Fables of La Fontaine — Fables CCVII and CCVIII

THE OLD MAN AND THE THREE YOUNG MEN.

An Old Man, planting a tree, was met By three joyous youths of the village near, Who cried, "It is dotage a tree to set At your years, sir, for it will not bear, Unless you reach Methuselah's age: To build a tomb were much more sage;

But why, in any case, burden your days With care for other people's enjoyment?

'Tis for <i>you</i> to repent of your evil ways: To care for the future is <i>our</i> employment!"

Then the aged man replies-- [Illustration: THE OLD MAN AND THE THREE YOUNG MEN.

] "All slowly grows, but quickly dies.

It matters not if then or now You die or I; we all must bow, Soon, soon, before the destinies.

And tell me which of you, I pray, Is sure to see another day?

Or whether e'en the youngest shall Survive this moment's interval?

My great grandchildren, ages hence, Shall bless this tree's benevolence.

And if you seek to make it plain That pleasing others is no gain, I, for my part, truly say I taste this tree's ripe fruit to-day, And hope to do so often yet.

Nor should I be surprised to see-- Though, truly, with sincere regret-- The sunrise gild your tombstones three."

These words were stern but bitter truths: For one of these adventurous youths, Intent to seek a distant land, Was drowned, just as he left the strand;

The second, filled with martial zeal, Bore weapons for the common weal, And in a battle met the lot Of falling by a random shot.

The third one from a tree-top fell, And broke his neck.

--The Old Sage, then, Weeping for the three Young Men, Upon their tomb wrote what I tell.

FABLE CCVIII.

THE GODS AS INSTRUCTORS OF JUPITER'S SON.

Jupiter youthful, once on a time, Thought it no crime To bring up his son as the mortal ones do;

And straightway this godlike one, given to jollity, Love's sweet frivolity, Thought it no harm maiden's favour to sue, For in him love and reason, Skipping over a season, Long ere the usual time, taught him to woo.

Flora was first to set His poor young heart in fret;

And with sighs and tears tender, Forgetting no lovers trick, This roguish young hero quick Made her surrender.

And shortly it was evident That, thanks to his supreme descent, All other god-born children were Surpassed by Jupiter's young heir;

But Jupiter, rather dissatisfied (In his pride), Assembling his council, one thunderous day, Said, "I've hitherto ruled all this universe wide Alone; but I feel, now, the weight of my sway, And would fain to my child give some power away.

He's blood of my blood, and already, afar, His altars are worshipped in many a star;

But before I entrust him with sovereign place, I should like him to grow, both in knowledge and grace."

Thus the God of Thunder spoke, And then, with one acclaim sonorous, A shout of praise, in tuneful chorus, The echoes deep of heaven awoke.

When silence was at length restored, Mars, God of War, took up the word, And said, "I will myself impart To this young prodigy the art Through which this realm so vast has grown, And those who mortal were are now as godlike known."

Then Apollo, tunefully, Murmured, "He shall learn from me All that sweet and mystic lies In music's deepest harmonies."

Next Hercules, with eyes of flame, Exclaimed, "I'll teach him how to tame The monsters that invade the breast, The vain temptations that infest The heart's recesses; yes, I'll teach Your offspring how with toil to reach Heights and honours that alone Are to steadfast virtue known."

When all had spoken, with an air of scorn Smiled, in reply, the child of Venus born: "Leave," he said, "the boy alone to me, And all that he can be he'll be."

And, speaking thus, well spoke god Cupid;

For there's nought on earth more plain That he is not wholly stupid Who, loving well, does all things gain.

FABLE CCIX.