0,49 €
Mehr erfahren.
- Herausgeber: e-artnow
- Kategorie: Geisteswissenschaft
- Sprache: Englisch
"The Fables of Phædrus" by Phaedrus (translated by Christopher Smart, Henry T. Riley). Published by e-artnow. e-artnow publishes a wide range of titles that encompasses every genre. From well-known classics & literary fiction and non-fiction to forgotten−or yet undiscovered gems−of world literature, we issue the books that need to be read. Each e-artnow edition has been meticulously edited and formatted to boost readability for all e-readers and devices. Our goal is to produce eBooks that are user-friendly and accessible to everyone in a high-quality digital format.
Das E-Book können Sie in Legimi-Apps oder einer beliebigen App lesen, die das folgende Format unterstützen:
Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2023
Ähnliche
The Fables of Phædrus
Table of Contents
PREFACE.
In the Translation of Phædrus, the Critical Edition by Orellius, 1831, has been used, and in the Æsopian Fables, the text of the Parisian Edition of Gail, 1826. The Notes will, it is believed, be found to embody the little that is known of the contemporary history of the Author.
H. T. R.
The Table of Contents refers primarily to the Riley text. Fables I.xxix, III.iii, and several Fables in Book IV are missing in Smart; Riley’s Fable IV.i, “The Ass and the Priests of Cybele”, is Smart’s III.xix. Where Smart’s numbers are different, they are shown with popups.
In the text, Book III, Fable xi is “The Eunuch to the Abusive Man”; all following fables in Riley are numbered one higher than in the Table of Contents. This fable is missing from Smart but the number X is skipped, as was number I.xviii.
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.
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.
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.
