Fables of La Fontaine — Fables CCXXV and CCXXVI
THE CRAB AND ITS DAUGHTER.
Sages are often, like the crabs, inclined To backward step, and leave their goal behind.
This is the sailor's art, and, now and then, The artifice of deep, designing men, Who feign the opposite of their intent, To put their adversaries off the scent.
My subject is a trifle; but how wide The field on which its morals may be tried!
Some general may conquer, should he heed it, An army with a hundred chiefs to lead it.
His plans of march and counter-march may be At first a secret, then a victory.
No use in prying, when he would conceal;
From Fate's decrees one cannot make appeal.
The tide grows insurmountable, at length;
Against a Jove the gods may waste their strength.
Louis and Fate seem partners now, in glory, And draw the world along.
But to my story.
Said Mother Crab to Daughter Crab, one day, "How <i>can</i> you step in such an ugly way?
Do try to go a little straighter, dear!"
The little Crab made answer, with a sneer, "Look at yourself!
It's very well to talk, But it was you who taught me how to walk: From you, and from your friends, I took my gait;
If they go crooked, how can I go straight?"
She told the truth--for lessons that we learn From family examples last the longest.
They teach us good and evil, in its turn;
And oft the latter lessons are the strongest.
As to the way of walking, let me add, That turning backs has often merit in it In war, for instance, it is far from bad, If people do it at the proper minute.
FABLE CCXXVI.
THE FOREST AND THE WOODMAN.
A Woodman, with too strong a stroke, The handle of his brave axe broke, Broke it beyond repair;
For, though he ranged the Forest-side, Of proper trees both far and wide The scanty wood seemed bare.
Then to the sylvan gods he prayed.
That they his steps would sweetly guide Unto the spot where they had made That branch for which he sighed.
To gain his bread himself he'd take Far, far away; and, for their sake.
[Illustration: THE FOREST AND THE WOODMAN.
] Would spare both fir and oak.
"Respected are their charms and age, And graceful in the poet's page"-- 'Twas thus the Woodman spoke.
The innocent Forest gave the bough.
The Woodman hacked both oak and fir!
The groaning Forest soon found how Her gift brought death to her.
Behold the way the world doth spin.
Some men--say, politicians--win A place: then bite their friend!
Of them I tire.
But should dear trees Bear such rude outrages as these, And I not mourn their end?
In vain I sing: it is no use;
Although my dart stings where 'tis hurled.
Ingratitude and gross abuse Are no less in the world.
FABLE CCXXVII.
