Fables of La Fontaine — Fables CXLIII and CXLIV

FABLE CXLIII.

THE LION, THE WOLF, AND THE FOX.

A Lion, sickly, weak, and full of years, Desired a remedy against old age (<i>Impossible</i>'s a word no monarch hears Without directly flying in a rage).

He sent for doctors--men of draughts and pills;

From far and near, obedient to the call, Came makers-up of recipes and pills: The Fox alone declined to come at all.

At court the Wolf malignantly referred To Reynard's absence, whereupon the King-- Whose anger was aroused at what he heard--- Decided on a rather cruel thing.

He sent a force to smoke sly Reynard out, And bring him, willy nilly.

When he came, The Fox could scarcely entertain a doubt As to whose tongue had put him thus to shame.

"I greatly fear, your Majesty," said he, "You think me rude; you wrong me, if you do: For I was on a pilgrimage, you see, And went to offer up my vows for <i>you.

</i> I scarcely need inform you I have met Expert physicians whilst I was away, And hope to cure you of your sickness yet, Which comes from coldness of the blood, they say You must, sire, skin a Wolf, and wrap the skin About you close, to get the body warmed;

And when the heat has kindled up within The fires of life again, the cure's performed.

Our friend, I'm sure, will take immense delight In lending you his coat; so, take it, sire."

The Lion supped upon the Wolf that night, And made the skin a part of his attire.

[Illustration: THE LION, THE WOLF, AND THE FOX.

] Courtiers, discretion is your safest plan: Malice is sure to find its source again;

And, while you do yourself what good you can, Reflect that slandering others is in vain.

FABLE CXLIV.

THE HEAD AND THE TAIL OF THE SERPENT.

The Snake has two parts, it is said, Hostile to man--his tail and head;

And both, as all of us must know, Are well known to the Fates below.

Once on a time a feud arose For the precedence--almost blows.

"I always walked before the Tail," So said the Head, without avail.

The Tail replied, "I travel o'er Furlongs and leagues--ay, score on score-- Just as I please.

Then, is it right I should be always in this plight?

Jove!

I am sister, and not slave: Equality is all I crave.

Both of the selfsame blood, I claim Our treatment, then, should be the same.

As well as her I poison bear, Powerful and prompt, for men to fear.

And this is all I wish to ask;

Command it--'tis a simple task: Let me but in my turn go first;

For her 'twill be no whit the worst.

I sure can guide, as well as she;

No subject for complaint shall be."

Heaven was cruel in consenting: Such favours lead but to repenting.

Jove should be deaf to such wild prayers: He was not then; so first she fares;

She, who in brightest day saw not, No more than shut up in a pot, Struck against rocks, and many a tree-- 'Gainst passers-by, continually;

Until she led them both, you see, Straight into Styx.

Unhappy all Those wretched states who, like her, fall.