Fables of Aesop by Detmold

The Fables of Aesop illustrated by Edward Julius Detmold (1909). You can use this link to browse posts from this book, and you will find the table of contents below; each fable in the book has its own post at this blog.

Online source: Internet Archive

Online source: International Children's Digital Library

Here's a random image from the book:

Table of Contents:

01. THE VAIN JACKDAW

02. THE ANTS AND THE GRASSHOPPER

03. THE EAGLE AND THE ARROW

04. THE OXEN AND THE AXLE-TREES

05. THE TOWN MOUSE AND THE COUNTRY MOUSE

06. THE SHE-GOATS AND THEIR BEARDS

07. THE MOUNTAIN IN LABOUR

08. THE MONKEYS AND THEIR MOTHER

09. THE MONKEY AND THE FISHERMEN

10. THE HART AND THE VINE

11. THE LION AND THE THREE BULLS

12. THE GOAT AND THE ASS

13. THE BIRDS, THE BEASTS, AND THE BAT

14. THE HARE AND THE TORTOISE

15. THE GEESE AND THE CRANES

16. THE EAGLE AND HIS CAPTOR

17. THE WASP AND THE SNAKE

18. THE GRASSHOPPER AND THE OWL

19. THE FOX AND THE CRANE

20. THE MONKEY AND THE DOLPHIN

21. THE EAGLE AND THE BEETLE

22. THE POMEGRANATE, THE APPLE-TREE, AND THE BRAMBLE

23. THE OWL AND THE BIRDS

24. THE LARK BURYING HER FATHER

25. THE WOLF AND THE GOAT

Here's a random fable from the book:

The Wolf and the Goat

25. THE WOLF AND THE GOAT. A Wolf spy'd a Goat upon the Crag of a high Rock, and so call'd out to him after this manner: Hadst not thou better come down now, says the Wolf, into this delicate fine Meadow? Well, says the Goat, and so perhaps I would, if it were not for the Wolf that's there before me: But I'm for a Life of Safety, rather than for a Life of Pleasure. Your Pretence is the Filling of my Belly with good grass; but your Bus'ness is the Cramming of of your own Guts with good Goats-Flesh: So that 'tis for your own Sake, not Mine, that you'd have me come down.
There's no Trusting to the Formal Civilities and Invitations of an Enemy, and his Reasonings are but Snares when he pretends to advise us for our Good. [more info]

The Lark Burying Her Father

24. THE LARK BURYING HER FATHER. THE LARK (according to an ancient legend) was created before the earth itself, and when her father died by a fell disease, as there was no earth, she could find no place of burial for him. She let him lie uninterred for five days, and on the sixth day, being in perplexity, she buried him in her own head. Hence she obtained her crest, which is popularly said to be her father's grave-hillock.
Youth's first duty is reverence to parents. [more info]

The Owl and the Birds

23. THE OWL AND THE BIRDS. Here goes a Story of an Owl that was advised by the Little Birds to Build rather among the Boughs and Leaves as They did, than in Walls and Hollow Trees; and so they shew'd her a young Tender Plant for her Purpose. No, No, says the Owl, these Twigs in time will come to be Lim'd and then you're all Lost if you do but touch 'em. The Birds gave little Heed to't and so went on Playing and Chirping among the Leaves still, and passing their Time there in Flocks as formerly; till in conclusion the Sprigs were all daub'd with Lime, and the poor Wretches clamm'd and taken. Their Repentance came now too late; but in Memory of this Notable Instance of the Owl's Foresight, the Birds never see an Owl to this very Day, but they Flock about her and Follow her, as if it were for a New Lesson. But our Modern Owls have only the Eyes, the Beak, and the Plume of the Owls of Athens, without the Wisdom.
Good Counsel is lost upon those that have not the Grace to hearken to't; or do not Understand it, or will not Embrace and Follow it in the proper Season. [more info]

Pomegranate, Apple-Tree, and Bramble

22. THE POMEGRANATE, THE APPLE-TREE, AND THE BRAMBLE. There happen’d a Controversy once betwixt a Pomegranate, and an Apple, which was the fairer Fruit of the two. They were so loud in their Discourse, that a Bramble, from the next Hedg, over-heard them. Come (says the Bramble) we are all Friends, and pray let’s have no jangling among our selves.
Every thing would be thought greater in the World than it is; and the Root of it is this, that it first thinks it self so. [more info]

The Eagle and the Beetle

21. THE EAGLE AND THE BEETLE. A Hare that was hard put to't by an Eagle took Sanctuary in a Ditch with a Beetle The Beetle Interceded for the Hare: The Eagle Flapt off the former and Devoured the Other. The Beetle took this for an Affront to Hospitality, as well as to her Self, and so Meditated a Revenge, watch'd the Eagle up to her Nest, follow'd her and took her Time when the Eagle was Abroad, and so made a shift to Roll out the Eggs and Destroy the Brood.
The Eagle upon this Disappointment, Timber'd a great deal higher next Bout; The Beetle watch'd her still, and shew'd her the same Trick once again.
Whereupon the Eagle made her Appeal to Jupiter, who gave her leave to lay her next Course of Eggs in his own Lap. But the Beetle found out a way to make Jupiter rise from his Throne; so that upon the Loosning of his Mantle, the Eggs fell from him at unawares, and the Eagle was a Third time Defeated. Jupiter stomach'd the Indignity, but upon Hearing the Cause, he found the Eagle to be the Aggressor, and so Acquitted the Beetle'Tis not for a Generous Prince to Countenance Oppression and Injustice, even in his most Darling Favourites. [more info]

The Monkey and the Dolphin

20. THE MONKEY AND THE DOLPHIN. People were us’d in the Days of Old, to carry Gamesome Puppies and Monkeys with ‘em out to Sea, to pass away the Time withal. Now there was One of these Monkeys, it seems, abord a Vessel that was cast away in a very great Storm. As the Men were Paddling for their Lives, and the Monkey for Company, a certain Dolphin that took him for a Man, got him upon his Back, and was making towards Land with him. He had him into a safe Road call’d the Pyraeus, and took occasion to ask the Monkey whether he was an Athenian or not? He told him Yes, and of a very Ancient Family there. Why then (says the Dolphin) you know Pyraeus: Oh! Exceedingly well, says t’other (taking it for the Name of a Man). Why Pyraeus is my particular good Friend. The Dolphin, upon this, had such an Indignation for the Impudence of the Buffoon-Monkey, that he gave him Slip from between his Legs, and there was an end of my very good Friend, the Athenian.
Bragging, Lying, and Pretending, has Cost many a Man his Life and Estate. [more info]

The Fox and the Crane

19. THE FOX AND THE CRANE. There was a great Friendship once betwixt a Fox and a Crane, and the former would needs invite the other to a Treat. They had several Soups served up in broad Dishes and Plates, and so the Fox fell to lapping himself, and bade his Guest heartily welcom to what was before him. The Crane found he was put upon, but set so good a face however upon his Entertainment, that his Friend by all means must take a Supper with him that Night, in Revenge. The Fox made several Excuses upon the Matter of Trouble and Expence, but the Crane in fine, would not be said nay, so that at last, he promised him to come.
The Collation was served up in Glasses with long narrow Necks, and the best of every thing that was to be had. Come (says the Crane to his Friend) pray be as free as if you were at home, and so fell to’t very savourly himself. The Fox quickly found this to be a Trick, tho’ he could not but allow of the Contrivance as well as the Justice of the Revenge. For such a Glass of Sweet-Meats to the one, was just as much to the purpose as a Plate of Porridge to the other.
‘Tis allowable in all the Liberties of Conversation to give a Man a Rowland for his Oliver, and to pay him in his own Coin, as we say; provided always that we keep within the Compass of Honour and good Manners. [more info]

The Grasshopper and the Owl

18. THE GRASSHOPPER AND THE OWL. An Owl sat sleeping in a tree when a Grasshopper, who was singing beneath, would not let her be quiet, abusing her with very indecent and uncivil language; telling her she was a scandalous person who plied a-nights to get her living and shut herself up all day in a hollow tree. The Owl desired her to hold her tongue and be quiet: Notwithstanding which she was still impertinent.
She begged of her a second time to leave off; but all to no purpose: The Owl, vext at the heart to find that all she said went for nothing, cast about to inveigle her by stratagem.
Well, said she, since one must needs be kept awake, 'tis a pleasure however to be so by so agreeable a voice; which I must confess is no ways inferior to the finest harp. And, now I think on't, I have a bottle of excellent nectar, which my Mistress Pallas gave me; if you have a mind, I'll give you a dram to whet your whistle.
The Grasshopper, ready to die with thirst, and, at the same time, pleas'd to be so complimented upon account of her voice, skip'd up to the place very briskly: when the Owl advancing to meet her, seiz'd and without much delay made her a sacrifice to her revenge: securing to her self by the death of her enemy, a possession of that quiet which, during her life-time, she could not enjoy
We have no Right to be impertinent with one another to extremity; and tho' there is no Law to punish such Incivilities, they will scarce fail of meeting with deserved and just chastisement, some way or other. [more info]

The Wasp and the Snake

17. THE WASP AND THE SNAKE. A WASP seated himself upon the head of a Snake and, striking him unceasingly with his stings, wounded him to death. The Snake, being in great torment and not knowing how to rid himself of his enemy, saw a wagon heavily laden with wood, and went and purposely placed his head under the wheels, saying, 'At least my enemy and I shall perish together.' [more info]

The Eagle and his Captor

16. THE EAGLE AND HIS CAPTOR. A Man took an Eagle, pelted her Wings, and put her among his Hens. Somebody came and bought this and presently new feather’d her. She made a Flight at a Hare, truss’d it, and brought it to her Benefactor. A Fox perceiving this, came and gave the Man a piece of good Counsel. Have a care, says Reynard, of putting too much Confidence in this Eagle; for she’ll go near, one time or other else, to take you for a Hare. Upon this Advice the Man plum’d the Eagle once again.
Persons and Humours may be jumbled and disguis’d; but Nature is like Quicksilver, that will never be kill’d. [more info]

The Geese and the Cranes

15. THE GEESE AND THE CRANES. Some Sports-men that were abroad upon Game, spy'd a Company of Geese and Cranes a Feeding together, and so made in upon 'em as fast as their Horses could carry them. The Cranes that were Light, took Wing immediately, and sav'd themselves, but the Geese were Taken; for they were Fat, and Heavy, and could not Shift so well as the Other.
Light of Body and Light of Purse, comes much to a Case in Troublesome Times; Only the One saves himself by his Activity, and the Other scapes because he is not worth the Taking. [more info]

The Hare and the Tortoise

14. THE HARE AND THE TORTOISE. What a dull heavy Creature (says a Hare) is this same Tortoise! And yet (says the Tortoise) I’ll run with you for a Wager. ‘Twas done and done, and the Fox, by Consent, was to be the Judge. They started together, and the Tortoise kept jogging on still till he came to the End of the Course. The Hare laid himself down about Midway, and took a Nap; for, says he, I can fetch up the Tortoise when I please: But he over-slept himself, it seems, for when he came to wake, though he scudded away as fast as ‘twas possible, the tortoise got to the Post before him, and won the Wager.
Up and be doing, is an edifying Text; for Action is the Business of Life, and there’s no Thought of ever coming to the End of our Journey in time, if we sleep by the Way. [more info]

The Birds, The Beasts, and the Bat

13. THE BIRDS, THE BEASTS, AND THE BAT. Upon a desperate and a double Battel betwixt the Birds and the Beasts, the Bat stood Neuter, till she found that the Beasts had the better on’t, and then went over to the stronger Side. But it came to pass afterward (as the Chance of War is various) that the Birds rally’d their broken Troops, and carry’d the Day; and away she went then to t’other Party, where she was try’d by a Council of War as a Deserter; stript, banish’d, and finally condemn’d never to see Day-light again.
Trimming, in some Cases, is foul and dishonest; in others laudable, and in some again not only honest but necessary. The Nicety lies in the Skill of distinguishing upon Cases, Times, and Degrees. [more info]

The Goat and the Ass

12. THE GOAT AND THE ASS. A MAN once kept a Goat and an Ass. The Goat, envying the Ass on account of his greater abundance of food, said, 'How shamefully you are treated: at one time grinding in the mill, and at another carrying heavy burdens'; and he further advised him to pretend to be epileptic and fall into a ditch and so obtain rest. The Ass listened to his words, and falling into a ditch, was very much bruised. His master, sending for a leech, asked his advice. He bade him pour upon the wounds the lungs of a Goat. They at once killed the Goat, and so healed the Ass. [more info]

The Lion and the Three Bulls

11. THE LION AND THE THREE BULLS. There was a party of Three Bulls that Struck up a League to Keep and Feed together, and to be One and All, in case of a Common Enemy. If the Lyon could have Met with any of them Single, he would have done His Work, but so long as they Stuck to This Confederacy, there was No Dealing with them. They fell to Variance at last among Themselves: The Lyon made his Advantage of it, and then with Great Ease he Gain'd his End.
This is to tell us the Advantage, the Necessity, and the Force of Union; And that Division brings Ruin. [more info]

The Hart and the Vine

10. THE HART AND THE VINE. A Hart that was hard Press’d by the Huntsmen, took Sanctuary in a Vineyard, and there he lay Close, under the covert of a Vine. So soon as he thought the Danger was Over, he fell presently to Browzing upon the Leaves; and whether it was the Rusling, or the Motion of the Boughs, that gave the Huntsmen an Occasion for stricter Search, is Uncertain: But a Search there was, and in the End he was Discover’d and Shot. He dy’d, in fine, with this Conviction upon him, that his Punishment was Just, for Offering Violence to his Protector.
Ingratitude Perverts all the Measures of Religion and Society, by making it Dangerous to be Charitable and Good Natur’d. [more info]

The Monkey and the Fishermen

09. THE MONKEY AND THE FISHERMEN. A Monkey was sitting up in a high tree, when, seeing some Fishermen laying their nets in a river, he watched what they were doing. The Men had no sooner set their nets, and retired a short distance to their dinner, than the Monkey came down from the tree, thinking that he would try his hand at the same sport. But in attempting to lay the nets he got so entangled in them, that being well nigh chocked, he was forced to exclaim: "This serves me right, for what business had I, who knew nothing of fishing, to meddle with such tackle as this?" [more info]

The Monkeys and their Mother

08. THE MONKEYS AND THEIR MOTHER. There was a Monkey that had Twins: She Doted upon One of them, and did not much care of the T'other. She took a sudden Fright once, and in a Hurry whips up her Darling under her Arm, and carries the Other a Pick-a-Pack upon her Shoulders. In this Haste and Maze, Down she comes, and beats out her Favourites Brains against a Stone; but That which she had at her Back came off Safe and Sound.
Fondlings are Commonly Unfortunate. [more info]

The Mountain in Labor

07. THE MOUNTAIN IN LABOUR. When Mountains cry out, People may well be excus’d the Apprehension of some prodigious Birth. This was the Case here in the Fable. The Neighbourhood were all at their Wits end, to consider what would be the Issue of that Labour, and instead of the dreadful Monster that they expected, out comes at last a ridiculous Mouse.
Much Ado about Nothing [more info]