Fables of La Fontaine — Fables CCI and CCII

THE LION.

Through spoil and plunder, wealthy grown, A Leopard once claimed as his own, In meadows broad, and forests deep, Full many a steer, and stag, and sheep.

At length, upon some luckless morn, Not far away, a Lion born, Received, as usual is with great ones, The compliments well known as state ones.

But this once done, King Leopard said To Mr. Fox, his vizier keen, [Illustration: THE LION.

] "I know you suffer from the spleen, Because this Lion-whelp is bred.

But why be fearful, since his father Is in deaths keeping?

Pity, rather, This orphan child, disconsolate, For he will have a lucky fate, If he, instead of seeking strife, Can but contrive to save his life."

The Fox replied, "For orphans such My pity is not over much.

In fact, two things alone remain,-- His friendship by some means to gain, Or else to kill him, ere he grows Too strong for all the world t' oppose.

His horoscope I've duly cast, And find that he will ever be To us the bitterest enemy, But to allies he will cling fast.

So, now, decide: become his friend, Or straightway of him make an end."

But argued thus the Fox in vain: The Leopard slept, with all his train, Until the Lion's whelp, full grown, Spread havoc, and made all his own.

Then Mr. Fox, with careworn brow, Appealed to, said, "'Tis useless, now, To think of meeting force by force: Suppose to friends you had recourse, They would but eat up all your store, And Master Lion does no more.

But, sire, remember that the Lion Has got three friends he can rely on, Who ask for neither pay nor food,-- Strength, Vigilance, and Fortitude.

So, send him now a sheep or two;

If that won't answer, lambs a few;

And if he's not content with that, A heifer add, both large and fat;

For by this means, perchance, you may Save something from this beast of prey."

Thus spoke the Fox; but to his master Th' advice seemed ill; and thence disaster Spread over all the country round;

For still, combine as might the states, Republics, cities, potentates, They still the Lion master found.

If you would now the moral know, Just to this brief advice attend:-- If you have let a Lion grow, Take care that he becomes your friend.

FABLE CCII.

THE DOG WHOSE EARS WERE CUT.

"What have I done, I should like to know, That my master should make me a public show?

Amongst other dogs I can never now go!

Oh, kings of animals, human race!

Tyrants, authors of my disgrace!

I wish some demon would treat you the same!"

Thus a young Dog reflected, mad with pain, As they cropped his long ears, but his cries were in vain, And he thought himself lost; but he found, one fine day.

That his loss was a gain, for, by nature endowed With a combative spirit, in many a fray He saw that to cropping his long ears he owed Avoidance of many a subject for tears,-- Rough dogs, when they fight, bite their enemies' ears: For hostile mastiffs his were best of all.

'Tis easy to defend one opening in a wall;

Armed with a collar, and with ears but small, Our young Dog meets his foes, fights, and defeats them all.

FABLE CCIII.