Fox, Wolf, and Monkey

2.18. De vulpe, lupo et simio
Caxton: Of the wulf / of the foxe / and of the ape
He that ones falleth in to somme euylle faytte or dede / he shalle euer lyue with dishonur and in suspecion / of the people / And how be it that by aduenture he purposed to doo somme prouffitable thynge to somme other / yet he shold not be trusted ne byleued / wherof Esope reherceth to vs suche a fable / Of a wulf / whiche maade the foxe to be cyted beofre the Ape / And the wulf sayd that the foxe was but a theef and a payllart and a knaue of poure folke / And the foxe sayd that he lyed / and that he was a good and trewe man / And that he dyde moche good / And thenne the ape whiche was sette as a Iuge / gaf suche a sentence / And sayd thus to the wulf / Come hyther / thow hast not loste alle that whiche thow demaundest / And thow Foxe I byleue wel that thow hast vsurped and robbed som thynge / how be it / that thow denyest hit in Iustyce / But for as moche that pees may be bytwixe yow bothe / ye shall parte to gyder your good / to thende / that none of yow haue no hole parte / For he that is wonte and acustomed to robbe and gnawe / with grete payne he may absteyne hym self fro hit / For a begyler wylle euer begyle other / And by cause that the ape felte them bothe gylty and suspycious made theyr dyfference to be acorded / and parted half by half /
For they that ben customed to doo ony frawde or falshede / shall euer lyue ryghte heuyly and in suspycion
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The Wolf and the Fox

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

The Wolf, The Fox, and the Ape

117. THE WOLF, THE FOX, AND THE APE. The wolf indicted the fox of felony before the ape, who upon that occasion was appointed special judge of the cause. The fox gave in his answer to the wolf’s accusation, and denied the fact. So after a fair hearing on both sides, the ape gave judgment to this purpose: “I am of opinion that you,” says he to the wolf, “never lost the goods you sue for: and as for you,” turning to the fox, “I make no question,” said he, “but you have stolen what is laid to your charge, at least.” And thus the court was dismissed, with this public censure passed upon each party. [more info]

The Wolf, The Fox, and the Ape

098. THE WOLF, THE FOX, AND THE APE. A Wolf accused of theft a Fox, who utterly denied the charge, whereupon an Ape undertook to adjudge the matter with question. When each had fully stated his case, the Ape pronounced this sentence: "I am fully satisfied that you, Wolf, never lost what you claim." Then turning to the Fox, he said, "And I believe you have done that which you so stoutly deny." [more info]

The Wolf, The Fox, and the Ape

1.10. THE WOLF, THE FOX, AND THE APE. Whoever has once become notorious by base fraud, even if he speaks the truth, gains no belief. To this, a short Fable of Æsop bears witness.
A Wolf indicted a Fox upon a charge of theft; the latter denied that she was amenable to the charge. Upon this, the Ape sat as judge between them; and when each of them had pleaded his cause, the Ape is said to have pronounced this sentence: “You, Wolf, appear not to have lost what you demand; I believe that you, Fox, have stolen what you so speciously deny.” [more info]

The Wolf and Fox, with the Ape for Judge

1.10. THE WOLF AND FOX, WITH THE APE FOR JUDGE.
Whoe’er by practice indiscreet
Has pass’d for a notorious cheat,
Will shortly find his credit fail,
Though he speak truth, says Esop’s tale.
The Wolf the Fox for theft arraign’d;
The Fox her innocence maintain’d:
The Ape, as umpire, takes his seat;
Each pleads his cause with skill and heat.
Then thus the Ape, with aspect grave,
The sentence from the hustings gave:
“For you, Sir Wolf, I do descry
That all your losses are a lie—
And you, with negatives so stout,
O Fox! have stolen the goods no doubt.” [more info]

The Wolf Accusing the Fox

02.03: THE WOLF ACCUSING THE FOX BEFORE THE MONKEY.
A wolf, affirming his belief
That he had suffer'd by a thief,
Brought up his neighbour fox—
Of whom it was by all confess'd,
His character was not the best—
To fill the prisoner's box.
As judge between these vermin,
A monkey graced the ermine;
And truly other gifts of Themis
Did scarcely seem his;
For while each party plead his cause,
Appealing boldly to the laws,
And much the question vex'd,
Our monkey sat perplex'd.
Their words and wrath expended,
Their strife at length was ended;
When, by their malice taught,
The judge this judgment brought:
'Your characters, my friends, I long have known,
As on this trial clearly shown;
And hence I fine you both—the grounds at large
To state would little profit—
You wolf, in short, as bringing groundless charge,
You fox, as guilty of it.'
Come at it right or wrong, the judge opined
No other than a villain could be fined.
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The Wolf, The Fox, and the Ape

143. THE WOLF, THE FOX, AND THE APE. A Wolf charged a Fox with theft, which he denied, and the case was brought before an Ape to be tried. When he had heard the evidence on both sides, the Ape gave judgment as follows: "I do not think," he said, "that you, O Wolf, ever lost what you claim; but all the same I believe that you, Fox, are guilty of the theft, in spite of all your denials."The dishonest get no credit, even if they act honestly. [more info]

The Wolf Accusing the Fox

003. THE WOLF ACCUSING THE FOX.
A wolf, affirming his belief
That he had suffer'd by a thief,
Brought up his neighbour fox—
Of whom it was by all confess'd,
His character was not the best—
To fill the prisoner's box.
As judge between these vermin,
A monkey graced the ermine;
And truly other gifts of Themis
Did scarcely seem his;
For while each party plead his cause,
Appealing boldly to the laws,
And much the question vex'd,
Our monkey sat perplex'd.
Their words and wrath expended,
Their strife at length was ended;
When, by their malice taught,
The judge this judgment brought:
'Your characters, my friends, I long have known,
As on this trial clearly shown;
And hence I fine you both—the grounds at large
To state would little profit—
You wolf, in short, as bringing groundless charge,
You fox, as guilty of it.'
Come at it right or wrong, the judge opined
No other than a villain could be fined.
[more info]