An envoy of the Porte Sublime, As history says, once on a time, Before th' imperial German court[2] Did rather boastfully report, The troops commanded by his master's firman,...
Each has his fault, to which he clings In spite of shame or fear. This apophthegm a story brings, To make its truth more clear. A sot had lost health, mind, and purse;...
John Rabbit, by Dame Eagle chased, Was making for his hole in haste, When, on his way, he met a beetle's burrow. I leave you all to think If such a little chink...
The eagle, through the air a queen, And one far different, I ween, In temper, language, thought, and mien, - The magpie, - once a prairie cross'd. The by-path where they met was drear,...
The eagle and the owl, resolved to cease Their war, embraced in pledge of peace. On faith of king, on faith of owl, they swore That they would eat each other's chicks no more....
A certain hollow tree Was tenanted by three. An eagle held a lofty bough, The hollow root a wild wood sow, A female cat between the two. All busy with maternal labours,...
WHEN William went from home (a trader styled): Six months his better half he left with child, A simple, comely, modest, youthful dame, Whose name was Alice; from Champaign she came....
An iron pot proposed To an earthen pot a journey. The latter was opposed, Expressing the concern he Had felt about the danger Of going out a ranger. He thought the kitchen hearth...
Once in the olden times the elephant and the rhinoceros disputed as to which was the more important, and which should, therefore, have empire over the other animals. They decided to settle the point by battle in an enclosed fie...
'Twixt elephant and beast of horned nose About precedence a dispute arose, Which they determined to decide by blows. The day was fix'd, when came a messenger To say the ape of Jupiter...
You often hear a sweet seductive call: If wise, you haste towards it not at all; - And, if you heed my apologue, You act like John de Nivelle's dog.[2]
The wolf and fox are neighbours strange: I would not build within their range. The fox once eyed with strict regard From day to day, a poultry-yard; But though a most accomplish'd cheat,...
No pond nor pool within his haunt But paid a certain cormorant Its contribution from its fishes, And stock'd his kitchen with good dishes. Yet, when old age the bird had chill'd,...
Thrysis - who for his Annette dear Made music with his flute and voice, Which might have roused the dead to hear, And in their silent graves rejoice - Sang once the livelong day,...
A fly and ant, upon a sunny bank, Discuss'd the question of their rank. 'O Jupiter!' the former said, 'Can love of self so turn the head, That one so mean and crawling,...
A knight of powder-horn and shot Once fill'd his bag - as I would not, Unless the feelings of my breast By poverty were sorely press'd - With birds and squirrels for the spits...
A fool pursued, with club and stone, A sage, who said, 'My friend, well done! Receive this guinea for your pains; They well deserve far higher gains. The workman's worthy of his hire,...
A woodcutter had broken or lost the handle of his hatchet and found it not easy to get it repaired at once. During the time, therefore, that it was out of use, the woods enjoyed a respite from further damage. At last the man ca...
The great are like the maskers of the stage; Their show deceives the simple of the age. For all that they appear to be they pass, With only those whose type's the ass....