Æsops fables, with the fables of Phaedrus moralized, translated verbatim, according to the Latine, for the use of grammar schooles, and for children ... / published by H.P.

PHAEDRVS FABLES.

The first Booke of AEsops Fa∣bles, by the worke of Phaedrus fri••••d to Augustus.

WHat matter or subject, AEsop the Author here∣of found or invented, the selfe same have I po∣lished with Iambick ver∣ses. There is a double use of this little Book, both for that it moveth laughter, and because it directeth a Wise mans life with counsell or ad∣vise: but if any list to cavill, because not onely beasts, but also trees doe speake, let him remember, that we but sport with fained Fables.

The Wolfe and the Lambe. Fab. 1.

THe Wolfe and the Lambe, com∣pelled by thirst, came to the same river, the Wolfe stood above, and the Lambe further beneath: then the villanous thiefe, being stir∣red up by hunger sought occasion of quarrell, and said, Wherefore didst thou make this water muddy for me a drinking? the Lambe or Wooll∣bearer being afraid, inferred thus, How could I pray you good Master Wolfe doe that which you complain of? the water runneth down from you unto my draughts. He thus con∣vinced by the force of truth saith, Before these sixe moneths thou re∣viledst me: the Lambe made answer, Truly then I was not born: then by Hercules, quoth he, thy father ex∣claimed upon me, and so he teareth in pieces the Lambe apprehended with injurious death. This Fable is written for those men, who oppresse silly innocents upon forged causes.

The Frogs desired a King.

Fable 2.

VVHen Athens flourished with equall Laws, malepart li∣bertie marred the Citie, and licenti∣ousnesse let loose the ancient bridle of government, from hence parties of divers factions being in a con∣spiracie, Prince Pisistratus taketh the tower, and when the Athenians la∣mented that sorrowfull subjection, not for that he was cruell or tyran∣nous, but because it was a grievous burthen to them who were altoge∣ther unaccustomed with govern∣ment, and when they begun to com∣plain, then AEsop told such a tale; the Frogs wandring without control∣ment in marshes or ponds, desired a King of Jupiter with a loud cry, who might represse dissolute manners by force: the father of the gods laugh∣ed, and gave to them a little Blocke, which being thrown down into the

ponds of a sudden, greatly amazed the fearefull nation, with motion and with rushing: when this lay some certain time drowned with slime or mud, by chance one without noise, putteth up her head out of the pond, and having made triall of their King, she calleth all her fellows: laying a∣side feare, they swim to him, thicke and threefold, and so the sawcy crew leaped upon their woodden god, which when they had foully misused with all reproach, they sent to Jupi∣ter, asking for another King, because he who was given, proved unprofita∣ble: then he sent to them a water Serpent, who begun to take by vio∣lence every one of them with sharp teeth: then the lazie Frogs in vaine avoyd death, and fear stoppeth their mouthes: wherefore by stealth they preferre a supplication by Mercury unto Jupiter, that he would help the poore afflicted: then the God Jupi∣ter, on the other part thus replyed,

sith that you would not beare with your good gentle King, indure ye now your evill. Oh ye also, oh citi∣zens! saith he, sustaine this evill pa∣tiently, lest that there come upon you a greater mischiefe.

The proud Iay and the Peacocke.

Fab. 3.

AESop hath set forth this example, that it should not delight us to boast upon other mens goods, but rather to lead our life, in his own condition. The Jay swelling with vaine pride, tooke up the feathers of a Peacock; which were fallen down or mewed, and trimmed her-selfe therewith: afterwards despising her own kindred, associated her-selfe with the beautifull traine of Pea∣cocks: but they take away the fea∣thers from the foolish bird, and beat her away with their beakes: the Jay being hardly dealt withall, began to returne sorrowing, to her own kin∣dred,

from whom being also driven away, she setteth up a dolefull dittie: certaine of them, whom she first de∣spised, said, If thou hadst beene content with our seats, and wouldest have suffered what nature had or∣dained, neither then shouldst thou have tried this reproach, nor thy ca∣lamitie had felt this repulse.

A Dogge carrying flesh over a River.

Fab. 4.

HE loseth justly his own, who so desireth another mans: whilest a Dogge swimming over a floud, bore a piece of flesh, he saw his own shape in the shining of the waters, and thinking another prey to be car∣ryed over by another Dogge, cove∣ted to snatch at it: but his greedi∣nesse was deceived, and he both lost the meat, which he held in his mouth, neither could he attain unto that which he much desired.

A Cow and a Goat, a Sheep and a Lion. Fab. 5.

THat there is never any faithfull fellowship with a mightie man, this small Fable witnesseth this mine assertion. The Cow and the Goat and the patient, harm▪bearing Sheep, were companions with the Lion in the forrest: when these had caught an Hart of a huge stature, the Lord Lion thus inferred, (after the divi∣sion;) I choose the first part, because I am hight lord Lion; ye must give to me the second share, in regard I am strong and puissant; then because I am of more accompt, the third shall follow me: now if any touch the fourth portion, he shall not scape scot-free: thus his onely tyrannie tooke away the whole booty.

The Frogs to the Sunne. Fab. 6.

AESop saw very sumptuous marri∣ages of his neighbour a most no∣torious cunning thiefe, and forth∣with begun to tell this tale: once it was reported that the Sunne would marry a wife; then the Frogs tooke up a piteous cry even to the heavens: Jupiter moved with their bitter ex∣claimes, enquireth the reason of their complaint, then a certaine in∣habitant of the pond said, Oh deare Soveraigne, now one Sunne burneth up all our lakes, and causeth us poore wretches, to die on dry ground, alas, what will become of us, if the Sunne beget more Sunnes?

The Fox to a Mans Image. Fab. 7.

BY chance a Fox saw a Mans I∣mage in stone; Oh what exquisite feature saith he, but wit it hath none? This is spoken of them, whom fortune hath given honour and glo∣ry,

but yet leaveth them destitute of common sense.

The Wolfe and the Crane. Fab. 8.

WHo so desireth pay for his deserts of cruell fellows, is twice in fault, first, because he help∣eth the unworthy, and then, because now he cannot depart undamnified: When as a bone swallowed, stucke fast in the throat of a Wolfe, con∣strained with great griefe, he began to entice every one for money, that they would draw out that bad bone: at length the Crane was perswaded by an oath, and committing her long necke to his wessand, made with danger a medicine for the Wolfe: for which paines, when she asked earnestly a reward: Thou art un∣gratefull, saith the Wolfe, who hast drawne thy head safe from out of our mouth, and yet requirest thou wages?

The Sparrow Counsellor to the Hart.

Fab. 9.

LEt us shew in few verses, that it is a folly to give counsell to other, and not to take heed to our selves. The Sparrow did chide the Hare op∣pressed of the Eagle, and sending forth grievous and bitter teares, saith she, Where is now that thy swiftnesse to be seene? wherefore slackened so thy feet? whilest she speaketh, the Hawke seiseth upon her unawares, and killed her crying with vain com∣plaints: the Hare halfe dead, yet in the comfort of the Sparrows death, said, Thou that whilome wast secure and scornedst our evils, bewailest now thy fatall destiny, with like complaint.

The Wolfe and the Fox with my Lord Iudge the Ape. Fab. 10.

VVHosoever once is openly detected of foule deceipt,

although he tell truth, notwith∣standing is not beleeved: for so this short Fable of AEsop avoucheth it. The Wolfe charged the Fox with crime of theft: she denied, that she was accessary to the fault: then the Ape sate Judge between them: now when both parties had pleaded their own cause, the Ape is reported, thus to have given judgement: You seem not to have lost what you demand, but I beleeve, that thou hast stolne, which so cunningly thou deniest.

The Asse and the Lion a hunting.

Fab. 11.

ONe boasting of his own praise with words, devoyd of vertue, deceiveth those that know him not, but he is a laughing stocke to those that know him. When as the lord Lion would hunt accompanied with the Asse, he decked and attired him with greene leaves, and warned him also, to terrifie and appall the beasts,

with an unwonted cry, that he might take them flying: he pricketh up his eares, with a speedy shout, and with all his might, and so amazeth the little beasts, with a new monstrous miracle, which being afraid, and whilst they seeke for their known passages, they are assailed with the horrible violence of the Lion, who after that he was weary of the slaugh∣ter, he calleth the Asse, and com∣mandeth to represse his cry: then he puft with pride, saith, How seemeth this effect unto you, of my voyce? so well quoth he and excellent, that unlesse I had known thy courage and stocke, I should have been in like feare.

The Hart at the Fountaine.

Fab. 12.

THis tale averreth, that often∣times, those things which we lightly esteeme are found more pro∣fitable, then things more commen∣ded.

When the Hart had drunke he stood still at the Fountaine, and ga∣zeth on his shape in the water, where whilest with wonder, he praiseth his bowghy hornes, and disableth too much, the slender timber of his legs, he was affrighted on a sudden with the cryes and houles of Huntsmen, and began to flie through the cham∣pion, and deluded the Hounds with swift running: at the last the wood received the wild beast, wherein be∣ing by his hornes intangled, began to be torne, with the fierce biting of the Dogs: then dying, it is report∣ed, he gave forth this piteous mone: Oh I unhappy, who now at last per∣ceive, how the legges availed me, which I despised, and the hornes which I prised, what grief have they brought me?

The Fox and the Raven.

Fab. 13.

VVHo so rejoyceth, that he is commended with glosing words, for the most part is punished with foule remorse. When as a Raven purposed to have eaten a piece of cheese stolne out of a win∣dow, and sitting on an high tree, the Fox did see him, and then began thus to speake, Oh Master Raven, how great and excellent is the beautie of your feathers! how much comli∣nesse doe you carry both in body and countenance? If you had but a tu∣nable voyce, no Bird might be your fellow: but he silly poore foole, whilst he coveteth to shew his voice, loseth the cheese in his mouth, which quickly the craftie Fox snat∣ched up with her greedy teeth: then at length the astonished Crow being deceived, sighed sorrowfully: by this Fable it is proved how much wit or policie availeth, and that

wisdome alwayes prevaileth above strength.

Of a Cobler and a Physitian.

Fab. 14.

VVHen a bad Cobler undone by povertie, began to make medicines in a strange place, and sold restoratives in a counterfeit pre∣tence, and had procured himselfe fame by talkative juglings, when he lay visited with a sore disease, the King of the Citie, for his triall, cal∣leth for a jugge, and then pretend∣ing (a water being powred therein) that he mingled poyson with his counterpoyson, commanded him, to drinke this, setting down his re∣ward: then he confessed for feare of death, that he was not made a Physician for any prudencie of Art, but onely made famous by the peo∣ples wondring: the King summon∣ing an assembly, added moreover this: How great madnesse, thinke

ye, is it, who make no scruple to trust your heads to him, to whom no man ever gave his shooes to coble? Truly I may say that this pertaineth to them, whose impudency is the purchase of their folly.

The Asse to an old Shepherd.

Fab. 15.

OFtentimes in changing of Go∣vernment, the poorer sort chang nothing besides the manners and conditions of the Lord: that this is true, this little Fable sheweth. A timerous old man fed an Asse in a meadow, he suddenly terrified with the noise of the enemies, perswaded his Asse to flie, that he might not be taken: but the carelesse Asse reply∣ed, In good sadnesse thinke you, that the Conquerour will lay upon me double burdens? the old man deni∣ed it: therefore said he, what care I whom I serve, whilst I carry but my own fardels?

The Sheep, the Hart, and the Wolfe.

Fab. 16.

VVHen as a cunning fellow in∣duceth men with a badde suretie, he purposeth not to repay the principall, but rather to leave his creditor in the lurch. The Hart ask∣ed the Sheep a bushell of wheat, the Wolfe being suretie: but she suspect∣ing cousenage, made answer: the Wolfe alwaies is accustomed to take away by violence and to be gone, and you to flie out of sight with swift force: where shall ▪I find you when the day of payment comes?

The Sheep, a Dogge and a Wolfe.

Fab. 17.

LYers and false witnesses were wont to pay punishment for their villany. When a certaine Dog being a common Barretor, demanded of a Sheep a loafe of bread, which bread he avouched, that he had lent him:

the Wolfe cited for witnesse, said, that he did owe not one alone, for in truth he affirmeth, he oweth ten: the Sheep cast by false witnesse, pay∣ed what she ought not: after a few dayes, the Sheep beheld the Wolfe lying for dead in a ditch: saith he, this reward of deceit and lying is gi∣ven of the high gods.

A Woman in Labour. Fab. 18.

NO body willingly resorteth to that place, which hath harmed him. At the time of Child-birth, a woman lay upō the bare ground, her fortie weekes being expired, sending forth most pitifull grones: her Hus∣band exhorted, that she would be∣take her body to the bed, whereby the better she might lay down the burthen of nature: I beleeve not, saith she, that my griefe can be end∣ed in that place, in which it was con∣ceived in the beginning.

A Bitch a Whelping. Fab. 19.

THe faire words of an evill man have their snares, which that we may avoyd, the verses following doe warne. When a Bitch great with Whelp, had desired another Bitch, that she might lay her litter in her kennell, she obtained her request ea∣sily: afterwards she made her sute to the Bitch who required her owne place, craving but a short season, whilest she might lead away her whelps being stronger and better able to goe: this also being expired, the other began more vehemently, to desire her own bed: well saith she, if thou canst match me and my traine, I will depart from this place.

Hungry Dogges. Fab. 20.

FOolish or simple counsell, not onely wanteth successe, but also calleth mortall men to destruction. Dogges saw an Hide sunke in the

floud, now that they might the more easily eate it, when they had drawn it out, they began to drinke up the water; but being first bursten, there thy perished, before that they could attaine what they desired.

An old Lion, the Bull and an Asse.

Fab. 21.

VVHosoever hath lost his for∣mer dignitie is also a mock∣ing stocke to the base and lazie in adversitie. The Lion wasted by yeares and decayed of his strength, when he was lying drawing his last breath, the Boare came upon him with thunderbolt tuskes, and reven∣ged his old grudge with blowes: al∣so the cruell Bull out of hand pierced with his hornes his enemies body: when the Asse saw the Beast hurt without punishment, he kicked his forehead with his heeles, but he, breathing out his last, saith, I have hardly brooked, that the strong or

the valiant should insult over me, but truly I seeme twice to die, sith I am compelled to beare and suffer thee, the ignominie of nature.

A Cat and a Man. Fab. 22.

A Cat being caught of a Wariner, when she would avoyd immi∣nent death; I pray you, saith she, spare me, which cleanse for your good the house of noysome Mice: he answered, certain I would doe it, if this good turne were for my sake, and would have forgiven thy of∣fence: now because thou labouredst that thou maist enjoy the fragments, which they would gnaw, and also devour them, do not count this vain matter as a good turne done to me: and so speaking, he inflicted death upon the offender. They ought to acknowledge this spoken for them, whose private commoditie onely serveth themselves, and notwith∣standing boast their vaine deserts, to ignorant men.

A faithfull Dogge. Fab. 23.

VVHo so is liberall of a sud∣den, perhaps is in request with fooles, but layeth broken snares for the wise. When as in the night time a thiefe had cast bread to a Dogge, proving whether he might be corrupted with the meat proffer∣red to him: Oh quoth he, thou wouldest stop my mouth, that I barke not for my Masters goods; but thou art much deceived, for this thy sudden kindnesse warneth me to watch, lest thou make a commodi∣tie by my negligence.

The bursten Frogge and an Oxe.

Fab. 24.

A Poore man perisheth, whilest he will follow the rich and the mightie. In a certaine pasture, the Frogge beheld the Oxe, and touch∣ed with envie at so goodly stature,

puffed-up her speckled skin; then she asked her children, whether she was greater then the Oxe; they de∣nied it: againe she stretched her skin with greater endeavour, and en∣quired after the same manner, who was the greater; they said the Oxe: last of all, sore moved with wrath, and whilest she desireth to puffe out herself more vehemently, she spraw∣led on the ground with a bursten body.

The Dogge and the Crocodile.

Fab. 25.

THey which give bad counsell to warie Wise men, both lose their labour, and are foully derided. It is reported that Dogges in running do drinke of the River Nilus, that they may not be devoured of the cruell Crocodiles: wherefore when a cer∣taine Bitch in running began to lap, so spake the Crocodile: Lap what water thou wilt by leisure, come

hither, drinke leisurely, and feare not, quoth he, deceit; but she made answer, By Hercules I would doe so, but that I know you long for my flesh.

The Fox and the Storke.

Fab. 26.

THis small Fable warneth, that we must hurt no body, but if any shall mischiefe us, that we may pu∣nish them in like manner. The Fox is said to have invited the Stork first to supper, and to have set before her a liquid broath in a broad platter, which by no meanes the hungry Storke could taste of; who when she had re-invited the Fox, set before her a long narrow neckt flaggon, full of broken gobbets, then she putting her long beake into this is filled and satisfied, and pineth her guest with hunger, who when she had licked in vaine the necke of the flaggon, we heard it reported, that the stranger

bird spake after this maner: every one ought to suffer his owne exam∣ple with a patient mind.

A Dogge, and a Treasure and the rave∣nous Vulter. Fab. 27.

This matter may be very conve∣nient for the covetous, and for them, who by birth being low and poore, notwithstanding endevour to be reported wealthy. A Dogge dig∣ing up mans bones, found a treasure; and because he prophaned the spirits which are divine substances, the fire of riches was cast upon him, that he might performe punishments to the holy religion: therefore whiles he keepeth the gold, he forgetteth meat and consumeth with hunger: overwhom the ravenous vulter stan∣ding as report goeth spake, Oh dog, justly dost thou lie for dead, who de∣sirest on a sudden a Princes revenew, being but conceived and brought up

on a dung-hill of three wayes muck.

A Fox and an Eagle. Fab. 28.

ALthough men are in high e∣state, notwithstanding they ought to feare to oppresse the lower sort, because revenge is manifest to the ingenious, by his industry. On a time an Eagle tooke up a Foxes Cubs, and laid them down in her neast to her young ones, that they might eate: the Mother Fox fol∣lowing her began to beseech her in∣stantly, that she would not bring so great calamitie upon her poore cai∣tifes: but she despised, because she was in a safe place: therefore the Fox tooke from the Altar a burning firebrand, and therewith she enviro∣ned the whole tree with flames, threatning griefe to her enemy, for the losse of her blood: the Eagle

now intreating to deliver her own from danger of death, restored the Cubs safe to the Fox.

The Asse scorning the Boare.

Fab. 29.

OFtentimes fooles, when they take up a vaine laughter, de∣fame others with sore reproach, and provoke to themselves a mischie∣vous danger. An Asse when he met a Boare, said, God save you brother, he disdaining refused his kindred, and enquireth wherefore he would lye so grossely: the Asse letting flye his heeles, made answer, Though thou deniest me to be like to thy selfe, yet certainly, this is as good as thy tuskes: now when the Bore thought to make a valorous resist∣ance, yet refrained he his wrath, say∣ing: Revenge is in a readinesse to me, but I will not be defiled with base lazie bloud.

The Frogs fearing the warres of the Bull-battell. Fab. 30.

THe lowly are in jeopardy, when as the mightie are at variance. A Frog in her pond, beholding the fight of Buls, Alas, saith she, how great mischiefe abideth us? being asked of another, wherefore she af∣firmed this, when as the Buls con∣tended onely for the Empire over the Herd, and lead a life farre from them; saith she, the reason here is separate and a different kinde: for whosoever being banished from the kingdome of the Wood-land, shall flye away, will come into the holes of the Marshes, and will presse to death the Frogs, over-trodden with his hard hoofes: and thus their fury concerneth our life.

The Kite and the Pigeon.

Fab. 31.

VVHo so committeth himselfe to be preserved of a tyran∣nous man, in seeking succour and aid, he findeth destruction. The Doves when as often they had esca∣ped the Kite, and had avoided death, with the swiftnesse of wings, then the devourer turneth his counsell in∣to subtiltie; and circumvented the unweaponed nation with such like guile: Wherefore lead ye a misera∣ble life, rather then ye will create me King, league being confirmed, who may set you safe from all injury? they being too credulous, deliver themselves to the Kite, who having obtained the kingdome, beginneth to eate every one, and to exercise his Empire with his cruell talons: then saith one of the rest, deserved∣ly are we punished.

FINIS.