 Book 1 of the Fables of Fidris. The matter which Issape, the inventor of fables, has provided, I have polished, in Iambic verse. The advantages of this little work are twofold, that it excites laughter, and by counsel guides the life of men. But if any one shall think fit to Cavill, because not only wild beasts, but even trees speak, let him remember that we are desporting in fables. Book 1 The Wolf and the Lamb. Driven by thirst, a wolf and a lamb had come to the same stream. The wolf stood above, and the lamb at a distance below. Then the spoiler, prompted by a ravenous morn, alleged a pretext for a quarrel. Why, said he, have you made the water muddy for me while I am drinking? The fleece-bearer, trembling, answered, Prithee, wolf, how can I do what you complain of? The water is flowing downwards from you to where I am drinking. The other, disconcerted by the force of truth, exclaimed, Six months ago you slendered me. Indeed, answered the lamb, I was not born then. By Hercules, said the wolf, then it was your father, slendered me. And so, snatching him up, he tore him to pieces, killing him unjustly. This fable is applicable to those men who, under false pretenses, oppress the innocent. Fable 2 The Frogs Asking for a King. When Athens was flourishing under just laws, liberty grown wanton embroiled the city, and license relaxed the reins of ancient discipline. Upon this, the partisans' affections conspiring, persisted as the tyrant seized the citadel. When the Athenians were lamenting their sad servitude, not that he was cruel, but because every burden is grievous to those who are unused to it, and began to complain, ease up related a fable to the following effect. The frogs, roaming at large in their marshy fends, with loud clamour demanded of Jupiter a king, who, by his authority, might check their disolute manners. The father of the gods smiled, and gave them a little log, which, on being thrown among them, startled the timorous race by the noise and sudden commotion in the bog. When it had lain for some time, immersed in the mud, one of them, by chance, silently lifted his head above the water, and, having taken a peep at the king, called up all the rest. Having got the better of their fears, vying with each other, they swim towards him, and the insolent mob leap upon the log. After defiling it with every kind of insult, they sent to Jupiter requesting another king, because the one that had been given them was useless. Upon this he sent them a water snake, who with his sharp teeth began to gobble them up, one after another. Helpless they strive in vain to escape death. Terror deprives them of voice. By stealth, therefore, they sent through Mercury a request to Jupiter to succour them in their distress. Then said the god in reply, Since you would not be content with your good fortune, continue to endure your bad fortune. Do you also, O fellow citizens, said Isop, Submit to the present evil lest a greater one befall you. Fable III. The Vane Jackdaw and the Peacock. That one ought not to plume oneself on the merits which belong to another, but ought rather to pass his life in his own proper guise, Isop has given us this illustration. A Jackdaw, swelling with empty pride, picked up some feathers which had fallen from a peacock, and decked himself out therewith, upon which, despising his own kind, he mingled with a beauteous flock of peacocks. They tore his feathers from off the impudent bird, and put him to flight with their beaks. The Jackdaw, thus roughly handled, in grief hastened to return to his own kind, repulsed by whom he had to submit to sad disgrace. Then said one of those whom he had formally despised. If you had been content with your station, and had been ready to put up with what nature had given, you would neither have experienced the former affront, nor would your ill fortune have had to fuel the additional pang of this repulse. Fable Four, the dog carrying some meat across a river. He who covets what belongs to another, deservedly loses his own. As a dog, swimming through a river, was carrying a piece of meat, he saw his own shadow in the watery mirror, and thinking that it was another booty carried by another dog, attempted to snatch it away. But his greediness was disappointed. He both dropped the food which he was holding in his mouth, and was, after all, unable to reach that at which he grasped. Fable Five, the cow, the she-goat, the sheep, and the lion. An alliance with the powerful is never to be relied upon. The present Fable testifies the truth of my maxim. A cow, a she-goat, and a sheep, patient under injuries, were partners in the forests with a lion. When they had captured a stag of vest bulk, thus spoke the lion, after it had been divided into shares. Because my name is lion, I take the first. The second you will yield to me, because I am courageous. Then, because I am the strongest, the third will fall to my lot. If anyone touches the fourth, woe betide him. Thus did unscrupulousness seize upon the whole prey for itself. Fable Six, the frogs complained against the sun. Eat up, on seeing the pompous wedding of a thief, who was his neighbor, immediately began to relate the following story. Once on a time, when the sun was thinking of taking a wife, the frog sent forth their clamor to the stars. Disturbed by their croakings, Jupiter asked the cause of their complaints. Them said one of the inhabitants of the pool. As it is, by himself he partches up all the standing waters, and compels us, unfortunates, to languish and die in our scorched abode. What is to become of us, if he beget children? Fable Seven, the fox and the tragic mask. A fox, by chance, casting his eyes on a tragic mask. Ah, said she, great as is its beauty, still it has no brains. This is meant for those to whom fortune has granted honor and renown, leaving them void of common sense. Fable Eight, the wolf and the crane. He who expects a recompense for his services from the dishonest commits a twofold mistake. First because he assists the undeserving, and in the next place because he cannot be gone while he is yet safe. A bone that he had swallowed stuck in the jaws of a wolf. Thereupon, overcome by extreme pain, he began to tempt all and sundry by great rewards to extract the cause of misery. At length, on his taking an oath, a crane was prevailed on, and, trusting the length of her neck to his throat, she wrought, with danger to herself, a cure for the wolf. And she demanded the promised reward for this service. You are an ungrateful one, replied the wolf, to have taken your head in safety out of my mouth, and then to ask for a reward. Fable Nine, the sparrow and the hare. Let us show, in a few lines, that it is unwise to be heedless of ourselves while we are giving advice to others. A sparrow abraded a hare that had been pounced upon by an eagle, and was setting forth piercing cries. Where now, said he, is that flitness for which you are so remarkable? Why were your feet thus tardy? While he was speaking, a hawk seizes him, unaware, and kills him, shrieking aloud with vain complaints. The hare, almost dead, as a consolation in his agony, exclaimed. You, who so lately, free from care, were ridiculing my misfortunes, have now to deplore your own fate, with as wolfful a cause. Fable Ten, the wolf, the fox, and the ape. Whoever has once become notorious by base fraud, even if he speaks the truth, gains no belief. To this, a short fable of Isa bears witness. A wolf indicted a fox upon a charge of theft. The latter denied that she was amenable to the charge. Upon this, the ape sat as judged between them, and when each of them had pleaded his cause, the ape is said to have pronounced this sentence. You, wolf, appear not to have lost what you demand. I believe that you, fox, have stolen what you so speciously deny. Fable Eleven, the ass and the lion hunting. A dastard, who in his talk brags of his prowess, and his devoid of courage, imposes upon strangers, but is the jest of all who know him. A lion, having resolved to hunt in company with an ass, concealed him in a thicket, and at the same time enjoined him to frighten the wild beasts with his voice, though which they were unused, while he himself was to catch them as they fled. Upon this, long ears, with all his might, suddenly raised the cry, and terrified the beasts with this new cause of astonishment. While in their alarm they are flying to the well-known outlets, they are overpowered by the dread onset of the lion, who, after he was wearied with slaughter, called forth the ass from his retreat, and bade him seize his clamour. On this, the other, in his insolence inquired, What think you of the assistance given by my voice? Excellent, said the lion, so much so that if I had not been acquainted with your spirit and your race, I should have fled in alarm like the rest. Fable Twelve, the stag at the stream. This story shows that what you contend is often found of more utility than what you load with praises. A stag, when he had drunk at a stream, stood still, and gazed upon his likeness in the water. While there, in admiration, he was praising his branching horns, and finding fault with the extreme thinness of his legs. Suddenly, roused by the cries of the huntsmen, he took to flight over the plain, and with nimble cores escaped the dogs. Then a wood received the beast, in which, being entangled and caught by his horns, the dogs began to tear him to pieces with savage bites. While dying, he is sad to have uttered these words. How unhappy am I, who now too late find out how useful to me were the things that I despised, and what sorrow the things I used to praise have caused me. Fable Thirteen, the fox and the raven. He, who was delighted at being flattered with artful words, generally paced the ignominious penalty of a late repentance. As a raven, purged in a lofty tree, was about to eat a piece of cheese, stolen from a window, a fox aspired him, and thereupon began thus to speak. Oh, raven, what a glossiness there is upon those feathers of yours! What grace you carry in your shape and air! If you had a voice, no bird whatever would be superior to you. On this, the other, while in his folly, attempting to show off his voice, let fall the cheese from his mouth, which the crafty fox, with greedy teeth, instantly snatched up. Then, too late, the raven thus, in his stupidity, overreached, heaved a bitter sigh. By this story, it is shown how much ingenuity avails, and how wisdom is always an overmatch for strength. Fable Fourteen, the cobbler-turned-physician. A bungling cobbler, broken down by one, having begun to practice physics in a strange place, and selling his antidote under a faint name, gained some reputation for himself by his delusive speeches. Upon this, the king of the city, who lay ill, being afflicted with a severe malady, asked for a cup for the purpose of trying him, and then pouring water into it, and pretending that he was mixing poison with the fellow's antidote, ordered him to drink it off, in consideration of a stated reward. Through fear of death, the cobbler then confessed that not by any skill in the medical art, through the stupidity of the public, he had gained his reputation. The king, having summoned a council, thus remarked, What think you of the extent of your madness, when you do not hesitate to trust your lives to one to whom no one would trust his feet to be fitted with shoes? This, I should say with good reason, is aimed at those through whose folly impudence makes a profit. In a change of government, the poor change nothing beyond the name of their master. That this is the fact this little fable shows. A timorous old man was feeding an ass in a meadow. Frightened by a sudden alarm of the enemy, he tried to persuade the ass to fly, lest they should be taken prisoners. But he, leisurely replied, Pray, do you suppose that the conqueror will place double panniers upon me? The old man said, No. Then what matters it to me, so long as I have to carry my panniers whom I serve? Fable 16. The Stag, the Sheep and the Wolf When a rogue offers his name as Shirti in a doubtful case, he has no design to act straightforwardly, but is looking to mischief. A stag asked the sheep for a measure of wheat, a wolf being his Shirti. The other, however, suspecting fraud, replied, The wolf has always been in the habit of plundering and absconding, you of rushing out of sight with rapid flight, where am I to look for you both when the day comes? Fable 17. The Sheep, the Dog and the Wolf Liars generally pay the penalty of their guilt. A dog, who was a false accuser, having demanded of a sheep a loaf of bread, which he affirmed he had entrusted to her charge, a wolf, summoned as a witness, affirmed that not only one was owing, but ten. Condamped on false testimony, the sheep had to pay what she did not owe. A few days after, the sheep saw the wolf lying in a pit. This, said she, is the reward of villainy sent by the gods. Fable 18. The Woman in Labor No one returns with goodwill to the place which has done him a mischief. Her months completed, a woman in labor lay upon the ground, uttering woeful moans. Her husband entreated her to lay her body on the bed, where she might with more ease deposit her ripe burden. I feel far from confident, said she, that my pains can end in the place where they originated. Fable 19. The Bitch and Her Welps The fair words of a wicked man are fraught with treachery, and the subjoined lions warn us to shun them. A bitch, ready to welp, having entreated another that she might give birth to her offspring in her kennel, easily obtained the favor. Afterwards, on the other asking for her place back again, she renewed her entreaties, earnestly begging for a short time, until she might be enabled to lead forth her welps when they had gained sufficient strength. This time being also expired, the other began more urgently to press for her bow. If, said the tenant, you can be a match for me and my litter, I will depart from the place. Fable 20. The Hungry Dogs An ill-judged project is not only without effect, but also lures mortals to their destruction. Some dogs spied a raw hide sunk in a river. An order that they might more easily get it out and devour it, they fell to drinking up the water. They burst, however, and perished before they could reach what they sought. Fable 21. The Aged Lion, the Wild Boar, the Bull, and the Yes. Whoever has fallen from a previous high estate is, in his calamity, the but even of cowards. As a lion, worn out with years and deserted by his strength, lay drawing his last breath, a wild boar came up to him, with flashing tusks, and with a blow, revenged an old fron. Next, with hostile horns, a bull pierced the body of his foe. An ass, unseen the wild beast maltreated with impunity, tore up his forehead with his heels. On this, expiring, he said, I have borne with indignation the insults of the brave, but in being inevitably forced to bear with you this grace to nature I seem to die a double death. Fable 22. The Man and the Weasel A weasel, on being caught by a man, wishing to escape impending death, Pray, said she, do spare me, for it is I who keep your house clear of troublesome mice. The man made answer, if you did so for my sake it would be a reason for thanking you, and I should have granted you the pardon you entreat. But, inasmuch as you do your best, that you may enjoy the scraps which they would have nod, and devour the mice as well, don't think of placing your pretended services to my account. And so saying, he put the wicked creature to death. Those persons ought to recognize this as applicable to themselves, whose object is private advantage, and who boasts to the unthinking of an unreal merit. Fable 23. The Faithful Dog The man who becomes liberal all of a sudden gratifies the foolish, but for the weary spreads his toils in vain. A thief one night threw a crust of bread to a dog, to try whether he could be gained by the preferred victuals. Hark, you, said a dog, do you think to stop my tongue so that I may not bark for my master's property? You are greatly mistaken. For this sudden liberality bids me be on the watch that you may not profit by my neglect. Fable 24. The Frog and the Ox The needy man, while effecting to imitate the powerful, comes to ruin. Once on a time, a frog aspired an ox in a meadow, and moved with envy at his vast bulk, puffed out her wrinkled skin, and then asked her young ones whether she was bigger than the ox. They said, no. Again, with still greater efforts, she distended her skin, and in like manner inquired which was the bigger. They said, the ox. At last, while full of indignation, she tried, with all her might, to puff herself out, she burst her body on the spot. Fable 25. The Dog and the Crocodile Those who give bad advice to discreet persons, both lose their pains, and are left to scorn. It has been related that dogs drink at the River Nile, running along, that they may not be seized by the crocodiles. Accordingly, a dog having begun to drink while running along, a crocodile does address him. Lapt as leisurely as you like. Drink on, come nearer, and don't be afraid, said he. The other replied, E. God, I would do so with all my heart. Did I not know that you are eager for my flesh? Fable 26. The Fox and the Stork Harm should be done to no man, but if anyone do an injury, this Fable shows that he may be visited with a like return. A fox is sad to have given a stork the first invitation to a banquet, and to have placed before her some thin broth in a flat dish, of which the hungry stork could in no way get a taste. Having invited the fox in return, she sat before him a narrow-mouthed jar full of minced meat, and, thrusting her beak into it, satisfied herself while she tormented her guest with hunger, who, after having in vain licked the neck of the jar, as we have heard, thus addressed the foreign bird. Everyone is bound to bear patiently the results of his own example. Fable 27. The Dog, the Treasure, and the Vulture This Fable may be applied to the ever-riches, and to those who, born to a humble lot, affect to be called rich. Grubbing up human bones, a dog met with a treasure, and, because he had offended the gods' domains, a desire for riches was inspired in him, that so he might pay the penalty due to the holy character of the place. Accordingly, while he was watching over the gold, forgetful of food, he was starved to death, on which a vulture standing over him is reported to have said, O dog, you justly meet your death, who, begotten at a cross-road, and bred up on a dung-hill, have suddenly coveted regal wealth. Fable 28. The Fox and the Eagle Men, however high in station, ought to be on their guard against the lowly, because, to ready address, revenge lies near at hand. An eagle one day carried off the welps of a fox, and placed them in her nest before her young ones, for them to tear in pieces as food. The mother, following her, began to entreat, that she would not cause such sorrow to her miserable civilian. The other despised her, as being safe in the very situation of the spot. The fox snatched from an altar a burning torch, and surrounded the whole tree with flames, intending to mingle anguish to her foe with the loss of her offspring. The eagle, that she might rescue her young ones from the peril of death, in a suppliant manner restored to the fox her welps in safety. Fable 29. The Ass deriding the Boar Fools often, while trying to raise a silly laugh, provoke others by gross affronts, and cause serious danger to themselves. An Ass meeting a boar. Good moral to you, brother, says he. The other indignantly rejects the salutation, and inquires why he thinks proper to others such an untruth. The Ass, with legs crouching down, replies, If you deny that you are like me, at all events I have something very like your snout. The boar, just on the point of making a fierce attack, suppressed his rage, and said, Revenge were easy for me, but I declined to be defiled with such dastardly blood. Fable 30. The Frogs Frightened at the Battle of the Bulls When the powerful are at variance, the lowly are the sufferers. A frog, viewing from a march a combat of some bulls, Alas, said she, what terrible destruction is threatening us. Being asked by another why she said so, as the bulls were contending for the sovereignty of the herd and passed their lives afar from them, The habitation is at a distance, said she, and they are of a different kind. Still, he who is expelled from sovereignty of the meadow will take to flight, and come to the secret hiding places in the fence, and tremble and crush us with his hard hoof. Thus does their fury concern our safety. Fable 31. The Kite and the Pigeons He who entrusts himself to the protection of a wicked man, while he seeks assistance, meets with destruction. Some pigeons, having often escaped from a kite, and by their swiftness of wing avoided death, the spoiler had recourse to stratagem, and by a crafted device of this nature, deceived the harmless race. Why do you prefer to live a life of anxiety, rather than conclude a treaty, and make me your king, who can ensure your safety from every injury? They, putting confidence in him, entrusted themselves to the kite, who, on obtaining the sovereignty, began to devour them one by one, and to exercise authority with his cruel talents. Then, said one of those that were left, deservedly always smitten. End of Book 1. Book 2. Of the Fables of Fidris This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Lenny. The Fables of Fidris by Fidris. Translated by Harry Thomas Riley. Book 2. The Prologue The plan of Issa is confined to instruction by examples. Nor by Fables is anything else aimed at, than that the errors of mortals may be corrected, and persevering industry exert itself. Whatever the playful invention, therefore, of the narrator, so long as it pleases the ear, and answers its purpose, it is recommended by its merits, not by the author's name. For my part, I will, with all care, follow the method of the sage. But if I should think fit to insert something of my own, that variety of subjects may gratify the taste, I trust reader. It will take it in good part, provided that my brevity be a fair return for such a favor, of which, that my praises may not be verbose, listen to the reason why you ought to deny the covetous, and even to offer to the modest, that for which they have not asked. Fable 1. The Lion, the Robber, and the Traveler While a lion was standing over a bullock, which he had brought to the ground, a robber came up, and demanded a share. I would give it you, said the lion, were you not in the habit of taking without leave, and so repulsed the rogue. By chance a harmless traveler was led to the same spot, and on seeing the wild beast retraced his steps, on which the lion kindly said to him, you have nothing to fear, boldly take the share which is due to your modesty. Then, having divided the carcass, he sought the woods that he might make room for the man. A very excellent example, and worthy of all praise, but covetousness is rich and modesty in one. Fable 2. The two women of different ages beloved by the middle-aged men. That the men, under all circumstances, are preyed upon by the women, whether they love or are beloved, this truly we learn from examples. A woman, not devoid of grace, held and thralled a certain man of middle age, concealing her ears by the art of the toilet. A lovely young creature, too, had captivated the heart of the same person. Both, as they were desirous to appear of the same age with him, began, each in her turn, to pluck out the hair of the man. While he imagined that he was made trim by the care of the women, he suddenly found himself bald, for the young woman had entirely pulled out the white hairs, the old woman, the black ones. Fable 3. The man and the dog. A man, torn by the bite of a savage dog, threw a piece of bread dipped in his blood to the offender, a thing that he had heard was a remedy for the wound. Then said Issa, Don't do this before many dogs, lest they devour as alive, when they know that such is the reward of guilt. The success of the wicked is a temptation to many. Fable 4. The eagle, the cat, and the wild sow. An eagle had made her nest at the top of an oak. A cat, who had found a hole in the middle, had kitten there. A sow, a dweller in the woods, had laid her offspring at the bottom. Then thus does the cat, with the seat and wick malice, destroy the community, so formed by accident. She mounts up to the nest of the bird. Destruction, says she, is preparing for you, perhaps to forage me. For, as you see, the sow, digging up the earth every day, is insidiously trying to overthrow the oak, that she may easily seize our progeny on the ground. Having thus spread terror and bewildered the eagle's senses, the cat creeps down to the lair of the bristly sow. In great danger, says she, are your offspring, for as soon as you go out to forage with your young litter, the eagle is ready to snatch away from you, your little pigs. Having filled this place likewise with alarm, she cunningly hides herself in her safe hole. Then she wanders forth on tiptoe by night, and having filled herself and her offspring with food, she looks out all day long, pretending alarm. Fearing the downfall, the eagle sits still in the branches. To avoid the attack of the spoiler, the sow stirs not abroad. By make a long story, they perished through hunger with their young ones, and afforded the cat and her kittens an ample repast. Silly credulity may take this as a proof how much evil a double-tongued man may often contrive. Fable 5. Caesar to the Chamberlain There is a certain set of busybodies at Rome, hurriedly running to and fro, busily engaged in idleness, out of breath, about nothing at all, with much ado doing nothing, trouble to themselves, and most annoying to others. It is my object, by a true story, to reform this race, if indeed I can, it is worth your while to attend. Tiberius Caesar, when on his way to Naples, came to his country-seat at Misannum, which, placed by the hand of Lucalus on the summit of the Heights, beholds the Sicilian sea in the distance, and that of Etruria, close at hand. One of the highly-girred Chamberlains, whose tunic of Pelusian linen was nicely smoothed from his shoulders downwards, with hanging fringes, while his master was walking through the pleasant shrubberies, began, with bustling officiousness, to sprinkle the parched ground with a wooden watering-pot, but only got left at. Thence, by shortcuts to him well-known, he runs before into another walk, laying the dust. Caesar takes notice of the fellow, and discerns his object. Just as he is supposing that there is some extraordinary good fortune in store for him, come hither, says his master, on which he skips up to him, quickened by the joyous hope of a sure reward. Then, in a jesting tone, thus spoke the mighty majesty of the prince. You have not profited much, your labor is all in vain, menu-mission stands at a much higher price with me. Fable six, the eagle, the crow, and the tortoise. No one is sufficiently armed against the powerful, but if a wicked advisor joins them, nothing can withstand such a combination of violence and unscrupulousness. An eagle carried the tortoise aloft, who had hidden her body in her horny abode, and in her concealment could not, while thus sheltered, be injured in any way. A crow came through the air, and flying near explained, You really have carried off a rich prize in your talents, but if I don't instruct you what you must do, in vain will you tire yourself with the heavy weight. A share being promised her, she persuades the eagle to dash the hard shell from the lofty stars upon a rock, that, it being broken to pieces, she may easily feed upon the mead. Induced by her words, the eagle attends to her suggestion, and at the same time gives a large share of the banquet to her instructors. Thus she, who had been protected by the bounty of nature, being an unequal match for the two, perished by an unhappy fate. Fable seven, the mules and the robbers. Leading with burdens, two mules were travelling along. The one was carrying baskets with money, the other, sex, distended with store of barley. The former, rich with his burden, goes exulting along with Mack Erect, and tossing to and fro upon his throat his clear-tone bell. His companion follows, with quiet and easy step. Suddenly some robbers rush from ambush upon them, and amid the slaughter, pierce the mule with a sword, and carry off the money. The valueless barley they neglect. While then the one despoiled was bewailing their mishaps, for my part, says the other, I am glad I was thought so little of, for I have lost nothing, nor have I received hurt by a wound. According to the moral of this fable, poverty is safe, great riches are liable to danger. Fable eight, the stag and the oxen. A stag aroused from his woodland lair to avoid impending death, threatened by huntsmen, repaired with blind fear to the nearest farmhouse, and hid himself in an ox-tall close at hand. Upon this an ox said to him, as he concealed himself, Why, what do you mean, unhappy one? In thus rushing of your own accord upon destruction, and trusting your life to the abode of men. To this he suppliantly replied, Do you only spare me, the moment an opportunity is given, I will again rush forth. Night in her turn takes the place of day. The neat herd brings fodder, but yet sees him not. All the farm servants pass and repass every now and then, no one perceives him, even the steward passes by, nor does he observe anything. Upon this the stag in his joy began to return thanks to the oxen who had kept so still, because they had afforded him hospitality in the hour of adversity. One of them made a decision, we really do wish you well, but if he who has a hundred eyes should come, your life will be placed in great peril. In the meanwhile the master himself comes back from dinner, and having lately seen the oxen in bad condition, comes up to the rack. Why, says he, is there so little fodder? Is litter scarce? What great trouble is it to remove those oxen? While he is sprying into every corner, he perceives too the branching horns of the stag, and having summoned the household, he orders him to be killed, and carries off the prize. This fable signifies that the master sees better than anyone else in his own affairs. The epilogue. The Athenians erected a statue to the stag, to the stag, and placed him, though a slave, upon an everlasting pedestal, that all might know that the way to fame is open to all, and that glory is not awarded to birth, but to merit. Since another has prevented me from being the first, I have made it my object, a thing which still lay in my power that he should not be the only one. Nor is this envy, nor is it the same. Nor is this envy, but emulation. And if Lashiem shall favour my efforts, she will have still more authors whom she may match with Greece. But if jealousy shall attempt to detract from my labours, still it shall not deprive me of the consciousness of deserving praise. If my attempts reach your ears and your taste relishes these fables, as being composed with skill, my success then benishes every complaint. If, on the contrary, my learned labours fall into the hands of those whom a perverse nature has brought to the light of day and who are unable to do anything except carve at their bedders, I shall endure my unhappy destiny with strength of mind until fortune is ashamed of her own injustice. End of book two. Book three of The Fables of Fidges. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Linny. The Fables of Fidges by Fidges. Translated by Henry Thomas Riley. Book three. The Prologue. Two Eutikus. If you have a desire, Eutikus, to read the little books of Fidges, you must keep yourself disengaged from business, that your mind, at liberty, may relish the meaning of the lines. But, you say, my genius is not of such great value that a moment of time should be lost for it to my own pursuits. There is no reason, then, why that should be touched by your hands, which is not suited for years so engaged. Perhaps you will say, some holidays will come which will invite me to study with mind unbent. Will you rather, I ask you, read worthless ditties than bestow attention to your concerns, give moments to your friends, your leisure to your wife, relax your mind, and refresh your body in order that you may return more efficiently to your wanted ditties? You must change your purpose and your mode of life if you have thoughts of crossing the threshold of the muses. I, whom my mother brought forth on the Payerian Hill, upon which Halok Nemozine, nine times fruitful, I was born almost in the very school itself and have entirely erased all care for acquiring wealth from my breast, and with the approval of many have applied myself to these pursuits and still with difficulty received into the choir of the poets. What do you imagine must be the lot of him who seeks with ceaseless vigilance to amass great wealth, preferring the sweets of gain and earning? But now, come of it what may, as Sinon said, when he was brought before the king of Dardania, I will trace a third book with the pen of Eesup and dedicate it to you in acknowledgment of your honor and your goodness. If you read it, I shall rejoice. But if otherwise, at least posterity will have something with which to amuse themselves. I will explain in a few words why fabulous narrative was invented. Slavery, subject to the will of another because it did not dare to say what it wished, couched its sentiments in fables and by pleasing fictions eluded censure. In place of its footpath I have made a road and have invented more than it left selecting some points to my own misfortune. But if any other than Sejanas had been the informer if any other the witness if any other the judge in fine I should confess myself deserving of such severe woes nor should I soothe my sorrow with these expedience. If any one shall make erroneous surmises and apply to himself what is applicable to all in common he will absurdly expose the secret convictions of his mind. And still to him I would hold myself excused with no intention of mine to point at individuals but to describe life itself and the manners of mankind. Perhaps someone will say that I undertake a weighty task if Issa Pofrigia if Anarchases of Scythia could, by their genius found a lesson in fame why should I whom am more nearly related to learn Greece forsake in sluggish indolence the glories of my country especially as the Thracian race numbers its own authors and Apollo was the parent of Linus abuse of Orpheus who with his song moved rocks and tamed wild beasts and held the current of Hebrews in sweet suspense away then envy nor lament in vain because to me the customary fame is due I have urged you to read these lines I beg that you will give me your sincere opinion of them with your well-known candor fable one the old woman and the casque an old woman aspired a casque which had been drained to the dregs lying on the ground and which still spread forth from its ennobled shell a delightful smell of the Falernian Lees after she had greedily snuffed it up her nostrils with all her might oh delicious fragrance said she but I should say were your former contents when the remains of them are such what this refers to let him say who knows me fable two the panther and the shepherd repayment and kind is generally made by those who are despised a panther had once inadvertently fallen into a pit the rustic saw her some belabored her with sticks others pelted her with stones some on the other hand moved with compassion seeing that she must die even though no one should hurt her threw her some bread to sustain existence night comes on a pace homework they go without concern making sure of finding her dead on the following day she however after having recruited her failing strength with a swift bound affected her escape from the pit and with hurried pace a few days intervening she sell his forth slaughters the flocks kills the shepherds themselves and laying waste every side rages with unbridled fury upon this those who had shown mercy to the beast alarmed for their safety made no demur to the loss of their flocks and begged only for their lives but she does answer them I remember him who attacked me with stones and him who gave me bread laid aside your fears I return as an enemy to those only who injured me fable three is up and the farmer one taught by experience is proverbially said to be more quick witted than a wizard but the reason is not told which now for the first time shall be made known by my fable the use of a certain man who reared flocks with human heads dreadfully alarmed at the prodigy he runs full of concern to the soothsayers one answers that it bears reference to the life of the owner and that the danger must be averted with a victim another, no wiser affirms that it is meant that his wife is an adulteress and his children are spurious but that it can be atoned for by a victim of greater age why enlarge and greatly aggravate the anxiety of the man ease of being at hand a sage of nice discernment whom nature could never deceive by appearances remarked if you wish farmer to take due precautions against this portent find wives for your shepherds fable four the butcher and the ape a man seen an ape hanging up at the butchers among the rest of his commodities on which the butcher joking replied just as the head is such I warrant is the taste this I deem to be said more facetiously than correctly for on the one hand I have often found the good looking to be very naïve and on the other I have known many with ugly features to be most worthy men fable five ease up and the insolent man success leads many to their ruin an insolent fellow threw a stone at ease up well done said he and then gave him a penny thus continuing upon my faith I have got no more but I will show you where you can get some see yonder comes a rich and influential man throw a stone at him in the same way and you will receive a due reward the other being persuaded did as he was advised bearing impudence however was disappointed of its hope for being seized he paid the penalty on the cross fable six the fly and the mule a fly sat on the pole of a chariot and rebuking the mule how slow you are said she take care that I don't prick your neck with my sting the mule made answer I am not moved by your words but I fear him who sitting on the next seat guides my yoke with his ply and whip and governs my mouth with the foam covered rains therefore seize your frivolous impertinence for I well know when to go at a gentle pace and when to run in this fable he may be deservedly ridiculed who without any strength gives utterance to vain threats fable seven the dog and the wolf I will show in a few words how sweet is liberty a wolf quite starved with hunger chance to meet a well fed dog and as they stop to salute each other pray said the wolf how is it that you are so sleek or on what food have you made so much flesh I who am far stronger the dog frankly replied you may enjoy the same condition if you can render the like service to your master what is it said the other to be the guardian of his threshold and to protect the house from thieves at night I am quite ready for that said the wolf at present I have to endure snow and showers dragging on a wretched existence how much more pleasant for me to be living under a roof and at my ease to be stuffed with plenty of victuals come along then with me said the dog as they were going along the wolf observed the neck of the dog where it was worn with the chain when comes this my friend oh it is nothing do tell me though because I appear to be fierce they fastened me up in the daytime that I may be quiet when it is light and watch when night comes unchained at midnight I wonder wherever I please bread is brought me without my asking from his own table my master gives me bones the servants throw me bits and whatever dainties each person leaves thus without trouble on my part is my belly filled well if you have a mind to go anywhere are you at liberty certainly not replied the dog then dog enjoy what you boast of I would not be a king to lose my liberty fable eight the brother and sister worn by this lesson often examine yourself a certain man had a very ugly daughter and also a son remarkable for his handsome features these diverting themselves chance to look into a mirror as it lay upon their mother's chair he praises his own good looks she's vexed and cannot endure the railery of her boasting brother construing everything and how could she do otherwise as a reproach against herself accordingly off she runs to her father to be avenged on him in her turn and with great rancor makes a charge against the son how that he though a male has been meddling with a thing that belongs to the women embracing them both kissing them and dividing his tender affection between the two he said I wish you both to use the mirror every day you that you may not spoil your beauty by vicious conduct you that you may make amends by your virtues for your looks fable nine socrates to his friends the name of a friend is common but fidelity is rarely found socrates having later himself the foundation of a small house a man whose death I would not decline if I could acquire similar fame and like him I could yield to envy if I might be but acquitted when ashes one of the people who remarks as are usual in these cases asked why do you so faint as you are build so small a house I only wish he replied I could fill it with real friends fable ten the poet on believing and not believing it is dangerous alike to believe or to disbelieve of either fact I will briefly lay before you an instance that I have met his death because his stepmother was believed because Cassandra was not believed Troy fell therefore we ought to examine strictly into the truth of a matter rather than suffer an erroneous impression to pervert our judgment but that I may not weaken this truth by referring to fabulous antiquity I will relate to you a thing that happened within my own memory a certain married man who was very fond of his wife having now provided the white toga for his son was privately taken aside by his freedman who hoped that he should be substituted as his next heir and who, after telling many lies about the youth and still more about the misconduct of the chaste wife added what he knew would especially grieve one so fond that a gallant was in the habit of paying her visits and that the honor of his house was stained with Bayes adultery enraged at the supposed guilt of his wife the husband pretended a journey to his country house and privately stayed behind in town then at night he suddenly entered at the door making straight to his wife's apartment in which the mother had ordered her son to sleep keeping a strict eye over his ripening years while they are seeking for a light the servants are hurrying to and fro unable to restrain the violence of his raging passion he approaches the bed and feels ahead in the dark when he finds the hair cut close he plunges his sword into the sleeper's breast caring for nothing so he but avenge his injury a light being brought at the same instant he beholds his son and his chaste wife sleeping in her apartment fast locked in her first sleep had heard nothing on the spot he inflicted punishment on himself for his guilt and fell upon the sword which a too easy belief had unsheathed the accusers indicted the woman and dragged her to Rome before the Santamviri innocent as she was dark suspicion weighed heavily against her because she had come possessor of his property her patrons stand and boldly plead the cause of the guiltless woman the judges then besought the emperor Augustus that he would aid them in the discharge of their oath as the intricacy of the case had embarrassed them after he had dispelled the clouds raised by Calumni and had discovered a sure source of truth let the freedmen said he the cause of the mischief suffered punishment but as for her at the same instant bereft of a son and deprived of a husband I deem her to be pitied rather than condemned if the father of the family had thoroughly inquired into the charge preferred and had shrewdly sifted the lying accusations he would not by a dismal crime have ruined his house from the very foundation let the ear despise nothing nor yet let it accord implicit belief at once since not only do those err whom you would be far from suspecting but those who do not err are sometimes falsely and maliciously accused this also may be a warning to the simple not to form a judgment on anything according to the opinion of another for the different aims of mortals either follow the bias of their good will or their prejudice he alone will be correctly estimated by you whom you judge of by personal experience these points I have enlarged upon as by too great brevity I have offended some fable 11 the eunuch to the abusive man a eunuch had a dispute with a scurrilous fellow who in addition to obscene remarks and insolent abuse reproached him with the misfortune of his mutilated person look you said the eunuch this is the only point as to which I am effectively staggered for as much as I want the evidences of integrity but why is simpleton do you charge me with the fault of fortune that alone is really disgraceful to a man which he has deserved to suffer fable 12 the cock and the pearl a young cock while seeking for food on a dung hill found a pearl and exclaimed what a fine thing are you to be lying in so unseemly a place if anyone sensible of your value had aspired you here it would long ago have returned to your former brilliancy and it is I who have found you I to whom food is far preferable I can be of no use to you or you to me this I relate for those who have no relish for me fable 13 the bees and the drones the wasp sitting as a judge some bees had made their combs in a lofty oak some lazy drones asserted that these belong to them the cause was brought into court the wasp sitting as judge who being perfectly acquainted with either race proposed to the two parties these terms your shape is not unlike and your color is similar so that the affair clearly and fairly becomes a matter of doubt but that my sacred duty may not be at fault through insufficiency of knowledge each of you take hives and pour your productions into the walks and cells that from the flavor of the honey and the shape of the calm the maker of them about which the present dispute exists may be evident the drones decline the proposal pleases the bees upon this the wasp renounces sentence to the following effect it is evident who cannot and who did make them wherefore to the bees I restore the fruits of their labors thus fable I should have passed by in silence if the drones had not refused the proposed stipulation fable 14 is a play an Athenian seeing is a in a crowd of boys at play with nuts stopped and left at him for a madman as soon as the sage a leper at others rather than one to be left at perceive this he placed an unstrung bow in the middle of the road hark you wise men said he unriddle what I have done the people gather round the man torments his invention a long time but cannot make out the reason of the proposed question at last he gives up upon this the victorious philosopher says you will soon break the bow if you always keep it bent but if you loosen it it will be fit for use when you want it thus ought recreation sometimes to be given to the mind that it may return to you better fitted for thought fable 15 the dog to the lamb a dog said to a lamb bleeding among some she goats simpleton you are mistaken your mother is not here in a flock by themselves I'm not looking for her said the lamb who when she thinks fit conceives then carries her unknown burden for a certain number of months and at last empties out the fallen bundle but for her who presenting her utter nourishes me and deprives her young ones of milk that I may not go without still said the dog she ought to be preferred who brought you forth not at all she ought to know whether I should be born black or white however suppose she did know seeing I was born a male truly she conferred a great obligation on me in giving me birth that I might expect the butcher every hour why should she who had no power in engendering me be preferred to her who took pity on me as I lay and of her own accord showed me a welcome affection it is kindness my experience not the ordinary course of nature by these lines the author meant to show that men are averse to fixed rules what are won by kind services fable 16 the grasshopper and the owl he who does not conform to courtesy mostly pays the penalty of his superciliousness a grasshopper was making a chirping that was disagreeable to an owl who was want to see her living in the dark and in the daytime to take her rest in a hollow tree she was asked to seize her noise but she began much more loudly to send forth her note and treaties urged again only set her on still more the owl when she saw she had no remedy and that her words were slighted attack the chatterer with this strategy as your song which one might take for the tones the owl's lyre will not allow me to go to sleep I have a mind to drink some nectar which palace lately gave me if you do not object come let us drink together the other who was parched with thirst as soon as she found her voice complimented eagerly flew up the owl coming forth from her hollow seized the trembling thing and put her to death thus what she had refused the trees under the protection of the gods the gods in days of yore made choice of such trees as they wished to be under their protection the oak pleased Jupiter the myrtle Venus the laurel Phoebus the pine Cybilly the lofty poplar Hercules Minerva wondering why they had chosen the barren ones inquired the reason Jupiter answered that we may not seem to sell the honor for the fruit now so heaven help me said she that anyone say what he likes but the olive is more pleasing to me on account of its fruit then said the father of the gods and the creator of men whole daughter it is with justice that you are called wise by all unless what we do is useful vain is our glory this little fable admonishes us to do nothing that is not profitable fable 18 the peacock to Juno a peacock came to Juno complaining sadly that she had not given to him the song of the nightingale that it was the admiration of every ear while he himself was left at the very instant he raised his voice the goddess to console him replied but you surpassed the nightingale in beauty you surpassed him in size the brilliancy of the emerald shines upon your neck and you unfold a tale be jammed with painted plumage wherefore give me he retorted a beauty that is dumb if I am surpassed in voice by the will of the fates said she have your respective qualities been assigned beauty to you strength to the eagle melody to the nightingale to the raven presages to the crow all of these are contented with their own endowments covered not that which has not been granted you lest your baffled hopes sink down to useless repinings fable 19 Issape's answer to the inquisitive man when Issape was the only servant of his master he was ordered to prepare dinner earlier than usual accordingly he went round to several houses seeking for fire and at last found a place at which to light his lantern then as he had made a rather long circuit he shortened the way back for he went home straight through the forum there a certain busybody in the crowd said to him Issape, why with a light at midday I'm in search of a man said he and went hastily homewards if the inquisitive fellow reflected on this answer he must have perceived that the sage did not deem him a man who could so unseasonably rally him when busy epilogue there are yet remaining fables for me to write but I purposely abstain first that I may not seem troublesome to you whom a multiplicity of matters distract and next that if perchance any other person is desirous to make a little attempt he may still have something left to do although there is so abundant a stock of matter that an artist will be wanting to the work not work to the artist I request that you will give the reward to my brevity which you promised make good your word for life each day is nearer unto death and the greater the time that is wasted in the lace the less the advantage that will accrue to me if you dispatch the matter quickly the more lasting will be my enjoyment the sooner I receive your favors the longer shall I have the benefit thereof while there are yet some remnants of a varied life there is room for your goodness and after times your kindness will in vain endeavour to aid me and firm with old age for then I shall have cease to be able to enjoy your kindness and death close at hand will be claiming its due I deem it foolish to address my entreaties to you when your compassion is so ready spontaneously to render assistance a criminal has often gained pardon by confessing how much more reasonably ought it to be granted to the innocent it is your province now to judge of my cause it will fall to others by and by and again by a like revolution the turn of others will come pronounce the sentence as religion as your oath permits and give me reason to rejoice in your decision my feelings have passed the limits they had proposed but the mind is with difficulty restrained which conscious of unsullied integrity is exposed to the insults of spiteful men who are they you will ask they will be seen in time for my part so long as I shall continue in my senses I shall take care to recollect that it is a dangerous thing for a man of humble birth to murmur in public end of book three book four of the fables of features this Slippery Fox recording is in the public domain recording by Linnie the fables of Fidris by Fidris translated by Henry Thomas Riley book four prologue too particular when I had determined to put an end to my labors with the view that there might be material enough left for others in my mind I silently condemned my resolve for even if there is anyone desires of the like fame how will he guess what it is I have omitted so as to wish to hand down that same to posterity since each man has a turn of thinking of his own and a tone peculiar to himself it was not therefore any fickleness but assured grounds that set me upon writing again wherefore particularly as you are amused by fables which I will style isopian not those of Issa for whereas he published I have brought out a great many employing the old style but with modern subjects now at your leisure you shall pre-use a fourth book if envy shall choose to carp at it so long as it cannot imitate why let it carp I have gained glory enough in that you and others like to you have quoted my words in your writings and have thought me worthy of being long remembered why should I stand in need of the applause of the literate fable one the ass and the priests of Cibeli he who has been born to ill luck not only passes an unhappy life but even after death the cruel rigor of destiny pursues him the Gellie priests of Cibeli were in the habit on their begging excursions of leading about an ass to carry their burdens when he was dead with fatigue and blows his hide being stripped off by the tambourines of their whiff afterwards on being asked by someone what they had done with their favorite they answered in these words he fancied that after death he would rest in quiet but see that as he is fresh blows are heaped upon him fable two the weasel and the mice this way of writing seems to you facetious and no doubt while we have nothing of more importance we do sport with a pen with attention and what useful lessons will you find concealed under them things are not always what they seem first appearances deceive many few minds understand what skill has hidden in an inmost corner that I may not appear to have said this without reason I will add a fable about the weasel and the mice a weasel worn out with years and old age being unable to overtake the active mice rolled herself in flower and threw herself carelessly along in a dark spot the mouse thinking her food jumped upon her and being caught was put to death another in like manner perished and then a third some others having followed an old brindled fellow came who had escaped snares and mouse traps full off and viewing from afar the strategy of the crafty foe very well said he you that are lying there as you are flower fable three the fox and the grapes urged by hunger a fox leaping with all her might try to reach a cluster of grapes upon a lofty vine when she found she could not reach them she left them saying they are not ripe yet I don't like to eat them while sour those who disparage what they cannot perform ought to apply this lesson to themselves fable four the horse and the wild boar while a wild boar was wallowing he muddied the shallow water at which a horse had been in the habit of quenching his thirst upon this a disagreement arose the horse enraged with the beast sought the aid of men and raising him on his back returned against the foe after the horseman hurling his javelins had slain the boar he said to have spoken thus I am glad that I gave assistance at your entreaties for I have captured the prey and have learned how useful you are and so compelled him and willing as he was to submit to the rain then said the horse sorrowing foe that I am while seeking to revenge a trifling matter I have met with slavery this fable will admonish the passionate it is better to be injured with impunity than to put ourselves in the power of another fable five ease up interpreting a will I will show to posterity by a short story that there is often more merit in one man than in a multitude a person at his death left three daughters one handsome and hunting for the man with her eyes the second an industrious spinner of wool the third given to wine and very ugly now the old man made their mother his heir on this condition that she should distribute his whole fortune equally among the three but in such a manner that they should not possess or enjoy what was given them and further that as soon as they should cease to have the property which they had received they should pay over to their mother a hundred thousand sisters the anxious mother consults the learned in the law no one can explain in what way they are not to possess what has been given or have the enjoyment of it and then again in what way those who have received nothing are to pay money after a long time had been wasted and still the meaning of the will could not be understood the parent disregarding the strict letter of the law consulted equity for the wanton set aside the garments female trinkets silver bathing vessels eunuchs and beardless boys for the worker in wool the fields, cattle, farm, laborers oxen, beasts of burden and implement of husbandry for the drinker a storeroom well stocked with casks of old wine a finely finished house and delightful gardens when she was intending to distribute what was thus set apart for each man he stood up in the midst of the multitude and exclaimed oh, if consciousness remained to their buried father how would he grieve that the people of Athens are unable to interpret his will on this being questioned he explained the error of them all the house and the furniture with the fine gardens and the old wines give to the worker in wool so fond of a country life the clothes, the pearls the attendants and other things present her life in luxury the fields, the vines and the flocks with the shepherds present to the wonton not one will be able to retain possession of what is alien to her taste the ungainly one will sell her wardrobe to procure wine the wonton will part with the lands to procure fine clothes and she who delights in cattle and attends to her spinning will get rid of her luxuries at any price and they will pay to their mother the son named from the price of the things which each of them has sold thus did the sagacity of one man find out what had baffled the superficial inquiries of many fable six the battle of the mice and the weasels when the mice overcome by the army of the weasels whose histories painted in our taverns took to flight and crowded in trepidation about their narrow lurking-holes however to escape death their leaders who had fastened horns to their heads in order that they might have a conspicuous sign for their troops to follow in battle stuck fast at the entrance and were captured by the enemy the victor sacrificing them with greedy teeth plunged them into the torturian recesses of his capacious pouch whenever a people was reduced to the last extremity the high position of its chiefs in danger the humble commonality easily finds safety in obscurity fable seven the poet's defense against the censures of his fables you fastidious critic who carped at my writings and disdained to read trifles of this kind endure with some small patience this little book while I smooth down the severity of your brow and ease up comes forward I have fallen on the summits of Pellian under the Thessalian axe and that Argus had never with the aid of Pallas invented a way boldly to meet certain death in the ship which to the destruction of Greeks and Barbarians first laid open the base of the inhospitable Iucine for both had the house of the proud Aetis to lament it and the realms of Pellias fell by the guilt of Medea who after concealing by various methods the cruelty of her disposition there effected her escape by means of the limbs of her brother and here and brewed the hands of the daughters of Pellias in their father's blood what think you of this this too is mere folly say you and is an untrue story for long before this minus of more ancient date subjected the Aegean seas with his fleet and by seasonable correction punished piratical attacks for you if neither fables nor tragic stories suit your taste do not be too severe upon all literary men lest they repay you the injury with interest this is said to those who are over squeamishing their folly and to gain a reputation for wisdom would censure heaven itself fable eight the viper and the file let him who with gritty teeth consider himself described in this fable a viper came into a smith's workshop and while on the search whether there was anything fit to eat faster her teeth upon a file that however disdainfully exclaimed why fool do you try to wound me with your teeth who am in the habit of gnawing asunder every kind of iron fable nine the fox and the goat as soon as a crafty man into danger he seeks to make his escape by the sacrifice of another a fox through inadvertence having fallen into a well and being closed in by the sides which were too high for her a goat parched with thirst came to the same spot and asked whether the water was good and in plenty the other, devising a strategy replied come down, my friend such is the goodness of the water long beer descended then the fox mounting on his high horns escaped from the well and left the goat to stick fast in the enclosed mud fable ten of the vices of men Jupiter has loaded us with a couple of wallets the one filled with our own vices he has placed at our backs the other heavy with those of others he has hung before from the circumstance to see our own faults but as soon as others make a slip we are ready to censure fable eleven a thief pillaging the altar of Jupiter a thief lighted his lamp at the altar of Jupiter and then plundered it by the help of its own light just as he was taking his departure laden with the results of his sacrilege the holy place suddenly sent forth these words these were the gifts of the wicked and to me abominable so much so that I care not to be spoiled of them still profane men thou shalt pay the penalty with thy life when hereafter the day of punishment appointed by fate arrives but that our fire by means of which piety worships the awful gods may not afford its light to crime I forbid that henceforth there shall be any such accordingly to this day it is neither lawful for a lamp to be lighted at the fire of the gods nor yet a sacrifice kindled from a lamp no other than he who invented this fable could explain how many useful lessons it affords in the first place it teaches that those whom you yourself have brought up may often be found the most hostile to you then again it shows that crimes are punished by the gods but at the time appointed by the fates lastly it warns the good to use nothing in common with the wicked fable 12 the evils of wealth Hercules and Plutus riches are deservedly despised by a man of worth because a well stored chest intercepts praise from its true objects when Hercules was received into heaven as the reward of his virtues the gods who were congratulating him on Plutus approaching with the child of fortune he turned away his eyes his father Jupiter inquired a reason I hate him says he because he's the friend of the wicked and at the same time corrupts all by presenting the temptation of gain fable 13 the lion reigning nothing is more advantageous to a man than to speak the truth the maxim that ought indeed to be approved of by all but still sincerity is frequently impelled to its own destruction the lion having made himself king of the wild beasts and wishing to acquire the reputation of equity abandoned his former course of repeating and contend among them with a moderate supply of food distributed hello justice with incorruptible fidelity but after second thoughts began to prevail the best is lost fable 15 the she goats and their beards the she goats having obtained of Jupiter the favor of a beard the he goats full of concern began to be indignant that the females rival them in their dignity suffer them said the god to enjoy their empty honors and to use the badge that belongs to your rank so long as they are not sharers in your courage to bear that those who are inferior to you in merit should be like you in outside appearances fable 16 the pilot and the mariners on a certain man complaining of his adverse fortune for the purpose of consoling him invented this fable a ship which had been tossed by a fierce tempest while the passengers were all in tears and filled with apprehensions of death on the day the pilot, changing to a serene aspect began to be born along in safety upon the buoyant waves and to inspire the mariners with an excess of gladness on this the pilot who had been rendered wise by experience remarked we ought to be moderate in our joy and to complain with caution for the whole of life is a mixture of grief and joy fable 17 the embassy of the dogs to Jupiter the dogs once sent ambassadors to Jupiter to entreat of him a happier lot in life and that he would deliver them from the insulting treatment of man who gave them bread mixed with bran and satisfied their most urgent hunger with filthy awful the ambassador set out but with no hasty steps whilst nothing with their nostrils for food in every filth being summoned they failed to make their appearance after some difficulty and brings them up in confusion as soon however as they saw the countenance of mighty Joe in their fright they berayed the whole palace out they go driven away with sticks but great Joe forbade that they should be sent back the dogs wondering that their ambassadors did not return and suspecting that they had committed something disgraceful after a while ordered others to be appointed to aid them rumors soon betrayed the former ambassadors dreading that something of a similar nature may happen a second time they stuffed the dogs behind with perfumes and plenty of them they give their directions the ambassadors are dispatched at once they take their departure they back for an audience and forthwith obtain it then did the most mighty father of the gods take his seat on his throne and brandish his thunders all things began to shake the dogs in alarm so sudden was the crash the government let fall the perfumes with their dung all cry out that the affront must be avenged but before proceeding to punishment thus spoke Jupiter it is not for a king to send ambassadors away nor is it a difficult matter to inflict proper punishment on the offense but by way of judgment this is the reward it shall have I don't forbid their return but they shall be famished with hunger lest they be not able and as for those who send such despicable ambassadors as you they shall never be free from the insults of men and so it is that even now the dogs of the present day are in expectation of their ambassadors when one of them sees a strange dog appear his nafs at his tail fable 18 the man and the snake he who gives relief to the wicked has to repent it before long a man took up a snake and crossed and warmed her in his bosom being compassionate to his own undoing for when she had recovered she instantly killed the man on another one asking her the reason of this crime she made answer that people may learn not to assist the wicked fable 19 the fox and the dragon while a fox digging a lair was throwing out the earth and making deeper who was watching some treasure hidden there as soon as the fox perceived him she began in the first place I beg that you will pardon my unintentional intrusion and next as you see clearly enough that gold is not suited to my mode of life have the goodness to answer me what profit do you derive from this toil or what is the reward so great that you should be deprived of sleep and pass your life in darkness none at all reply the other but this task has been assigned me by supreme jove then you neither take anything for yourself nor give to another such as the will of the fates don't be angry then if I say frankly the man is born under the displeasure of the gods who is like you as you must go to that place to which others have gone before why in the blindness of your mind do you torment your wretched existence to you I address myself misser joy of your air who rob the gods of their incense yourself of food who hear with sorrow the musical sound of the lyre whom the joyous notes of the pipes torment from whom the prize of provisions extorts a groan who while adding some far things to your estate offend heaven by your sordid perjuries who are for cutting down every expense at your funeral for fear libetina should be at all a gainer at the expense of your property fable 20 fidris although malice may disassemble for the present I am still perfectly aware what judgment it will think proper to arrive at whatever it shall hear deemed worthy to be transmitted to posterity it will say belongs to isab if it shall be not so well pleased with any portion it will for any wager contend that the same was composed by me one who thus thinks I would refute once for all by this my answer whether this work is silly or whether it is worthy of praise he was the inventor my hen has brought it to perfection but let us pursue our purpose in the order we proposed fable 21 the shipwreck of Simonides a learned man has always a fund of riches in himself Simonides who wrote such excellent lyric poems more easily to support his poverty began to make a tour of the celebrated cities of Asia singing the praises of victors for such rewards as he might receive after he had become enriched by this kind of gain he resolved to return to his native land by sea for he was born it is said in the island of Seas accordingly he embarked in a ship which a dreadful tempest together with its own rottenness caused to founder at sea some gather together their girdles others their precious effects which form the support of their existence one who was over inquisitive remarked are you going to save none of your property Simonides he made reply all my possessions are about me a few only made their escape by swimming for the majority being weighed down by their burdens perished some thieves make their appearance and sees what each person has saved leaving them naked Klatsomeneh an ancient city chance to be near to which the shipwrecked persons repaired here a person devoted to the pursuits of literature who had often read the lines of Simonides and was a very great admirer of him though he had never seen him knowing from his very language who he was received him with the greatest pleasure into his house and furnished him with clothes money and attendance the others meanwhile were caring about their pictures bagging for victuals Simonides' chance to meet them and as soon as he saw them remarked I told you that all my property was about me what you endeavored to save is lost Fable 22 the mountain in labor a mountain was in labor sending forth dreadful groans and there was in the district the highest expectation after all it brought forth a mouse this is designed for you who when you have threatened great things produced nothing Fable 23 the ant and the fly an ant and a fly were contending with great warmth which was of the greater importance the fly was the first to begin can you possibly compare with my endowments when a sacrifice is made I am the first to taste of the entrails that belong to the gods I pass my time among the altars I wander through all the temples soon as I have aspired it I seat myself on the head of a king and I taste of the chaste kisses of matrons I labor not and yet enjoy the nicest of things what like to this good rustic falls to your lot eating with the gods is certainly a thing to be boasted of by him who is invited not him who is loathed as an intruder you talk about kings and the kisses of matrons while I am carefully heaping up a stock of grain for winter I see you feeding on filth about the walls you frequent the altars yes and are driven away as often as you come you labor not therefore it is that you have nothing when you stand in need of it and further you boast about what modesty ought to conceal you tease me in summer when winter comes you are silent while the cold is shriveling you up and putting you to death a well stored abode harbors me surely I have now pulled down your pride enough a fable of this nature distinctly points out the characters of those who set themselves off with unfounded praises and of those whose virtues gain solid fame fable 24 Simone it is preserved by the gods I have said above how greatly learning is esteemed among men I will now hand down to posterity how great is the honor paid to it by the gods Simone it is the very same of whom I have before made mention agreed at a fixed price to write a panagyric for a certain pugilist who had been victorious accordingly he sought retirement as the meagerness of his subject cramped his imagination he used according to general custom the license of the poet and introduced the twin stars of Lida citing them as an example of similar honors he finished the poem according to contract but received only a third part of the sum agreed upon on his demanding the rest they said he will give it you whose praises occupy the other two thirds but that I may feel convinced that you have not departed in anger promised to dine with me as I intend to date to invite my kinsmen and the number of whom I reckon you although defrauded and smarting under the injury in order that he might not by parting on bad terms break off all friendly intercourse he promised that he would at the hour named he returned and took his place at table the banquet shone joyously with its cups the house resounded with gladness amid vast preparations when on a sudden two young men covered with dust and dripping with perspiration their bodies of more than human form requested one of the servants to call Simonides to them and say that it was of consequence to him to make no delay the man quite confused called forth Simonides and hardly had he put one foot out of the banquet room when suddenly the fall of the ceiling crushed the rest and no young men were to be seen at the gate the circumstances of the story I have told were made known all were persuaded that the personal intervention of the divinities has saved the poet's life by way of reward epilogue there are still remaining many things which I might say and there is a copious abundance of subjects but the witticisms well tined are pleasing out of place they discussed wherefore most upright particular values shall continue to be set upon the latin literature if you like not my genius at least approve my brevity which has the more just claim to be commended seeing how where is some poets usually are end of book four book five of the fables of fidris this LibriVox recording is in the public domain recording by Lenny the fables of fidris by fidris translated by Henry Thomas Riley book five prologue if I shall anywhere insert the name of Issa to whom I have already rendered every honor that was his due know that it is for the sake of his authority just as some statuaries do in our day who obtain a much greater prize for their productions if they inscribe the name of praxiteles on their marbles and marion on their polished silver let these fables obtain a hearing carping envy more readily favors the works of antiquity than those of the present day but now I turn to a fable with a moral to the purpose fable one Demetrius and Menander Demetrius who was called Philarius unjustly took possession of the sovereignty of Athens the mob according to their usual practice rushed from all quarters vying with each other and cheer him and wish him joy even the chief men kissed the hand by which they are oppressed while they silently lament the sad vicissitudes of fortune moreover those who live in retirement and take their ease come creeping in last of all that their absence may not injure them among these Menander famous for his comedies which Demetrius and other men perfumed with unwinds and clad in a flowing robe came with a mincing and languid step as soon as a tyrant caught sight of him at the end of the train what a feminine wretch said he is this who presumes to calming to my presence those near him made answer this is Menander the poet changed in an instant he exclaimed he could not easily exist fable two the travelers and the robber two soldiers having fallen in with a robber one fled while the others stood his ground and defended himself with a stout right hand the robber slain his cowardly companion comes running up and draws his sword then throwing back his traveling cloaks as let's have him I'll take care he shall soon know whom he attacks on this he who had vanquished the robber made answer I wish you had seconded me just now at least with those words I should have been still more emboldened believing them true now keep your sword quiet as well as your silly tongue that you may be able to deceive others who don't know you I who have experienced with what speed you take to your heels know full well that no dependence the story may be applied to him who is courageous in prosperity in times of danger takes the flight fable three the bald man and the fly a fly bid the bear paid of a bald man who endeavoring to crush it gave himself a heavy blow then said the fly adheringly you wanted to revenge the sting of a tiny insect with death what will you do to yourself who have added insult to injury the man made answer I am easily reconciled to myself because I know that there was no intention of doing harm but you worthless insect and one of a contemptible race who take a delight in drinking human blood I could wish to destroy you even at a heavier penalty this fable teaches that pardon is to be granted to him who urged through mistake but him who is designedly mischievous I deem to be deserving of any punishment fable four the man and the S a man having sacrificed a young board to the God Hercules to whom he owed performance of a vow made for the preservation of his health ordered the remains of the barley to be set for the S but he refused to touch it and said I would most willingly accept your food if he who had been fed upon it had not had his throat cut worn by the significance of this fable I have always been careful to avoid the game that exposed to hazard but say you those who have got riches by rapine are still in possession of them come then let us enumerate those who being detected have come to a bad end we will find that those so punished constitute a great majority rashness brings luck to a few misfortune to most fable five the buffoon and the country man are in the habit of erring through prejudice and while they stand up in defense of their erroneous notions are wants to be driven by plain facts the confession of their mistakes a rich man about to entertain the people with grand shows invited all by the promise of a reward to exhibit whatever new piece of ingenuity anyone could the performers came to the contest for fame among whom a buffoon said that he had a kind of entertainment which had never yet been brought out at any theater the rumor spreading brought together the whole city and the places empty shortly before suffice not for the multitude but as soon as he appeared on the stage alone and without any apparatus any stage assistance the very intenseness of expectation produced silence suddenly he dropped down his head towards his bosom to imitate the voice of a pig with his own that they concluded there was a real one under his cloak and ordered it to be shaken out this being done as soon as they found that nothing was discovered they loaded the man with many praises and bestowed upon him the greatest applause a country man seen the stake place he god said he he shun surpassed me and immediately gave out a picture on the following day a still greater crowd assembled prejudice had already taken possession of your mind and they took their seats determined to deride and not as unbiased spectators both performers come forth first the buffoon grunts away and excites their applause and awakens their acclamations next the country man pretending that he concealed a pig beneath his clothes which in fact he did because they had found none about the other twitched the ear of the real pig which he was concealing and with the pain forced from it its natural cry the people shouted with one voice that the buffoon had given a much more exact imitation and ordered the country man to be driven from the stage on this he produced the pig itself from the folds of his cloak and convicting them of their disgraceful mistake luck said he this shows what sort of judges you are fable six the two bald men a bald man chance to find a comb in the public road another equally destitute of hair came up calm said he shares whatever it is you have found the other showed the booty and added with all the will of the gods has favoured us but through the malignity of fate we have found as the saying is fable seven princeps the flute player when a weak mind beguiled by frivolous applause has once given way to insolent self-sufficiency such foolish vanity is easily exposed to ridicule princeps the flute player was pretty well known being accustomed to a company with his music on the stage fable seven fable seven fable seven a chance that at a representation I don't well remember what it was while the flying machine was being whirled along he fell heavily through inadvertence and broke his left leg when he would much rather have parted with two right ones he was picked up and carried to his house groaning aloud some months passed by before his cure is completed as is the way with the spectators for they are a merry race princeps the flute player was one to be kept at full stretch a certain nobleman was about to exhibit a show just when princeps was beginning to walk abroad with the present and entreaties he prevailed upon him merely to present himself on the day of the show when the day came a rumor about the flute player ran through the theater some affirmed that he was dead some that he would appear before them without delay he was immersed in the usual form at this moment the chorus struck up a song unknown to him who had so recently returned of which the burden was this rejoice Rome insecurity for your prince princeps as well all rides with one consent and applaud the flute player kisses hands and imagines that his friends are congratulating him the equestrian order perceived the ridiculous mistake was wrong it is repeated my man now throws himself sprawling at full length upon the stage ridiculing him the nights applaud while the people fancy he's only asking for a chaplet when, however the reality came to be known throughout all the tires princeps his leg bound up with a snow white fillet clad in a snow white tunic and snow white shoes his head house was thrust out headlong by common consent fable eight the emblem of opportunity a bald man balancing on a razor's edge fleet afoot his forehead covered with hair his body naked if you have caught him hold him fast when he has once escaped not Jupiter himself can overtake him he's the emblem of opportunity the Romanians devised such a portraiture of time to signify that slothful delay should not hinder the execution of our purposes fable nine the bull and the calf when a bull was struggling with his horns in a narrow passage and could hardly effect an entrance to the manger a calf began to point out in what way he might turn himself hush said the bull him who would instruct a wiser man, considered this as said to himself. Fable X. THE HUNTSMAN AND THE DOG A dog, who had always given satisfaction to his master by his boldness against swift and savage beasts, began to grow feeble under increasing years. On one occasion, being urged to the combat with a bristly bore, he seized him by the ear, but through the rottenness of his teeth let go his prey. Vax said this, the huntsman, upgrade the dog. Old Barker replied, it is not my courage that disappoints you, but my strength. You commend me for what I have been, and you blame me that I am not what I was. Uphilitus may easily perceive why I have written this. END OF BOOK V. END OF THE FABLE OF FEEDERS by Feeders, translated by Harry Thomas Riley