Irenaeus Fabula 49. Formica

I've embarked on a new Latin fable project here at the Latin Via Fables blog: digitizing the 300 fables in the Mithologica sacro-profana, seu florilegium fabularum by P. Irenaeus, published in 1666, which has recently become available at GoogleBooks. For a complete index of the fables in the book, with links to the fables I've digitized so far, check out the Aesopus wiki page at Aesopus.PBwiki.com.

Today's fable is Formica, the story of the origin of the ant. In Perry's indexing system, this is Perry 166.

To make reading the fable easier, I've provided a segmented version of the story below.

Quae nunc Formica est, dicitur homo fuisse Agricola, assuetus furari et clam surripere vicinorum messes et sata. Unde indignati, Dii eum in hanc bestiolae naturam transformarint; quae, inveteratae consuetudinis haud oblita, formam hominis, non mores suos, exuerit. Ut antea, huc et illuc per campos excurrit, furtim grana suffuratura vicinorum. Adeo Naturam et mores suos dediscere difficile est.

Quae nunc Formica est,
dicitur homo fuisse Agricola,
assuetus furari
et clam surripere
vicinorum messes et sata.
Unde indignati, Dii
eum
in hanc bestiolae naturam transformarint;
quae,
inveteratae consuetudinis haud oblita,
formam hominis,
non mores suos,
exuerit.
Ut antea,
huc et illuc per campos excurrit,
furtim grana suffuratura vicinorum.
Adeo
Naturam et mores suos dediscere
difficile est.

Here's an illustration for the fable (image source), showing an ant carrying a seed:

---

Aesop's Fables in Latin now available at Amazon.com.

Irenaeus Fabula 48. Vespertilio, Rubus, Mergus

I've embarked on a new Latin fable project here at the Latin Via Fables blog: digitizing the 300 fables in the Mithologica sacro-profana, seu florilegium fabularum by P. Irenaeus, published in 1666, which has recently become available at GoogleBooks. For a complete index of the fables in the book, with links to the fables I've digitized so far, check out the Aesopus wiki page at Aesopus.PBwiki.com.

Today's fable is Vespertilio, Rubus, Mergus, a wonderful aetiological fable about a bat, a bramble bush and a seagull. In Perry's indexing system, this is Perry 171.

To make reading the fable easier, I've provided a segmented version of the story below.

Vespertilio ingressa latenter domum, pecuniam furata erat; Rubus vestes soli expositas; Mergus aurum in fundo aquae cuiusdam hominis immersi. Accidit autem ut quadam die hi tres simul coirent et, collatis in commune bonis, statuerent mercaturam exercere. Navim conscendunt, in terras longinquas merces suas deportaturi. Sed, saevissima tempestate exorta, quassata nave, perditis sarcinis, naufragi tabularum beneficio salvi ad litus se recipiunt. Factum est autem, ut quisque suae sortis conscius, Vespertilio sui furti poenas timens, non nisi pernox advolet; Rubus, ut antea, praeterentium lanas vellicet et rapiat; Mergus oris fluminum adnatet, affideatque piscatoribus, si forte aes inveniat. Adeo verum est: Naturam mutari non posse, mutata licet fortuna.

Vespertilio
ingressa latenter domum,
pecuniam furata erat;
Rubus
vestes soli expositas;
Mergus
aurum
in fundo aquae
cuiusdam hominis immersi.
Accidit autem
ut quadam die
hi tres simul coirent
et, collatis in commune bonis,
statuerent mercaturam exercere.
Navim conscendunt,
in terras longinquas
merces suas deportaturi.
Sed, saevissima tempestate exorta,
quassata nave, perditis sarcinis,
naufragi
tabularum beneficio
salvi ad litus se recipiunt.
Factum est autem,
ut quisque suae sortis conscius,
Vespertilio
sui furti poenas timens,
non nisi pernox advolet;
Rubus, ut antea,
praeterentium lanas vellicet et rapiat;
Mergus
oris fluminum adnatet,
affideatque piscatoribus,
si forte aes inveniat.
Adeo verum est:
Naturam mutari non posse,
mutata licet fortuna.

Here's an illustration for the fable (image source) showing a gull as he dives:

---

Aesop's Fables in Latin now available at Amazon.com.

Irenaeus Fabula 47. De Urtica et Filio Hortolani.

I've embarked on a new Latin fable project here at the Latin Via Fables blog: digitizing the 300 fables in the Mithologica sacro-profana, seu florilegium fabularum by P. Irenaeus, published in 1666, which has recently become available at GoogleBooks. For a complete index of the fables in the book, with links to the fables I've digitized so far, check out the Aesopus wiki page at Aesopus.PBwiki.com.

Today's fable is De Urtica et Filio Hortolani, the story of a young boy who did not listen to some good advice. This is not a story found in Perry; if anybody has seen this story elsewhere, let me know!

To make reading the fable easier, I've provided a segmented version of the story below.

Cuiusdam Hortolani filius punctus ab urtica, flens, conquerebatur ad patrem, quod olus domesticum in suo fundo ausum esset se pungere. Cui pater: Desine, inquit, plangere, fili; hoc vitium a Natura Urticae est, nulla arte medicabile, nulli parcit, nec potest aliter facere.

Cuiusdam Hortolani filius
punctus ab urtica,
flens, conquerebatur ad patrem,
quod olus domesticum
in suo fundo
ausum esset se pungere.
Cui pater:
Desine, inquit, plangere, fili;
hoc vitium
a Natura Urticae est,
nulla arte medicabile,
nulli parcit,
nec potest aliter facere.

Here's an illustration for the fable (image source), showing some stinging nettle:

---

Aesop's Fables in Latin now available at Amazon.com.

Irenaeus Fabula 46. Hinnulus

I've embarked on a new Latin fable project here at the Latin Via Fables blog: digitizing the 300 fables in the Mithologica sacro-profana, seu florilegium fabularum by P. Irenaeus, published in 1666, which has recently become available at GoogleBooks. For a complete index of the fables in the book, with links to the fables I've digitized so far, check out the Aesopus wiki page at Aesopus.PBwiki.com.

Today's fable is Hinnulus, the story of the story of the fawn questioning his father. In Perry's indexing system, this is Perry 351.

To make reading the fable easier, I've provided a segmented version of the story below.

Dicebat aliquando Hinnulus Cervo patri suo: Miror, pater, quid causae fit, quod cum tu canibus longe praestes, cursu ac celeritate pedum, insuper corporis proceritate, et caput tuum nobile ramorum pondus exornet armetque; tu tamen ita eos timeas, ut contra ipsos solius fugae praesidium sumas. Tunc Cervus: Verum dicis, O fili, et ipse aliam huius rei causam nescio, praeter Naturam, quae me adeo pavidum fecit, ut, ad odorem aut latratum canum, protinus in fugam vertar. Sic pusillanimes timidosque nulla ratio firmat.

Dicebat aliquando Hinnulus
Cervo patri suo:
Miror, pater, quid causae fit,
quod cum tu canibus longe praestes,
cursu ac celeritate pedum,
insuper corporis proceritate,
et caput tuum
nobile ramorum pondus
exornet armetque;
tu tamen ita eos timeas,
ut contra ipsos
solius fugae praesidium sumas.
Tunc Cervus:
Verum dicis, O fili,
et ipse
aliam huius rei causam nescio,
praeter Naturam,
quae
me adeo pavidum fecit,
ut, ad odorem aut latratum canum,
protinus in fugam vertar.
Sic pusillanimes timidosque
nulla ratio firmat.


Here's an illustration for the fable (image source), which shows a deer in flight:

---

Aesop's Fables in Latin now available at Amazon.com.

Irenaeus Fabula 45. De Pastore et Grege

I've embarked on a new Latin fable project here at the Latin Via Fables blog: digitizing the 300 fables in the Mithologica sacro-profana, seu florilegium fabularum by P. Irenaeus, published in 1666, which has recently become available at GoogleBooks. For a complete index of the fables in the book, with links to the fables I've digitized so far, check out the Aesopus wiki page at Aesopus.PBwiki.com.

Today's fable is De Pastore et Grege, the story of the shepherd who tried to get his sheep to fight back when attacked by wolves! This is not a story in Perry, but it is a quite ingenious one!

To make reading the fable easier, I've provided a segmented version of the story below.

Quidam Pastor, videns greges suos in dies minui fierique luporum praedam, coepit apud se accuratius pensitare, si quo modo posset quotidianis rapinis eorum occurrere. Ergo coactis aliquando in unum, ipse in medio stans, sic ad eos concionem habuit. "Scitis (inquit), et mecum vos indolere non dubito, quantam stragem de vobis lupus faciat. Scio rem vobis esse cum hoste truci ac fero; sed plus in vobis est quo terreat, quam virium in eo, unde noceat. Dente ferox est, oculis minax, pedibus celer, impetu audax: sed unus venit; vos plures estis. Et nunquid et vos habetis dentes? aut impune cornua geritis? Iam, cum vos invadit, unam, non amplius, rapit. Quid ceterae, numero potiores, in raptorem non convolatis? quid non involvitis? quid non multitudine, dente, pedibus atteritis? Sed pavidae et imbelles fugitis, et fugientes rapit. De vobis actum est, nisi resistatis. Mactae igitur animo: Ego vobiscum adero et cum baculo meo, oculis, voce, lingua, et servi et canes mei, accurremus." Ubi dicendi finem fecit, omnes uno ore laudare Pastoris sollertiam, suam socordiam incusare, deinceps polliceri animum, iuramento sese obstringere, nunquam terga hosti versuras. Paulo post, pascentibus illis, venit lupus, occurrunt canes, adlatrant; Pastor, servi, accurrunt, hortantur, exclamant, vociferantur; sed frustra. Nam oves omnium oblitae, ut antea, fugiunt, diripiuntur. Tunc Pastor dicere: Frustra timidis et pavidis putes cor addere. Impossibile est Naturam mutare.

Quidam Pastor,
videns
greges suos
in dies minui
fierique luporum praedam,
coepit
apud se accuratius pensitare,
si quo modo posset
quotidianis rapinis eorum occurrere.
Ergo
coactis aliquando in unum,
ipse in medio stans,
sic ad eos concionem habuit.
"Scitis (inquit),
et mecum vos indolere non dubito,
quantam stragem
de vobis lupus faciat.
Scio
rem vobis esse
cum hoste truci ac fero;
sed plus in vobis est
quo terreat,
quam virium in eo,
unde noceat.
Dente ferox est, oculis minax,
pedibus celer, impetu audax:
sed unus venit;
vos plures estis.
Et nunquid et vos habetis dentes?
aut impune cornua geritis?
Iam,
cum vos invadit,
unam, non amplius, rapit.
Quid ceterae,
numero potiores,
in raptorem non convolatis?
quid non involvitis?
quid non multitudine,
dente, pedibus atteritis?
Sed pavidae et imbelles fugitis,
et fugientes rapit.
De vobis actum est,
nisi resistatis.
Mactae igitur animo:
Ego vobiscum adero
et cum baculo meo,
oculis, voce, lingua,
et servi et canes mei,
accurremus."
Ubi dicendi finem fecit,
omnes uno ore
laudare Pastoris sollertiam,
suam socordiam incusare,
deinceps polliceri animum,
iuramento sese obstringere,
nunquam terga hosti versuras.
Paulo post,
pascentibus illis,
venit lupus,
occurrunt canes, adlatrant;
Pastor, servi, accurrunt,
hortantur, exclamant, vociferantur;
sed frustra.
Nam oves omnium oblitae,
ut antea, fugiunt,
diripiuntur.
Tunc Pastor dicere:
Frustra timidis et pavidis
putes cor addere.
Impossibile est
Naturam mutare.

Here is the illustration of a different fable by Francis Barlow - but you can see here what happens when the wolves attack those poor sheep!

---

Aesop's Fables in Latin now available at Amazon.com.

Irenaeus Fabula 44. De Vulture et Avibus

I've embarked on a new Latin fable project here at the Latin Via Fables blog: digitizing the 300 fables in the Mithologica sacro-profana, seu florilegium fabularum by P. Irenaeus, published in 1666, which has recently become available at GoogleBooks. For a complete index of the fables in the book, with links to the fables I've digitized so far, check out the Aesopus wiki page at Aesopus.PBwiki.com.

Today's fable is De Vulture et Avibus, the story of the vulture who invited the birds to his birthday. In Perry's indexing system, this is Perry 577.

To make reading the fable easier, I've provided a segmented version of the story below.

Vultur, volens laute prandere et ventrem suum delicatis cibis infercire, invitavit aviculas ad convivium - Natalem suum, ut dicebat, celebraturus. Haec fama exiit inter eas et hoc aucupio incautas fefellit. Veniunt igitur undique, existimantes invenire mensas omnis generis deliciarum refertas, non de suo paraturas. Sed ubi, adventatis ac coactis omnibus, fores occlusae sunt et Vultur rapere et mactare et occidere coepit: O insanas nos et vecordes (inquiunt), quae Vulturi, inimico nostro, fidimus, et apud eum putantes reperire escas, ipsae eius escae factae sumus.

Vultur, volens
laute prandere
et ventrem suum
delicatis cibis infercire,
invitavit aviculas
ad convivium -
Natalem suum,
ut dicebat, celebraturus.
Haec fama
exiit inter eas
et hoc aucupio
incautas fefellit.
Veniunt igitur undique,
existimantes
invenire mensas
omnis generis deliciarum refertas,
non de suo paraturas.
Sed ubi,
adventatis ac coactis omnibus,
fores occlusae sunt
et Vultur
rapere et mactare et occidere
coepit:
O insanas nos
et vecordes (inquiunt),
quae
Vulturi, inimico nostro, fidimus,
et apud eum
putantes reperire escas,
ipsae eius escae
factae sumus.

Here's an illustration for the fable (image source) from a 1479 edition of Aesop:

---

Aesop's Fables in Latin now available at Amazon.com.

Irenaeus Fabula 43. De Leone et Capra

I've embarked on a new Latin fable project here at the Latin Via Fables blog: digitizing the 300 fables in the Mithologica sacro-profana, seu florilegium fabularum by P. Irenaeus, published in 1666, which has recently become available at GoogleBooks. For a complete index of the fables in the book, with links to the fables I've digitized so far, check out the Aesopus wiki page at Aesopus.PBwiki.com.

Today's fable is De Leone et Capra, the story of the lion and the goat. In Perry's indexing system, this is Perry 157.

To make reading the fable easier, I've provided a segmented version of the story below.

Contemplabatur aliquando Capram Leo inter abrupta montis et loca dumosa pascentem, ipse in imo ac fundo positus. Ad quam cum non posset accedere, coepit blande salutare, invitare ut descenderet et in planitie thymum suaveolentem, salices, serpillumque demessura veniret. Gratias agit illa, frustra rogare ut veniat; quia etsi bona verba ex sua parte audiat, porro mentem suam non videat, et se Capram illum Leonem esse sciat. Innuens inimicis nunquam fidendum, licet blandientibus, nec ullum nocendi aditum concedendum.

Contemplabatur aliquando Capram
Leo
inter abrupta montis et loca dumosa
pascentem,
ipse
in imo ac fundo positus.
Ad quam
cum non posset accedere,
coepit blande salutare,
invitare ut descenderet
et in planitie
thymum suaveolentem,
salices, serpillumque
demessura
veniret.
Gratias agit illa,
frustra rogare ut veniat;
quia
etsi bona verba ex sua parte audiat,
porro
mentem suam non videat,
et
se Capram
illum Leonem esse
sciat.
Innuens
inimicis nunquam fidendum,
licet blandientibus,
nec ullum nocendi aditum
concedendum.

Here's an illustration for the fable (image source) from a 1521 edition of Aesop:

---

Aesop's Fables in Latin now available at Amazon.com.

Irenaeus Fabula 42. Catus et Mures

I've embarked on a new Latin fable project here at the Latin Via Fables blog: digitizing the 300 fables in the Mithologica sacro-profana, seu florilegium fabularum by P. Irenaeus, published in 1666, which has recently become available at GoogleBooks. For a complete index of the fables in the book, with links to the fables I've digitized so far, check out the Aesopus wiki page at Aesopus.PBwiki.com.

Today's fable is Catus et Mures, the story of the cat and the mice. In Perry's indexing system, this is Perry 79.

To make reading the fable easier, I've provided a segmented version of the story below.

Praedam magnam stragemque Catus pervalidus faciebat Murium in quadam domo. Hi, videntes se in dies consumi, consilium ineunt, quid facto opus, ut ruinae suae occurrant et obsistant. Decernunt standum in supernis aedium partibus, nusquam descendendum. Id consilii non latuit Catum pervigilem et cum in eos irrumpere aut reptare non posset, arte sibi utendum putavit. Finxit se mortuum, in loco unde desuper prospici poterat a Muribus, suspendens se posterioribus pedibus ad palum parieti infixum, sed spe irrita ac otiosa fraude. Nam visus a quodam et cognitus, is sociis in haec verba praesentibus prorupit: "Sis vivus aut mortuus, nescio: sed etiam si te follem aut pellem vacuam putem, non accedo, non me committo." Indicans prudentem virum, si semel periculum evasit, hosti aperte non se expositurum.

Praedam magnam stragemque
Catus pervalidus faciebat
Murium in quadam domo.
Hi,
videntes
se in dies consumi,
consilium ineunt,
quid facto opus,
ut ruinae suae occurrant
et obsistant.
Decernunt
standum
in supernis aedium partibus,
nusquam descendendum.
Id consilii
non latuit Catum pervigilem
et cum in eos irrumpere aut reptare
non posset,
arte
sibi utendum putavit.
Finxit se mortuum,
in loco
unde desuper prospici poterat
a Muribus,
suspendens se
posterioribus pedibus
ad palum parieti infixum,
sed spe irrita
ac otiosa fraude.
Nam visus a quodam
et cognitus,
is
sociis in haec verba praesentibus
prorupit:
"Sis vivus aut mortuus,
nescio:
sed etiam si
te
follem aut pellem vacuam
putem,
non accedo,
non me committo."
Indicans
prudentem virum,
si semel periculum evasit,
hosti
aperte non se expositurum.

Here's an illustration for the fable (image source) from a 1479 edition of Aesop:

---

Aesop's Fables in Latin now available at Amazon.com.

Irenaeus Fabula 41. De Mure et Fele.

I've embarked on a new Latin fable project here at the Latin Via Fables blog: digitizing the 300 fables in the Mithologica sacro-profana, seu florilegium fabularum by P. Irenaeus, published in 1666, which has recently become available at GoogleBooks. For a complete index of the fables in the book, with links to the fables I've digitized so far, check out the Aesopus wiki page at Aesopus.PBwiki.com.

Today's fable is De Mure et Fele, the story of the mouse and the cat. This is another one of those fables you can find in Abstemius.

To make reading the fable easier, I've provided a segmented version of the story below.

Musculi, tenelli et inexperti, contemplabantur e maceria et foramine parietis, Felem, demisso capite, genibus implicatis, incubantem et quasi dormitantem, sed pro more suo excubias agentem. Unum ex illis cupido incessit propius accedendi, ut cum Fele lusitaret et amicitiam iniret. Alii dissuadere, monere, id sibi a matre non semel prohibitum; si faciat, grande periculum incursurum. Ille non credere. "Quis enim sibi timendum putet (inquit) ab animali tam benigno, suavi, pacifico?" Haec dicens, desilit in tabulatum; et ecce tibi in ictu oculi Catus in eum involat, rapit, discerpit; ceteris metu attonitis et in fugam versis. Ex qua ubi se recepere, alter alteri dicere: "Quis fidat inimico? Iste nostrae gentis capitalissimus hostis est. Mansuetudo quam praefert, mera palliatio est crudelitatis; pilus et vestis suavis est, sed animus intus plenus fraudis." Nusquam fidendum.

Musculi,
tenelli et inexperti,
contemplabantur
e maceria et foramine parietis,
Felem,
demisso capite,
genibus implicatis,
incubantem et quasi dormitantem,
sed pro more suo
excubias agentem.
Unum ex illis
cupido incessit propius accedendi,
ut cum Fele lusitaret
et amicitiam iniret.
Alii dissuadere,
monere,
id
sibi a matre non semel prohibitum;
si faciat,
grande periculum incursurum.
Ille non credere.
"Quis enim
sibi timendum putet (inquit)
ab animali
tam benigno, suavi, pacifico?"
Haec dicens,
desilit in tabulatum;
et ecce tibi in ictu oculi
Catus
in eum involat, rapit, discerpit;
ceteris
metu attonitis
et in fugam versis.
Ex qua
ubi se recepere,
alter alteri dicere:
"Quis fidat inimico?
Iste
nostrae gentis
capitalissimus hostis est.
Mansuetudo
quam praefert,
mera palliatio est
crudelitatis;
pilus et vestis
suavis est,
sed animus intus
plenus fraudis."
Nusquam fidendum.

Here's an illustration for the fable (image source) showing a very trusting mouse:

---

Aesop's Fables in Latin now available at Amazon.com.

Irenaeus Fabula 40. De Haedo et Lupo

I've embarked on a new Latin fable project here at the Latin Via Fables blog: digitizing the 300 fables in the Mithologica sacro-profana, seu florilegium fabularum by P. Irenaeus, published in 1666, which has recently become available at GoogleBooks. For a complete index of the fables in the book, with links to the fables I've digitized so far, check out the Aesopus wiki page at Aesopus.PBwiki.com.

Today's fable is De Haedo et Lupo, the story of the wolf who tried to fool the goat who was left alone at home by his mother. In Perry's indexing system, this is Perry 572.

To make reading the fable easier, I've provided a segmented version of the story below.

Capra e casa egrediens pascendi causa, Haedulumque domi relinquens, sedulo monuerat: sibi caveret, ne cuiquam ianuam aperiret, nisi sibi. Pone ostium observabat Lupus, insidias Haedo animo versans; haustisque matris ad filium sermonibus, paulo post accedit et pede ostium pulsat. Excitus Haedus, petit quis pulset. Ad quem Lupus, vocem Capellae simulans, "Ego sum," inquit blanda voce, "mater tua. Fili mi, aperi; ne timeas." Accedit propius Haedus, et per fissuras portae Lupum agnoscens: "Heu me! (inquit) Non aperio: nam licet Lupus caprissat et matrissat, Lupum tamen video, non matrem." Indicat non credendum aut communicandum hosti.

Capra
e casa egrediens
pascendi causa,
Haedulumque
domi relinquens,
sedulo monuerat:
sibi caveret,
ne cuiquam ianuam aperiret,
nisi sibi.
Pone ostium
observabat Lupus,
insidias Haedo
animo versans;
haustisque
matris ad filium sermonibus,
paulo post accedit
et pede ostium pulsat.
Excitus Haedus,
petit
quis pulset.
Ad quem Lupus,
vocem Capellae simulans,
"Ego sum,"
inquit blanda voce,
"mater tua.
Fili mi, aperi;
ne timeas."
Accedit propius
Haedus,
et per fissuras portae
Lupum agnoscens:
"Heu me! (inquit)
Non aperio:
nam licet
Lupus caprissat et matrissat,
Lupum tamen video,
non matrem."
Indicat
non credendum
aut communicandum hosti.

Here's an illustration for the fable (image source) from a 1479 edition of Aesop:

---

Aesop's Fables in Latin now available at Amazon.com.

Irenaeus Fabula 39. De Asino et Lupis

I'm embarking on a new Latin fable project here at the Latin Via Fables blog: digitizing the 300 fables in the Mithologica sacro-profana, seu florilegium fabularum by P. Irenaeus, published in 1666, which has recently become available at GoogleBooks. For a complete index of the fables in the book, with links to the fables I've digitized so far, check out the Aesopus wiki page at Aesopus.PBwiki.com.

Today's fable is De Asino et Lupis, the story of the wolves who were solicitous of an ailing donkey's health. The fable is not included in Perry, but you can find it in Abstemius.

To make reading the fable easier, I've provided a segmented version of the story below.

Lecto decumbebat Asinus ex diuturna infirmitate; divulgatur rumor eum brevi moriturum. Ad eum visendum turba luporum concurrit, suis carnibus inhiantium. Filiolum e fenestra prospectantem interrogant quomodo pater eius se haberet. "Melius (inquit) quam optaretis; alios potestis, si lubet invisere; non est quod moremini: Pater tot Medicis non eget."

Lecto decumbebat Asinus
ex diuturna infirmitate;
divulgatur rumor
eum brevi moriturum.
Ad eum visendum
turba luporum concurrit,
suis carnibus inhiantium.
Filiolum
e fenestra prospectantem
interrogant
quomodo pater eius
se haberet.
"Melius (inquit)
quam optaretis;
alios potestis,
si lubet invisere;
non est quod moremini:
Pater
tot Medicis non eget."

Here's an illustration for the fable (image source), showing those worried wolves:

---

Aesop's Fables in Latin now available at Amazon.com.

Irenaeus Fabula 38. De Vulpe et Gallina.

I've embarked on a new Latin fable project here at the Latin Via Fables blog: digitizing the 300 fables in the Mithologica sacro-profana, seu florilegium fabularum by P. Irenaeus, published in 1666, which has recently become available at GoogleBooks. For a complete index of the fables in the book, with links to the fables I've digitized so far, check out the Aesopus wiki page at Aesopus.PBwiki.com.

Today's fable is De Vulpe et Gallina, the story of how the hen avoided being fooled by the fox. In Perry's indexing system, this is Perry 7.

To make reading the fable easier, I've provided a segmented version of the story below.

Vulpes, Gallinae insidians, per rimulas portae cubantem conspicata, "Salve," dixit, "commater mea, quomodo te habes?" "Iaceo," respondit illa, "et male habeo. Et Vulpes, "Aperi quaeso; febris forsitan est; pulsum arteriae novi, novi et tuo morbo medicinam; sine tangm." Cui Gallina, "Febris quidem est, sed remittet cum abieris; quietis tantum nunc et somni egeo." Indicat ab hoste nil boni expectandum.

Vulpes,
Gallinae insidians,
per rimulas portae
cubantem conspicata,
"Salve," dixit,
"commater mea,
quomodo te habes?"
"Iaceo," respondit illa,
"et male habeo.
Et Vulpes,
"Aperi quaeso;
febris forsitan est;
pulsum arteriae novi,
novi et tuo morbo medicinam;
sine tangm."
Cui Gallina,
"Febris quidem est,
sed remittet
cum abieris;
quietis tantum nunc
et somni egeo."
Indicat
ab hoste
nil boni expectandum.

Here's an illustration for the fable (image source) - from China! It sounds like a quite similar fable, too!

---

Aesop's Fables in Latin now available at Amazon.com.

Irenaeus Fabula 37. De Lupo et Sucula

I'm embarking on a new Latin fable project here at the Latin Via Fables blog: digitizing the 300 fables in the Mithologica sacro-profana, seu florilegium fabularum by P. Irenaeus, published in 1666, which has recently become available at GoogleBooks. For a complete index of the fables in the book, with links to the fables I've digitized so far, check out the Aesopus wiki page at Aesopus.PBwiki.com.

Today's fable is De Lupo et Sucula, the story of the wolf who wanted to "help" the sow in labor. In Perry's indexing system, this is Perry 547.

To make reading the fable easier, I've provided a segmented version of the story below.

Parturienti suculae astat ad fores lupus, pulsat, salutat, precatur felicem partum, Lucinae manum propitiam; offert se feturae custodem, denique quidquid obsequii et officii potest. Gratias agit intus puerpera; egere se quidem obsequio, sed non suo; unam gratiam ab eo requirere: ut foras abeat, praesto et longissime, nunquam reversurus. Sic agendum cum hoste manifesto.

Parturienti suculae
astat ad fores
lupus,
pulsat, salutat,
precatur felicem partum,
Lucinae manum propitiam;
offert se
feturae custodem,
denique
quidquid obsequii et officii
potest.
Gratias agit intus puerpera;
egere se quidem obsequio,
sed non suo;
unam gratiam
ab eo requirere:
ut foras abeat,
praesto et longissime,
nunquam reversurus.
Sic agendum
cum hoste manifesto.

Here's an illustration for the fable (image source) from a 1479 edition of Aesop:

---

Aesop's Fables in Latin now available at Amazon.com.

Irenaeus Fabula 36. De Aquila et Cornicula.

I'm embarking on a new Latin fable project here at the Latin Via Fables blog: digitizing the 300 fables in the Mithologica sacro-profana, seu florilegium fabularum by P. Irenaeus, published in 1666, which has recently become available at GoogleBooks. For a complete index of the fables in the book, with links to the fables I've digitized so far, check out the Aesopus wiki page at Aesopus.PBwiki.com.

Today's fable is De Aquila et Cornicula, the story of how the eagle tricked the crow. In Perry's indexing system, this is Perry 490.

To make reading the fable easier, I've provided a segmented version of the story below.

Aquila ungue captam stringebat Cochleam. Cuius carnem cum non posset eruere et edere, accedens Cornicula suadet, ut, si esse vult, in altum subvolet et eam e sublimi in saxa praecipitet et frangat, fractaque potiatur. Paret dictis Corniculae Aquila; frangit Cochleam. Sed Cornicula, casum praestolans, surripit escam et ludit Aquilam male cautam. Ut inde discas: nunquam hosti et malae bestiae fidere oportere.

Aquila
ungue captam
stringebat Cochleam.
Cuius carnem
cum non posset eruere et edere,
accedens Cornicula suadet,
ut,
si esse vult,
in altum subvolet
et eam
e sublimi in saxa praecipitet
et frangat,
fractaque potiatur.
Paret dictis Corniculae
Aquila;
frangit Cochleam.
Sed Cornicula,
casum praestolans,
surripit escam
et ludit Aquilam
male cautam.
Ut inde discas:
nunquam
hosti et malae bestiae
fidere oportere.

Here's an illustration for the fable (image source) from a 1521 edition of Aesop:

---

Aesop's Fables in Latin now available at Amazon.com.

Irenaeus Fabula 35. De Hericio et Vipera

I'm embarking on a new Latin fable project here at the Latin Via Fables blog: digitizing the 300 fables in the Mithologica sacro-profana, seu florilegium fabularum by P. Irenaeus, published in 1666, which has recently become available at GoogleBooks. For a complete index of the fables in the book, with links to the fables I've digitized so far, check out the Aesopus wiki page at Aesopus.PBwiki.com.

Today's fable is De Hericio et Vipera, the story of the hedgehog who moved into the viper's den. Although this fable does not show up in Perry, you can find it in Abstemius 72.

To make reading the fable easier, I've provided a segmented version of the story below.

Hericius frigus praesentiens rogavit Viperam, ut se in cavum suum reciperet, fore ut simul hiemis incommoda facilius tolerarent. Excepit hospitio supplicantem Vipera, sed vix ille limen intraverat, quod se huc et illuc volutat, spinas explicat, cavum implet, et Viperam, si intus stare velit, pungit. Quod illa videns rogat hospitem, aut se alio recipere, aut se contrahere. Cui Hericius, durus hospes, "Exeat (inquit), qui hic stare non potest. Ego non moveor; bene mihi est. Sufficit."

Hericius
frigus praesentiens
rogavit Viperam,
ut se
in cavum suum reciperet,
fore ut
simul
hiemis incommoda
facilius tolerarent.
Excepit
hospitio supplicantem
Vipera,
sed vix
ille limen intraverat,
quod
se huc et illuc volutat,
spinas explicat,
cavum implet,
et Viperam,
si intus stare velit,
pungit.
Quod illa videns
rogat hospitem,
aut se alio recipere,
aut se contrahere.
Cui Hericius,
durus hospes,
"Exeat (inquit),
qui hic stare non potest.
Ego non moveor;
bene mihi est.
Sufficit."

Here is the illustration of the fable by Francis Barlow:

---

Aesop's Fables in Latin now available at Amazon.com.

Irenaeus Fabula 34. De Vulpe et Gallo

I'm embarking on a new Latin fable project here at the Latin Via Fables blog: digitizing the 300 fables in the Mithologica sacro-profana, seu florilegium fabularum by P. Irenaeus, published in 1666, which has recently become available at GoogleBooks. For a complete index of the fables in the book, with links to the fables I've digitized so far, check out the Aesopus wiki page at Aesopus.PBwiki.com.

Today's fable is De Vulpe et Gallo, the story of the rooster who outfoxed the fox. This is another fable that is not in Perry; does anybody know of another source for this fable?

To make reading the fable easier, I've provided a segmented version of the story below.

Rusticus Vulpi tetenderat laqueos, quae ei plurimam Gallinam devoraverat; in quos illa incurrit; capta, rogavit Gallum, a quo solo visa fuerat, ut opem ferret ut posset exire; super omnia, ne quid de se hero aperiret. Pollicetur Gallus quantum poscebat et properato gressu domum reversus, infidae nil fidei servaturus, hero nuntiat cecidisse Vulpem in casses vinctamque teneri. Is gestiens securi armatus currit ad locum, quo viso Vulpes, proditam se intelligens, "O me stolidam (dicebat), quae gallum, cuius olim tot feminas strangulavi ac devoravi, putavi mihi fore amicum fidumque.

Rusticus
Vulpi tetenderat laqueos,
quae
ei plurimam Gallinam devoraverat;
in quos
illa incurrit;
capta,
rogavit Gallum,
a quo solo visa fuerat,
ut opem ferret
ut posset exire;
super omnia,
ne quid de se
hero aperiret.
Pollicetur Gallus
quantum poscebat
et
properato gressu
domum reversus,
infidae nil fidei servaturus,
hero nuntiat
cecidisse Vulpem
in casses
vinctamque teneri.
Is gestiens securi armatus
currit ad locum,
quo viso
Vulpes,
proditam se
intelligens,
"O me stolidam (dicebat),
quae gallum,
cuius olim tot feminas
strangulavi ac devoravi,
putavi
mihi fore
amicum fidumque.

Here's an illustration for the fable (image source), showing a fable about a fox and a hen by Walter Crane:

---

Aesop's Fables in Latin now available at Amazon.com.

Irenaeus Fabula 33. Vulpes et Anguis

I'm embarking on a new Latin fable project here at the Latin Via Fables blog: digitizing the 300 fables in the Mithologica sacro-profana, seu florilegium fabularum by P. Irenaeus, published in 1666, which has recently become available at GoogleBooks. For a complete index of the fables in the book, with links to the fables I've digitized so far, check out the Aesopus wiki page at Aesopus.PBwiki.com.

Today's fable is Vulpes et Anguis, the story of what happened when the fox and the snake tangled with each other. This one's not in Perry; does anyone know another source for this fable?

To make reading the fable easier, I've provided a segmented version of the story below.

Vulpes esuriens et quaerens cibum, forte proculcat serpentem, is calcantem se pungit; Vulpes icta pungentem se momordit, atque ita ambo laesi, corpore et corde, offensi discedunt, medicinam suis vulneribus quaesituri. Post aliquot annos, obviam fiunt. Serpens malitia plusquam veneno tumens, fingit se in amicitiam cum vulpe redire velle, nil magis habere in votis, denique multa de pacis bono obgarrit et in signum reconciliationis, quasi daturus osculum, caput erigit; at vulpes, astuto astutio, avertit faciem et sciens Serpentem esse perfidi ac implacabilis animi, dixit, "Vera pace, ut nuper disseruisti (inquit), nil in terris optabilius, sed nec ficta quidquam perniciosius; amoto omni suco, nec tuis credo dictis, nec factis me fido, cum sciam te sub lingua occultare venenum." Quamobrem ratum sit fixumque, vulpem inter et serpentem, neque amicitiam, neque foedus unquam intercessurum.

Vulpes esuriens
et quaerens cibum,
forte proculcat serpentem,
is
calcantem se pungit;
Vulpes icta
pungentem se
momordit,
atque ita ambo laesi,
corpore et corde,
offensi discedunt,
medicinam suis vulneribus
quaesituri.
Post aliquot annos,
obviam fiunt.
Serpens
malitia plusquam veneno
tumens,
fingit se
in amicitiam cum vulpe
redire velle,
nil magis habere in votis,
denique multa
de pacis bono obgarrit
et in signum reconciliationis,
quasi daturus osculum,
caput erigit;
at vulpes, astuto astutio,
avertit faciem
et sciens
Serpentem esse
perfidi ac implacabilis animi,
dixit,
"Vera pace,
ut nuper disseruisti (inquit),
nil in terris optabilius,
sed
nec ficta quidquam perniciosius;
amoto omni suco,
nec tuis credo dictis,
nec factis me fido,
cum sciam
te
sub lingua
occultare venenum."
Quamobrem
ratum sit fixumque,
vulpem inter et serpentem,
neque amicitiam,
neque foedus
unquam intercessurum.

Here's an illustration for the fable (image source), showing a snake made of crystal and copper:

---

Aesop's Fables in Latin now available at Amazon.com.

Irenaeus Fabula 32. De Serpente et Agricola

I'm embarking on a new Latin fable project here at the Latin Via Fables blog: digitizing the 300 fables in the Mithologica sacro-profana, seu florilegium fabularum by P. Irenaeus, published in 1666, which has recently become available at GoogleBooks. For a complete index of the fables in the book, with links to the fables I've digitized so far, check out the Aesopus wiki page at Aesopus.PBwiki.com.

Today's fable is De Serpente et Agricola, the story of the conflict and failed peace between the farmer and the snake. In Perry's indexing system, this is Perry 51.

To make reading the fable easier, I've provided a segmented version of the story below.

Non longe a domo Agricolae Serpens habebat foveam suam, accidit autem ut filium Agricolae pungeret et interficeret. Pater, ira fremens, securi armatus, Serpenti insidiatur, et inventum, cum medium secare putat, aut caput transverberare, caudam amputat, qua relicta, in cavum saucius se recipit; successu temporis, medicatum est vulnus Serpentis et dolor Agricolae, seu sensus iniuriae remissus. Et ut homo facile obliviscitur iniurias, rusticus voluit cum Serpente inire concordiam, acceptisque farina, sale, aqua et melle, ut moris erat, cum eo reconciliari; sed frustra; is enim fugere et sibilare, nequicquam expectare. Facto intervallo, occurrunt; rursus agricola Serpentem alloquitur, ad pacem invitat, ille ad eum, "Frustra (inquit) laboras: inter nos amicitia vera nusquam esse potest; nam tu dum ademptum filium, ego meam caudam, meminerimus, iniuriae recrudescent. Ita enim est, ubi graves iniuriae et inimicitiae intercesserunt, reconciliatio vera nulla est. Et hosti reconciliato ne fidas.

Non longe a domo Agricolae
Serpens habebat foveam suam,
accidit autem
ut filium Agricolae
pungeret et interficeret.
Pater, ira fremens,
securi armatus,
Serpenti insidiatur,
et inventum,
cum medium secare putat,
aut caput transverberare,
caudam amputat,
qua relicta,
in cavum
saucius se recipit;
successu temporis,
medicatum est
vulnus Serpentis
et dolor Agricolae,
seu sensus iniuriae remissus.
Et ut homo
facile obliviscitur iniurias,
rusticus voluit
cum Serpente inire concordiam,
acceptisque
farina, sale, aqua et melle,
ut moris erat,
cum eo reconciliari;
sed frustra;
is enim
fugere et sibilare,
nequicquam expectare.
Facto intervallo,
occurrunt;
rursus agricola
Serpentem alloquitur,
ad pacem invitat,
ille ad eum,
"Frustra (inquit) laboras:
inter nos
amicitia vera
nusquam esse potest;
nam tu
dum ademptum filium,
ego
meam caudam,
meminerimus,
iniuriae recrudescent.
Ita enim est,
ubi graves iniuriae et inimicitiae
intercesserunt,
reconciliatio vera
nulla est.
Et hosti reconciliato
ne fidas.

Here's an illustration for the fable (image source) from a 1479 edition of the fables:

---

Aesop's Fables in Latin now available at Amazon.com.

Irenaeus Fabula 31. De pace Lupos inter et Agnos

I'm embarking on a new Latin fable project here at the Latin Via Fables blog: digitizing the 300 fables in the Mithologica sacro-profana, seu florilegium fabularum by P. Irenaeus, published in 1666, which has recently become available at GoogleBooks. For a complete index of the fables in the book, with links to the fables I've digitized so far, check out the Aesopus wiki page at Aesopus.PBwiki.com.

Today's fable is De pace Lupos inter et Agnos, the story of the disastrous peace treaty between the sheep and the wolves. In Perry's indexing system, this is Perry 153, and you can see many more examples by following the links here.

To make reading the fable easier, I've provided a segmented version of the story below.

Oves conquerebantur de Luporum infestatione, saevitia, depraedatione, vetus querela; hi contra: sese excusare, si quid a se in eas hostiliter gestum, id totum in pastorum petulantiam aut canum perpetuos adlatratus referre. Ut ut sit, haud recusare, cum ovibus honestis conditionibus pacisci amicitiaque foederari. Quid plura, missis utrinque legatis conveniunt, futuram imposterium inter utramque gentem perpetuam pacem, hac lege, ut Oves abigant a se pastores et canes, omnium (ut causabantur Lupi) rixarum causas. Pro fodderis securitate dantur obsides vicissim. Lupi dant catulos suos Ovibus, Oves agnos suos Lupis. Sic pax, si pax dici possit, concluditur, sic simplex et imbelle pecus luditur. Quid inde, catuli Luporum intra caulas et ovilia grandescunt et depascunt nutrices et custodes suas; Lupi, Agnos obsides, et facto impetu in greges impune, nullo resistente, irruunt, pessundant, diripiunt. Heu pacem omni bello deteriorem.

Oves conquerebantur
de Luporum infestatione,
saevitia, depraedatione,
vetus querela;
hi contra:
sese excusare,
si quid
a se
in eas hostiliter gestum,
id totum
in pastorum petulantiam
aut canum perpetuos adlatratus
referre.
Ut ut sit,
haud recusare,
cum ovibus honestis
conditionibus pacisci
amicitiaque foederari.
Quid plura,
missis utrinque legatis
conveniunt,
futuram imposterium
inter utramque gentem
perpetuam pacem,
hac lege,
ut Oves
abigant a se
pastores et canes,
omnium (ut causabantur Lupi) rixarum causas.
Pro fodderis securitate
dantur obsides vicissim.
Lupi dant catulos suos
Ovibus,
Oves agnos suos
Lupis.
Sic pax,
si pax dici possit,
concluditur,
sic simplex et imbelle pecus
luditur.
Quid inde,
catuli Luporum
intra caulas et ovilia grandescunt
et depascunt nutrices et custodes suas;
Lupi,
Agnos obsides,
et facto impetu in greges impune,
nullo resistente,
irruunt, pessundant, diripiunt.
Heu pacem
omni bello deteriorem.


Here's an illustration for the fable (image source):

---

Aesop's Fables in Latin now available at Amazon.com.

Irenaeus Fabula 30. De Turdo

I'm embarking on a new Latin fable project here at the Latin Via Fables blog: digitizing the 300 fables in the Mithologica sacro-profana, seu florilegium fabularum by P. Irenaeus, published in 1666, which has recently become available at GoogleBooks. For a complete index of the fables in the book, with links to the fables I've digitized so far, check out the Aesopus wiki page at Aesopus.PBwiki.com.

Today's fable is De Turdo, the story of the thrush and the bird-lime. Although this story is not found as such in Perry, you can read a version in Townsend.

To make reading the fable easier, I've provided a segmented version of the story below.

Turdus in retia Aucupis incurrens, nec se extricare valens supra modum suam sortem dolebat, non tam quod sibi moriendum esset, quantum quod suis ipse armis periret, visco enim captus erat, et viscum e turdorum stercore fieri aiunt; quem enim non taedeat mori, qui suae mortis causa sit?

Turdus
in retia Aucupis incurrens,
nec se extricare valens
supra modum
suam sortem dolebat,
non tam quod
sibi moriendum esset,
quantum quod
suis ipse armis periret,
visco enim captus erat,
et viscum
e turdorum stercore
fieri aiunt;
quem enim non taedeat mori,
qui suae mortis causa sit?

Here's an illustration for the fable (image source), showing a Bicknell's thrush, a North American bird:

---

Aesop's Fables in Latin now available at Amazon.com.

Irenaeus Fabula 29. Aquila.

I'm embarking on a new Latin fable project here at the Latin Via Fables blog: digitizing the 300 fables in the Mithologica sacro-profana, seu florilegium fabularum by P. Irenaeus, published in 1666, which has recently become available at GoogleBooks. For a complete index of the fables in the book, with links to the fables I've digitized so far, check out the Aesopus wiki page at Aesopus.PBwiki.com.

Today's fable is Aquila, the story of the eagle who was shot with her own feathers. In Perry's indexing system, this is Perry 276.

To make reading the fable easier, I've provided a segmented version of the story below.

Leporem venatura rupi insidebat Aquila, quam Venator quidam incautam conspicatus, emissa in corpus sagitta traiecit. Haec moriens, crenam cum pennis suis intuens, dicebat, "Etsi gravat me mori, magis me gravat et cruciat, quod propriis pennis intereo.

Leporem venatura
rupi insidebat Aquila,
quam
Venator quidam
incautam conspicatus,
emissa in corpus sagitta
traiecit.
Haec moriens,
crenam cum pennis suis intuens,
dicebat,
"Etsi gravat me mori,
magis me gravat et cruciat,
quod propriis pennis intereo.

Here's an illustration for the fable (image source) from a 19th-century edition of Aesop's fables:

---

Aesop's Fables in Latin now available at Amazon.com.

Irenaeus Fabula 28. De Vulpe et Trago, seu Hirco

I'm embarking on a new Latin fable project here at the Latin Via Fables blog: digitizing the 300 fables in the Mithologica sacro-profana, seu florilegium fabularum by P. Irenaeus, published in 1666, which has recently become available at GoogleBooks. For a complete index of the fables in the book, with links to the fables I've digitized so far, check out the Aesopus wiki page at Aesopus.PBwiki.com.

Today's fable is De Vulpe et Trago, seu Hirco, the story of the fox and the goat in the well. In Perry's indexing system, this is Perry 9.

To make reading the fable easier, I've provided a segmented version of the story below.

Deficientibus aquis prae siccitate, Hircus et Vulpes descendunt in puteum; largiter poti; difficultas erat in regressu sive ascensu non modica. Tandem cauta Vulpes socio: Bono sis animo (ait). Quid enim sit facto opus ut hinc evadamus, probe novi: sta igitur rectus, pedibus anterioribus muro adhaerens, ut in humeros tuos conscendens, tuis cornibus quasi scalae gradibus adiuta, emergam; deinde libera, ut evadas, iuvabo ascensum tuum. Credidit Vulpi Hircus; evasit Vulpes extra puteum; sed fraudulenta bestia negavit vicem rependere: sed benefactori suo illudens et subsannans, dicebat: Si tantum sapientiae in animo fuisset, quantum barbae in mento, non fidisses Vulpi, malignae et crudeli, nec hostem tuum adiuvasses.

Deficientibus aquis prae siccitate,
Hircus et Vulpes
descendunt in puteum;
largiter poti;
difficultas erat
in regressu sive ascensu
non modica.
Tandem cauta Vulpes
socio:
Bono sis animo (ait).
Quid enim sit facto opus
ut hinc evadamus,
probe novi:
sta igitur rectus,
pedibus anterioribus
muro adhaerens,
ut
in humeros tuos conscendens,
tuis cornibus quasi scalae gradibus
adiuta,
emergam;
deinde libera,
ut evadas,
iuvabo ascensum tuum.
Credidit Vulpi
Hircus;
evasit Vulpes extra puteum;
sed fraudulenta bestia
negavit vicem rependere:
sed benefactori suo
illudens et subsannans,
dicebat:
Si tantum sapientiae
in animo fuisset,
quantum barbae in mento,
non fidisses Vulpi,
malignae et crudeli,
nec hostem tuum adiuvasses.

Here's an illustration for the fable (image source) from an edition illustrated by Milo Winter; this image is based on a version of the story where the fox gets trapped first, and then lures the goat down to help her to get out.:

---

Aesop's Fables in Latin now available at Amazon.com.

Irenaeus Fabula 27. De Salice et Securi

I'm embarking on a new Latin fable project here at the Latin Via Fables blog: digitizing the 300 fables in the Mithologica sacro-profana, seu florilegium fabularum by P. Irenaeus, published in 1666, which has recently become available at GoogleBooks. For a complete index of the fables in the book, with links to the fables I've digitized so far, check out the Aesopus wiki page at Aesopus.PBwiki.com.

Today's fable is De Salice et Securi, the story of the willow tree and the wedges. In Perry's indexing system, this is Perry 303.

To make reading the fable easier, I've provided a segmented version of the story below.

Securis cedebat salicem et ex truncis sectis cuneos faciebat, quo facilius salicem scinderet. Intelligens salix et videns in quem usum ac finem sic in minuta caederetur, eiulans dicebat: Heu me infortunatam! Non satis est me scindi, nisi etiam de corpore meo cunei fierent in meam ruinam?

Securis
cedebat salicem
et
ex truncis sectis
cuneos faciebat,
quo facilius
salicem scinderet.
Intelligens salix
et videns
in quem usum ac finem
sic in minuta caederetur,
eiulans dicebat:
Heu me infortunatam!
Non satis est me scindi,
nisi etiam de corpore meo
cunei fierent
in meam ruinam?

Here's an illustration for the fable (image source):

---

Aesop's Fables in Latin now available at Amazon.com.

Irenaeus Fabula 26. De Silva et Rustico

I'm embarking on a new Latin fable project here at the Latin Via Fables blog: digitizing the 300 fables in the Mithologica sacro-profana, seu florilegium fabularum by P. Irenaeus, published in 1666, which has recently become available at GoogleBooks. For a complete index of the fables in the book, with links to the fables I've digitized so far, check out the Aesopus wiki page at Aesopus.PBwiki.com.

Today's fable is De Silva et Rustico, the story of the tree that gave a man wood to make a handle for his axe. In Perry's indexing system, this is Perry 302.

To make reading the fable easier, I've provided a segmented version of the story below.

Quo tempore etiam arboribus et inanimis suus sermo, venit ad Silvam Rusticus, petitum ab ea ut liceret de suis lignis aptare manubria securi et asciae. Annuit illa libens, minime penetrans cuinam usui aut damno cederet. Sed ubi sensit aptata in suammet perniciem instrumenta, deiici quercus annosas, exscindi frondes, truncos secari, ligna comminui, tum demum coepit sero paenitere suae facilitatis et dicere: Quid feci insipiens? In propriam ruinam arma ministravi! Indicat vitium satis frequens et commune incautae mortalitatis, in suam saepe perniciem servientis.

Quo tempore
etiam arboribus et inanimis
suus sermo,
venit ad Silvam Rusticus,
petitum ab ea
ut liceret
de suis lignis
aptare manubria
securi et asciae.
Annuit illa libens,
minime penetrans
cuinam usui aut damno cederet.
Sed ubi sensit
aptata
in suammet perniciem
instrumenta,
deiici quercus annosas,
exscindi frondes,
truncos secari,
ligna comminui,
tum demum coepit
sero paenitere suae facilitatis
et dicere:
Quid feci insipiens?
In propriam ruinam arma ministravi!
Indicat
vitium
satis frequens et commune
incautae mortalitatis,
in suam saepe perniciem
servientis.


Here's an illustration for the fable (image source) by the great artist and book illustrator Walter Crane:

---

Aesop's Fables in Latin now available at Amazon.com.

Irenaeus Fabula 25. De Simiis et Pardale

I'm embarking on a new Latin fable project here at the Latin Via Fables blog: digitizing the 300 fables in the Mithologica sacro-profana, seu florilegium fabularum by P. Irenaeus, published in 1666, which has recently become available at GoogleBooks. For a complete index of the fables in the book, with links to the fables I've digitized so far, check out the Aesopus wiki page at Aesopus.PBwiki.com.

Today's fable is De Simiis et Pardale, the story of the panther who tricked the monkeys by playing dead. This is not a fable that shows up in Perry, although it is strikingly similar to the bestiary tradition of the fox who plays dead in order to catch the foolish birds.

To make reading the fable easier, I've provided a segmented version of the story below.

Pardalis animal est Simiis infensissimum, sed viribus impar. Unde, cum aperta vi Simias non possit invadere, arte expugnat et vincit. Sternit se sub foliis et ramis supinum et, extensis in altum pedibus, fingit se mortuum. Hoc spectaculo gavisae Simiae, una post alteram ex arboribus descendunt; illudunt ficto mortuo et eius arte elusae audaciores ac deposito metu conscendunt, conculcant, tripudiant, donec Pardalis sentiens eas longo suo ludo defatigatas, aliam strangulat, aliam unguibus lacerat, aliam pedibus stringens dilaniat. Tam male se habet, hosti se inermem committeret.

Pardalis
animal est
Simiis infensissimum,
sed viribus impar.
Unde,
cum
aperta vi
Simias non possit invadere,
arte expugnat et vincit.
Sternit se
sub foliis et ramis supinum
et, extensis in altum pedibus,
fingit se mortuum.
Hoc spectaculo
gavisae Simiae,
una post alteram
ex arboribus descendunt;
illudunt ficto mortuo
et eius arte elusae
audaciores
ac deposito metu
conscendunt, conculcant, tripudiant,
donec Pardalis
sentiens
eas longo suo ludo defatigatas,
aliam strangulat,
aliam unguibus lacerat,
aliam pedibus stringens dilaniat.
Tam male se habet,
hosti
se inermem committeret.


Here's an illustration for the fable (image source), showing some monkeys:

---

Aesop's Fables in Latin now available at Amazon.com.