The Old Dog and his Master

2.07. De cane antiquo et eius domino
Caxton: Of the old dogge and of his mayster
Men ought not to dysprayse the auncyent ne to putte a bak / For yf thow be yonge / thow oughtest to desyre to come to old age or auncyente / And also thow oughtest to loue and prayse the fayttes or dedes whiche the haue done in theyr yongthe / wherof Esope reherceth to vs suche a fable / Of a lord whiche had a dogge / the whiche dogge had be in his yongthe of good kynde / For ye wote wel / that of kynde the dogges chacen and hunten in theyr yongthe / and haue grete luste to renne and take the wyld beestes / whan thenne this dogge was come to old age / and that he myght nomore renne / It happeth ones that he lete scape and go fro hym an hare / wherfore his mayster was sorowfull and angry / and by grete wrathe beganne to bete hym / The dogge sayd thenne to hym / My mayster / of good seruyse thow yeldest to me euylle gwerdone and reward / For in my yonge age I serued the ful wel / And now that I am comen to myn old age / thow betest and settest me a bak / haue memorye how in myn yong age / I was stronge and lusty / And how I made grete oultrages and effors / the whiche caused my yongthe / And now when I am bycome old and feble thow settest nought of me /
This fable techeth that who so euer doth ony good in his yonghte / in his auncyente and old age he shalle not contynue in the vertues whiche he posseded in his yong age
[more info]

The Old Hound

064. THE OLD HOUND. 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 his Master

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

The Old Hound

011. THE OLD HOUND A Hound, who had been an excellent one in his time, and had done good service to his master in the field, at length became worn out with the weight of years and trouble. One day, when hunting the wild boar, he seized the creature by the ear, but his teeth giving way, he was forced to let go his hold, and the boar escaped. Upon this the huntsman, coming up, severely rated him. But the feeble Dog replied, "Spare your old servant! It was the power not the will that failed me. Remember rather what I was, than abuse me for what I am." [more info]

The Huntsman and the Dog

5.10. THE HUNTSMAN AND THE DOG. A Dog, who had always given satisfaction to his master by his boldness against swift and savage beasts, began to grow feeble under increasing years. On one occasion, being urged to the combat with a bristling Boar, he seized him by the ear; but, through the rottenness of his teeth, let go his prey. Vexed at this, the Huntsman upbraided the Dog. Old Barker replied: “It is not my courage that disappoints you, but my strength. You commend me for what I have been; and you blame me that I am not what I was.”
You, Philetus, may easily perceive why I have written this. [more info]

The Old Hound

028. THE OLD HOUND. An old hound, who had been an excellent good one in his time, and had given his master great sport and satisfaction in many a chase, at last, by the effect of years, became feeble and unserviceable. However, being in the field one day, when the stag was almost run down, he happened to be the first that came in with him, and seized him by one of his haunches: but his decayed and broken teeth not being able to keep their hold, the deer escaped, and threw him quite out.
Upon which, his master being in a great passion, and going to strike him, the honest old creature is said to have barked out this apology: “Ah! Do not strike your poor old servant; it is not my heart and inclination, but my strength and speed that fail me. If what I am now displeases, pray don't forget what I have been.” [more info]

The Old Dog and the Huntsman

5.10. THE OLD DOG AND THE HUNTSMAN.
A Dog, that time and often tried,
His master always satisfied;
And whensoever he assail’d,
Against the forest-beasts prevail’d
Both by activity and strength,
Through years began to flag at length.
One day, when hounded at a boar,
His ear he seized, as heretofore;
But with his teeth, decay’d and old,
Could not succeed to keep his hold.
At which the huntsman, much concern’d,
The vet’ran huff’d, who thus return’d:
“My resolution and my aim,
Though not my strength, are still the same;
For what I am if I am chid,
Praise what I was, and what I did.”
Philetus, you the drift perceive
Of this, with which I take my leave.
[more info]

The Old Hound

064. THE OLD HOUND. An old hound, who had been an excellent good one in his time, and had given his master great sport and satisfaction in many a chase, at last, by the effect of years, became feeble and unserviceable. However, being in the field one day, when the stag was almost run down, he happened to be the first that came in with him, and seized him by one of his haunches: but his decayed and broken teeth not being able to keep their hold, the deer escaped, and threw him quite out.
Upon which, his master being in a great passion, and going to strike him, the honest old creature is said to have barked out this apology: “Ah! Do not strike your poor old servant; it is not my heart and inclination, but my strength and speed that fail me. If what I am now displeases, pray don't forget what I have been.” [more info]

The Old Hound

2.59. THE OLD HOUND. An old Hound, who had been an excellent good one in his time, and given his master great sport and satisfaction in many a chase, at last, by the effect of years, became feeble and unserviceable. However, being in the field one day, when the Stag was almost run down, he happened to be the first that came in with him, and seized him by one of his haunches; but, his decayed and broken teeth not being able to keep their hold, the Deer escaped, and threw him quite out. Upon which, his master, being in a great passion, was going to strike him, when the honest old creature is said to have barked out his apology: Ah! do not strike your poor old servant; it is not my heart and inclination, but my strength and speed that fail me. If what I now am displeases, pray don't forget what I have been.
MORAL. Useful services, performed in youth, ought not to be cancelled by old age and infirmities. [more info]

The Old Hound

120. THE OLD HOUND. A HOUND, who in the days of his youth and strength had never yielded to any beast of the forest, encountered in his old age a boar in the chase. He seized him boldly by the ear, but could not retain his hold because of the decay of his teeth, so that the boar escaped. His master, quickly coming up, was very much disappointed, and fiercely abused the dog. The Hound looked up and said, “It was not my fault master: my spirit was as good as ever, but I could not help my infirmities. I rather deserve to be praised for what I have been, than to be blamed for what I am.” [more info]