doore The Kid perceiving his guile saith I will not open it for although thy voyce playeth the Goat well notwithstanding I see a Wolfe through the chinks of the doore Of the Hart and the Sheepe Fab. 25. THe Hart maketh the Sheepe as guiltie before the Wolfe crying That she owed a measure of Wheat But the Sheep forsooth was ignorant of the debt notwithstanding she promiseth that she will give it because of the presence of the Wolfe The day for payment is appointed it came The Hart warneth the Sheep she denyeth the debt for that which she had promised she excuseth it because it was done by feare and for the presence of the Wolfe and moreover a Covenant wrung by violence ought not to be kept Of the Countrey-man and the Snake Fab. 26. A Certaine Countrey-man nourished a Snake on a time being angry he strooke the Beast with his Hatchet the Snake slideth away not without a wound afterwards the Countrey-man falling into povertie thought that that mischiefe did fall upon him for the injury done to the Snake wherefore he intreateth the Snake that he would returne again The Snake saith that he did pardon him but would not returne and that he would not be secure with the Countrey-man who had so great a Hatchet at home and that the griefe of the wound was ceased notwithstanding the memory was remaining Of the Fox and the Storke Fab. 27. THe Fixon did bid the Storke to Supper shee powreth out her meat upon the Table which seeing that it was of moist substance the Storke nibling in vaine with her bill the poore Bird went away with a flea in her eare being mocked for her labour both it shamed her and it irketh her of the injury A few dayes after she cometh backe againe she biddeth the Fox to Supper a vessell of Glasse was set upon the Table full of victuals the which truly sith it was a vessell of a narrow necke the wily beguiled Fox might well looke upon her cheere and yet was hunger-bit he could not taste take or sip The Storke very easily sucked up all with his long bill Of the Wolfe and the Carved-head Fab. 28. THe Wolfe having found a Mans Head in the shop of the Image-maker he turneth it upside down he wondreth at it at length perceiving that which it was indeed that it had no sense or understanding O trim Head saith he there is much workmanship in thee but not a whit of wit Of the Iay Fab. 29. THe Jay did decke her selfe with the feathers of the Peacocke afterwards seeming to her selfe very brave and disdaining her own kindred she betaketh her selfe to the flocke of the Peacocks at length they understanding her deceit they uncovered the foolish bird of her coloured plumes and rewarded her with stripes Of the Flie and the Emmet Fab. 30. THe Flie did chide with the Emmet and she did brag that her selfe was noble but she infamous Her selfe did flie but the Emmet did creepe but moreover her-selfe did haunt in the Palaces of Kings but the Emmet did keepe her selfe in the cave of the earth and eate corne or graine and drinke water and she did boast that her-selfe did dyet daintily and yet had all these without labour On the other side the Emmet said that she was not base but contented with her own birth or parentage but the Fly was unstable and her-selfe was constant the graines and the water did taste so to the Emmet as Pasties and Wine to the Flie and she had not these things by idlenesse but by diligent and painfull travell Moreover the Emmet was joyous and sure beloved of all men and last of all an example of labour but the Fly is troubled with danger noysome to every one hated of all men to conclude an example of sluggishnesse The Emmet mindfull of the Winter season doth lay up her victuals but the Fly doth live for a day either will be hungry in Winter or certainly die Of the Frogge and the Oxe Fab. 31. THe Frog being desirous to be as great as the Oxe she stretched out her selfe Her sonne exhorted his Mother to cease from her foolish enterprise for saith he the Frog is nothing in a manner to the Oxe yet she beginneth to swell the second time her sonne or the young Padock cryeth out upon her and saith O Mother although you burst with pride or crack asunder yet shall you never exceed the great Oxe but when as she puffed or swelled the third time she burst asunder Of the Horse and the Lion Fab. 32. THe Lion come to eate and devoure a Horse but wanting strength through his age he did begin to find out some deceit He professeth he is a Physitian he impeadeth the Horse with the conceit of his words but the Horse opposeth deceit to deceit and skill to the Lions skill and feignes that he now hath hurt his foot in a thorny place and requesteth That he who was a Physitian would look on the thorne and bring it out The Lion doth as the Horse did bid him But the Horse did strike the Lion with his heele with so great force as he was able and incontinent he taketh himselfe to flight At length the Lion scantly returning to himselfe for he was almost killed with the stroke saith I receive the reward of my foolishnesse and the Horse is escaped justly For because he hath revenged deceit with deceit Of the Horse and the Asse Fab. 33. THe Horse being attired with gay trappings and with a saddle did runne along the way with a huge neighing by chance a heavy laden Asse stood in his way as he ran the Horse stamping and staring for anger and fiercely champing his foaming bridle said Wherefore lazy sluggard standest thou in the Horses way I say give place or I will trample thee under my feet the poore Asse durst not speake a word against him but giveth place to him with quietnesse but the belly of the Horse flying and running his race burst asunder then being unprofitable for race and for shew he was deprived of his gay attire and afterwards he was sold to a Carter afterward the Asse seeth him coming with a Cart and he speaketh to him Ho you good fellow what ornament is this where is your golden saddle your imbossed girts where is your bright bridle so friend it was necessary to happen to the proud Of the Birds and foure-footed Beasts Fab. 34. THere was a battell with the Birds and with foure-footed Beasts The hope of victory was between both of them feare was on both parts the danger was betwixt both of them but the Bat leaving his fellows falles off to the enemies The Birds overcome the Eagle being their Captaine and the Guide but they condemn the Bat who fled away that she should not returne at any time to the Birds and that she should not flie at any time in the light This is the occasion to the Bat that she flyeth not but in the night Of the
whelps being stronger and better able to goe this also being expired the other began more vehemently to desire her own bed well saith she if thou canst match me and my traine I will depart from this place Hungry Dogges Fab. 20. FOolish or simple counsell not onely wanteth successe but also calleth mortall men to destruction Dogges saw an Hide sunke in the floud now that they might the more easily eate it when they had drawn it out they began to drinke up the water but being first bursten there thy perished before that they could attaine what they desired An old Lion the Bull and an Asse Fab. 21. VVHosoever hath lost his former dignitie is also a mocking stocke to the base and lazie in adversitie The Lion wasted by yeares and decayed of his strength when he was lying drawing his last breath the Boare came upon him with thunderbolt tuskes and revenged his old grudge with blowes also the cruell Bull out of hand pierced with his hornes his enemies body when the Asse saw the Beast hurt without punishment he kicked his forehead with his heeles but he breathing out his last saith I have hardly brooked that the strong or the valiant should insult over me but truly I seeme twice to die sith I am compelled to beare and suffer thee the ignominie of nature A Cat and a Man Fab. 22. A Cat being caught of a Wariner when she would avoyd imminent death I pray you saith she spare me which cleanse for your good the house of noysome Mice he answered certain I would doe it if this good turne were for my sake and would have forgiven thy offence now because thou labouredst that thou maist enjoy the fragments which they would gnaw and also devour them do not count this vain matter as a good turne done to me and so speaking he inflicted death upon the offender They ought to acknowledge this spoken for them whose private commoditie onely serveth themselves and notwithstanding boast their vaine deserts to ignorant men A faithfull Dogge Fab. 23. VVHo so is liberall of a sudden perhaps is in request with fooles but layeth broken snares for the wise When as in the night time a thiefe had cast bread to a Dogge proving whether he might be corrupted with the meat profferred to him Oh quoth he thou wouldest stop my mouth that I barke not for my Masters goods but thou art much deceived for this thy sudden kindnesse warneth me to watch lest thou make a commoditie by my negligence The bursten Frogge and an Oxe Fab. 24. A Poore man perisheth whilest he will follow the rich and the mightie In a certaine pasture the Frogge beheld the Oxe and touched with envie at so goodly stature puffed-up her speckled skin then she asked her children whether she was greater then the Oxe they denied it againe she stretched her skin with greater endeavour and enquired after the same manner who was the greater they said the Oxe last of all sore moved with wrath and whilest she desireth to puffe out herself more vehemently she sprawled on the ground with a bursten body The Dogge and the Crocodile Fab. 25. THey which give bad counsell to warie Wise men both lose their labour and are foully derided It is reported that Dogges in running do drinke of the River Nilus that they may not be devoured of the cruell Crocodiles wherefore when a certaine Bitch in running began to lap so spake the Crocodile Lap what water thou wilt by leisure come hither drinke leisurely and feare not quoth he deceit but she made answer By Hercules I would doe so but that I know you long for my flesh The Fox and the Storke Fab. 26. THis small Fable warneth that we must hurt no body but if any shall mischiefe us that we may punish them in like manner The Fox is said to have invited the Stork first to supper and to have set before her a liquid broath in a broad platter which by no meanes the hungry Storke could taste of who when she had re-invited the Fox set before her a long narrow neckt flaggon full of broken gobbets then she putting her long beake into this is filled and satisfied and pineth her guest with hunger who when she had licked in vaine the necke of the flaggon we heard it reported that the stranger bird spake after this maner every one ought to suffer his owne example with a patient mind A Dogge and a Treasure and the ravenous Vulter Fab. 27. This matter may be very convenient for the covetous and for them who by birth being low and poore notwithstanding endevour to be reported wealthy A Dogge diging up mans bones found a treasure and because he prophaned the spirits which are divine substances the fire of riches was cast upon him that he might performe punishments to the holy religion therefore whiles he keepeth the gold he forgetteth meat and consumeth with hunger overwhom the ravenous vulter standing as report goeth spake Oh dog justly dost thou lie for dead who desirest on a sudden a Princes revenew being but conceived and brought up on a dung-hill of three wayes muck A Fox and an Eagle Fab. 28. ALthough men are in high estate notwithstanding they ought to feare to oppresse the lower sort because revenge is manifest to the ingenious by his industry On a time an Eagle tooke up a Foxes Cubs and laid them down in her neast to her young ones that they might eate the Mother Fox following her began to beseech her instantly that she would not bring so great calamitie upon her poore caitifes but she despised because she was in a safe place therefore the Fox tooke from the Altar a burning firebrand and therewith she environed the whole tree with flames threatning griefe to her enemy for the losse of her blood the Eagle now intreating to deliver her own from danger of death restored the Cubs safe to the Fox The Asse scorning the Boare Fab. 29. OFtentimes fooles when they take up a vaine laughter defame others with sore reproach and provoke to themselves a mischievous danger An Asse when he met a Boare said God save you brother he disdaining refused his kindred and enquireth wherefore he would lye so grossely the Asse letting flye his heeles made answer Though thou deniest me to be like to thy selfe yet certainly this is as good as thy tuskes now when the Bore thought to make a valorous resistance yet refrained he his wrath saying Revenge is in a readinesse to me but I will not be defiled with base lazie bloud The Frogs fearing the warres of the Bull-battell Fab. 30. THe lowly are in jeopardy when as the mightie are at variance A Frog in her pond beholding the fight of Buls Alas saith she how great mischiefe abideth us being asked of another wherefore she affirmed this when as the Buls contended onely for the Empire over the Herd and lead a life farre from them saith she the reason here is separate and a different kinde for whosoever being banished from the kingdome of the Wood-land shall flye away will come into the holes of the Marshes and will presse to death the Frogs over-trodden with his hard hoofes and thus their fury concerneth our life The Kite and the Pigeon Fab. 31. VVHo so committeth himselfe to be preserved of a tyrannous man in seeking succour and aid he findeth destruction The Doves when as often they had escaped the Kite and had avoided death with the swiftnesse of wings then the devourer turneth his counsell into subtiltie and circumvented the unweaponed nation with such like guile Wherefore lead ye a miserable life rather then ye will create me King league being confirmed who may set you safe from all injury they being too credulous deliver themselves to the Kite who having obtained the kingdome beginneth to eate every one and to exercise his Empire with his cruell talons then saith one of the rest deservedly are we punished FINIS
AESOPS FABLES WITH THE FABLES OF PHAEDRVS Moralized TRANSLATED VERBATIM ACCORDING to the Latine FOR THE VSE OF GRAMMAR SCHOOLES AND FOR CHILDREN That with the more delight they may learne to reade the English Tongue Published by H. P. LONDON Printed by I. L. for Andrew Hebb at the sign of the Bell in Pauls Church-yard 1646. THE PUBLISHER TO the READER TO make an Apologie for the Translation of Schoole-books into English were vaine the great fruit that hath redounded thereby to the Teacher and the Learner hath sufficiently approved it my part at this time is to testifie my approbation of this Worke after perusall to satisfie the Printers motion accordingly I have compared it with the Originall Latine and find it an exact Grammaticall Translation thereof and therfore commend it to the use as well of young Grammer Schollers as to the new learners of the English Tongue who by reason of the pleasant Fables therein will be much allured and delighted to learne to read English Vale The Printer to the Reader THat this young AEsop might not prejudice the old one it is thought good to give the Reader notice that there is extant another larger edition of AEsops Fables not Grammatically construed as this is Primed of an English Letter to be sold where this Edition is containing the Life of AEsop at large together with the Fables of Avian of Alfonce and of Poge the Florentine THE TABLE OF AESOPS FABLES Fable 1. OF the Cocke 2. Of the Wolfe and the Lambe 3. Of the Mice and the Frogs 4. Of the Dogge and the Shadow 5. Of the Lion and certain other Beasts 6. Of the Wolfe and the Crane 7. Of a Countrey-man and a Serpent 8. Of the Boare and the Asse 9. Of the Citie-Mouse and the Countrey-Mouse 10. Of the Eagle and the Crow 11. Of the Crow and the Fixon Fable 12. Of the Lion spent with Age 13. Of the Dogge and the Asse 14. Of the Lion and the Mouse 15. Of the Kite being Sicke 16. Of the Swallow and other Birds 17. Of the Frogs and their King 18. Of the Doves and the Kite 19. Of the Thiefe and the Dogge 20. Of the Wolfe and the Sow 21. Of the Birth of the Mountaines 22. Of the Hound 23. Of the Hares and the Frogs 24. Of the Kid and the Wolfe 25. Of the Hart and the Sheep 26. Of the Country-man and the Snake 27. Of the Fox and the Storke 28. Of the Wolfe and the Carved-head 29. Of the Iay 30. Of the Fly and the Emmet 31. Of the Frogge and the Oxe 32. Of the Horse and the Lion 33. Of the Horse and the Asse 34. Of the Birds and Foure-footed Beasts Fable 35. Of the Wolfe and the Fox 36. Of the Hart. 37. Of the Viper and a File 38. Of the Wolves and the Lambs 39. Of the Wood and the Countrey-man 40. Of the Belly and the rest of the Members 41. Of the Ape and the Fox 42. Of the Hart and the Oxen. 43. Of the Lion and the Fox 44. Of the Fox and the Weesill 45. Of the Horse and the Hart. The Table of Phaedrus Fables Fable 1. OF the Wolfe and the Lambe 2. The Frogs desired a King 3. The proud Iay and the Peacocke 4. A Dogge carrying flesh over a River 5. A Cow and a Goat a Sheep and a Lion 6. The Frogs to the Sunne 7. The Fox to a Mans Image 8. The Wolfe and the Crane 9. The Sparrow Counseller to the Hare 10. The Wolfe and the Fox with my Lord Iudge the Ape 11. The Asse and the Lion a Hunting 12. The Hart at the Fountaine 13. The Fox and the Raven 14. Of a Cobler a Physitian 15. The Asse to an old Shepherd Fable 16. The Sheep the Hart and the Wolfe 17. The Sheep a Dog and a Wolfe 18. A Woman in Labour 19. A Bitch a Whelping 20. Hungry Dogges 21. An old Lion the Bull and an Asse 22. A Cat and a Man 23. A faithfull Dogge 24. The bursten Frog and an Oxe 25. The Dogge and the Crocodile 26. The Fox and the Storke 27. A Dogge and a Treasure and the ravenous Vulter 28. A Fox and an Eagle 29. The Asse scorning the Boare 30. The Frogs fearing the warres of the Bull-battell 31. The Kite and the Pigeon FINIS AESOPS FABLES Of the Cocke Fable 1. WHilst the dunghill Cocke scratched in the dunghill he found a precious stone saying Wherefore doe I find a thing so bright if the Jeweller had found it none should have been more glad then he because he would know the worth of it it is to me uselesse neither doe I esteeme it much yea truly I had rather have one graine of barley then all the precious stones in the world Of the Wolfe and the Lambe Fab. 2. THe Wolfe drinking at the head of a fountaine seeth the Lambe drinking farre beneath him he ran to him and rebuketh the Lambe because that he made muddy the water the Lambe beginneth to tremble and to intreat him that he would spare him who was innocent that he sith that he drank farre beneath him could not trouble the drinke of the Wolfe neither truly would he the Wolfe on the other side rayleth upon him Thou cursed thiefe it is to no purpose what thou saist thou doest wrong me alwayes thy father thy mother and all thy hatefull stocke are enemies to me by all manner of wayes thou shalt be punished to me to day Of the Mice and Frogs Fab. 3. THe Mouse did wage warre with the Frogs they did strive concerning the Government of the Marsh the battell was very hot and doubtfull the Mouse being craftie hiding himselfe under the grasse setteth upon the Frogge treacherously the Frog being stronger in brest and better at leaping provoketh his enemy in open fight a bulrush was a speare to each one of them which battell being seene afarre off the Kite draweth neere and whilst neither of them taketh heed to themselves for the desire of the battell the Kite snatcheth and teareth both the fighters Of the Dogge and the Shadow Fab. 4. THe Dogge swiming over a River carried a piece of flesh in his mouth the Sunne shining even as it happened the shadow of the flesh did shine in the waters the which shadow being seene the Dogge snatching at it greedily did lose that which was in his chaps therefore he being amazed with the losse of the thing which he had in his mouth as also of hope at first he was astonied afterwards taking a courage he cryed out so Wretch measure was onely wanting to thy lust or desire there was enough yea more then enough if thou hadst not been a foole now through thy foolishnesse thou hast lesse then nothing Of the Lion and certaine other Beasts Fab. 5. THe Lion had made a bargain with the Sheep and certain other beasts to make a common hunting they went to hunt an Hart is taken they divide him they begin to take every part to every one as was
vain complaints the Hare halfe dead yet in the comfort of the Sparrows death said Thou that whilome wast secure and scornedst our evils bewailest now thy fatall destiny with like complaint The Wolfe and the Fox with my Lord Iudge the Ape Fab. 10. VVHosoever once is openly detected of foule deceipt although he tell truth notwithstanding is not beleeved for so this short Fable of AEsop avoucheth it The Wolfe charged the Fox with crime of theft she denied that she was accessary to the fault then the Ape sate Judge between them now when both parties had pleaded their own cause the Ape is reported thus to have given judgement You seem not to have lost what you demand but I beleeve that thou hast stolne which so cunningly thou deniest The Asse and the Lion a hunting Fab. 11. ONe boasting of his own praise with words devoyd of vertue deceiveth those that know him not but he is a laughing stocke to those that know him When as the lord Lion would hunt accompanied with the Asse he decked and attired him with greene leaves and warned him also to terrifie and appall the beasts with an unwonted cry that he might take them flying he pricketh up his eares with a speedy shout and with all his might and so amazeth the little beasts with a new monstrous miracle which being afraid and whilst they seeke for their known passages they are assailed with the horrible violence of the Lion who after that he was weary of the slaughter he calleth the Asse and commandeth to represse his cry then he puft with pride saith How seemeth this effect unto you of my voyce so well quoth he and excellent that unlesse I had known thy courage and stocke I should have been in like feare The Hart at the Fountaine Fab. 12. THis tale averreth that oftentimes those things which we lightly esteeme are found more profitable then things more commended When the Hart had drunke he stood still at the Fountaine and gazeth on his shape in the water where whilest with wonder he praiseth his bowghy hornes and disableth too much the slender timber of his legs he was affrighted on a sudden with the cryes and houles of Huntsmen and began to flie through the champion and deluded the Hounds with swift running at the last the wood received the wild beast wherein being by his hornes intangled began to be torne with the fierce biting of the Dogs then dying it is reported he gave forth this piteous mone Oh I unhappy who now at last perceive how the legges availed me which I despised and the hornes which I prised what grief have they brought me The Fox and the Raven Fab. 13. VVHo so rejoyceth that he is commended with glosing words for the most part is punished with foule remorse When as a Raven purposed to have eaten a piece of cheese stolne out of a window and sitting on an high tree the Fox did see him and then began thus to speake Oh Master Raven how great and excellent is the beautie of your feathers how much comlinesse doe you carry both in body and countenance If you had but a tunable voyce no Bird might be your fellow but he silly poore foole whilst he coveteth to shew his voice loseth the cheese in his mouth which quickly the craftie Fox snatched up with her greedy teeth then at length the astonished Crow being deceived sighed sorrowfully by this Fable it is proved how much wit or policie availeth and that wisdome alwayes prevaileth above strength Of a Cobler and a Physitian Fab. 14. VVHen a bad Cobler undone by povertie began to make medicines in a strange place and sold restoratives in a counterfeit pretence and had procured himselfe fame by talkative juglings when he lay visited with a sore disease the King of the Citie for his triall calleth for a jugge and then pretending a water being powred therein that he mingled poyson with his counterpoyson commanded him to drinke this setting down his reward then he confessed for feare of death that he was not made a Physician for any prudencie of Art but onely made famous by the peoples wondring the King summoning an assembly added moreover this How great madnesse thinke ye is it who make no scruple to trust your heads to him to whom no man ever gave his shooes to coble Truly I may say that this pertaineth to them whose impudency is the purchase of their folly The Asse to an old Shepherd Fab. 15. OFtentimes in changing of Government the poorer sort chang nothing besides the manners and conditions of the Lord that this is true this little Fable sheweth A timerous old man fed an Asse in a meadow he suddenly terrified with the noise of the enemies perswaded his Asse to flie that he might not be taken but the carelesse Asse replyed In good sadnesse thinke you that the Conquerour will lay upon me double burdens the old man denied it therefore said he what care I whom I serve whilst I carry but my own fardels The Sheep the Hart and the Wolfe Fab. 16. VVHen as a cunning fellow induceth men with a badde suretie he purposeth not to repay the principall but rather to leave his creditor in the lurch The Hart asked the Sheep a bushell of wheat the Wolfe being suretie but she suspecting cousenage made answer the Wolfe alwaies is accustomed to take away by violence and to be gone and you to flie out of sight with swift force where shall I find you when the day of payment comes The Sheep a Dogge and a Wolfe Fab. 17. LYers and false witnesses were wont to pay punishment for their villany When a certaine Dog being a common Barretor demanded of a Sheep a loafe of bread which bread he avouched that he had lent him the Wolfe cited for witnesse said that he did owe not one alone for in truth he affirmeth he oweth ten the Sheep cast by false witnesse payed what she ought not after a few dayes the Sheep beheld the Wolfe lying for dead in a ditch saith he this reward of deceit and lying is given of the high gods A Woman in Labour Fab. 18. NO body willingly resorteth to that place which hath harmed him At the time of Child-birth a woman lay upō the bare ground her fortie weekes being expired sending forth most pitifull grones her Husband exhorted that she would betake her body to the bed whereby the better she might lay down the burthen of nature I beleeve not saith she that my griefe can be ended in that place in which it was conceived in the beginning A Bitch a Whelping Fab. 19. THe faire words of an evill man have their snares which that we may avoyd the verses following doe warne When a Bitch great with Whelp had desired another Bitch that she might lay her litter in her kennell she obtained her request easily afterwards she made her sute to the Bitch who required her owne place craving but a short season whilest she might lead away her