A Hundred Fables of La Fontaine Part 8

The Cunning Fox.

A fox once practised, 'tis believed, A stratagem right well conceived.

The wretch, when in the utmost strait By dogs of nose so delicate, Approach'd a gallows, where, A lesson to like pa.s.sengers, Or clothed in feathers or in furs, Some badgers, owls, and foxes, pendent were.

Their comrade, in his pressing need, Arranged himself among the dead.

I seem to see old Hannibal Outwit some Roman general, And sit securely in his tent, The legions on some other scent.

But certain dogs, kept back To tell the errors of the pack, Arriving where the traitor hung, A fault in fullest chorus sung.

Though by their bark the welkin rung, Their master made them hold the tongue.

Suspecting not a trick so odd, Said he, "The rogue's beneath the sod.

My dogs, that never saw such jokes, Won't bark beyond these honest folks."

The rogue would try the trick again.

He did so to his cost and pain.

Again with dogs the welkin rings; Again our fox from gallows swings; But though he hangs with greater faith This time, he does it to his death.

_So uniformly is it true,_ _A stratagem is best when new._

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE CUNNING FOX.]

The Ape.

There is an ape in Paris, To which was given a wife: Like many a one that marries, This ape, in brutal strife, Soon beat her out of life.

Their infant cries,--perhaps not fed,-- But cries, I ween, in vain; The father laughs: his wife is dead, And he has other loves again, Which he will also beat, I think,-- Return'd from tavern drown'd in drink.

_For aught that's good, you need not look_ _Among the imitative tribe;_ _A monkey be it, or what makes a book--_ _The worse, I deem--the aping scribe._

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE APE.]

The Fox, the Flies, and the Hedgehog.

A fox, old, subtle, vigilant, and sly,-- By hunters wounded, fallen in the mud,-- Attracted by the traces of his blood, That buzzing parasite, the fly.

He blamed the G.o.ds, and wonder'd why The Fates so cruelly should wish To feast the fly on such a costly dish.

"What! light on me! make me its food!

Me, me, the nimblest of the wood!

How long has fox-meat been so good?

What serves my tail? Is it a useless weight?

Go,--Heaven confound thee, greedy reprobate!-- And suck thy fill from some more vulgar veins!"

A hedgehog, witnessing his pains, (This fretful personage Here graces first my page,) Desired to set him free From such cupidity.

"My neighbour fox," said he, "My quills these rascals shall empale, And ease thy torments without fail."

"Not for the world, my friend!" the fox replied.

"Pray let them finish their repast.

These flies are full. Should they be set aside, New hungrier swarms would finish me at last."

_Consumers are too common here below,_ _In court and camp, in church and state, we know._ _Old Aristotle's penetration_ _Remark'd our fable's application;_ _It might more clearly in our nation._ _The fuller certain men are fed,_ _The less the public will be bled._

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE FOX THE FLIES & THE HEDGEHOG.]

The Eagle and the Magpie.

The eagle, through the air a queen, And one far different, I ween, In temper, language, thought, and mien,-- The magpie,--once a prairie cross'd.

The by-path where they met was drear, And Madge gave up herself for lost; But having dined on ample cheer, The eagle bade her, "Never fear; You're welcome to my company; For if the king of G.o.ds can be Full oft in need of recreation,-- Who rules the world,--right well may I, Who serve him in that high relation: Amuse me, then, before you fly."

Our cackler, pleased, at quickest rate Of this and that began to prate.

No fool, or babbler for that matter, Could more incontinently chatter.

At last she offer'd to make known-- A better spy had never flown-- All things, whatever she might see, In travelling from tree to tree.

But, with her offer little pleased-- Nay, gathering wrath at being teased,-- For such a purpose, never rove,-- Replied th' impatient bird of Jove.

"Adieu, my cackling friend, adieu; My court is not the place for you: Heaven keep it free from such a bore!"

Madge flapp'd her wings, and said no more.

_'Tis far less easy than it seems_ _An entrance to the great to gain._ _The honour oft hath cost extremes_ _Of mortal pain._ _The craft of spies, the tattling art,_ _And looks more gracious than the heart,_ _Are odious there;_ _But still, if one would meet success,_ _Of different parishes the dress_ _He, like the pie, must wear._

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE EAGLE AND THE MAGPIE.]

The Lion and the Hunter.

A braggart, lover of the chase, Had lost a dog of valued race, And thought him in a lion's maw.

He ask'd a shepherd whom he saw, "Pray show me, man, the robber's place, And I'll have justice in the case."

"'Tis on this mountain side,"

The shepherd man replied.

"The tribute of a sheep I pay, Each month, and where I please I stray."

Out leap'd the lion as he spake, And came that way with agile feet.

The braggart, prompt his flight to take, Cried, "Jove, O grant a safe retreat!"

_A danger close at hand_ _Of courage is the test._ _It shows us who will stand--_ _Whose legs will run their best._

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE LION AND THE HUNTER.]

The Fox, the Monkey, and the Animals

Left kingless by the lion's death, The beasts once met, our story saith, Some fit successor to install.