ESOPS EABLES Translated Grammatically, and also in propriety of our English phrase; and, euery way, in such sort as may bee most profitable for the Grammarschoole.
The vse of it is according to the directions in the prefaces, and more fully set downe in Ludus Lit▪ or the Grammar-schoole.
LONDON. Printed by H. L. for Thomas Man. 1617.
To the Right Worshipfull, Sir Iohn Harper, Knight, all true prosperity.
RIght worshipfull, I may not bee forgetful of the loue which you haue shewed towardes the furtherance of my indeuours, for the Grammar-schoole. Accept therfore this small pledge of my thankefull acknowledgement. Though it be little in valew and in the esteem of the most, yet the b [...]nefit of it will (I trust) help to make amends, and further the perfecting of my desires. By the right vse heereof, may the little ones from their first yeares get much profitable vnderstanding & [Page] wisdome, yea such, as whereof they may haue worthie vse, all their dayes, in what place soeuer they shall be imployed; And may moreouer haue euery point & part of the learning in it, so imprinted in their memories as they shall neuer forget them, but haue them, as it were liuely before their faces: That so they may learne to embrace the vertues therein taught and to flee the vices, to foresee dangers and how to auoid them, to behaue themselues wisely and discreetly in the whole course of their life. As for example, to giue a taste hereof; in the first fable of the cock esteeming a barley corne aboue a precious stone, to see the foolishof men, especially of children preferring play before learning, a little pleasure and folly, before the most exellent and diuine wisdome: [Page] to teach them to followe after and to embrace learning and wisedome, euen from their tender yeares, and to be ashamed of misspending their precious time in play and idle vanities. So in the second fable of the wolfe and the lambe, to teach them to take heede all their life long how they haue to deale with or any way prouoke cruell men, that are too hard for them: Because they, when they list, can take any occasion to prey vpon them, or to doe them a mischiefe, and that this is matter enough, If they bee not able to resist them. Thus likewise in the third fable of the mouse and the frog, being at war together, about the regiment of the marish ground, vntill the kite snatch them both away and deuoure them, to teach children in all their time to beware [Page] of discord and dissension with others, especially contention for superiority & preferment: Because such vsually as will goe to wa [...]re, as it were, for euery trifle, make themselues a prey to others, especially to the common aduersary. And but onely to name the fourth, In the Apologue of the dogge swimming ouer the riuer, which through ouer much greediness, chopping at the shadowe of the flesh which he sawe in the water, lost the flesh it selfe which hee carried in his chops, to teach children alwaies to take heed of too much greedinesse, and euer to keep a measure in their desi [...]es, lest that by ouer much earnestnesse in seeking more than is fit [...]e, they come to lose all & to repent when it is too late. Now beside this sound wisedome, and besides all the other [Page] helps concerning the more certaine, easie, and speedy means of attaining the Latine tongue (as happy experience hath taught very many, who haue giuen plentifull testimony hereunto; for construing, pa [...]sing, making Latine, getting phrase and the like, by such translations) they may learne hereby chiefly to make report of a fable, or of any like narration, or history in good sort & fit wordes, which is no small commendation to any whosoeuer. For the manner of effecting hereof, I haue set it downe shortly in the Epistle to the Reader, and more fully in my Grammar-schoole. And thus (that you may see my constant desire in creeping forwarde by little and little, for perfo [...]ming my promise, in accomplishing my seruice for the perpetuall benefit of [Page] schools & of all posterity, by learning still of all the learned to help the vnlearned, & by propounding to all what I haue found by experience, that they may find the like and be partakers of al my trauels) haue I presumed vpon your loue to present this little translation vnto you. Which you accepting accordingly I shal be more incouraged to striue forward for perfecting of the whole, and to spend my last thoughts for the commō good. And thus with all thankefull acknowledgement vnto your self with your worthy Lady and all yours I humbly take my leaue, and rest
To the painefull Schoolemaster.
FIrst, cause your scholar, by reading this translation, to tell you in euery fable what the matter of the fable is. Secondly, to what ende and purpose it was inuented, what it is to teach, and what wisedome hee can learne out of it. Thirdly, how to make a good report of the fable, both in English and Latine, especially in English. Fourthly and lastly, to make right vse of it, for all matters concerning Grammar, as for construing, parsing, making and proouing the Latine; and so for reading forth of English into Latine, according to the directions in my former translations, as namely▪ in Sententiae▪ Ca [...]o, Cord. &c. And principally for obseruing the best phrases both English and Latine; thus shall you receiue your desire. Those things which are too harsh to be vttered in English, word for word, according to [Page] the Latine phrase, I haue referred to the margent, with an Asteriske or little Star: and variety of English phrase, I haue set also in the margent, noted with a little r. But for these I referre you to that which I haue written in my former translations, and in my Grammarschole. Vouchsafe mee your better derection, in loue; and what is defectiue, I shall (God willing) labour to supply in the next edition.
The fables of Esop. tales or [...] deuises. Foolish contempt of learning. Esops Fables.
1 Of a cocke le [...] ding ben [...]: or of a dunghill cocke. Gallinaceus] signifyeth, belonging to a cock or a hen, or hennish, seeming to be added only to distinguish the word from Gallus signifying a French man. Of a Cocke. [This fable setteth out the foolish contempt of learning and wisedome.]
Whilst a cook &c. WHen on a time a cock turned ouer a dunghill viz. scratching in it turned it vp by little and little. scratched in a dunghill, hee found a precious stone▪ what quoth he. saying, what, doe I finde a thing so bright or shining. so gay a thing? If a a lapidary or one that trimmeth and sell [...]th pretious stones. Ieweller had found [it] no thing. none could be. could haue beene more merry o [...], ioyfull. iocund than hee, because hee knew the worth of it. as who knew the price [of it.] [But] truly. intruth it will serue [...]e for no purpose. it is to me or for me to no vse. of no vse to mee, neither doe I [Page] esteeme, or recken it of a great [price] or value. make any reckening of it. greatly esteem it: yea I in truth. I in very deed malim, [...]. [...]. magis ve [...]m, will or would rather haue had rather haue a barly corne. a graine of barley, than all the precious stones in the world all precious stones.
The morall sense▪ or the meaning▪ vse and application of this fable for the framing & ordering of our manners. The Moral.] You must vnderstand. Vnderstand by the precious stone, learning & knowledge. art & wisedome. vnderstand by the &c. By the cocke a foolish man sensuall or giuen ouer to pleasure. giuen to pleasure. Neither foolish men doe loue. Neither fooles loue good learning. liberall arts, sith they knowe not the vse of them: nor a voluptuous man. a man giuen ouer to pleasure, because. as to whom alone, or one, pleasure can please. whom onely pleasure doth delight.
2 Of a Wolfe and a Lamb [shewing the nature of cruell oppressors,Tyranny. that they can easily take any occasion to prey vpon & spoyle the poore.]
A Wolfe drinking at the top. head of a fountaine. spring, seeeth [Page 2] a lambe drinking a far off or a great way beneath. farre beneath. Hee runneth to [him] runneth to [and] chideth or blameth. rateth the lamb, because. for that hee troubled the fountaine. viz. muddied the water. marred the spring. The lambe trepidare for trepidabat. Euallage. trembled, besought [him,] that hee would spare [him] beeing innocent.
Himselfe neither indeed to haue beene able to trouble. That hee neither could indeed marre the drinke of the wolfe, sith hee dranke farre beneath, nor yet to haue been willing. would. The wolfe on the other side. contrarily speaketh veheme [...]tly or railes against the lambe. thundereth: [saying,] Thou wretch church robber, this is nothing thou sayst. thou doest nothing: thou alwaies hurtest [me] alwayes. hurtest [mee:] [thy] father, mother, all thy en [...]ed. odious stocke or kinred. kinde is against me diligently or alwayes. by all meanes. Thou shalt-giue punishment to me to day. Thou shalt abye. smart for it this day.
Mor.] It is an olde saying: a staffe to be found easi [...]y, that you may be [...] a dog. that It is an easie matter to finde a st [...]ffe to beate a dogge. A mighty man easily taketh an a cause. occasion [Page] of hurting, if he please. hee list to hurt. Hee hath committed fault enough. offended sufficiently who could not resist or withstand. cannot resist.
3 Of a mouse and a frog, [settingDiscord. out the fruit of discord.]
A Mouse warred or waged battel. made war with a frogge. It was striuen. The contention was concerning the gouernment, [...]ule or soueraignty. empire of the [...]rish ground. fenne. The [...]ght. battell was very sore. vehement & doubtfull. The crasty mouse oft lying hid or l [...]ding himself lurking vnder the he [...]bs; viz. wild herbs, or grasse. weeds, sets vpon the frog by deceipts, or lying in waite. policy. The frogge mo [...]e strong. beeing better in strength, able. pu [...]lant in breast and in leaping vpon. bouncing, chalengeth. prouokes the mouse. enemy by open Mars. Mars the God of warre▪ for wa [...]e. in open warre. They had either of them a buliush for their speare. A bulrush was the speare to either of them, which strift. battell being seene farre off, the glead, or puttoc [...]e. kite maketh haste vnto [them:] [Page 3] and whilst neither [of them] bewareth, or looketh to. taketh heed to herselfe. themselues, for the study. earnestnesse of the battell, the [...] away, and teareth in peeces [...] of the warriours, al. either warriour. both the warriours.
Mor.] It is wont to happen, or betide after the same manner. euen so to fal out to factious citizens, who being kindled o [...] set on fire. inflamed with a lust. desire of bearing rule, whilst they striue. contend amongst themselues for magistracy, or to be gouerners. to bee made magistrate [...], doe put their riches. weal [...]h and also their life for most part also their life. very oft in danger.
4 Of a dogge and a shadow, [war [...]ingVnsatiable greedinesse. to beware of too much greedinesse.]
A Dogge swimming ouer a riuer carried flesh. a peece of flesh in [his] grinning mouth. chap. The sunne shining, so as it cometh to pasle, or hapneth. as it fell out, the shadowe of the flesh shined [Page] in the waters: which he catching at greedily so soon as he saw. being seene hee greedily catching at, lost that which was in his cheeks, or chaps. iawes. Therefore being astonied. sore smitten with the losse both of the flesh. thing and also of his hope, first, hee was astonished. amazed, and then receiuing againe cour [...]ge. afterwardes getting heart againe, hee barked out. howled out thus: O wretch a measure was wanting, or thou wast too greedy. there wanted a measure to thy cou [...]tousnesse. greedinesse. Thou hadst enough and too much. The [...] was enough, & more than enough, vnlesse thou hadst doated, o [...] but that thou doated. if thou hadst not doated: lesse than nothing is now to thee by thy foolishnesse. now thou hast lesse than nothing by thy foolishnesse.
Mor.] Wee are admonished of modesty, or to bee modest. put in minde of modesty by this fable, wee are put in minde of wisedome, that there be a measure to our co [...]tousnesse. in our desire; lest wee lose certain things for vncertain. Surely that Te [...]entian Sa [...]nio. San [...]io in Terence [speaks] sub [...]lly, [...]. wittily: I, quoth he, will not buy hope with a price. so deare.
5Vnfaithfull dealing of great men towards their [...]. Of a lion and certaine other beasts, [teaching that it is the safest to deale with our equalls.]
A Lion had couenanted. made an agreement with a sheep and with certain other [beast,] a common, or generall hunting to be. that there should bee a common hun [...]ing. It is gone. They goe to hunt. A ha [...]t or stag is catched. there is a Hart taken. They diuide the hart. [him] Euery one, one by one. EueryAl. They diuide the seueral parts to euery one. one [of them.] Beginning to take vp their singular parts, o [...] one by one. seuerall parts, had been agreed. as it was agreed, the lion roared out: Saying one part is mine, because I am the worthiest. And. Also another part is mine, because I am the strongest. most excelling in strength. Furthermore, I chalenge a third part, because I haue sweat more in taking. catching the Hart. And lastly, vnlesse you will grant me a fourth part, it is done, [or there is an end] farewell* This being heard, his fellows do depart. friendship. cōcerning friendship. His fellows [Page] hauing heard this, doe depart empty and holding their peace: or quiet, or silent. still, not daring. being so bolde as to mutter against the lion.
Mor.] fidelity, or faithfulnesse hath been rare euer, or seldome found. Faithfull dealing hath been euer rare, it is more rare at this age, or at this day. in this age: [but] it is and hath been alwaies most rare amongst men of might, or great men. mighty men. Wherefore it is better [that] you liue with your match. equall. For he that liueth with a mightier [man] hath it necessary, or of necessity. must necessarily grant. depart oft times from his owne right. There shall be equal right to thee You shall haue equity. equall right with your equall.
6 Of a wolfe and a crane, [teachingScor [...]efull ingratitude. what it is, to doe good to a [...] vnthankefull body.]
A Wolf deuouring a sheep, the boanes by chance haue stucke as it happened. bechance the boanes stucke in his gulle [...]. throate. Hee [Page 5] went about. goeth about, desireth help, [but] no man did help him, or afford him any help. helpeth [him.] All [men] say often. All say, him to haue borne. that he had got the price, or hire. a iust reward of his deuouring, or greedinesse. rauening. At length he perswadeth. induceth a crane by many faire words flatteries and moe promises, that her longest, or most long. Al. that she would pluck out the boane fastned in, with her most long neck thrust into his throat. Al.; But he mocked [her] asking [her] reward. long necke beeing thrust into his throat, shee would pluck out the boane fastened [in it.] But [shee] asking [her] rewarde, hee mocked [her.] [...] [...]ou foolish crane. Thou foole, quoth he, go, or get thee gone. goe thy way: Art thou not well that thou scapest with thy life. Hast thou not enough that thou liuest? Thou owest thy life vnto me. Thou owest mee [thy] life. If it had listed me. If I had listed, It hath been lawfull [for me] or I might. it was in my power to bite off thy neck
Mor.] It is an a worne, or [...] mon [saying] [that thing] to perish which thou dost to an vnthankfull [man.] olde [prouerbe] that all is lost which thou doest to an vnthankfull [body.]
7 Of a countrie man and ofa land snake, or a wood snake. aMischieuous requiting good with euill. snake, [shewing also the thanks to bee looked for from a wicked man.]
A Countrie man brought home cast him to. a snake found in the snow almost killed with colde. Hee bearing, or not able to abide. layed him to the fire. The snake receiuing strength from the fire, and poyson, and afterwardes not the heat of the fire induring the flame, molested, or indangered to poyson. infected all the poore house, or cottage. shed with hissing. The countrie man runneth vnto [him.] [and] [...] hedgest [...]ke, [or cudgill] being s [...]atched, or catched vp. snatching vp a stake, he demandeth. or debateth with him concerning the wrong [...] lateth the iniury with him, with wordes and stripes, or blows. strokes, Whether he thus requite him. hee requite this thanke? whether he will take away. hee be about to take away life to him. from him, who gaue life to him. who gaue him [his] life.
Mor.] It is done. It commeth to [Page 6] passe sometimes, that they will doe you an may be against you. ill turne, to whom you haue profited. whom you haue done good, and that they deserue. will requite, or vse you vnkindly. deserue euilly of you, to whom you haue done good. of whom you haue deserued vvell.
8 Of a boare and an asse; teachingContempt of iniuries. to contemne iniuries offered from base persons.
whilst. As a dull asse. AS on a time a sluggish asse [...] at. mocked a boar, hee disdayning, whetted his tushes. gnashed [his] teeth, [saying;] O most sluggish asse, truely thou hadst deserued euill, but al though thou badst deserued to bee plagued thou haddest beene worthie of punishment, yet I am vnworthy. vnmeet which may take punishment of thee that I should be reuenged of thee. Mocke being safe. safely, it is lawfull for thee vnpunished. or without punishment, or danger. thou maiest freely, for thou art safe for thy sluggishnesse.
Mor.] Let vs giue our diligence. doe our [Page] indeauour that when wee heare or suffer things vnworthy of vs. vnbefitting vs, we speake not, not doe things vnworthy of vs. vnbeseeming vs: for naughty. euill men & lost, or desperately euill. past hope, for most part do reioyce. doe for most part reioyce, if [any man] of good men. any good man resist them. They way it of great worth. They highly esteeme of it, themselues to be accounted worthy reuenge. that they should bee accounted worthie for others to seek to be reuenged of. to be reuenged of.
Mor.] Let vs imitate horses and great beasts, which passe by little dogges barking at them, with contempt [of them.]
9 Of a citie mouse and a countrieBitternesse in riches, and the feares and dangers wherein rich men line. mouse, [shewing the feares and dangers that rich men are alwaies in. And that therfore a little with safety, is better than abundance with continuall feare and danger.]
IT pleased a city mouse to walke into the countrey. [Page 7] A countrie mouse saw this mouse. him, inuiteth [him,] it is prepared. preparation is made, it is gone to sup. they goe to supper. The countrie mouse fetcheth forth whatsoeuer hee had laid vp against winter, and draweth out. bring [...]th out all his victuals, or prouision. store, that hee might fulfill, or fill. satisfie the dainti nesse of so great a guest. neuerthelesse. Yet notwithstanding, the city mouse wrinkling his forehead. frowning, condemneth the pouerty. scarsity of the coū trey, and afterward. and then praiseth the abundance. plenty of the citie. [And] going back, he leadeth the coū trie mouse with him into the city, that hee might giue proofe and experience of that to him. approoue in deede, that which hee had bragged of in words. They goe to the banquet which the city mouse had prepared gayly, or richly, excellently. had gorgeously prepared. Betweene to feast, or [their] feasting. As they were at the banquet, the noyse of a key is heard in the lock. They [began] to tremble exceedingly, and in flying, often to fly away. They trembled, & running fled away. The countrey mouse both vnaccustomed, and ignorant of the place, [Page] to defend himselfe hardly, or grieuously. hardly saued himselfe. The seruant departing, the citie mouse returneth vnto the table, calleth the coūtry mouse. He, his [...] [...] ing scarcely layed away at length. Hee, scarsely at length hauing put away his feare, creepeth out: [And] asketh the ci [...]y mouse inuiting him to the pots. drinking vnto him, whether this danger. perill bee often. Hee answered, it to be daily to one to be con [...]emned. that it was daily, that it ought to be contemned. Then the country mouse said, or replied. countrie mouse, daily quoth hee? As Hercules shall help me. In good sooth, your dainties sauour more of gall than of hony. I in truth will rather, or desire. had rather haue my scarsity with security, than this abundance with such anxiety, or care, doubtfulnesse, or fearefulnes [...]e. feare.
Mor.] Riches indeed do beare before themselues [or make a shew of] pleasure. haue indeed a shew of pleasure, but if you looke within [them] they haue dangers. perils and bitternesse. There was one Eutrapilus, who when hee would hurt his enemies most of all, made [Page 8] them rich, saying est. saying that he would rereuenge them, [or take vengeance of them] to. reuenge himselfe of them, for that them to receiue. they should receiue with their riches a very great, or huge fardle. a great packe of troubles. cares.
10 Of an eagle and a iack-daw: Crafty and coso [...]ing counsell. warning vs to beware of whom and what counsell we take.
AN eagle hauing gotten a cockle, could not pull forth. pluck out the fish by force, or by art. A iackdawe comming vnto [her] giues [her] counsell. [Shee] perswadeth [her] to mount on by. to fly aloft, and to cast downe headlong. to hurle downe the cockle from an high place. from an high, vpon the stones: for so it to be, [or to come to pa [...]le] that. For that it would so come to passe, that the shell would be broken. The iackdawe tarieth vpon the ground, that shee may wait for the fall. The eagle * east [...]th it downe headlong. the cockle may be b [...]oken. throweth [it] downe, the shell is broken, the fish [Page] is catched vp. snatched away by the iackdawe, the eagle being deluded it grieueth her. grieueth.
Mor.] Doe not [...]aue faith, or [...]rust: viz. trust not. giue credite whosoeuer. to euery one, and make, or take heed. see [that] you looke into the counsell which you shall receiue of others. For many beeing asked counsell of consulted with, doe not consult, or aduise. giue counsell to their consultours. for them who aske counsell of them, but for themselues.
11 Of a crow and a fox cub, [aduising Greedinesse of praise vs to take [...]eed of beeing ouer greedy of praise.
A Crowe hauing gotten a prey, maketh a noyse in the boughes [of a tree.] A foxe-cubbe seeth [him] gesturing, or i [...]tting, or triumphing vaunting, runneth vnto [him.] The fox (quoth [she]) doth impart, [or greet] the crow with very much salutation. viz. har [...]ly saluteth the crow, or sendeth hearty commendations to the crow. doth very kindly greet the crowe. I had heard. haue heard very often [Page 9] that fame is a lyer fame to be a lyer, now I proue it by experience in the thing it selfe. I finde it in very deed. For as bechance I passe by this way, beholding, or seeing thee. spying you in a tr [...], I flee vnto thee. come running vnto you, blaming report. fame. For the fame is, thee to be blacker. that you are blacker than pitch, and I see [you] whiter than snow. Tru [...]ly in my iudgement you ouercome. viz. goest beyond. surpasse the swans, and are fai [...]er than the white iuy. If so bee that you excell so also in voyc [...], as you do in feathers. as [you excell] in feathers, you so excell also in voyce, in trueth, I might haue called you▪ or haue sayd you to be the queene. I will call you the queene of all the birds. The crowe beeing entiled. allured by this little flattery. pretty flattery, prepares [himselfe] to sing. But the cheese falleth our of [his] beake. bil, to him preparing as hee was preparing [to sing,] which beeing snatched vp, the fox-cub taketh vp a laughter as if he were tickled. Al. and shame being mixed to the los [...]e of the thing he grieueth. a lowd laughter. Then at length it shames the miserable crow, and [...]rketh him of himselfe, and the losse of the thing beeing mixed with shame it [Page] grieueth [him.]
Mor.] Some are so desirou [...]. greedy of praise, that they loue a flatterer with their owne reproach and losse. Such dwa [...]fes. silly men are [made] a prey to parasites. If so be that you will shun. auoid boasting, you may [...]sily thou shalt shun, or escape easily. escape [that] pestilent kinde of flatterers. If you will bee Thraso, Gnato shall neuer be wanting vnto thee, or thou shalt neuer want a Gnatho if thou wilt be a Thraso. you shall neuer want a Gnato.
12 Of a lion spent with olde age;The iust reward of cruelty. admonishing vs euer to beware of cruelty, or beeing ouer fierce in prosperity.
A Lion which had made very many [his] enemies by his cruelty. fierceness in [his] youth, paid punishment paid for it in [his] old age. The boar seeked [him, or smiteth at him.] setteth on him with his tooth. [...]ush, the bull seeketh [him, or setteth on him] with his horne. with his hornes. Especially,* In the first place, [...]r aboue all. [Page 10] the olde asse desiring to abolish. put out vtterly the olde name of sluggishnesse, insulteth, or leape [...]h on him, or flingeth at him. layeth at him Iustily. stoutly with words and with [his] heeles. Then the lion mourning exceedingly, or lamenting. sighing deeply [said,] these whom I haue hurt in times past, hurt [mee] now againe, and deseruedly. worthily. But they whō I haue heretofore. sometimes profited. done good vnto, doe not now profit [me.] doe mee good by course. again, yea also. yea they also are against me. hurt mee without cause. I haue bene fool [...]sh who haue made many enimies. I was a foole that made [me] many enemies, [but] more foolish who haue trusted. that trusted false friends.
Mor.] Thou maiest not▪ [...]e lift vp in second [or prosperous] things, thou maist not be fierce or cruell. Be not lift vp in prosperity, bee not fierce. For if fortune shall alter, or frowne. shal change [her] countenance, they whom you haue hurt will be r [...]uenged. auenge [themselues.] And see that you haue viz. put. make a difference amongst [your] friends. For there are certaine. som that are not friends of thee▪ but [friends] of thy table and fortun [...] your friends, [Page] but of your table & estate. Which fortune. estate in very deed as soone as. so soone as euer it shall be changed, they also will be changed: it shall be done well with thee if they shall not be en [...]mies. it shall goe very well with you if they bee not enemies. Ouid cō plaineth worthily. iustly.
Behould. Lo, I sometimes [was] fortified, fensed, or inuironed. guarded not with a few friends. with no small company of friends,
Whilst a prosperous wind hath blowen to my sailes, or a prosperous gale of wind. the winde blowed prosperously to my sailes:
But after that the cruell viz. raging. fierce seas haue swelled. began to swell with the tempestuous wind. stormy winde,
my ship being torne I am left in the middle waters. I am left in the midst of the waters, with my ship all torne. my ship being all torne.
13 Of a dog and an asse, [shewingFoolish imitation. the foolishnesse of them, who will attempt any thing against nature.]
Whilst that. WHenas of a time a [Page 11] dogge did flatter▪ flattered [his] master and the household. family, [both] the master and the family made much of or stroked. cherished the dogge. The little asse. asse seeing that, mour [...]eth, or sigheth. groaneth more deeply very deeply. It began to repent him. i [...]ke him of his lot. condition: hee thinks it [to be] ordered vnequally, or appointed. vnequally dealt, the dog to be acceptable to all. that the dogge should bewelcome to all, and bee fed from his masters table, and also obtaine, or get. attaine that by idlenesse and play, and that he himself should contrarily bea [...]e &c. and contrarily himselfe to carry packsadles. packs, be whipped: to be neuer idle, or neuer to rest. beaten with a whip, r neuer to bee idle, and yet [to bee] odious to all. If these things be done. be gotten by flatteries. flatteries, hee determineth to follow that art which may be. is so profitable. Therfore [his] master returning home at a certaine time. at a certaine time [his] master returning home, hee about to try the matter, runs forth to meet [him▪] hee leapes [vpon him] beares [him] with [his] feet. hooues. [His] master crying out, the seruants ran vnto [him,] and the foolish [Page] asse, which belieued. thought himselfe ciuill is beaten with a staffe, or cudgill. club.
Mor.] All [of] vs cannot doe all things, as Virgil saith in [his] Bucolicks, neither doe all things become all men. Euery one may will that. Let euery one desire that, let him assay, or make triall of. try that which hee is able. For wee knowe that which is spoken more significantly in Greek, An asse of the harpes, or of the harpe. An asse to the harpe: So also Boetius, An asse put. set to the harpe. Nature resisting, our labor is in vaine. Thou shalt do or say nothing Minerua [or nature] being vnwilling, or against it. You shall neither do nor say any thing, if Minerua the goddesse of wisedome and of all good arts and sciences, fained to be borne of [...]upiters braine without any mother, here taken for nature. Minerua be vnwilling, Horace being witnesse. as Horace saith.
14 Of a lion and a mouse, [teachingClementy towards inferiours. great men to deale kindly with the meanest.]
A Lion beeing weary with heate and with running, rested in the shadowe vpon a greene leafe. greene leaues: but. and a flock of mise running ouer his back, hee awaking catched one of many of them. one of them. The captiue beseecheth him, cryeth him to be vnworthy whom the lion should be angry at. that hee was not worthy that the lion should bee angry at him. Hee thinking seriously bethinking him selfe no praise to be i [...] the death of so very small a little [...]east. that there was no praise in the death of such a silly little beast, lets goe the captiue or mouse being taken. prisoner.
Neither truly so much after. And not very to long after, as the lion bechance runnes through the laund, hee falles into net [...], it is lawfull to roare, it is not lawfull to goe out. he may roare, but hee cannot gette forth. The mouse heareth the lion roaring miserably, acknowledgeth [his] voyce, creepeth into [Page] the holes, seeketh the kno [...]s of the nets, hauing sought them findeth thé, and hauing found them gnaweth them, wherby the lion escapeth out of the nets. findeth them being sought, gnaweth them being found, the lion escapeth out of the nets.
Mor.] This fable perswadeth great men to be curteous towards the poore. clemency to mighty men. For as humane things are vnstable, [so] mighty men sometimes need the helpe of the baser. Wherefore a wise man although hee may, will bee affraid to hurt any euen any of men. man whosoeuer. But hee that feareth not to hurt another, doateth greatly. doth exceeding foolishly. Why so? Because although, inioying, or relying vpon his owne power. trusting in his owne power, hee feareth no man, it will be peraduenture in time to come. it will peraduenture come to passe in time that hee may feare. For it is euident that it hath happened to famous and great kings, that they haue either stood i [...] need of. needed the fauour [Page 13] vile dwa [...]fes, or men of no reputation. of base men, or been afraid of their displeasure. feared their anger.
15 Of a sicke kite, [shewing whatSacrilege, or the miserable state of sacrilegious persons & pro [...]ane contemners of God. sacrilegious and wicked persons can expect from God in their miseries.]
A Kite lay downe. lay sick in [his] bed▪ now almost dying. ready to die. He intreates his mother to go to pray to the gods. [His] mother answered, that there was no help to bee hoped for from the gods, whose holy things and alters he had so oft violated with his rapines.
Mor.] It becommeth [vs] to reuerence the gods. For they helpe the godly, are against. are enemies to the vngodly, being neglected in felicity. prosperity they do not. will not heare vs in [our] misery. Wherefore remember them. be mindefull of them in prosperity, that [Page] they may bee present beeing called. called vpon in aduerse things or in troubles. in [our] aduersitie.
16 Of a swallowe and other littleWant of consideration for preuenting dangers, and despising counsell. birds, [teaching to vse all ad [...] and to preuent dangers in time.]
AS soone as line. flaxe began to bee sowen, the swallowe perswadeth the little birds to hinder the seednesse, telling them often, that there was trecheries to be made to them, or prepared for them. a conspiracy against them. They laugh at her, calling the swallow a foolish prophet. The flaxe rising vp. growing vp and waxing green, hee admonisheth them againe to pluck vppe that which was sowen. They laugh at her again. The flaxe waxeth ripe, she exhorts them to d [...]stroy the flax yet standing. the croppe. When they would not heare her aduising, no not then indeed, the swallowe the comp [...]ny of birds being left. leauing [Page 14] the company of the birds, gets vnto her selfe the friendshippe of man, enters. makes a league with him, dwels together [with him] ch [...]ereth him with singing. Nettes and snares are made for the rest of the birds. the other birds, of the flax.
Mor.] Many neither know themselues. neither know to consult wisely to themselues. aduise well for themselues, nor do heare a man giuing them cou [...]sell well. nor will heare him who aduiseth thē well. But when they are in perils & losses, then onely. at length they begin to be wise, and to condemne their owne slothfulnesse. Now is there enough and ouermuch counsell. Now are they wise enough. This say they, & that to be done. Prometheus wise before. ought to haue been done. But it is betterEpimetheus wise after. to be Prometheus than Epimetheus. These hau [...] bene. were brethren. They are Greeke names. The names are Greek. Counsell hath bene to one [of them] before the thing, to [...]he other after the thing. One of them took counsell before the thing [to be done,] the other after it: which the interpretation [Page] of [their] names doth declare.
17 Of frogs and the king of them. their king, [ [...]arningDiscontēt [...]dnes with our present estate. vs to be content with our present estate.]
WHen the nation of it made supplication to Iupiter a king to be giuen them. the frogges was free, * they besought Iupiter to giue them a king. Iupiterridere pr [...] ridebat; Enallage. laughed [at] the wishes, prayers, or requests. desires of the frogs. They notwithstanding, were very importunate. instant againe & againe, vntill they inforced [him.] He cast downe a blocke [to them] Hee castes [them] downe a beame. a block. That vaste weight sh [...]kes vehemently. shakes the riuer, flood, or fen water with a huge crash. The frogs beeing affrighted. terrified are b [...]sh. are silent. They [...], worship, or honour. adore [their] king: [And] come nearer foot by foot. by little and little: at length feare being cast aw [...]y. casting away fear, they leape. bounce vpon [him,] and down again [from him.] The blockish. sluggish king [...] [...] spo [...]t. is made a scorne and a [Page 15] contempt. They prouoke, or instantly beseech. importune Iupiter againe, they they pray. beseech him a king to be giuen [them] to giue them a king, which may be stout: Iupiter giues them a stork. Hee walking through the marsh, or marish ground. fenne very stoutly, deuoureth whatso [...]uer of frogs. what frogs soeuer i [...] before him, or in hi [...] way. hee meeteth with. Therefore the fr [...]gs &c. The frogs then com playned all in vaine of the cruelty of this [king:] Iupiter doth not heare. heareth [them] not. For they complaine also as yet to d [...]y. they as yet complaine euen at this day. For the stork going to bed at euening, they g [...]n forth, or going forth. comming forth out of their holes▪ of their dens doe murmure. secretly complain with a hoarse howling, or crying. croking, but they sing to one deafe, or God Iupiter being deafe. to a deafe man. For Iupiter will, [or Iupiters pleasure is] Iupiter wil haue it so, that they which refused by supplication, o [...] or turned away by intreaty. which prayed against a mild. gentle king, should now endure should bear now. one mercilesse.
Mor.] It is wont to [...], o [...]happen. fall* [a king] voyd of compassion, or pity out to the common people euen as to the frogs. Who i [...] it hath. they haue a king a little more ge [...] tle. somewhat [Page] more milde, it alleageth. they charge him to be sluggish and without valour, or courage. cowardly, and it wisheth sometimes a m [...]n to happen vnto them. wish that at length to fall out vnto them. they may haue a man of worth, or of spirit. a man. [And] contrarily if at any time it, viz. the people hath gotten they get a stout king, it condemneth. they condemne the cruelty of this. his cruelty, [and] praise the clemency of the former, whether for that it alwaies repenteth vs of things present. we alwaies mislike our pre sent estate; or that it is. because it is a true worde, New things to be better than old. That new things are better than olde.
18 Of pigeons and the glead, [shewing what commonly followethDiscontentednesse with our present estate. discontentednesse vvith our estate.]
Doues. PIgeons on a time made warre with the kite: whom that they might vanquish. conquere, they did chuse. chose the goshawke. hauk a king to them. [for] their king. Hee being made doth. their king * playeth the tyran [...]. enemie, not a king. Hee [Page 16] snatcheth. plucketh and teareth them in peeces, no slo [...]hfuller, or slower. no lesse greedily than the kite. It repenteth the pigeons of [their] enterprise, thinking it to h [...]ue been. had beene better [for them] to suffer. endure the warres of the kite, than the tyranny of the hawk.
Mor.] Let it irke no man too much of his owne lot. condition: [for] (Flaccus, viz. Horace being witnes, nothing is blessed on euery part, or on all parts. as Horace saith) no [...]hing is euery way blessed. I in truth. I in very deed may not. would not wish my estate, or condi [...]. lot to be changed, so that it be tolerable. Many a new lot being gotten. hauing gotten a new condition. lot, haue wished the old againe. All for the most part, [or the most of vs all] are [...] i [...] [...] [or disposition] that it repents ou [...] selues of vs. That is the nature almost of vs all, that we are discontent with our estate.
19 Of a theefe and a dogg [...], [teachingFlattery & deceipt. to beware of flatterers.]
A dog answered sometimes a thiefe reaching bread [to him] that he may be silent. A Theefe of a time reaching bread to a dog, that hee would holde his peace, the dogge answered, I haue knowen thy lyings in wait. I know thy treachery. Thou giuest [mee] bread wherby I may cease to barke that I should leaue off barking. But I hate thy gift: because if I shall take [thy] bread thou wilt carry away all things from these roofes of the houses, or from vnder these roofes. out of these houses.
Mor.] Take heed thou lose. Beware you lose [not] a great commodity for the cause of a little commodity. for a small commodities sake. Take heed you haue trust to euery one whom you please. you trust not euery man. For there are men who do not speake bountifully, but also do bountifully will not onely speake curteously, but also deale kindly, by deceipt, or in craft. onely with purpose to deceiue.
20 Of a wolfe, and a young sow,Too much officio [...]snesse. [teaching vs to beware of thema sow. who are too officioiu.]
A Young sowe was about to farrow. pigge. A wolfe promi [...]eth himself to be. that hee will bee the tender. keeper of [her] [...]. young. The Puerpera signifying a woman travelling or in childbed, here put for a sow pigging. sow answered, that herself not to ne [...]d the pl [...]antness [or att [...]ndance.] she had no need of the s [...]ruice of the wolfe: If hee will be. would be accounted godly, or curteou [...]. deuout, [and] it [...] c [...]uet to do an [...] thing or a pleasure. if hee desire to doe her a kindenesse, th [...]t he go away fu [...]ther. that he would get him further off. f [...]r the [...]ffice o [...] [...] of the wolf to [...]. For that the kindeness of the wolfe should consist not in [his] presence, but in [his] absence.
Mor.] A [...]l [...] g [...] are not to be credited to all men. Wee are not to giue credite to all things which euery one saith. M [...]ny doc [...] [...] diligence not by, or for the loue of you, [...] o [...] [...] Many will promise their help, not for the loue of [Page] you, but of themselues: seeking their owne cōmodity, not your [commodity.] not yours.
21 Of the bringing forth of theBoasting and vaine feare. mountaines [teaching to beware of foolish boasting and vaine feares.]
IN time past there was a rumour the mountaines to be about to bring forth, or to be in trauell. that the mountains brought forth. Men run vnto them, stand [...]ound about, exspecting some monster not without feare. At length the mountaines bring forth, a mouse goeth forth. creepeth out. Then all [the beholders] all to dy with laughter. did almost die with laughter.
Mor.] Horace touchethemori, pro emoriebantur; [...]all. this little. pretty fable. The mountaines a [...]e about to bring forth. are in trauell quoth hee, a mouse to lau [...]hed at. a ridiculous mouse will bee borne. bred. But hee noteth boasting. For boasters when they profess [Page 18] and boast of. make ostentation of great matters, scarsly do little things. performe small. Wherefore those vaine glorious boasters, such as Thraso. Thrasocs are by right. iustly a matter of [...]est & scofts. scorne. This fable doth also forbid vaine feares. For the feare of the danger. perill is for the most part greater than the p [...]ll [it selfe,] yea it is [oft] ridiculous which wee feare.
22 Of [...] a hunting dog. a hound a greyhound. despised of hisIngratitude. master, [snewing the nature of ingratitude, and that nothing is loued but that which bri [...] eth• which is contemned of his master. commodity.]
A Master hastens on [his] hound, which now had waxen old. was now waxen olde. He exhorts him calls on him in vaine. [His] feet are sl [...]we, hee hasteth not. maketh no haste. Hee had catched, or laied hould on. caught a wilde beast, the beast slips away from the dog [or his mouth] being toothlesse. [him] being toothlesse. His master [Page] rebukes, or c [...]ides him. rates him with a stroke, or stripe strokes and with a word. words. The dogge answered it to owe to be pardoned to him by right. that he ought of right to be pardoned; that now he was becomne olde, but being yong to haue been stout. but that hee had beene stout when he was young. But as I see, quoth hee, nothing pleaseth without fruit. commodity. You haue loued me. loued [me] being young; you haue hated me. you catching preyes. hate me now becomne olde. You loued mee kinde. bringing in preies, you hate mee [now] slowe & toothlesse. But if you were once, or sometimes. thankful, whom you loued rin times past, being yong for the cause of thrift, or of [your] commodity. for [your] commodity sake you would loue [now] [...]eeing olde for the cause of his fruitfull. profitable youth.
Mor.] The dogge [said] well. For N [...]so, or Ouid being witnesse. [...] Ouid saith: Nothing i [...] dea [...]e. loued but that which profits. bring [...] commodity. Beholde, take away from a greedy minde the hope of commodity, no bodie [Page 18] will be to be required. will be sought for. There is no remembrance of a cō modity past, and the fauor of a future [commodity] not great, the chiefest [thankfulnes] is of. for a present commodity. Indeed it i [...] a filthy thing. a shame to bee spoken, but if wee confesse the truth, The common sorte doth approoue friendships. friendship by [their] commodity.
23 Of hares and frogs, [settingTimerousnesse. forth the folly of timerousnesse and the necessity of courage in perils.]
A Woode bellowing. roaring [on a time] with an vnwonted. vnaccustomed storme. whirle-winde, the trembling hares beginne to run away. flee away speedily. swiftly. But as they were fleeing, when a fen, or marish ground hindered them. whenas there was a fe [...]ne in their way, they stood doubtfull, comprehended. inclosed with perills on both sides. [Page] And which was a incitement, or cause. prouocation of greater feare, they see frogs drowned in the fenne. Then one of the hares wiser & more eloquent than the rest, what, quoth he do we feare. said, why doe we feare vainely. without cause, wee haue need of a a minde. courage: nimblenesse of body is indeed to vs, but a courage is wanting. wee haue indeed nimblenesse of body, but wee want heart. This danger of the whirle-winde [is] not to be fled, but [it is] to be contemned. but to be contemned.
Mor.] There is need of courage in euery matter. Vertue without bouldnesse, or courage. confidence lyeth downe lyeth vnder foote, for confidence is the captaine, or guide. leader and queen of vertue.
24 Of a kid and a wolfe, [teachingObedience to parents children to obey their parents.]
WHenas on a time, a goate was about to goe. to goe to pasture. to feed, shee shut vp her kid at [Page 19] home, warning it to be opened him to open to no body vntill she herselfe returned. The wolfe which had heard. heard that a farre off, beates on the dores after the dep [...]rture of his mother. after his dam was gone knockes at the doores, cryes like the goat. imitates the goate in voyce, commanding [the doores] to be vnshut. opened. The kid forevnderstanding. perceiuing the deceipt, or guile. treacheatie, said, I do not open. I will not open them quoth hee: for although the voyce imitate the goats be the goates voyce, yet indeed I see a wolfe thorough the clifts. chinks.
Mor.] [For] children to obey their parents, is profitable to themselues, and it becommeth a young man to obey an old [man.] harken to an old.
25 Of a hart. asta [...] and a sheep, [shewingExtorted promises not to be kept. that extorted promises are not to be kept.]
A Stagge made guilty. accused a sheep before a wolfe, crying out, [or complaining clamorously] her to o [...]ve. clamoring [Page] [against her] that shee ought him it is also taken for half a bushell, or a pecke and a halfe, or somewhat less▪than a pecke. a bushell of wheate. The sheep indeed, or was indeed vnknowing. But the sheepe was ignorant of the debt. Yet neuerthelesse, promiseth herself to g [...]ue it for the presence of the wolf. for the presence of the wolfe, promiseth that shee would giue it. A day is spoken, [or appointed] to payment. There is a day appointed for payment; it is present. it comes. The stagge w [...]tnes the sheep. puts the sheepe in minde [of the debt.] Shee denyeth it. for she exculeth that thing [to haue been] done for feare, which she had promised. For what [she] had promised, she exculeth it done by feare, and for the presence of the wolfe: [and] [...], or vow wrested from any one. an extorted vow rot to be kept. that an extorted promise was not to be kept.
Mor.] The sentence of the lawe is; It is lawfull to d [...]iue back. repell force by force. violence by violence. From this little fable a certain new sentence doth arise. [That] it is lawfull to refute, or confute refell deceit by deceit.
26 Of a countrie-man and a snake,Giuing credit againe to them who haue deceiued vs. [teaching vs to learne wit, by that which is past.]
A Certaine countrie-man had nou [...]ished, or brought vp. bred vppe a snake. [And] being angry of a time, smit the beast. him with [his] hatchet. He escapeth away not without a wound. Afterwards the coū trie-man falling. comming to pouerty, supposed that mishap. misfortune to fall. or chance vnto him to betide him for the iniury of the snake. done to the snake. Therefore he beseecheth. He therefore beseecheth the snake, that he may returne. would returne. Hee saith himselfe to pardon it, but to be vnwilling to returne. that he would pardon it, but that hee would not returne: neither to b [...] safe. al. when as there was to the country-man &c. neither that hee could be secure with the countrie-man, to whom there was so great a hatchet at home. who had at home such a great hatchet.The blewnesse of the wound to haue ceased, yet the remembrance to remaine, or be left. * That the blewnesse of the wound was gone, yet the remembrance still remained.
Mor.] It is scarce safe to haue trust, or to trust. to giue credit to him againe, who hath loosed his faith, or fidelity once. hath once broken [his] credite. Indeed to pardon an iniury, is truly of mercy. is verely a point of mercy. But to beware to himself. to looke to a mans selfe doth become. is both befitting, and is of wisedome. a point of wisedome.
27 Of a fox-cub and a storke, [teaingThe reward of deceipt. that deceit deserues to be rewarded with deceit.]
A Fox▪cub [of a time] called. inuited a storke to supper. Shee poureth out the meate vpon the table: the which, whenas liquid. whereas it was thin, the stork assaying in vaine with her beake, or nib. bill, the fox-cub. cubbe licketh vp [all.] The bird goeth away deluded, it both shameth and irketh her of the. for the iniury. After somewhat more of daies. a few daies the storke returneth. shee returneth, inuiteth the cub. There [Page 21] was set a glasse vessell. viall full of meate; which viall whereas it was of a narrowe throat, the it was lawfull for the fox to see &c. fox might see the meate, and also hunger, but shee might not taste. [But] the stork easily drew vp all with her bill.
Mor.] laughter. Mocking [deserues] mocking, iest [deserues] iest, deceipt [deserues] deceipt. deceit, deceit, and fraud deserues fraud.
28 Of a wolfe and a painted head,Outward [...] without inward beauty. [shewing the vanity of outward fairenesse without inward beautie.]
[OF a time] a wolfe turned about oft. turned oft [vp and down] a man [...] head being found in the shop of a grauer, [or caruer] which hee found in a caruers shop, wonders at [it,] thinking that which was [indeed] it to haue no sense. that it had no sense. O faire head, quoth he, there is much art [skill, or cunning] in thee. thou hast much of art. much art in thee, nothing of sense. but no sense.
Mor.] Externall fairenesse is acceptable. Outward beauty i [...] pleasing, if the inward beauty. inward hee present to it. with it. But if we must want. wee are to want either of them, it is better that you want the outward beauty. outward than the inward; for, that without this doth somtime bring, or get hatred. incurre hatred, that a fool is more odious by so much, by how much he is fa [...]rer. is somuch more odious the fairer he is.
29 Of a Cornish chough, [shewingFoolish pride [...] those things which are none of ours. how foolish it is to be proude of oth [...]r bodies feathers.]
AChough [of a tim [...]] tricked vp himsel [...]e with the feathers of a peacock. And then s [...]eming to himself somewhat faire, or a faire one. very gay, his owne kinde, [or stocke] [...] disdained. disdaining his owne kinde, hee betooke himselfe to the st [...]cke or kinde. company of the peacocks. They at length the [...]eceipt being vnderstood. vnderstanding the deceit, made naked. stript the foolish bird of [his] colours, and affected him strokes, or bet him. whipped him. [Page 22] Horac [...] shewes this little [...]able of a iackd [...]w in his first booke of &c. Horace in [...]is first book of Epistles reports this little fable of a iackdaw. Hee saith that of a time, a iackdaw beeing adorned, or tricked vp. trimmed with feathers [...]athered together. which she had gathered together, which had fallen from [other] birds, after that euery one of the birds pluckt againe her owne feather, to haue bene ridiculous. became ridiculou [...]. Lest if perchance the flock of birds shall come in time to come. hereafter, to fetch againe their owne feathers, the daw made naked of [her] stolen colours moue. [o [...] prouoke] laugh [...]er. the [...]ackdaw moue l [...]ughter, beeing stript of [her] stollen colours.
Mor.] This fable noteth. raxeth them, who beare themselues more loftily than is meet: who liue with them who are both richer and more noble. wherefore. Whereupon they are oft-times poore and are a scorne [or mocking stock] and a scorne. [...] admonisheth well; This sentence descended from heauen [...] , that [Page] is, Know thy selfe.
30 Of a fly and an pismite. ant, [teachingThe quiet life to be preferred. vs to vse good language to all, and to preferre the quiet kind of life.
AFly [of a time] contended. wrangled with an ant, [bragging] [...]herself to be noble. that shee was noble, her ignoble. the other base, that shee did fly, [the ant] crept, that shee vsed to bee in kings houses: the other to lie hid in holes, to gnaw corn, to drink water: shee bragged herself to slee, [her] or the plsmire to creep. that shee fared daintily, and yet notwithstanding, that she got these things by idlenesse. her self to be conuersant in the roofes, viz. the houses of kings. Of the other side, the ant [gloried] that she was not herself to banket gorgeoully, and yet to get these things by idlenesse. base, but content with her owne Contrarily. degree, ignoble. that* graines of corne. the fly was a vagarant, she her* the streame to [...] to the ant that which pasties and wine to the fly. selfe was stocke or pedegree. abiding in a place, the fly to be wandring. and that corne and stable. running water did taste as well to the ant, as pasties and wine to the [Page 23] fly, and to get thesé things. and that shee got these things not by sluggish idlenesse, but by [...]usty, or painefull diligence. stout labour. Moreouer, the ant to be merry and [...]. that the ant was merry and safe, deare to all. beloued of all, and to conclude an example of labour: the fly to be doubtfull with perill. that the fly was fearfull, alwaies in perill, troublesome to all, enu [...]ed to all. of all, and finally, an example of slothfulnesse. That the ant did thinke of winter aforehand, and layed vp food against it; but that the fly had prouisiō but for the present, either to be ready to clam in winter, o [...] certainely to dy The ant beeing mindefull of winter to lay vp foode [afore hand,] the fly to liue for a day, either to be continually hungry, or certainely to die in winter.
Mor.] Hee that goeth on. proceeds to say what hee will, shall heare what hee will not. If the fly had spoken well, she had heard well. But I consent to the ant. For an obscure life with security, seemeth to be more to be wished, than a shining, or glittering. glorious life with perill.
31 Of a frog and an ox [...] [shewingFoolish emulation. the fruit of foolish emulation.]
A Frog being desirous of matching an oxe. to match an oxe, stretched out herselfe. [The yong frog perswaded the dam Her] son exhorted [his] mother to desist from her enterprize, for a frog to be nothing to an oxe. that a frog was nothing to an oxe. Shee swelled the second time, [her] son cryeth often, or cryeth out. crieth [vnto her,] Mother although you cracke. you may burst, [but] you shall neuer ouercome the oxe. And when [shee] had swelled the third time, she burst.
Mor.] Euery one hath* His owne gift is to euery one. his owne gift. This man [excels] in beauty, another. he in strength: this in riches, he excels in friends. It becommeth euery man to be content with his owne proper [gift.] He preuailes in body, thou in wit. is able of body, [Page 24] thou in wit. Wherefore let euery one take counsell of himself, or consider himself. aduise with himselfe: [and] let him neither enuy [his] superiour, which thing is miserable. which is miserable, nor let him wish. desire to striue [with him] which is [the property of foolishnesse, or foliy. a part] of foolishnesse.
32 Of a horse and a lion, [teachingCounterfet friendship, with the reward of subtilty. that an enemy pretending, or making a shew of. counterfe [...]ting friendship, is most dangerous: and that crafty dealing is vsusually requited with craft.
A Lion [of a time came to ca [...]e a horse: but wanting strength for his old age. by reason of his age, hee began to meditate art deuise [some] cunning: hee professeth himselfe a physician; states, o [...] [...], or drawes on the horse. holdes the horse with a circumlocution of words, or with many faire words. long circūstance of words. He. vseth deceipt against deceipt The horse opposeth deceit to deceit, & art. cunning to cunning. Hee faineth himselfe to haue pricked his foot lately in a thorny place. that hee had lately pricked [his] foot [Page] in a thorny place, intreateth that the horse being so good a physici [...]n. the physician looking into it may draw, or pull out. would drawe out the thorne. The lion obeyeth [him.] yeeldeth vnto him. But the horse with how great might he could, or was able. with all the might hee could dasht his heele to the lion. smit at the lion with his heele, and cast himself forthwith vnto his feet. forthwith betooke himselfe to his feet. The lion very hardly comming to himselfe againe at length, (for he had bene. was almost astonished, or amazed, or swooned almost. in a swoone by the blowe) [...] beare, or haue. beare away (quoth hee) a [iust] reward for [my] foolishnesse, and he is by right. rightly fled away. For hee hath reuenged deceit with deceit.
Mor.] dissimulation, or [...]. Dissembling is worthy hatred, and to bee catched with dissembling. An enemy is not to be feared which shew [...] before himself. shewes himselfe an enemy. But hee that faines good will whenas he is an enemy, is at leng [...]h is. indeed to be feared, and most worthy hatred.
32 Of a horse and an [...]sse, [shewingInsol [...]ncy of proud men in their prosperity. how it commonly falls out with them who are too insolent in their prosperity.]
A Horse [of a time] trimmed, or set out. adorned with trappings, and with a saddle, ran by the way with a very great whinnying. neying. But by chance [...] a [...]e being loaden stood against [him] [or in his way] [...]. a loaden asse hindred him as hee was running. The horse [...], or storming. raging with anger, and being fierce biting on the [...]roathing bridles. fiercely chewing [his] foaming bridle, What quoth hee, thou slowe, thou sluggish [asse,] doest thou stand against the horse, or stand in the horses wa [...]. hinder the horse? depart. Giue place, I say, or I do tread vpon thee. I will trample thee with my feet. The asse contrarily not daring to bray, departs, or yeel [...]s stilly, or being [...] giues place. giues place quietly. But the horse flying forward. as the horse was swiftly fleeing* the part of the belly about the sheath. forward and speeding his pase [his] groine burst. [...] [...] vnprofitable. [...] for running and shew, hee i [...] spoyled. stript of [his] ornaments. furniture, [Page] and afterwards is sould to a [...]. carman. Afterwards the [...] asse. asse seeth him drawing in a car, comming with a or a cart. carre and speakes vnto him: Hoe good sir, what fine furniture is there? where is your golden saddle, [your] bossed. studded girth? where [is] your [...], or fine. glittering bridle? Oh friend it must needs so fall out to [you] being [so] proude.
Mor.] Most men are li [...]t vp in prosperity, neither remembring mindefull of themselues nor of modesty. But because they waxe insolent in prosperity, they run into ad [...]ersity. I would haue admonished. would admonish them to be heedy. wary who seeme [to themselues] to be happy. in prosperity. For if the wheele of fortune shall be turned about, they shall fe [...]le it. perceiue it a most miserable kinde of mi [...]fortune, to haue [...] happy. in prospeity. That mischiefe also
[Page 26] cometh. is added vnto the heape of their vnhappinesse, that they shall bee contemned of th [...]se, whom they themselues. they haue contemned and those will mock them whom they themselues haue mocked. laughed at.
34 Of the birds and foure footedTreacherous [...]orsaking of friends. beasts, [shewing wh [...]t it is to leaue our friends in aduersitie.]
A battel was to the birds, or the birds fought. THe birds of a time had a battell with the fourfooted beasts. [There vvas] hope on both [...]ides, [...] [was] on [...]oth sides. feare on both sides, [and] danger was on both sides. But the bat [his] fellows be [...] left leauing his fellowes [...], o [...] falleth away. fals off to the enemy: The birds ouercome, the [...] [...] their [...] &c. hauing the eagle for their captaine and [...]outh s [...]yer. leader. And they condenine. adiudge the flyer to the enimy or [...]. traytorlike bat that there should not be euer a returning [for her] vnto the birds. that shee [...] [Page] neuer returne vnto the birds, that th [...]t be no flying [to her] in the light. she should neuer fly in the day time. This is the caus [...] to the bat that she doth not fly but in the night This is the cause that the bat neuer flyeth but in the night.
Mor.] Hee that refuseth to be partaker of aduersitie and perils with his fellowes, shall bee without part of prosperity and health [with them] without prosperity and safety [with them.]
35 Of a wolfe and a fox, [declaringThe reward of enuy. the fruit of enuy.]
WHen-as of a time a wolfe had pre [...] enough. sufficient prey, hee liued idlely. in idlenesse. The fox. fox-cub commeth vnto him, [...]. demandeth of him why hee was idle. the cause of his idlenesse. The wolfe perceiued deceipts [or layings in [...]] to be made to his. that there was a plot laid for his [...]. [...], fairneth, or dissembleth a disease to &c. pretendeth sicknes [...]o be the cause, intreates the fox to goe to [...] e [...]rnestly, or [...] the Gods for pardon. to pray vnto the [Page 27] gods for him. Shee grieuing her wile [or craft] not to succeed. that her wile had no better successe, goeth vnto a shepheard, admonisheth him [or puts him in mind] the dens of the wolf to ly open. tells him that the den of the wolfe was open, for the enimy being secure to be able to be oppressed [or ouercomne] not thinking of it. and that the enemy beeing secure might easily be surprized. taken vnawares. The shepheard * sets vpon the wolfe, kils him. Shee obtaines [both] the den and the prey. But there was but a short ioy to her of her wickednesse. shee hadr comes vpon, or inuades the wolf of a sudden. but a short ioy of her wickednesse, for not so much after not very long after, the same shepheard catcheth the fox [...]lso. her also.
Mor.] Enuy is a a foule matter. filthy thing, and sometimes mischieuous. pernicious euen to the author himselfe. Flaccus. Horace in his first booke of Epistles.
An enuions [man] waxeth leane pineth away at the fat things, or plenty. prosperity of another man another.
The Sicilian tyrants found not a greater torment than enuy.
36 Of [...] hart. a stag, [shewing that weeDesire of things hurtfull. commonly desire such things as are most hurtfull for vs.]
A Stag [of a time] beholding. viewing himselfe in a very cleare spring, or water. fountaine, approues the tall [or long] and branched hornes of his forehead. his high & branching horns, but condemnes the smaleness of his legs. shankes. Bechaunce whilst [...]e beholds whilst he iudgeth. as hee is viewing and iudging himselfe, the hunter comes betweene. comes in the meane time: The stag flyeth away Hee fleeth more swift. swiftly than darts, and more swift than the East wind. and the Eastwind driuing the great rain, or stormes. shoures. The dogges earnestly follow, or chase. pursue [him] fleeing. But whenas hee had entered. entered into a very thick wood, [his] hornes are wrapped. intangled in the branches. boughes, and then at last. at length hee praised his shanks. legs, and condemned [his] hornes, which made that he should be [or was] caused him to becom a prey vnto the dogs.
Mor.] We desire things to bee fled. auoided, and wee shun. flee the things which are to bee desired. [Those things] please [vs] which hurt [vs,] and those things displease [vs] which profit. doe vs good. Wee couet. desire blessednesse, before wee vnderstand where it is. Wee seek the excellency of riches, and the statelinesse. loftinesse of honours▪ wee thinke blessednesse to be set. to consist in these things, in which, notwithstanding, there is much labour and griefe. That our Poet making songs to be sung to the harpe. harping Poet expresseth. signifieth fairely. no [...]ably.
The great. huge pine tree is tossed more often. is more often tossed with the windes, and the high, or stately lofty towers fall downe with the greater fall.
And the lightnings, or thunderbolts. The lightnings also smite the highest mountaines.
37 Of a viper and a file, [teachingFoolish opposition against them who are too hard for vs. vs to meddle with our match.]
A Viper [of a time] finding a file in aworkehouse. shop, began to gnawe [it.] The file smiled, what, quoth it, thou foole? saying, What foole? what doest thou? Thou shalt weare thy teeth to thee. mayest weare out thy teeth, before thou canst weare mee, which am wont to bite vpon the hardnesse of brasse.
Mor.] See againe & againe. carefully, with whom the matter is to you. you haue to doe. If you sharpen. wh [...]t your teeth against a strongerman a stronger, you shall not hurt him, but your selfe.
38 Of wolues and lambs, [teachingFoolish depriuing our selues of the meanes of our safety, so laying our selues open to the enimy. vs to beware how wee trust our enemies, deliuering out of our [...]ands the meanes of our safety.]
THere hath bene. was [sometimes. of a time] a truce. league to the wolues & lambs. between the wolues and lambs, to which there is discord by nature. which naturally doe disagree, pledges in wa [...] hostages beeing giuen on both sides. The wolues gaue their yong ones. whelps, the sheep [gaue] the band. the sheep the company of their dogges. The sheep beeing quiet & feeding, the little wolues. young wolues vtter howlings howle out for the desire of [their] mothers. [...]. Then the old wolues. wolues rushing in [vpon them] cryed out oftentimes [their] fidelity and the league to be dissolued cried out, complayning that they had broken [their] fidelity and the couenant of peace. league, and teare in peeces the sheep, beeing left destitute of the garriso [...], or defence. aide of [their] dogges.
Mor.] If you deliuer your garrisons to the enimy in a league, it is vnskilfulnesse, or folly. It is a foolishnes if in a truce you deliuer the meanes of your safety to the enemy. For hee that hath been an enemy, hath not yet perchance left off to bee an enemy: yea peraduenture hee will take an cause. occasion, wherfore he may com vpon you of a sudden being naked, [or destitute] of aid [or defence] that hee may set vpon you beeing destitute of succour.
39 Of a wood and a countrie-man, [teaching vs to beware whereinGratifying our enimies to our hurt. and how wee gratifie our enemies.]
AT what time their owne [or proper] speech was to the trees. the trees spake, a countrie-man came vnto a woode, desiring that it may be lawfull to take. that he might take a halme, or stoale. helue for his hatchet. The woode noddeth vnto it assenteth vnto [him.] The countrie-man his hatchet being fitted. hauing fitted his hatchet, beganne to cut downe the trees. Then but. and indeed too late it repented the [Page 30] wood of her readinesse to yeeld, or be intreated. facility. It grieued her to be. haue beene the cause of her own destruction.
Mor.] Take heed. See, of whom you deserue well. There haue beene many, vvho a benefit being receiued. hauing receiued a benefit, haue abused it vnto. to the destruction of the giuer. authour.
40 Of the members or parts of the body, or ioynts. limmes and the belly,Necessity of friendship, and gratifying others. [declaring the necessity of gratifying others.]
THe foote and hand of a time accused the belly, for that their gaines were deuoured by it being idle. liuing in idlenesse. They command that it labour, or that it require. seeke not to bee nourished. It beseecheth them once and againe. once, or twice: yet notwithstanding, the hands deny nourishment [or reliefe] vnto it. to relieue it. The belly being [...]pent. consumed by famine or hunger. thorough [Page] lacke of foode, when all the limmes began to fayle. faint, then at length the hands would be dutifull or officious. kinde: but that too late. For the belly beeing weake. feeble thorough disuse lacke of vse, bet or put backe, or refused. repelled [all] meate: so whilst all the limmes enuy the belly, they perish with the belly perishing. together with the belly.
Mor.] Humane society hath it self so, euen as it is in the society of &c. It is euen so in humane society, like as in the society of the members. A member needeth a member. One member needs another, [and] a friend needeth a friend. Wherefore wee must vse duties of one another. mutuall kindnesses, [and] mutuall good turnes workes; [for] neither riches, nor the tops of dignities, honours, or preferments. highest dignities do defend a man sufficiently. can sufficiently defend a man. The onely and chiefe garrison, or ayde. stay is the friendship of very many men. very many.
41 Of an ape and a fox-cub [teachingMiserablenesse in the rich, who cannot part with ought to the poore. that the rich had rather hurt themselues with too much, than to part with ought to the poore.]
AN ape intreates a foxecub, that shee would giue her a part of her tayle, to couer [her] buttocks: for [that thing] to be a burden to her [viz. the cub] which would be a vse and an honour to herself. for that, that was a burthen to her, which would bee of vse and an honour to her selfe. She answereth. The cubbe answereth, there to be nothing too much. that she had nothing too much, and herself to will rather. that shee had rather haue the ground to be brushed. swept with her tayle, than to couer the ape [...] buttocks with it. than the buttocks of the ape to bee couered.
Mor.] There are which need, there are others to whom it doth abound who haue too much, yet notwithstanding, that fashion is to none of the rich, that he may blesse the needy with his superstuous matter [or goods] it is not the manner of any of the [Page] rich, to blesse the needy with their superfluity.
42 Of a hart. stag and oxen, [teachingDifficulty of preseruing our selues in perill. the difficulty of preseruing our selues in extreame perill.]
A Stagge [of a time] fleeing the hunter. flying from the hunter, cast himselfe into a stall [or stable.] betooke himselfe into an oxe-house; hee prayeth, or beseecheth. entreates the oxen that it may be lawfull to ly hid in the stall or cratch he might hide himselfe in the cribbe. The oxen denyit to be safe. tell him, that it cannot be safe; for both the master and the seruants to be about to be present. that the master and seruants would be present by and by: hee saith, that he should bee safe; so that they betray him not: The seruant entereth in, seeth him not, being hidde in the hay, goeth out. The stagge [began] to ges [...]ore, or skip for ioy. to bee proude, and to feare nothing now. Then one of the oxen beeing sage. graue both in age and counsell, said, it It was an [Page 32] easie thing (quoth hee) to deceiuewas an easy thing to deceiue &c. him which is a molewarpe, or want, as blinde as a molewarpe. mole, but that thou shouldest lie hid from the master, who is Argu [...], w [...]om the Poets f [...]ne to haue had an hundreth eyes. as quicke sighted as Argus, this is the worke, [and] this is the labour. S [...]ight way afterwards. By and by after, the master entreth in: who viewing [or marking] [...]ll things &c. to the end that he may amend. who that hee may correct the negligence of his seruant, viewing all things with his eyes, and trying the crib. groping in the crib with his hand, catcheth holde of the hornes of the stag vnder the hay; he cals out vnto cries out vnto [his] seruants, they run vnto [him] compasse in [or inclose] the wild beast. shut in the stag [and] catch. take him.
Mor.] Places of harbour or succour. Hiding places are hard to bee found in aduerse thing [...]. in aduersity and dangers: either for that fortune doth still tosse, or ve [...]. pursue miserable [men.] men in misery as it hath begunne, or else because they beeing hindered by feare, & void of counsel, do betray themselues [Page] through their want of wisdome or foresight, or by their owne folly or indiscretion. lacke of heed.
43 Of a lion & a foxcub: [warningBelieuing faire words. vs to beware of faire words and how we trust our enemie; to coniecture of wordes by former deeds.]
A Lion was sick, the liuing creatures came to see [his] beast [...] visited him, the fox-cub alone deferring [his] homage, or seruice. dutie. The lion sends an embassage vnto [this fox. her,] with an epistle which admonisheth her to come. a letter admonishing her to come. [Saying] the presence of her onely to be a most acceptable thing to [him] being sicke. that the presence of her onely would be most acceptable [to him] being sick. nor any thing of danger to be. Neither that there would be any danger wherfore the fox should feare. For first indeed the lion to be most friendly &c. that first of all the lion was indeed most friendly to the foxe, and therfore to desire. desired earnestly the speech of her [or conference with her] to haue speech with her. Moreouer, to be sicke and to ly downe. that he was now sicke, and kept his bedde, that although [Page 33] hee will. would doe that which was not [intended] yet he cannot. could not hurt [her.] The fox writeth backe, herself to wish. that she wisheth that the lion may recouer his health againe, and herself to intreat the Gods that thing. that she would pray for that of the God [...], but yet not to visit [him] that shee would not come to see [him.] herself to be terrified. That shee was terrified with the footsteppes; which steps indeed when as all are turned towards. which indeed sith they were all towards the den of the lion and none turning back, that thing to be a token many indeed of the liuing creatures to haue entred in, but none to haue gone forth. that it was a token that many beasts had entered in, but that none had come forth. Horace;
I will relate [or returne] that, viz. that answere. returne that, which in time past, or sometime. once the wily foxe answered the sick lion, because the footsteps terrifie [me],
All of them looking towards thee, none back again.
Mor.] Take heed [how] you trust words, vnlesse you for that all the footsteps looking towards thee, non [...] backe againe, do terrify me. take good heed, shall beware you* words shall be given you of [...]time [Page] shall be deceiued oft times. oft haue words [only] giuen you. A coniecture is to be taken or made. Wee are to take a coniecture both of words and of deeds, and we are to iudge of mens words by their deeds. those are to be iudged of these. by these.
44 Of a fox-cub. a foxe and a weesill,Discontent with a meane estate. [teaching vs to be content with a meane estate, rather than by prosperity to endanger our selues.]
[OF a time] a fox beeing thin or [...]. slender with long hunger, or scarcity of victuals. lack of meate, crept bechance into a corne chamber through a more narrow cleft, chinke or [...]. a very straight hole. In which when she had well fed herself. b [...]n well fed, her belly being ouer filled hindered her afterwards: [...] to goe forth againe. and afterward trying to goe forth againe, her belly beeing ouermuch stretched out hindered her. A weesill beholding her a far off wrastling [or striuing] to get out. farre off seeing [her] admonisheth. struggling, at length * aduiseth [her] [that] if she desire to goe out, that shee returne [Page 34] to the hole being leane, or thin. empty, at which she entered in when she was empty.
Mor.] You may see very many to be merry and cheerefull in mediocrity. a meane estate, void of cares, free from. without [all] troubles of minde. But if these shall be made rich. become rich, you shall see them to goe sad or sorrowfull heauily, neuer to stretch out their forehead to looke cheerefully, [but] full of care, [and] ouerwhelmed with griefes. troubles of minde. Horace sings or sets out in verse. sets out this fable thus;
Bechance a slender or thin. gaunt fox had crept thorough a narrowe cleft or hole. cranny into a chamber of corn [...] a corn chamber, and being fedde stretched herselfe or indeuoured assayed in vaine to goe abroad. forth againe with a full body, or her body being full. when her belly was full.
To whom a weesill [seeing her] a farre off said, if thou wilt escape thence.
see that thou seek againe [or goe againe] leane [or empty] to the streight hole. Seek to goe againe beeing [Page] leane [thorough] the narrowe cranny, which thou wentest vnder. wentest in at when thou wast leane.
45 Of a horse and a stag, [teachingLosing liberty for anoyding pouerty. vs to take heed that for escaping pouerty, we lose not liberty.]
A Hors [...] [of a time] made w [...]r, or waged battell, or warred. fought with a stagge. But being at length driuen forth of the pastures, he earnestly intreats the help of man. He returneth Returnes with the man, goeth downe into the field. pasture, [so] he that was conquered before becomes now. is now made the conquerour. But yet neuerthelesse, the enemy being ouercomn & sent vnder the yoke. brought vnder, it is necessary that the conqueror himself se [...]ue the man. the conquerour himselfe must needs serue the man. [Whereupon] he beares the horseman on his back, & the bridle in his mouth.
Mor.] Many fight. striue against pouerty, which pouerty. which beeing ouercomne thorough [good] fortune and industry, oft times the liberty of the conquerour perisheth or is lost] they oft-times lose their liberty. For, beeing indeed Lords and conquerours of pouerty, they begin to serue riches, are driuen with the whips of couerousnesse, [and] are curbed in with the bridles of ouermuch sparing. niggardlinesse, neither yet doe they keepe [any] measure in of seeking [riches] seeking; neither yet indeed dare they vse the things which they haue gotten, by the iust [or thorow the &c. for a iust punishment of their couetousnesse. Horace [saith] concerning this matter.
A stag being better in fight droue away a horse from the common herbs [or grasse] A stag [of a time] being too hard for a horse in fight, draue him form the common pasture, vntill [the horse] being lesse in long flrift or contention. too weak in that long fight,
[Page] earnestly besought. Implored the helps. helpe of man, and receiued the bridle [of that condition.]
the horse hauing now gotten the conquest. So after that, But. the violent conquerour departed from the stag. the enemy,
Hee reiected, or cast off. repelled not the horse-man from [his] back, nor [put away or remoued] the bridle. nor the bridle from his mouth.
So the vnhappy, or foolish man. poor cayti [...]e, who fearing wants. pouerty, loseth liberty, better than metalls. gould, shall carry [his] master.
And he shall serue, o [...] be a seru [...]nt. shall be a slaue for euer who cannot tell. wil not know [how] to be content with. to vse a little.