XXIII.
THE FAITHFUL DOG.

The man who becomes liberal all of a sudden, gratifies the foolish, but for the wary spreads his toils in vain.

A Thief one night threw a crust of bread to a Dog, to try whether he could be gained by the proffered victuals: “Hark you,” said the Dog, “do you think to stop my tongue so that I may not bark for my master’s property? You are greatly mistaken. For this sudden liberality bids me be on the watch, that you may not profit by my neglect.”

Fable XXIV.
THE FROG AND THE OX.

The needy man, while affecting to imitate the powerful, comes to ruin.

Once on a time, a Frog espied an Ox in a meadow, and moved with envy at his vast bulk, puffed out her wrinkled skin, and then asked her young ones whether she was bigger than the Ox. They said “No.” Again, with still greater efforts, she distended her skin, and in like manner enquired which was the bigger:I.23 they said: “The Ox.” At last, while, full of indignation, she tried, with all her might, to puff herself out, she burst her body on the spot.

Fable XXV.
THE DOG AND THE CROCODILE.

Those who give bad advice to discreet persons, both lose their pains, and are laughed to scorn.

It has been related,I.24 that Dogs drink at the river Nile running along, that they may not be seized by the Crocodiles. Accordingly, aDog having begun to drink while running along, aCrocodile thus addressed him: “Lap as leisurely as you like; drink on; come nearer, and don’t be afraid,” said he. The other replied: “Egad, Iwould do so with all my heart, did I not know that you are eager for my flesh.”

Fable XXVI.
THE FOX AND THE STORK.

Harm should be done to no man; but if any one do an injury, this Fable shows that he may be visited with a like return.

A Fox is said to have given a Stork the first invitation to a banquet, and to have placed before her some thin broth in a flat dish, of which the hungry Stork could in no way get a taste. Having invited the Fox in return, she set before him a narrow-mouthed jar,I.25 full of minced meat:I.26 and, thrusting her beak into it, satisfied herself, while she tormented her guest with hunger; who, after having in vain licked the neck of the jar, as we have heard, thus addressed the foreign bird:I.27 “Every one is bound to bear patiently the results of his own example.”

Fable XXVII.
THE DOG, THE TREASURE, AND THE VULTURE.

This Fable may be applied to the avaricious, and to those, who, born to a humble lot, affect to be called rich.

Grubbing up human bones,I.28 a Dog met with a Treasure; and, because he had offended the Gods the Manes,I.29 adesire for riches was inspired in him, that so he might pay the penalty due to the holy character of the place. Accordingly, while he was watching over the gold, forgetful of food, he was starved to death; on which a Vulture, standing over him, is reported to have said: “ODog, you justly meet your death, who, begotten at a cross-road, and bred up on a dunghill, have suddenly coveted regal wealth.”

Fable XXVIII.
THE FOX AND THE EAGLE.

Men, however high in station, ought to be on their guard against the lowly; because, to ready address, revenge lies near at hand.

An Eagle one day carried off the whelps of a Fox, and placed them in her nest before her young ones, for them to tear in pieces as food. The mother, following her, began to entreat that she would not cause such sorrow to her miserable suppliant