Showing posts with label language: English. Show all posts
Showing posts with label language: English. Show all posts

The Fox and the Mask


137. THE FOX AND THE MASK. A Fox had stolen into the house of an actor, and in rummaging among his various properties, laid hold of a highly-finished Mask. “A fine-looking head, indeed!” cried he; “what a pity it is that it wants brains!”
A fair outside is but a poor substitute for inward worth. [more info]

Aesop's Fables illustrated by Tenniel

Aesop's Fables: A new version, chiefly from original sources, by the Rev. Thomas James, with more than one hundred illustrations designed by John Tenniel. The book was published in 1848.

online source: Internet Archive

There are also later editions of the fables which combine the Tenniel illustrations with Wolf's illustrations (as here).


Fables with illustrations:

192. THE MISER
193. THE WILD BOAR AND THE FOX
195. THE BOASTING TRAVELLER
197. THE STAG AT THE POOL
198. THE OLD LION
199. THE HUNTER AND THE WOODMAN
201. THE WOLF AND THE SHEPHERDS
202. THE ASTRONOMER
203. THE MILLER, HIS SON, AND THEIR ASS

The Old Woman and Her Maids


191. THE OLD WOMAN AND HER MAIDS A thrifty old Widow kept two Servant-Maids, whom she used to call up to their work at cock-crow. The Maids disliked exceedingly this early rising, and determined between themselves to wring off the Cock’s neck, as he was the cause of all their trouble by waking their mistress so early. They had no sooner done this, than the old lady missing her usual alarum, and afraid of oversleeping herself, continually mistook the time of day, and roused them up at midnight.
Too much cunning overreaches itself. [more info]

The Shepherd and the Sea


189. THE SHEPHERD AND THE SEA A Shepherd moved down his flock to feed near the shore, and beholding the Sea lying in a smooth and breathless calm, he was seized with a strong desire to sail over it. So he sold all his sheep and bought a cargo of Dates, and loaded a vessel, and set sail. He had not gone far when a storm arose; his ship was wrecked, and his Dates and everything lost, and he himself with difficulty escaped to land. Not long after, when the Sea was again calm, and one of his friends came up to him and was admiring its repose, he said, “Have a care, my good fellow, of that smooth surface; it is only looking out for your Dates.” [more info]

The Lion and the Bulls


187. THE LION AND THE BULLS.  Three Bulls fed in a field together in the greatest peace and amity. A Lion had long watched them in the hope of making prize of them, but found that there was little chance for him so long as they kept all together. He therefore began secretly to spread evil and slanderous reports of one against the other, till he had fomented a jealousy and distrust amongst them. No sooner did the Lion see that they avoided one another, and fed each by himself apart, than he fell upon them singly, and so made an easy prey of them all.
The quarrels of friends are the opportunities of foes. [more info]

The Ass's Shadow


185. THE ASS'S SHADOW A Youth, one hot summer’s day, hired an Ass to carry him from Athens to Megara. At mid-day the heat of the sun was so scorching, that he dismounted, and would have sat down to repose himself under the shadow of the Ass. But the driver of the Ass disputed the place with him, declaring that he had an equal right to it with the other.
“What!” said the Youth; “did I not hire the Ass for the whole journey?”
“Yes,” said the other, “you hired the Ass, but not the Ass’s Shadow.”
While they were thus wrangling and fighting for the place, the Ass took to his heels and ran away. [more info]

The Fox and the Crow


183. THE FOX AND THE CROW A Crow had snatched a goodly piece of cheese out of a window and flew with it into a high tree intent on enjoying her prize. A Fox spied the dainty morsel and thus he planned his approaches. "O Crow," said he, "how beautiful are thy wings! How bright thine eye! How graceful thy neck! Thy breast is the breast of an eagle! Thy claws, I beg pardon, thy talons are a match for all the beasts of the field! O that such a bird should be dumb and want only a voice!"
The Crow pleased with the flattery and chuckling to think how she would surprise the Fox with her caw opened her mouth; down dropped the cheese which the Fox snapping up, observed, as he walked away, that whatever he had remarked of her beauty, he had said nothing yet of her brains.
Men seldom flatter without some private end in view; and they who listen to such music may expect to have to pay the piper. [more info]

The Vine and the Goat


180. THE VINE AND THE GOAT There was a Vine teeming with ripe fruit and tender shoots, when a wanton Goat came up and gnawed the bark, and browsed upon the young leaves. “I will revenge myself on you,” said the Vine, “for this insult; for when in a few days you are brought as a victim to the altar, the juice of my grapes shall be the dew of death upon thy forehead.”
Retribution, though late, comes at last. [more info]

Aesop's Fables illustrated by Francis Barlow

Aesop's Fables, with his life : in English, French and Latin. Newly translated. Illustrated with one hundred and twelve sculptures. To this edition are likewise added, thirty one new figures representing his life, by Francis Barlow. This book was published in 1687. You can use this link to browse posts from this book, and you will find the table of contents below.

Thanks to the great generosity of Michigan State University, you can read this book online in PDF format: PA3857 .Z9 1687 Online. To see the book page by page, use the online edition at the Folger Shakespeare Library, which has higher-resolution scans that you can use to zoom in on the details. The Folder Library edition also supplies some pages that are missing or defaced in the MSU online version.

Here's a random image from the book:


Table of Contents:

001. COCK AND PRECIOUS STONE
002. WOLF AND LAMB 
003. LYON AND FOUR BULLS 
004. FOX AND FROG
005. ASS EATING THISTLES 
006. THE LARK'S NEST IN THE CORN
007. THE FOX AND COCK IN A TREE 
008. FOX IN THE WELL
009. WOLVES AND SHEEP 
010. THE EAGLE'S NEST
011. THE WOLF IN SHEEPS CLOTHING
012. RINGDOVE AND FOWLER
013. SOW AND HER PIGS 
014. THE HORSE AND ASS
015. THE WOLF AND GOAT.
016. THE KITE AND THE PIGEONS
017. THE CITY MOUSE AND COUNTRY MOUSE.
018. THE SWALLOW AND OTHER BIRDS.
019. HUNTED BEAVER 
020. THE FOX AND THE CAT.
021. THE CAT AND MICE.
022. THE LYON AND OTHER BEASTS.
023. THE LION AND MOUSE.
024. THE LION AND MOUSE.
025. THE DOG WITH A CLOG.
026. THE OXE AND TOAD.
027. THE LION AND FOX.
028. APE AND FOX 
029. THE DOG AND OX.
030. THE BIRDS AND BEASTS.
031. THE TYGRE AND FOX.
032. THE LIONESS AND FOX.
033. THE OAK AND REED
034. THE WIND AND SUN.
035. THE KITE, FROG, AND MOUSE.
036. JUPITER AND THE FROGS.
037. THE OLD WOMAN AND HER MAIDS.
038. THE LYON AND BEAR.
039. THE CROW AND POT.
040. THE PORCUPINES AND ADDERS.
041. THE HARES AND STORM.
042. FOX AND WOLF
043. THE DOG AND SHEEP.
044. THE CRANE AND PEACOCK.
045. THE VIPER AND FILE.
046. THE LYON, ASS, AND COCK.
047. THE JAY AND PEACOCK.
048. THE ANT AND FLY.
049. THE ANT AND GRASSHOPPER.
050. THE COUNTRYMAN AND SNAKE.
051. THE SICK LYON.
052. WANTON CALF 
053. THE CLOWN AND CART.
054. THE BELLY AND MEMBERS.
055. THE HORSE AND LION.
056. THE STORK AND GEESE.
057. THE CAT AND COCK.
058. THE LEOPARD AND FOX.
059. THE SHEPHERDS BOY.
060. THE GOAT IN THE WELL.
061. CUPID AND DEATH.
062. THE OLD MAN AND HIS SONS.
063. OLD DEER AND FAWN (AB)
064. THE OLD HOUND.
065. JUPITER AND CAMEL 
066. THE TAILLESS FOX.
067. THE FOX AND CROW.
068. OF THE DOVE AND HAWK.
069. THE NURSE AND WOLF.
070. THE TORTOISE AND HARE.
071. THE YOUNG MAN AND HIS CAT.
072. THE ASS IN A LION'S SKIN.
073. THE BIRTH OF THE MOUNTAINS.
074. THE SATYRE AND CLOWN.
075. THE YOUNG KITE AND HIS MOTHER.
076. NIGHTINGALE AND HAWK
077. THE PEACOCK AND NIGHTINGALE.
078. THE ANGLER AND LITTLE FISH.
079. THE GEESE IN THE CORN.
080. THE DOG AND PIECE OF FLESH.
081. THE ASS AND LITTLE DOG.
082. THE WOLF AND CRANE.
083. THE COVETOUS AND ENVIOUS MAN.
084. TWO POTS 
085. THE FOX AND STORK.
086. BEAR AND BEE-HIVES
087. THE BEAR AND TWO TRAVELLERS.
088. THE CAPTIVE TRUMPETER.
089. FIGHTING COCKS AND PARTRIDGE
090. FOWLER AND PARTRIDGE
091. THE EAGLE AND CROW.
092. THE LION, ASS, AND FOX.
093. THE FOX AND GRAPES.
094. THE HORSE AND HART.
095. THE YOUNG MAN AND SWALLOW.
096. THE MAN AND HIS GOOSE.
097. THE WOLF AND DOG.
098. WOOD AND CLOWN 
099. THE OLD LION.
100. HORSE AND LOADED ASS 
101. THE OLD MAN AND DEATH.
102. BOAR AND ASS 
103. DOLPHIN AND TUNIS 
104. PEACOCK AND PIE 
105. THE FORRESTER AND LION.
106. THE STAG LOOKING INTO THE WATER.
107. THE STAG IN THE OX-STALL.
108. THE DOVE AND PISMIRE.
109. THE LION IN LOVE.
110. THE TORTOISE AND THE EAGLE.


The Horse and the Ass


014. THE HORSE AND ASS.
A Horse, whom guilded Equipage made gay
Commands a Drudging Ass to yield the way,
But when diseasd, and to a Cart condemn'd,
The Ass lookt big, and his owne form esteem'd.
Morall
The great are often lost in stormes of State,
While the poore Cottager despises fate.
[more info]

Picture Fables in Verse

Picture Fables in Verse published by T. Nelson in 1856. No information about the poet or the illustrator is provided.

The book has a really lovely design with the morals of the stories in a border around the page, so be sure to check out the online version; you will find the table of contents below.

online source: University of Florida Digital Collections


Table of contents:

01. THE JACKDAW AND THE PIGEONS.
02. THE FOWLER AND THE BLACKBIRD.
03. THE WOLVES AND THE SICK ASS.
04. THE OLD MAN AND DEATH.
05. THE ONE-EYED DOE.
06. THE ASS, THE LION, AND THE COCK.
07. THE FOX AND THE BRAMBLE.
08. THE HUSBANDMAN AND THE STORK.
09. THE THIEF AND THE DOG.
10. THE MAN BIT BY A DOG.
11. THE FOX IN THE WELL.
12. THE ASS AND THE LION'S SKIN.
13. HERCULES AND THE CARTER.
14. THE TWO CRABS.
15. THE PEACOCK AND THE CRANE.
16. THE FOWLER AND THE RINGDOVE.
17. THE WOLF AND THE CRANE.
18. THE WIND, THE SUN, AND THE TRAVELER.
19. THE HORSE AND THE LOADED ASS.
20. THE ANGLER AND THE LITTLE FISH.
21. THE OLD MAN AND HIS SONS.
22. THE JACKDAW AND THE SHEEP.
23. THE TWO POTS.
24. THE OAK AND THE REED.
25. THE LION AND THE MOUSE.
26. THE ASS EATING THISTLES.
27. THE GARDENER AND HIS DOG.


The Fox in the Well


11. THE FOX IN THE WELL.
A Fox, while struggling in a well,
Down which by accident he fell,
Begged of a Wolf, who saw his scrape,
To come and help him to escape.
"Poor Reynard!" thus began his friend,
"Gladly would I assistance lend,"
And phrased away in strain provoking,
While Reynard in the well was choking.
"Nay, prithee, friend," exclaimed the Fox,
"Your pity my misfortune mocks;
Not words, but deeds, can mend the matter
When one's up to the chin in water."
A friend in need is a friend indeed. Pity without aid mocks the unfortunate.
[more info]

The Man and His Two Wives


179. THE MAN AND HIS TWO WIVES In days when a man was allowed more wives than one, a middle-aged bachelor, who could be called neither young nor old, and whose hair was only just beginning to turn grey, must needs fall in love with two women at once, and marry them both. The one was young and blooming, and wished her husband to appear as youthful as herself; the other was somewhat more advanced in age, and was as anxious that her husband should appear a suitable match for her.
So, while the young one seized every opportunity of pulling out the good man’s grey hairs, the old one was as industrious in plucking out every black hair she could find. For a while the man was highly gratified by their attention and devotion, till he found one morning that, between the one and the other, he had not a hair left.
He that submits his principles to the influence and caprices of opposite parties, will end in having no principles at all. [more info]

The Leopard and the Fox


176. THE LEOPARD AND THE FOX A Leopard and a Fox had a contest which was the finer creature of the two. The Leopard put forward the beauty of its numberless spots; but the Fox replied, “It is better to have a versatile mind than a variegated body.” [more info]

An Old Lion

014. An Old Lion. A Lion that in the Days of his Youth and Strength, had been very Outragious and Cruel, came in the end to be Reduced by Old Age, and Infirmity, to the last Degree of Misery, and Contempt: Insomuch that All the Beasts of the Forrest; some out of Insolence, others in Revenge, some in fine, upon One Pretence, some Upon Another, fell upon him by Consent. He was a Miserable Creature to all Intents and Purposes; but Nothing went so near to the Heart of him in his Distress, as to find himself Batter'd by the Heel of an Asse.
Moral. A prince that does not secure Friends to Himself while he is in Power and Condition to oblige them, must never expect to find Friends, when he is Old and Impotent, and no longer Able to do them any Good. If he Governs Tyrannically in his Youth, he will be sure to be Treated Contemptuously in his Age; and the Baser his Enemies are, the more Insolent, and Intollerable will be the Affront.

[more info; you can read L'Estrange's Reflexion at the online book.]

And here is an illustration by Francis Barlow:

The Blackamoor


174. THE BLACKAMOOR A certain man bought a Blackamoor, and thinking that the colour of his skin arose from the neglect of his former master, he no sooner brought him home than he procured all manner of scouring apparatus, scrubbing-brushes, soaps, and sand-paper, and set to work with his servants to wash him white again. They drenched and rubbed him for many an hour, but all in vain; his skin remained as black as ever; while the poor wretch all but died from the cold he caught under the operation.
No human means avail of themselves to change a nature originally evil. [more info]

Rooster, Cock, and Lion


170. THE ASS, THE COCK, AND THE LION An Ass and a Cock lived in a farmyard together. One day a hungry Lion passing by and seeing the Ass in good condition, resolved to make a meal of him. Now, they say that there is nothing a Lion hates so much as the crowing of a Cock; and at that moment the Cook happening to crow, the Lion straightway made off with all haste from the spot. The Ass, mightily amused to think that a Lion should be frightened at a bird, plucked up courage and galloped after him, delighted with the notion of driving the king of beasts before him. He had, however, gone no great distance, when the Lion turned sharply round upon him, and made an end of him in a trice.
Presumption begins in ignorance and ends in ruin. [

Cooper's Argosy of Fables

An Argosy of Fables; a representative selection from the fable literature of every age and land by Frederic Taber Cooper with illustrations by Paul Bransom, and published in 1921.

online source: Internet Archive







The Kite and the Pigeons


09. THE KITE AND THE PIGEONS. Some Pigeons had long lived in fear of a Kite but, by being always on the alert and keeping near their dove cote, they had contrived hitherto to escape the attacks of the enemy. Finding his sallies unsuccessful, the Kite betook himself to craft. "Why," said he, "do you prefer this life of continual anxiety, when if you would only make me your king, I would secure you from every attack that could be made upon you!" The Pigeons, trusting to his professions, called him to the throne, but no sooner was he established there than he exercised his prerogative by devouring a pigeon a day. Whereupon one that yet awaited his turn said no more than, "It serves us right." They who voluntarily put power into the hand of a tyrant or an enemy must not wonder if it be at last turned against themselves. [more info]

The Fables of Aesop by John Ogilby

The Fables of Aesop Paraphras'd in Verse by John Ogilby as published in 1668 (second edition).

online source: Internet Archive

This remarkable collection of English Aesopica is finally available online thanks to this digital version at Internet Archive.


Table of contents

1:01. OF THE COCK AND PRETIOUS STONE.
1:02. OF THE DOG AND SHADOW.
1:03. OF THE LYON, AND OTHER BEASTS.
1:04. OF THE EAGLE AND THE DAW.
1:05. OF THE CROW AND THE FOX.
1:06. THE BATTEL OF THE FROG AND MOUSE.
1:07. OF THE COURT MOUSE, AND COUNTREY MOUSE.
1:08. OF THE MOUNTAIN IN LABOUR.
1:09. OF THE LYON AND MOUSE.
1:10. OF THE LYON AND MOUSE. (MARRIAGE)
1:11. OF THE BOAR AND THE ASS.
1:12. OF THE FROGS DESIRING A KING.
1:13. OF THE FROG AND THE OX.
1:14. OF THE WOLF AND THE LAMB.
1:15. OF THE WOLF AND THE CRANE.
1:16. OF THE HUSBAND-MAN AND THE SERPENT.
1:17. OF THE SICK KITE AND HIS MOTHER.
1:18. OF THE OLD HOUND AND HIS MOTHER.
1:19. OF THE HARES AND FROGS.
1:20. OF THE DOVES AND HAWKS.
1:21. OF THE DOG AND THIEF.
1:22. OF THE WOLF AND CARVED HEAD.
1:23. OF THE LYON GROWN OLD.
1:24. OF THE DOG AND THE ASS.
1:25. OF THE HUSBAND-MAN AND SNAKE.
1:26. OF THE FOX AND THE CRANE.
1:27. OF THE FILE AND THE VIPER.
1:28. OF THE HART.
1:29. OF BIRDS AND BEASTS.
1:30. OF THE JAY AND PEACOCKS.
1:31. OF THE WOLVES AND SHEEP.
1:32. OF THE WOLF AND THE FOX.
1:33. OF THE FLY AND THE ANT.
1:34. OF THE FOX AND APE.
1:35. OF THE HORSE AND THE ASS.
1:36. OF THE HUSBAND-MAN AND THE WOOD.
1:37. OF THE HART AND OXEN.
1:38. OF THE LYON THAT WAS SICK.
1:39. OF CUPID AND DEATH.
1:40. THE PARLIAMENT OF BIRDS.
1:41. OF THE RUSTICK AND HERCULES.
1:42. OF THE FOX AND WEESLE.
1:43. OF THE HAWK AND THE CUCKOW.
1:44. OF THE BEAR AND THE BEES.
1:45. OF THE HART AND HORSE.
1:46. OF THE SATYR AND TRAVELLER.
1:47. OF THE REBELLION OF THE HANDS AND FEET.
1:48. OF THE HORSE AND LADEN ASS.
1:49. OF THE FOX AND THE COCK.
1:50. OF THE LION AND THE FORESTER.
1:51. OF THE LYON, THE FORESTER, AND HIS DAUGHTER.
1:52. OF THE FORESTER, THE SKINNER, AND A BEAR.
1:53. OF THE TORTOISE AND THE FROGS.
1:54. OF THE TORTOISE AND THE EAGLE.
1:55. OF THE AEGYPTIAN KING AND HIS APES.
1:56. OF THE EAGLE AND THE BEETLE.
1:57. OF THE FOX AND THE CAT.
1:58. OF THE FOX AND THE GOAT.
1:59. OF THE OLD WEESLE AND THE MICE.
1:60. OF THE SPIDER AND THE SWALLOW.
1:61. OF CUPID, DEATH, AND REPUTATION
1:62. OF THE GOURD, AND THE PINE.
1:63. OF THE DEVIL AND A MALEFACTOR.
1:64. OF THE LION AND THE HORSE.
1:65. OF THE SUN AND WIND.
1:66. OF THE WOLF AND THE LAMB.
1:67. OF THE OKE AND THE REED.
1:68. OF JUPITER AND THE ASS.
1:69. OF THE SAME ASS.
1:70. OF THE SAME ASS AND HIS LION'S SKIN.
1:71. OF THE WOLF AND THE SOW.
1:72. OF THE SHE-GOAT AND KID.
1:73. OF THE YOUNG-MAN AND THE CAT.
1:74. OF THE CAT AND THE COCK.
1:75. OF THE CAT AND THE MICE.
1:76. OF THE FOX AND THE LION.
1:77. OF THE LARK, AND HER YOUNG.
1:78. OF THE HAWK, AND THE NIGHTINGALE.
1:79. OF THE HUSBAND-MAN AND THE STORK.
1:80. OF THE EAGLE AND THE CROW.
1:81. OF THE DOG AND THE SHEEP.
1:82. OF THE FROGS FEARING THE SUN WOULD MARRY.
2:01. OF JUNO AND THE PEACOCK.
2:02. OF THE OX AND DOG IN THE MANGER.
2:03. OF THE LEOPARD, THE FOX, AND THE ASS.
2:04. OF THE FOX AND THE PORCUPINE.
2:05. OF THE SWAN AND STORK.
2:06. OF THE CRAMB'D CAPONS AND THE LEAN ONE.
2:07. OF THE FOX AND BUSH.
2:08. OF THE FOX AND THE CROW.
2:09. OF THE CRAB AND HER MOTHER.
2:10. OF THE BALD MAN AND THE FLY.
2:11. OF THE RUSTICK AND HIS OX.
2:12. OF THE ANT AND GRASSHOPPER.
2:13. OF THE OX AND STEER.
2:14. OF THE LYON AND THE KID.
2:15. OF THE SATYR AND THE SWORD.
2:16. OF THE HEATHEN AND HIS IDOL.
2:17. OF PHOEBUS, THE COVETOUS AND ENVIOUS MAN.
2:18. OF JUPITER AND THE BEE.
2:19. OF THE COVETOUS MAN AND HIS GOOSE.
2:20. OF THE SHEEP AND THE BUTCHER.
2:21. OF THE WOLF AND THE FOX.
2:22. OF THE SAME WOLF AND FOX.
2:23. OF THE SAME WOLF AND FOX.
2:24. OF THE CAMEL AND THE FLY.
2:25. OF THE SAME CAMEL AND FLY.
2:26. OF THE SAME CAMEL AND JUPITER.
2:27. OF THE LAMB AND THE CROW.
2:28. OF THE CROW AND THE PITCHER.
2:29. OF THE WIND AND AN EARTHEN VESSEL.
2:30. OF THE PAINTER AND THE DEVIL.
2:31. OF THE RUSTICK, AND THE FLEA.
2:32. OF THE EAGLE, OYSTER, HARE, AND DAW.
2:33. OF THE CEDAR AND THE SHRUB.
2:34. OF THE RUSTICK, AND THE WOLF.
2:35. OF THE RUSTICK, AND THE WOLF.
2:36. OF THE EAGLE AND THE CHOUGH.
2:37. OF THE TYGER AND THE FOX.
2:38. OF THE EAGLE AND OTHER BIRDS.
2:39. OF THE PEDLAR AND HIS ASS.
2:40. OF JUPITER AND THE APE.
2:41. OF THE CARPENTER AND MERCURY.
2:42. OF THE SAME CARPENTER AND MERCURY.
2:43. OF THE DOG AND WOLF.
2:44. OF THE SAME DOG AND WOLF.
2:45. OF THE SAME DOG AND WOLF.
2:46. OF THE FOX AND THE EAGLE.
2:47. OF THE FOX AND THE EAGLE.
2:48. OF THE FOX AND THE EAGLE.
2:49. OF THE PANTHER AND RUSTICKS.
2:50. OF THE PANTHER AND RUSTICKS.
2:51. ANDROCLEUS
2:52. THE EPHESIAN MATRON