003. THE NIGHTINGALE AND THE HAWK. You will find the fable in English on this page; scroll to see if there are multiple English versions. [more info]
Showing posts with label index: Perry 004. Show all posts
Showing posts with label index: Perry 004. Show all posts
The Hawk and the Nightingale
064. THE HAWK AND THE NIGHTINGALE. A nightingale, sitting all alone among the shady branches of an oak, sung with so melodious and shrill a pipe, that she made the woods echo again, and alarmed an hungry hawk, who was at some distance off, watching for his prey; he had no sooner discovered the little musician, but making a stoop at the place he seized her with his crooked talons, and bid her prepare for death.
“Ah!” says she, “for mercy's sake, don't do so barbarous a thing, and so unbecoming yourself: consider, I never did you any wrong, and am but a poor small morsel for such a stomach as yours: rather attack some larger fowl which may bring you more credit and a better meal, and let me go.”
“Ay,” says the hawk, “persuade me to it if you can; I have been upon the watch all the day long, and have not met with one bit of anything till I caught you; and now you would have me let you go, in hopes of something better, would you? Pray who would be the fool then?” [more info]
“Ah!” says she, “for mercy's sake, don't do so barbarous a thing, and so unbecoming yourself: consider, I never did you any wrong, and am but a poor small morsel for such a stomach as yours: rather attack some larger fowl which may bring you more credit and a better meal, and let me go.”
“Ay,” says the hawk, “persuade me to it if you can; I have been upon the watch all the day long, and have not met with one bit of anything till I caught you; and now you would have me let you go, in hopes of something better, would you? Pray who would be the fool then?” [more info]
The Nightingale and Hawk
076. THE NIGHTINGALE AND HAWK.
The eager Hawk surprisd the Nightingall,
Who with soft notes her foe did thus assaile,
Ah, lett me go, I'm nought but song cryd she
There is a Bird just by worth two of me.
Morall
Tho ne're so small loose not an intrest gain'd
Which industry or meritt has obtain'd.
[more info]
The eager Hawk surprisd the Nightingall,
Who with soft notes her foe did thus assaile,
Ah, lett me go, I'm nought but song cryd she
There is a Bird just by worth two of me.
Morall
Tho ne're so small loose not an intrest gain'd
Which industry or meritt has obtain'd.
[more info]
The Kite and the Nightingale
09.18: THE KITE AND THE NIGHTINGALE.
A noted thief, the kite,
Had set a neighbourhood in fright,
And raised the clamorous noise
Of all the village boys,
When, by misfortune,—sad to say,—
A nightingale fell in his way.
Spring's herald begg'd him not to eat
A bird for music—not for meat.
'O spare!' cried she, 'and I'll relate
'The crime of Tereus and his fate.'—
'What's Tereus? Is it food for kites?'—
'No, but a king, of female rights
The villain spoiler, whom I taught
A lesson with repentance fraught;
And, should it please you not to kill,
My song about his fall
Your very heart shall thrill,
As it, indeed, does all.'—
Replied the kite, a 'pretty thing!
When I am faint and famishing,
To let you go, and hear you sing?'—
'Ah, but I entertain the king!'—
'Well, when he takes you, let him hear
Your tale, full wonderful, no doubt;
For me, a kite, I'll go without.'
An empty stomach hath no ear.
[more info]
A noted thief, the kite,
Had set a neighbourhood in fright,
And raised the clamorous noise
Of all the village boys,
When, by misfortune,—sad to say,—
A nightingale fell in his way.
Spring's herald begg'd him not to eat
A bird for music—not for meat.
'O spare!' cried she, 'and I'll relate
'The crime of Tereus and his fate.'—
'What's Tereus? Is it food for kites?'—
'No, but a king, of female rights
The villain spoiler, whom I taught
A lesson with repentance fraught;
And, should it please you not to kill,
My song about his fall
Your very heart shall thrill,
As it, indeed, does all.'—
Replied the kite, a 'pretty thing!
When I am faint and famishing,
To let you go, and hear you sing?'—
'Ah, but I entertain the king!'—
'Well, when he takes you, let him hear
Your tale, full wonderful, no doubt;
For me, a kite, I'll go without.'
An empty stomach hath no ear.
[more info]
The Hawk and the Nightingale
076. THE HAWK AND THE NIGHTINGALE. A nightingale, sitting all alone among the shady branches of an oak, sung with so melodious and shrill a pipe, that she made the woods echo again, and alarmed an hungry hawk, who was at some distance off, watching for his prey; he had no sooner discovered the little musician, but making a stoop at the place he seized her with his crooked talons, and bid her prepare for death.
“Ah!” says she, “for mercy's sake, don't do so barbarous a thing, and so unbecoming yourself: consider, I never did you any wrong, and am but a poor small morsel for such a stomach as yours: rather attack some larger fowl which may bring you more credit and a better meal, and let me go.”
“Ay,” says the hawk, “persuade me to it if you can; I have been upon the watch all the day long, and have not met with one bit of anything till I caught you; and now you would have me let you go, in hopes of something better, would you? Pray who would be the fool then?” [more info]
“Ah!” says she, “for mercy's sake, don't do so barbarous a thing, and so unbecoming yourself: consider, I never did you any wrong, and am but a poor small morsel for such a stomach as yours: rather attack some larger fowl which may bring you more credit and a better meal, and let me go.”
“Ay,” says the hawk, “persuade me to it if you can; I have been upon the watch all the day long, and have not met with one bit of anything till I caught you; and now you would have me let you go, in hopes of something better, would you? Pray who would be the fool then?” [more info]
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