Part 4 (1/2)

For my part, I will with all care follow the method of the sage;[3] but if I should think fit to insert something[4] {of my own}, that variety of subjects may gratify the taste, I trust, Reader, you will take it in good part; provided that my brevity be a fair return for such a favour: 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.

[Footnote II.1: _Is anything else_)--Ver. 2. Burmann thinks that the object of the Author in this Prologue is to defend himself against the censures of those who might blame him for not keeping to his purpose, mentioned in the Prologue of the First Book, of adhering to the fabulous matter used by aesop, but mixing up with such stories narratives of events that had happened in his own time.]

[Footnote II.2: _Persevering industry_)--Ver. 5. ”Diligens industria.” An industry or ingenuity that exerts itself in trying to discover the meaning of his Fables.]

[Footnote II.3: _Of the sage_)--Ver. 8. Meaning aesop.]

[Footnote II.4: _To insert something_)--Ver. 9. He probably alludes to such contemporary narratives as are found in Fable v.

of the present Book; in Fable x. of the Third; in B. IV., Fables v., xxi., xxiv.; and B. V., Fables i., v., vii.]

FABLE I.

THE LION, THE ROBBER, AND THE TRAVELLER.

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 Traveller 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 carcase, 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 want.[5]

[Footnote II.5: _Modesty in want_)--Ver. 12. Martial has a similar pa.s.sage, B. iv., Epig. 9:--

”Semper eris pauper, si pauper es, aemiliane, Dantur opes nulli nunc nisi divitibus.”]

FABLE II.

THE TWO WOMEN OF DIFFERENT AGES BELOVED BY THE MIDDLE-AGED MAN.

That the men, under all circ.u.mstances, 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 enthralled a certain Man of middle age,[6] concealing her years by the arts 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.

[Footnote II.6: _Of middle age_)--Ver 8. It has been a matter of doubt among Commentators to which ”aetatis mediae” applies--the man or the woman. But as she is called ”a.n.u.s,” ”an Old Woman,” in the last line, it is most probable that the man is meant.]

FABLE III.

THE MAN AND THE DOG.

A Man, torn by the bite of a savage Dog, threw a piece of bread, dipt in his blood, to the offender; a thing that he had heard was a remedy for the wound. Then said aesop: ”Don't do this before many dogs, lest they devour us alive, when they know that such is the reward of guilt.”

The success of the wicked is a temptation to many.

FABLE IV.

THE EAGLE, THE CAT, AND THE WILD SOW.