067. THE LION, 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]
Showing posts with label index: Perry 258. Show all posts
Showing posts with label index: Perry 258. Show all posts
The Lion, The Wolf, and the Fox
08.03: THE LION, THE WOLF, AND THE FOX.
A lion, old, and impotent with gout,
Would have some cure for age found out.
Impossibilities, on all occasions,
With kings, are rank abominations.
This king, from every species,—
For each abounds in every sort,—
Call'd to his aid the leeches.
They came in throngs to court,
From doctors of the highest fee
To nostrum-quacks without degree,—
Advised, prescribed, talk'd learnedly;
But with the rest
Came not Sir Cunning Fox, M.D.
Sir Wolf the royal couch attended,
And his suspicions there express'd.
Forthwith his majesty, offended,
Resolved Sir Cunning Fox should come,
And sent to smoke him from his home.
He came, was duly usher'd in,
And, knowing where Sir Wolf had been,
Said, 'Sire, your royal ear
Has been abused, I fear,
By rumours false and insincere;
To wit, that I've been self-exempt
From coming here, through sheer contempt.
But, sire, I've been on pilgrimage,
By vow expressly made,
Your royal health to aid,
And, on my way, met doctors sage,
In skill the wonder of the age,
Whom carefully I did consult
About that great debility
Term'd in the books senility,
Of which you fear, with reason, the result.
You lack, they say, the vital heat,
By age extreme become effete.
Drawn from a living wolf, the hide
Should warm and smoking be applied.
The secret's good, beyond a doubt,
For nature's weak, and wearing out.
Sir Wolf, here, won't refuse to give
His hide to cure you, as I live.'
The king was pleased with this advice.
Flay'd, jointed, served up in a trice,
Sir Wolf first wrapp'd the monarch up,
Then furnish'd him whereon to sup.
Beware, ye courtiers, lest ye gain,
By slander's arts, less power than pain;
For in the world where ye are living,
A pardon no one thinks of giving.
[more info]
A lion, old, and impotent with gout,
Would have some cure for age found out.
Impossibilities, on all occasions,
With kings, are rank abominations.
This king, from every species,—
For each abounds in every sort,—
Call'd to his aid the leeches.
They came in throngs to court,
From doctors of the highest fee
To nostrum-quacks without degree,—
Advised, prescribed, talk'd learnedly;
But with the rest
Came not Sir Cunning Fox, M.D.
Sir Wolf the royal couch attended,
And his suspicions there express'd.
Forthwith his majesty, offended,
Resolved Sir Cunning Fox should come,
And sent to smoke him from his home.
He came, was duly usher'd in,
And, knowing where Sir Wolf had been,
Said, 'Sire, your royal ear
Has been abused, I fear,
By rumours false and insincere;
To wit, that I've been self-exempt
From coming here, through sheer contempt.
But, sire, I've been on pilgrimage,
By vow expressly made,
Your royal health to aid,
And, on my way, met doctors sage,
In skill the wonder of the age,
Whom carefully I did consult
About that great debility
Term'd in the books senility,
Of which you fear, with reason, the result.
You lack, they say, the vital heat,
By age extreme become effete.
Drawn from a living wolf, the hide
Should warm and smoking be applied.
The secret's good, beyond a doubt,
For nature's weak, and wearing out.
Sir Wolf, here, won't refuse to give
His hide to cure you, as I live.'
The king was pleased with this advice.
Flay'd, jointed, served up in a trice,
Sir Wolf first wrapp'd the monarch up,
Then furnish'd him whereon to sup.
Beware, ye courtiers, lest ye gain,
By slander's arts, less power than pain;
For in the world where ye are living,
A pardon no one thinks of giving.
[more info]
The Sick Lion, The Fox, and the Wolf
1.33. THE SICK LION, THE FOX AND THE WOLF. Men who meditate mischief, suggest the same to others; and generally pay dear for their froward gratifications.
A Lion, having surfeited himself with feasting too luxuriously on the carcase of a wild boar, was seized with a violent and dangerous disorder. The beasts of the forest flocked in great numbers to pay their respects to him upon the occasion, and scarce one was absent except the Fox. The Wolf, an ill-natured and malicious beast, seized this opportunity to accuse the Fox of pride, ingratitude, and disaffection to his majesty. In the midst of his invective, the Fox entered; who having heard part of the Wolf's accusation, and observing the Lion's countenance to be kindled into wrath, thus adroitly excused himself, and retorted upon his accuser: I see many here who with mere lip service have pretended to shew you their loyalty; but for my part, from the moment I heard of your majesty's illness, neglecting useless compliments, I employed myself day and night to enquire among the most learned physicians an infallible remedy for your disease, and have at length happily been informed of one. It is a plaister made of part of a Wolf's skin, taken warm from his back, and laid to your majesty's stomach. This remedy was no sooner proposed than it was determined that the experiment should be tried; and whilst the operation was performing, the Fox, with a sarcastic smile, whispered this useful maxim in the Wol'fs ear—If you would be safe from harm yourself, learn for the future not to meditate mischief against others. [more info]
A Lion, having surfeited himself with feasting too luxuriously on the carcase of a wild boar, was seized with a violent and dangerous disorder. The beasts of the forest flocked in great numbers to pay their respects to him upon the occasion, and scarce one was absent except the Fox. The Wolf, an ill-natured and malicious beast, seized this opportunity to accuse the Fox of pride, ingratitude, and disaffection to his majesty. In the midst of his invective, the Fox entered; who having heard part of the Wolf's accusation, and observing the Lion's countenance to be kindled into wrath, thus adroitly excused himself, and retorted upon his accuser: I see many here who with mere lip service have pretended to shew you their loyalty; but for my part, from the moment I heard of your majesty's illness, neglecting useless compliments, I employed myself day and night to enquire among the most learned physicians an infallible remedy for your disease, and have at length happily been informed of one. It is a plaister made of part of a Wolf's skin, taken warm from his back, and laid to your majesty's stomach. This remedy was no sooner proposed than it was determined that the experiment should be tried; and whilst the operation was performing, the Fox, with a sarcastic smile, whispered this useful maxim in the Wol'fs ear—If you would be safe from harm yourself, learn for the future not to meditate mischief against others. [more info]
The Sick Lion
14. THE SICK LION.
A Lion, who for many a day,
Had caught, and gorged himself with prey;
At last, was laid up with the gout,
So ill, he could not venture out;
Nor stir about, without a crutch,
Which didn't help his temper much.
The Fox, who heard this bad report,
With prudence, seldom came to court.
He didn't care to trust his skin,
Too much, the Palace gates within!
And this, is what he heard one day,
The Wolf, unto the Monarch say: -
"Your Majesty, I grieve to find,
The Fox, to treason seems inclined;
Whene'er I meet him, through the day
All silently he slinks away.
No more, your Highness, sees him here,
He's hatching mischief, Sire, I fear."
Then, said the Lion with a groan,
"They'd leave me here to die alone;
But now, I'll stop this kind of thing,
And let them know that I am King.
Go straightaway, bring the Fox to me,
And what he's at - we soon shall see."
Off went the Wolf, with wicked joy,
To think upon some safe decoy;
While Master Fox, to save his skin,
With many bows, came smiling in.
Then bent his knee, with easy grace,
While watching close the Lion's face.
The Monarch shook his mighty mane,
And with a growl, of rage and pain;
Said, "Sir, I've noticed that of late,
You do not in our presence wait!
"Now, Sir, explain yourself, I pray,
We'll hear what you have got to say."
The Fox, then bowing low, replied -
"Great King, I've traveled far and wide,
Since last I stood within this place,
And gazed upon that august face.
Magicians, many, have I seen,
And much among the doctors been.
To bring your Highness back to health,
(The task to which I set myself;)
I've vowed beneath no roof to dwell,
Until I see your Highness well."
Just then, the Wolf with staring eyes,
Came in, and saw, with great surprise;
The Fox, who talked with courtly ease,
And seemed the Lion much to please.
"And so," resumed the Fox, I bring,
A cure unto my lord, the King!
Which must be tried without delay,
For so the wisest doctors say.
A Wolf-skin, fresh to keep you warm
Must from a Wolf, be reeking torn!
And here is one, now near at hand,
Who will not for a trifle stand;
I'm sure he'll do so small a thing,
As give his hide, to cure his King."
The wretched Wolf, found out too late,
The tender mercies of the great.
The Lion, with a mighty roar,
Soon pinned him helpless to the floor;
With eager haste, tore off his skin,
And soon was snugly wrapped within!
But Master Fox ran off amain,
And never came to court again. [more info]
A Lion, who for many a day,
Had caught, and gorged himself with prey;
At last, was laid up with the gout,
So ill, he could not venture out;
Nor stir about, without a crutch,
Which didn't help his temper much.
The Fox, who heard this bad report,
With prudence, seldom came to court.
He didn't care to trust his skin,
Too much, the Palace gates within!
And this, is what he heard one day,
The Wolf, unto the Monarch say: -
"Your Majesty, I grieve to find,
The Fox, to treason seems inclined;
Whene'er I meet him, through the day
All silently he slinks away.
No more, your Highness, sees him here,
He's hatching mischief, Sire, I fear."
Then, said the Lion with a groan,
"They'd leave me here to die alone;
But now, I'll stop this kind of thing,
And let them know that I am King.
Go straightaway, bring the Fox to me,
And what he's at - we soon shall see."
Off went the Wolf, with wicked joy,
To think upon some safe decoy;
While Master Fox, to save his skin,
With many bows, came smiling in.
Then bent his knee, with easy grace,
While watching close the Lion's face.
The Monarch shook his mighty mane,
And with a growl, of rage and pain;
Said, "Sir, I've noticed that of late,
You do not in our presence wait!
"Now, Sir, explain yourself, I pray,
We'll hear what you have got to say."
The Fox, then bowing low, replied -
"Great King, I've traveled far and wide,
Since last I stood within this place,
And gazed upon that august face.
Magicians, many, have I seen,
And much among the doctors been.
To bring your Highness back to health,
(The task to which I set myself;)
I've vowed beneath no roof to dwell,
Until I see your Highness well."
Just then, the Wolf with staring eyes,
Came in, and saw, with great surprise;
The Fox, who talked with courtly ease,
And seemed the Lion much to please.
"And so," resumed the Fox, I bring,
A cure unto my lord, the King!
Which must be tried without delay,
For so the wisest doctors say.
A Wolf-skin, fresh to keep you warm
Must from a Wolf, be reeking torn!
And here is one, now near at hand,
Who will not for a trifle stand;
I'm sure he'll do so small a thing,
As give his hide, to cure his King."
The wretched Wolf, found out too late,
The tender mercies of the great.
The Lion, with a mighty roar,
Soon pinned him helpless to the floor;
With eager haste, tore off his skin,
And soon was snugly wrapped within!
But Master Fox ran off amain,
And never came to court again. [more info]
The Lion, The Wolf, and the Fox
098. THE LION, THE WOLF, AND THE FOX.
A lion, old, and impotent with gout,
Would have some cure for age found out.
Impossibilities, on all occasions,
With kings, are rank abominations.
This king, from every species,—
For each abounds in every sort,—
Call'd to his aid the leeches.
They came in throngs to court,
From doctors of the highest fee
To nostrum-quacks without degree,—
Advised, prescribed, talk'd learnedly;
But with the rest
Came not Sir Cunning Fox, M.D.
Sir Wolf the royal couch attended,
And his suspicions there express'd.
Forthwith his majesty, offended,
Resolved Sir Cunning Fox should come,
And sent to smoke him from his home.
He came, was duly usher'd in,
And, knowing where Sir Wolf had been,
Said, 'Sire, your royal ear
Has been abused, I fear,
By rumours false and insincere;
To wit, that I've been self-exempt
From coming here, through sheer contempt.
But, sire, I've been on pilgrimage,
By vow expressly made,
Your royal health to aid,
And, on my way, met doctors sage,
In skill the wonder of the age,
Whom carefully I did consult
About that great debility
Term'd in the books senility,
Of which you fear, with reason, the result.
You lack, they say, the vital heat,
By age extreme become effete.
Drawn from a living wolf, the hide
Should warm and smoking be applied.
The secret's good, beyond a doubt,
For nature's weak, and wearing out.
Sir Wolf, here, won't refuse to give
His hide to cure you, as I live.'
The king was pleased with this advice.
Flay'd, jointed, served up in a trice,
Sir Wolf first wrapp'd the monarch up,
Then furnish'd him whereon to sup.
Beware, ye courtiers, lest ye gain,
By slander's arts, less power than pain.
[more info]
A lion, old, and impotent with gout,
Would have some cure for age found out.
Impossibilities, on all occasions,
With kings, are rank abominations.
This king, from every species,—
For each abounds in every sort,—
Call'd to his aid the leeches.
They came in throngs to court,
From doctors of the highest fee
To nostrum-quacks without degree,—
Advised, prescribed, talk'd learnedly;
But with the rest
Came not Sir Cunning Fox, M.D.
Sir Wolf the royal couch attended,
And his suspicions there express'd.
Forthwith his majesty, offended,
Resolved Sir Cunning Fox should come,
And sent to smoke him from his home.
He came, was duly usher'd in,
And, knowing where Sir Wolf had been,
Said, 'Sire, your royal ear
Has been abused, I fear,
By rumours false and insincere;
To wit, that I've been self-exempt
From coming here, through sheer contempt.
But, sire, I've been on pilgrimage,
By vow expressly made,
Your royal health to aid,
And, on my way, met doctors sage,
In skill the wonder of the age,
Whom carefully I did consult
About that great debility
Term'd in the books senility,
Of which you fear, with reason, the result.
You lack, they say, the vital heat,
By age extreme become effete.
Drawn from a living wolf, the hide
Should warm and smoking be applied.
The secret's good, beyond a doubt,
For nature's weak, and wearing out.
Sir Wolf, here, won't refuse to give
His hide to cure you, as I live.'
The king was pleased with this advice.
Flay'd, jointed, served up in a trice,
Sir Wolf first wrapp'd the monarch up,
Then furnish'd him whereon to sup.
Beware, ye courtiers, lest ye gain,
By slander's arts, less power than pain.
[more info]
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