The Pine
Some woodmen, bent a forest pine to split,
Into each fissure sundry wedges fit,
To keep the void and render work more light.
Out groaned the pine, “Why should I vent my spite
Against the axe which never touched my root,
So much as these cursed wedges, mine own fruit;
Which rend me through, inserted here and there!”
A fable this, intended to declare
That not so dreadful is a stranger’s blow
As wrongs which men receive from those they know.
The Young Cocks
Two Tanagraean cocks a fight began;
Their spirit is, ’tis said, as that of man:
Of these the beaten bird, a mass of blows,
For shame into a corner creeping goes;
The other to the housetop quickly flew,
And there in triumph flapped his wings and crew.
But him an eagle lifted from the roof,
And bore away. His fellow gained a proof
That oft the wages of defeat are best,–
None else remained the hens to interest.
Wherefore, O man, beware of boastfulness:
Should fortune lift thee, others to depress,
Many are saved by lack of her caress.
Jupiter and the Monkey
A baby-show with prizes Jove decreed
For all the beasts, and gave the choice due heed.
A monkey-mother came among the rest;
A naked, snub-nosed pug upon her breast
She bore, in mother’s fashion. At the sight
Assembled gods were moved to laugh outright.
Said she, “Jove knoweth where his prize will fall!
I know my child’s the beauty of them all.”
This fable will a general law attest,
That each one deems that what’s his own, is best.
The Mouse That Fell Into The Pot
A mouse into a lidless broth-pot fell;
Choked with the grease, and bidding life farewell,
He said, “My fill of meat and drink have I
And all good things: ‘Tis time that I should die.”
Thou art that dainty mouse among mankind,
If hurtful sweets are not by thee declined.
The Lamp
A lamp that swam with oil, began to boast
At eve, that it outshone the starry host,
And gave more light to all. Her boast was heard:
Soon the wind whistled; soon the breezes stirred,
And quenched its light. A man rekindled it,
And said, “Brief is the faint lamp’s boasting fit,
But the starlight ne’er needs to be re-lit.”
Translations by James Davies in Library Of The World’s Best Literature, Ancient And Modern, Vol 3 [Gutenberg edition].