The Wolf and the Dog

3.15. De lupo et cane
Caxton: Of the wulf and of the dogge
Lyberte or fredome is a moche swete thynge / as Esope reherceth by this fable / of a wulf and of a dogge whiche by aduenture mette to gyder / wherfore the wulf demaunded of the dogge / wherof arte thow so fatte and so playsaunt / And the dogge ansuerd to hym / I haue wel kepte my lordes hows / & haue barked after the theues whiche came in the hows of my mayster / wherfore he and his meyny gyue to me plente of good mete / wherof I am fatte and playsaunt / and the wulf sayd thenne to hym / It is wel sayd my broder / Certaynly syth thow arte so wel atte thyn ease and farest so wel I haue grete desyre to dwelle with the / to thende that thow & I make but one dyner / wel sayd the dogge / come on with me yf thow wylt be as wel at thyn ease as I am / and haue thou no doubte of no thynge / The wulf wente with the dogge / and as they wente by the way / the wulf beheld the dogges neck / whiche was al bare of here / and demaunded of the dogge / My broder why is thy neck so shauen / And the dogge ansuerd / it is by cause of my grete coler of yron / to whiche dayly I am fasted / And at nyght I am vnbound for to kepe the hows the better / Thenne sayd the wulf to the dogge / This I myster ne nede not / For I that am in lyberte / wylle not be put in no subiection / And therfor for to fylle my bely / I wylle not be subget / yf thou be acustommed for to be bound / contynue thow in hit / and I shalle lyue as I am wonte and acustomed /
therfore there is no rychesse gretter / than lyberte / For lyberte is better than alle the gold of the world /
[more info]

The Wolf and the Dog

THE WOLF AND THE DOG. You will find the fable in English on this page; scroll to see if there are multiple English versions. [more info]

The House-Dog and the Wolf

033. THE HOUSE-DOG AND THE WOLF A lean, hungry wolf chanced one moonshiny night to fall in with a plump well-fed House-Dog. After the first compliments were passed between them, “How is it, my friend,” said the Wolf, “that you look so sleek? How well your food agrees with you! And here am I striving for my living night and day, and can hardly save myself from starving.”
“Well,” says the Dog, “if you would fare like me, you have only to do as I do.”
“Indeed!” says he, “and what is that?”
“Why,” replies the Dog, "just to guard the master’s house and keep off the thieves at night.”
“With all my heart; for at present I have but a sorry time of it. This woodland life, with its frosts and rains, is sharp work for me. To have a warm roof over my head and a bellyful of victuals always at hand will, methinks, be no bad exchange.”
“True,” says the Dog; “therefore you have nothing to do but to follow me.”
Now as they were jogging on together, the Wolf spied a mark in the Dog’s neck, and having a strange curiosity, could not forbear asking what it meant.
“Pooh! Nothing at all,” says the Dog.
"Nay, but pray,” says the Wolf.
“Oh! A mere trifle, perhaps the collar to which my chain is fastened—”
“Chain!” cries the Wolf in surprise; “you don't mean to say that you cannot rove when and where you please?"
"Why, not exactly perhaps; you see I am looked upon as rather fierce, so they sometimes tie me up in the day-time, but I assure you I have perfect liberty at night, and the master feeds me off his own plate, and the servants give me their tit-bits, and I am such a favourite, and—but what is the matter? Where are you going?”
“Oh, good night to you,” says the Wolf; “you are welcome to your dainties; but for me, a dry crust with liberty against a king’s luxury with a chain.” [more info]

The Dog and the Wolf

16. THE DOG AND THE WOLF. There was a gaunt, ragged, gipsy of a Wolf who fell into company with a sleek jolly Dog belonging to the spaniel tribe, on the King's highway. The Wolf was wonderfully pleased with his companion, and was inquisitive to learn how he had brought himself to that commendable state of body.
"Why," said the Dog, "I keep my Master's house, and I have the best of meat, drink, and lodging for my pains; indeed, if you'll go along with me, and do as I do, you may fare as I fare."
The Wolf readily agreed, and so away they trotted together; but as they approached the house the Wolf caught sight of the Dog's curiously embroidered collar, from which a kind of gold chain hung down over the shoulder. "Brother," said he, "what is this I see?"
"Oh, that's nothing," says the Spaniel; "a mere social Badge to let the world know whose Dog I am."
"Indeed!" says the other. "If those be the conditions, good bye. Bare bones and independence, rather than cold chicken with a chain and dog-collar."
MORAL. To the independent spirit, gold fetters are as galling as iron ones. [more info]

The Dog and the Wolf

3.07. THE DOG AND THE WOLF. I will shew in a few words how sweet is Liberty.
A Wolf, quite starved with hunger, chanced to meet a well-fed Dog, and as they stopped to salute each other, “Pray,” said the Wolf, “how is it that you are so sleek? or on what food have you made so much flesh? I, who am far stronger, am perishing with hunger.”
The Dog frankly replied: “You may enjoy the same condition, if you can render the like service to your master.”
“What is it?” said the other.
“To be the guardian of his threshold, and to protect the house from thieves at night.”
“I am quite ready for that,” said the Wolf; “at present I have to endure snow and showers, dragging on a wretched existence in the woods. How much more pleasant for me to be living under a roof, and, at my ease, to be stuffed with plenty of victuals.”
“Come along, then, with me,” said the Dog.
As they were going along, the Wolf observed the neck of the Dog, where it was worn with the chain. “Whence comes this, my friend?”
“Oh, it is nothing.”
“Do tell me, though.”
“Because I appear to be fierce, they fasten me up in the day-time, that I may be quiet when it is light, and watch when night comes; unchained at midnight, I wander wherever I please. Bread is brought me without my asking; from his own table my master gives me bones; the servants throw me bits, and whatever dainties each person leaves; thus, without trouble on my part, is my belly filled.”
“Well, if you have a mind to go anywhere, are you at liberty?”
“Certainly not,” replied the Dog.
“Then, Dog, enjoy what you boast of; I would not be a king, to lose my liberty.” [more info]

The Dog and the Wolf

019. THE DOG AND THE WOLF. A lean, hungry, half-starved wolf, happened one moon-shiny night to meet with a jolly, plump, well-fed mastiff; and after the first compliments were passed, says the wolf, “You look extremely well; I protest I think I never saw a more graceful comely person: but how comes it about, I beseech you, that you should live so much better than I? I may say, without vanity, that I venture fifty times more than you do, and yet I am almost ready to perish with hunger.”
The dog answered very bluntly, “Why you may live as well: if you will do the same for it that I do.”
“Indeed! What is that?” says he.
“Why,” says the dog, “only to guard the house a-nights, and keep it from thieves.”
“With all my heart,” replies the wolf, “for at present I have but a sorry time of it; and I think to change my hard lodging in the woods, where I endure rain, frost, and snow, for a warm roof over my head, and a belly-full of good victuals, will be no bad bargain.”
“True,” says the dog, “therefore you have nothing more to do but to follow me.”
Now as they were jogging on together, the wolf spied a crease in the dog's neck, and, having a strange curiosity, could not forbear asking him what it meant. “Pugh! Nothing,” says the dog.
“Nay, but pray,” says the wolf.
“Why,” says the dog, “if you must know, I am tied up in the daytime, because I am a little fierce, for fear I should bite people, and am only let loose a-nights. But this is done with a design to make me sleep a-days more than anything else, and that I may watch the better in the night-time; for as soon as ever the twilight appears, out I am turned, and may go where I please. Then my master brings me plates of bones from the table with his own hands; and whatever scraps are left by any of the family, all fall to my share, for you must know I am a favourite with everybody. So you see how you are to live. Come, come along; what is the matter with you?”
“No,” replied the wolf, “I beg your pardon; keep your happiness all to yourself. Liberty is the word with me; and I would not be a king upon the terms you mention.” [more info]

The Dog and the Wolf

3.06. THE DOG AND THE WOLF.
I will, as briefly as I may,
The sweets of liberty display.
A Wolf half famish’d, chanced to see
A Dog, as fat as dog could be:
For one day meeting on the road,
They mutual compliments bestowed:
“Prithee,” says Isgrim, faint and weak,
“How came you so well fed and sleek?
I starve, though stronger of the two.”
“It will be just as well with you,”
The Dog quite cool and frank replied,
“If with my master you’ll abide.”
“For what?” “Why merely to attend,
And from night thieves the door defend.”
“I gladly will accept the post,
What! shall I bear with snow and frost
And all this rough inclement plight,
Rather than have a home at night,
And feed on plenty at my ease?”
“Come, then, with me” —the Wolf agrees.
But as they went the mark he found,
Where the Dog’s collar had been bound:
“What’s this, my friend?” “Why, nothing.”
“Nay, Be more explicit, sir, I pray.”
“I’m somewhat fierce and apt to bite,
Therefore they hold me pretty tight,
That in the day-time I may sleep,
And night by night my vigils keep.
At evening tide they let me out,
And then I freely walk about:
Bread comes without a care of mine.
I from my master’s table dine;
The servants throw me many a scrap,
With choice of pot-liquor to lap;
So, I’ve my bellyful, you find.”
“But can you go where you’ve a mind?”
“Not always, to be flat and plain.”
“Then, Dog, enjoy your post again,
For to remain this servile thing,
Old Isgrim would not be a king.” [more info]

The House-Dog and the Wolf

19. THE HOUSE-DOG AND THE WOLF. One moonlight night, a hungry wolf met a plump, well-fed dog. Said the wolf, "How is it that you are so much fatter than I? I am always busy looking for food, and yet I am but skin and bone!"
"Come with me and guard the house from thieves and you will soon grow fat!" said the dog.
"With all my heart," answered the wolf. Now, as they were trotting along together, the wolf saw a mark on the dog's neck. "What is that?" he asked curiously.
The dog, a little ashamed, answered, "If you must know, it is the mark of my chain. As I am somewhat fierce I am tied up by day, but at night I go where I please: my master brings me dainty scraps, and all the household pets me. Oh, you will soon see how happy your life will be!"
"No," said the wolf; "you can keep your happiness. I would rather be hungry and free than well-fed and chained. Good-night to you." [more info]

The Dog and the Wolf

097. THE DOG AND THE WOLF. A lean, hungry, half-starved wolf, happened one moon-shiny night to meet with a jolly, plump, well-fed mastiff; and after the first compliments were passed, says the wolf, “You look extremely well; I protest I think I never saw a more graceful comely person: but how comes it about, I beseech you, that you should live so much better than I? I may say, without vanity, that I venture fifty times more than you do, and yet I am almost ready to perish with hunger.”
The dog answered very bluntly, “Why you may live as well: if you will do the same for it that I do.”
“Indeed! What is that?” says he.
“Why,” says the dog, “only to guard the house a-nights, and keep it from thieves.”
“With all my heart,” replies the wolf, “for at present I have but a sorry time of it; and I think to change my hard lodging in the woods, where I endure rain, frost, and snow, for a warm roof over my head, and a belly-full of good victuals, will be no bad bargain.”
“True,” says the dog, “therefore you have nothing more to do but to follow me.”
Now as they were jogging on together, the wolf spied a crease in the dog's neck, and, having a strange curiosity, could not forbear asking him what it meant. “Pugh! Nothing,” says the dog.
“Nay, but pray,” says the wolf.
“Why,” says the dog, “if you must know, I am tied up in the daytime, because I am a little fierce, for fear I should bite people, and am only let loose a-nights. But this is done with a design to make me sleep a-days more than anything else, and that I may watch the better in the night-time; for as soon as ever the twilight appears, out I am turned, and may go where I please. Then my master brings me plates of bones from the table with his own hands; and whatever scraps are left by any of the family, all fall to my share, for you must know I am a favourite with everybody. So you see how you are to live. Come, come along; what is the matter with you?”
“No,” replied the wolf, “I beg your pardon; keep your happiness all to yourself. Liberty is the word with me; and I would not be a king upon the terms you mention.” [more info]

The Wolf and the House-Dog

113. THE WOLF AND THE HOUSE-DOG. A WOLF, meeting a big well-fed Mastiff with a wooden collar about his neck asked him who it was that fed him so well and yet compelled him to drag that heavy log about wherever he went. “The master,” he replied. Then said the Wolf: “May no friend of mine ever be in such a plight; for the weight of this chain is enough to spoil the appetite.” [more info]

The Wolf and the Dog

01.05: THE WOLF AND THE DOG.
A prowling wolf, whose shaggy skin
(So strict the watch of dogs had been)
Hid little but his bones,
Once met a mastiff dog astray.
A prouder, fatter, sleeker Tray,
No human mortal owns.
Sir Wolf in famish'd plight,
Would fain have made a ration
Upon his fat relation;
But then he first must fight;
And well the dog seem'd able
To save from wolfish table
His carcass snug and tight.
So, then, in civil conversation
The wolf express'd his admiration
Of Tray's fine case. Said Tray, politely,
'Yourself, good sir, may be as sightly;
Quit but the woods, advised by me.
For all your fellows here, I see,
Are shabby wretches, lean and gaunt,
Belike to die of haggard want.
With such a pack, of course it follows,
One fights for every bit he swallows.
Come, then, with me, and share
On equal terms our princely fare.'
'But what with you
Has one to do?'
Inquires the wolf. 'Light work indeed,'
Replies the dog; 'you only need
To bark a little now and then,
To chase off duns and beggar men,
To fawn on friends that come or go forth,
Your master please, and so forth;
For which you have to eat
All sorts of well-cook'd meat—
Cold pullets, pigeons, savoury messes—
Besides unnumber'd fond caresses.'
The wolf, by force of appetite,
Accepts the terms outright,
Tears glistening in his eyes.
But faring on, he spies
A gall'd spot on the mastiff's neck.
'What's that?' he cries. 'O, nothing but a speck.'
'A speck?' 'Ay, ay; 'tis not enough to pain me;
Perhaps the collar's mark by which they chain me.'
'Chain! chain you! What! run you not, then,
Just where you please, and when?'
'Not always, sir; but what of that?'
'Enough for me, to spoil your fat!
It ought to be a precious price
Which could to servile chains entice;
For me, I'll shun them while I've wit.'
So ran Sir Wolf, and runneth yet.
[more info]

The Wolf and the Watch-Dog

33. THE WOLF AND THE WATCH-DOG.
A Wolf who saw a Watch-dog sleek,
Chained in a farmyard, stopped to speak.
"They feed you well," said he, "'tis plain;
But why that unbecoming chain?"
"Oh, that's a sort of badge of trust,"
Replied the Dog. "I wear it just
To please the Boss. I scarcely know
I have it on, the thing is so
Extremely light." "H'm, that may be,"
Returned the Wolf, "but not for me!
I'd rather starve! However light,
A chain would spoil my appetite!" [more info]

The Wolf and the House-Dog

163. THE WOLF AND THE HOUSE-DOG. A WOLF, meeting a big well-fed Mastiff with a wooden collar about his neck asked him who it was that fed him so well and yet compelled him to drag that heavy log about wherever he went. “The master,” he replied. Then said the Wolf: “May no friend of mine ever be in such a plight; for the weight of this chain is enough to spoil the appetite.”
Moral. Half a meal with liberty is better than a full one without. [more info]

The Dog and the Wolf

28. THE DOG AND THE WOLF. A gaunt Wolf was almost dead with hunger when he happened to meet a House-dog who was passing by. "Ah, Cousin," said the Dog. "I knew how it would be; your irregular life will soon be the ruin of you. Why do you not work steadily as I do, and get your food regularly given to you?"
"I would have no objection," said the Wolf, "if I could only get a place."
"I will easily arrange that for you," said the Dog; "come with me to my master and you shall share my work."
So the Wolf and the Dog went towards the town together. On the way there the Wolf noticed that the hair on a certain part of the Dog's neck was very much worn away, so he asked him how that had come about.
"Oh, it is nothing," said the Dog. "That is only the place where the collar is put on at night to keep me chained up; it chafes a bit, but one soon gets used to it."
"Is that all?" said the Wolf. "Then good-bye to you, Master Dog."
Better starve free than be a fat slave. [more info]

The Dog and the Wolf

16. THE DOG AND THE WOLF. There was a gaunt, ragged, gipsy of a Wolf who fell into company with a sleek jolly Dog belonging to the spaniel tribe, on the King's highway. The Wolf was wonderfully pleased with his companion, and was inquisitive to learn how he had brought himself to that commendable state of body.
"Why," said the Dog, "I keep my Master's house, and I have the best of meat, drink, and lodging for my pains; indeed, if you'll go along with me, and do as I do, you may fare as I fare."
The Wolf readily agreed, and so away they trotted together; but as they approached the house the Wolf caught sight of the Dog's curiously embroidered collar, from which a kind of gold chain hung down over the shoulder. "Brother," said he, "what is this I see?"
"Oh, that's nothing," says the Spaniel; "a mere social Badge to let the world know whose Dog I am."
"Indeed!" says the other. "If those be the conditions, good bye. Bare bones and independence, rather than cold chicken with a chain and dog-collar."
MORAL. To the independent spirit, gold fetters are as galling as iron ones. [more info]

The Wolf and Dog

097. THE WOLF AND DOG. You will find the fable in English on this page; scroll down to see if there are multiple English versions. [more info]

The Dog and the Wolf

07. THE DOG AND THE WOLF. A WOLF, seeing a large Dog tied up with a collar, asked him, "Who tied you up and fed you to be so sleek?" "My master," answered the Dog. "Then," said the Wolf, "may no friend of mine be treated like this; a collar is as grievous as starvation." [more info]

The Wolf and the House Dog

104. THE WOLF AND THE HOUSE DOG. There was once a Wolf who got very little to eat because the Dogs of the village were so wide awake and watchful. He was really nothing but skin and bones, and it made him very downhearted to think of it.
One night this Wolf happened to fall in with a fine fat House Dog who had wandered a little too far from home. The Wolf would gladly have eaten him then and there, but the House Dog looked strong enough to leave his marks should he try it. So the Wolf spoke very humbly to the Dog, complimenting him on his fine appearance.
"You can be as well-fed as I am if you want to," replied the Dog. "Leave the woods; there you live miserably. Why, you have to fight hard for every bite you get. Follow my example and you will get along beautifully."
"What must I do?" asked the Wolf.
"Hardly anything," answered the House Dog. "Chase people who carry canes, bark at beggars, and fawn on the people of the house. In return you will get tidbits of every kind, chicken bones, choice bits of meat, sugar, cake, and much more beside, not to speak of kind words and caresses."
The Wolf had such a beautiful vision of his coming happiness that he almost wept. But just then he noticed that the hair on the Dog's neck was worn and the skin was chafed.
"What is that on your neck?"
"Nothing at all," replied the Dog.
"What! nothing!"
"Oh, just a trifle!"
"But please tell me."
"Perhaps you see the mark of the collar to which my chain is fastened."
"What! A chain!" cried the Wolf. "Don't you go wherever you please?"
"Not always! But what's the difference?" replied the Dog.
"All the difference in the world! I don't care a rap for your feasts and I wouldn't take all the tender young lambs in the world at that price." And away ran the Wolf to the woods.
There is nothing worth so much as liberty. [more info]