Part 15 (1/2)
FABLE XIV.
THE WIDOW AND THE SOLDIER.
_The great Inconstancy and l.u.s.tfulness of Women._
A certain Woman[14] had for some years lost her beloved Husband, and had placed his body in a tomb; and as she could by no means be forced from it, and pa.s.sed her life in mourning at the sepulchre, she obtained a distinguished character for strict chast.i.ty. In the meantime, some persons who had plundered the temple of Jupiter suffered the penalty of crucifixion. In order that no one might remove their remains, soldiers were appointed as guards of the dead bodies, close by the monument in which the woman had shut herself up. Some time after, one of the Guards, being thirsty, asked, in the middle of the night, for some water, of a servant-maid, who chanced just then to be a.s.sisting her mistress, who was going to rest; for she had been watching by a lamp, and had prolonged her vigils to a late hour. The door being a little open, the Soldier peeps in, and beholds a Woman, emaciated indeed, but of beauteous features. His smitten heart is immediately inflamed, and he gradually burns with unchaste desires. His crafty shrewdness invents a thousand pretences for seeing her more frequently. Wrought upon by daily intercourse, by degrees she became more complaisant to the stranger, and soon enthralled his heart by a closer tie. While the careful Guard is here pa.s.sing his nights, a body is missed from one of the crosses. The Soldier in his alarm relates to the Woman what has happened; but the chaste Matron replies: ”You have no grounds for fear;” and gives up the body of her Husband to be fastened to the cross, that he may not undergo punishment for his negligence.
Thus did profligacy usurp the place of honour.
[Footnote NF.14: _A certain Woman_)--Ver. 1. This is the story of the Matron of Ephesus, told in a much more interesting manner by Petronius Arbiter.]
FABLE XV.
THE RICH SUITOR AND THE POOR ONE.
_Fortune sometimes favours Men beyond their hopes and expectations._
Two Youths were courting a Maiden at the same time; the Rich man got the better of the birth and good looks of the Poor one. When the appointed day for the nuptials had arrived, the woe-begone Lover, because he could not endure his grief, betook himself to some gardens near at hand; a little beyond which, the splendid villa of the Rich man was about to receive the Maiden from her mother's bosom, as his house in the city seemed not to be roomy enough. The marriage procession is arranged, a great crowd flocks to the scene, and Hymenaeus gives the marriage torch. Now an a.s.s, which used to gain a living for the Poor man, was standing at the threshold of a gate; and it so happens the maidens lead him along, that the fatigues of the way may not hurt the tender feet {of the Bride}. On a sudden, by the pity of Venus, the heavens are swept by winds, the crash of thunder resounds through the firmament, and brings on a rough night with heavy rain; light is withdrawn from their eyes, and at the same moment a storm of hail, spreading in all directions, beats upon them, frightening and scattering them on all sides, compelling each to seek safety for himself in flight. The a.s.s runs under the well-known roof close at hand, and with a loud voice gives notice of his presence. The servants run out of doors, behold with admiration the beautiful Maiden, and then go and tell their master. He, seated at table with a few companions, was consoling his pa.s.sion with repeated draughts.
When the news was brought him, exulting with delight, {both} Bacchus and Venus exhorting him, he celebrated his joyous nuptials amid the applauses of his comrades. The bride's parents sought their daughter through the crier, {while} the intended Husband grieved at the loss of his Wife. After what had taken place became known to the public, all agreed in approving of the favour shown by the G.o.ds of heaven.
FABLE XVI.
aeSOP AND HIS MISTRESS.
_How injurious it often is to tell the Truth._
aesop being in the service of an Ugly Woman, who wasted the whole day in painting herself up, and used fine clothes, pearls, gold, {and} silver, yet found no one who would touch her with a finger: ”May I {say} a few words?” said he. ”Say on,” {she replied}. ”{Then} I think,” {said he}, ”that you will effect anything you wish, if you lay aside your ornaments.” ”Do I then seem to you so much preferable by myself?” {said she}. ”Why, no; if you don't make presents, your bed will enjoy its repose.” ”But your sides,” she replied, ”shan't enjoy their repose;”[15]
and ordered the talkative Slave to be flogged. Shortly after a thief took away a silver bracelet. When the Woman was told that it could not be found, full of fury she summoned all {her slaves}, and threatened them with a severe flogging if they did not tell the truth. ”Threaten others,” said {aesop}, ”indeed you won't trick me, mistress; I was lately beaten with the whip because I told the truth.”
[Footnote NF.15: _Shan't enjoy their repose_)--Ver. 9. The play upon the word ”cessabo,” seems redolent of the wit of the middle ages, and not of the days of Phaedrus.]
FABLE XVII.
A c.o.c.k CARRIED IN A LITTER BY CATS.
_An extreme feeling of Security often leads Men into Danger._
A c.o.c.k had some Cats to carry him in his litter: a Fox on seeing him borne along in this pompous manner, said: ”I advise you to be on your guard against treachery, for if you were to examine the countenances of those creatures, you would p.r.o.nounce that they are carrying a booty, not a burden.” As soon as the savage brotherhood[16] began to be hungry, they tore their Master to pieces, and went shares in the proceeds of their guilt.
[Footnote NF.16: _Savage brotherhood_)--Ver. 6. ”Societas.”
The brotherhood of litter-carriers, perhaps four or six in number.]
FABLE XVIII.