Irenaeus Fable 69. Agricola et Fortuna

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 Agricola et Fortuna, the story of why the goddess Fortune rebuked a farmer for his lack of gratitude. In Perry's indexing system, this is Perry 61.

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

Quidam Rusticus, terram fodiens, thesaurum invenit, acceptique beneficii memor, Telluri, ut benefactrici suae, quotidie munera, flores, coronas, libabat. Quod cernens Fortuna, indignata dona sua alteri deputari, Rustico aliquando astitit, cui indignabunda, "Heus tu (ait), ingrate? Quid Terrae tribuis gratiam, quam mihi debes? Ego sum, quae ditavi te. Quoties invocasti me? Et iterum, scio, es rogaturus! Aut si quando in alienas manus, aurum, quod invenisti, transierit, iterum me, licet beneficam, ream facies et accusabis?" Ita Fortuna a cunctis adoratur ut Dea, accusatur ut rea.

Quidam Rusticus,
terram fodiens,
thesaurum invenit,
acceptique beneficii memor,
Telluri, ut benefactrici suae,
quotidie munera, flores, coronas, libabat.
Quod cernens Fortuna,
indignata
dona sua alteri deputari,
Rustico aliquando astitit,
cui indignabunda,
"Heus tu (ait),
ingrate?
Quid Terrae tribuis gratiam,
quam mihi debes?
Ego sum,
quae ditavi te.
Quoties invocasti me?
Et iterum, scio, es rogaturus!
Aut si quando
in alienas manus,
aurum, quod invenisti, transierit,
iterum me, licet beneficam,
ream facies et accusabis?"
Ita Fortuna
a cunctis adoratur ut Dea,
accusatur ut rea.

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

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

Irenaeus Fable 68. Fortuna Divitis et Pauperis

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 Fortuna Divitis et Pauperis, the story of how the goddess Fortune regards this world of rich men and poor men. This is not a fable in the Perry index, and I am not familiar with it from any other source. If anyone has information about this fable, please let me know!

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

Quidam Praedives, fortunae donis satiatus et cumulatus ad plenum, imo ad nauseam, homini mendico centum aureos nummos obtulit, ut ad Fortunam suam pergeret, longissime degentem; eam suo nomine rogaturus, ut suis beneficiis in se modum metamque poneret. Recusat conditionem Pauper, difficultate longissimi itineris exterritus, sed mox facti paenitens, recipit se facturum. Dives e summa oblata decem nummos detrahit: Pauper negat, postea promittit. Sed etiam alios decem aureos deducit, sicque vicissim, iste minuendo, ille reiiciendo, mox acceptando, eo deventum, ut Pauper, premente inopia, decem aureis contentus ad Fortunam Divitis se conferret, rogitans, ut a largiendis Diviti opibus abstineret, ut pote ipsi molestis, et in se egentem derivaret. Ad quem Fortuna, spretis utriusque postulatis, "Meae divinitatis (inquit) iura nescitis? Dare scilet meas opes nolenti, negare volenti." Libet hunc amplius ditare Divitem, te linquere Pauperem." Addens: "Etiam nummos, quos accepisti, nisi me tunc occupasset somnus, non habuisses." Quod saepe saepius in rebus humanis perspicitur, ut ille volens, nolens ditescat, et augeatur; iste in dies minuatur, et quidquid aget, fiat pauperior.

Quidam Praedives,
fortunae donis satiatus
et cumulatus ad plenum,
imo ad nauseam,
homini mendico
centum aureos nummos obtulit,
ut ad Fortunam suam pergeret,
longissime degentem;
eam
suo nomine rogaturus,
ut suis beneficiis
in se
modum metamque poneret.
Recusat conditionem Pauper,
difficultate longissimi itineris exterritus,
sed mox facti paenitens,
recipit se facturum.
Dives
e summa oblata
decem nummos detrahit:
Pauper negat,
postea promittit.
Sed etiam alios decem aureos deducit,
sicque vicissim,
iste minuendo,
ille reiiciendo,
mox acceptando,
eo deventum,
ut Pauper, premente inopia,
decem aureis contentus
ad Fortunam Divitis
se conferret,
rogitans,
ut a largiendis Diviti opibus abstineret,
ut pote ipsi molestis,
et in se egentem derivaret.
Ad quem Fortuna,
spretis utriusque postulatis,
"Meae divinitatis (inquit) iura
nescitis?
Dare scilet meas opes nolenti,
negare volenti."
Libet
hunc amplius ditare Divitem,
te linquere Pauperem."
Addens:
"Etiam nummos, quos accepisti,
nisi me tunc occupasset somnus,
non habuisses."
Quod saepe saepius
in rebus humanis perspicitur,
ut ille volens, nolens ditescat,
et augeatur;
iste in dies minuatur,
et quidquid aget, fiat pauperior.

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

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

Irenaeus Fable 67. Piscatores.

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 Piscatoribus, the story of the unexpected good luck that befall some fishermen. In Perry's indexing system, this is Perry 21.

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

Piscatores, iactis in mari retibus, diu multumque fatigati, nil ceperant, et iam taedio, labore, ac desperatione victi, abire decreverant, fortunam incusantes, cum insperato piscis immanis ab alio actus, in ipsam piscatorum tristium scapham insilit. Quem hi, supra modum laetantes, comprehendunt, et Fortunae Deae acceptum referunt, quod ars diu tentata negaverat.

Piscatores,
iactis in mari retibus,
diu multumque fatigati,
nil ceperant,
et iam taedio, labore, ac desperatione victi,
abire decreverant,
fortunam incusantes,
cum insperato
piscis immanis
ab alio actus,
in ipsam piscatorum tristium scapham
insilit.
Quem
hi, supra modum laetantes,
comprehendunt,
et Fortunae Deae acceptum
referunt,
quod ars diu tentata negaverat.

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

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

Irenaeus Fable 66. Pauper et Thesaurus.

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 Paupere et Thesauro, the story of a poor man and his unexpected good fortune. This is not a fable in the Perry index, and I am not familiar with it from any other source. If anyone has information about this fable, please let me know!

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

Quidam pauper, nil praeter tuguriolum possidens idque ruinam minitans, quibusdam propterea palis suffultum, ex agro rediens reperit eversum, eiusque reparandi impotens, acerbos ploratus edebat. Accidit autem ut cum inconsolabiliter plangeret, huc et illuc oculos versans, adverteret urnulam inter rudera et saxa maceriae deiectam, quam cum sustulisset, et aureis nummis plenam invenisset, insolito gaudio perfusus, lacrimas abstersit et eiulatus repressit. Quo docemur miserabilibus quandoque personis fortunam cum minus sperant, adesse, et mutare vultum.

Quidam pauper,
nil praeter tuguriolum possidens
idque ruinam minitans,
quibusdam propterea palis suffultum,
ex agro rediens
reperit eversum,
eiusque reparandi impotens,
acerbos ploratus edebat.
Accidit autem
ut cum inconsolabiliter plangeret,
huc et illuc oculos versans,
adverteret urnulam inter rudera
et saxa maceriae deiectam,
quam cum sustulisset,
et aureis nummis plenam invenisset,
insolito gaudio perfusus,
lacrimas abstersit
et eiulatus repressit.
Quo docemur
miserabilibus quandoque personis
fortunam cum minus sperant,
adesse,
et mutare vultum.

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

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

Irenaeus Fable 65. Vaticinator.

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 Vaticinatore, the story of a fortune-teller who could not tell his own fortune. In Perry's indexing system, this is Perry 161.

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

Circulator quidam medio in foro Divinatoriam profitebatur, et inspectione manuum cuiuslibet sortes augurabatur, magna plebecula turba stipatus, quam dum suis praestigiis incautam teneret, quidam ipsi annunciat effractas fores domus suae, et omnia a latronibus direpta et asportata. Quo audito turbatus, relictis omnibus ad domum cucurrit. Tunc unusquisque exclamare, "O illusor et mendax, aliorum sortem divinare et scire te dicis, et tuam nescis." Innuit vanitatem artis divinatoriae.

Circulator quidam
medio in foro
Divinatoriam profitebatur,
et inspectione manuum cuiuslibet
sortes augurabatur,
magna plebecula turba stipatus,
quam
dum suis praestigiis incautam teneret,
quidam
ipsi annunciat
effractas fores domus suae,
et omnia a latronibus direpta et asportata.
Quo audito turbatus,
relictis omnibus
ad domum cucurrit.
Tunc unusquisque exclamare,
"O illusor et mendax,
aliorum sortem divinare
et scire te dicis,
et tuam nescis."
Innuit vanitatem artis divinatoriae.

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

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

Irenaeus Fable 64. Mercurius et Tiresias.

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 Mercurius et Tiresias, the story of how the god Mercury decided to test the soothsaying powers of the sage Tiresias. In Perry's indexing system, this is Perry 89 .

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

Tiresiae vatis, augurandi scientia nulli secundi, Mercurius, artem probaturus, formam hominis induit et, abactis eius bobus, qui prope moenia urbis in agro pascebant, venit ad eum, quasi aliquid ab eo sciscitaturus. Illis confabulantibus venit nuncius, qui Tiresiae boves suos amissos dixit. Tunc ille, assumpto Mercurio, prodit foras, in locum editum de avium volatu augurium capturus. Et quia caecus esset, petit a Mercurio, num avem aliquam cernat. "Video Aquilam (inquit) a laeva ad dextram volantem." "Nihil illa ad nos," infit Tiresias; "Observemus aliam." Tum secundo. "Video (ait Mercurius) Cornicem, quae modo rostrum in caelum, modo in terram versus, tendit." Tunc Tiresias, "Haec Cornix sine dubio contestatur caelum et terram, si tu velis meos me boves recepturum." Haec, ut praecedentes, artis divinatoriae vanitatem ostendunt.

Tiresiae vatis,
augurandi scientia
nulli secundi,
Mercurius,
artem probaturus,
formam hominis induit
et, abactis eius bobus,
qui
prope moenia urbis
in agro pascebant,
venit ad eum,
quasi aliquid ab eo sciscitaturus.
Illis confabulantibus
venit nuncius,
qui
Tiresiae
boves suos amissos
dixit.
Tunc ille,
assumpto Mercurio,
prodit foras,
in locum editum
de avium volatu
augurium capturus.
Et quia caecus esset,
petit a Mercurio,
num avem aliquam cernat.
"Video Aquilam (inquit)
a laeva ad dextram volantem."
"Nihil illa ad nos,"
infit Tiresias;
"Observemus aliam."
Tum secundo.
"Video (ait Mercurius) Cornicem,
quae
modo rostrum in caelum,
modo in terram versus, tendit."
Tunc Tiresias,
"Haec Cornix sine dubio
contestatur caelum et terram,
si tu velis
meos me boves recepturum."
Haec, ut praecedentes,
artis divinatoriae vanitatem ostendunt.

Here's an illustration for the fable (image source), showing Mercury depicted on an old Italian banknote:

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

Irenaeus Fable 63. Mulier Venefica.

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 Muliere Venefica, the story of a witch who claimed to offer protection to others but who could not protect herself. In Perry's indexing system, this is Perry 56 .

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

Quaedam Mulier non modicum ex suis divinationibus et mendaciis quaestum captans apud imperitam plebem, promittebat Deorum iras in se infensorum suis artibus placaturam. Contigit ut ipsa impietatis apud Iudices postularetur, eorumque iudicio damnata, ad patibulum duceretur, cui plebs "O insanam mendacemque creaturam, tu quae nuper caelestium iram a plebe avertere profitebaris, humanam in te mutare nec lenire potuisti?"

Quaedam Mulier
non modicum
ex suis divinationibus et mendaciis
quaestum captans
apud imperitam plebem,
promittebat
Deorum iras
in se infensorum
suis artibus placaturam.
Contigit ut ipsa
impietatis apud Iudices postularetur,
eorumque iudicio damnata,
ad patibulum duceretur,
cui plebs
"O insanam mendacemque creaturam,
tu
quae nuper
caelestium iram
a plebe avertere profitebaris,
humanam in te
mutare nec lenire potuisti?"

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

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

Irenaeus Fable 62. Boves Somniantes.

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 Bobus Somniantibus, the story of some oxen made hopeful by their auspicious dreams. This is not a fable in the Perry index, and I am not familiar with it from any other source. If anyone has information about this fable, please let me know!

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

Bubulcus mane ingressus stabulum et solvens Boves, ut adaquatum duceret, invenit eos solito hilariores. Interrogavit quid esset et quae causa ipsis laetitiae? Illi, non sine causa, inquiunt, "Exultanmus; scimus enim nos hodie vacaturos." "Vacaturos? (ait) Sed unde hoc scitis?" Respondent, "Quia sic fore hac nocte somniavimus. Nec tantum feriaturos, sed et in optimis pascuis diem acturos." "Si somniastis (inquit), male somniastis; aut ego aliter etiam somniavi; scilicet hanc diem integram vos araturos. Et experimento probabitis vana esse vestra, et plerumque aliorum, somnia." Moxque coepit eos subiugum mittere et vomerem aratro aptare. Quo illi tristes effecti, "Heu (dicebant), quam subito spes nostrae, mendacio fultae, vanuerunt; quis credat deinceps in somniis?"

Bubulcus
mane ingressus stabulum
et solvens Boves,
ut adaquatum duceret,
invenit eos solito hilariores.
Interrogavit
quid esset
et quae causa
ipsis laetitiae?
Illi, non sine causa, inquiunt,
"Exultanmus;
scimus enim nos hodie vacaturos."
"Vacaturos? (ait)
Sed unde hoc scitis?"
Respondent,
"Quia sic fore
hac nocte somniavimus.
Nec tantum feriaturos,
sed et in optimis pascuis diem acturos."
"Si somniastis (inquit),
male somniastis;
aut ego aliter etiam somniavi;
scilicet hanc diem integram
vos araturos.
Et experimento
probabitis
vana esse
vestra, et plerumque aliorum, somnia."
Moxque coepit eos subiugum mittere
et vomerem aratro aptare.
Quo illi tristes effecti,
"Heu (dicebant),
quam subito
spes nostrae, mendacio fultae,
vanuerunt;
quis credat deinceps in somniis?"

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

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

Irenaeus Fable 61. Pater et Filius

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 Patre et Filio, the story of a father who thought he could outwit the fate destined for his son. In Perry's indexing system, this is Perry 363 .

To make reading the fable easier, I've provided a segmented version of the story below. For help in reading the story, try pasting the text into NoDictionaries.com (more tips here).

Cuidam viro erat unicus Filius, unice dilectus, qui cum venationis amore ardentissime teneretur, et Pater inde vitae Fiii exitium pertimesceret, contigit ut ipsum a leone interfici somniaret, quo exterritus et ratus omen fatale Filio, statuit hac arte providere: extructo amplissimo amoenissimoque palatio, in quo praeter hortos pulcherrimos, ambulacra, et porticus, aedes curavit extrui, et miro in iis artificio depingi species omnium animalium, praecipue ferarum, venationes omnis generis, in quo Filium, nulla non arte oblectandum, custodiret, sed ille detineri impatiens, edoctus causam suae tam arctae custodiae, ac pertaesus, cum aliquando picturis huiusmodi intendisset, vidit leonem depictum in pariete, in quem excandescens et iuveniliter saeviens, "Tu ne es causa (ait), o truculenta bestia, meae captivitatis?" Et haec dicens, pugnum muro tam fortiter incussit, putans oculum leoni effodere, ut manus clavo, qui ibi forte latebat, contusa, emarcuerit, unde febris subsecuta eum brevi tumulo infoderit. Quo eventu Pater eius, praeter modum consternatus, dicebat, "Heu! Me miserum, qui duram fati Filii mei necessitatem putans impedire aut avertere, imprudens maturavi." Adeo fati vis et necessitas est insuperabilis.

Cuidam viro
erat unicus Filius,
unice dilectus,
qui cum
venationis amore ardentissime teneretur,
et Pater inde
vitae Fiii exitium pertimesceret,
contigit ut
ipsum a leone interfici somniaret,
quo exterritus
et ratus omen fatale Filio,
statuit hac arte providere:
extructo amplissimo amoenissimoque palatio,
in quo praeter hortos pulcherrimos, ambulacra, et porticus,
aedes curavit extrui,
et miro in iis artificio
depingi species omnium animalium,
praecipue ferarum,
venationes omnis generis,
in quo
Filium, nulla non arte oblectandum, custodiret,
sed ille
detineri impatiens,
edoctus causam suae tam arctae custodiae,
ac pertaesus,
cum aliquando picturis huiusmodi intendisset,
vidit leonem depictum in pariete,
in quem excandescens
et iuveniliter saeviens,
"Tu ne es causa (ait),
o truculenta bestia,
meae captivitatis?"
Et haec dicens,
pugnum muro tam fortiter incussit,
putans oculum leoni effodere,
ut manus
clavo, qui ibi forte latebat, contusa,
emarcuerit,
unde febris subsecuta
eum brevi tumulo infoderit.
Quo eventu
Pater eius,
praeter modum consternatus,
dicebat,
"Heu! Me miserum,
qui
duram fati Filii mei necessitatem
putans impedire aut avertere,
imprudens maturavi."
Adeo fati vis
et necessitas
est insuperabilis.

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

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

Aesopus Simplicissimus: Taurus et Mus

The Tar Heel Reader project has inspired me to start writing some fables I'm labeling Aesopus Simplicissimus. I'll be publishing those fables here - sometimes with an accompanying reader at Tar Heel, and sometimes just the text on its own. You can read more about this "Simplicissimus" project in this earlier post, and see all the "Simplicissimus" fables here.

For today, the fable is Taurus et Mus, a story about a bull who was thwarted by a tiny mouse. You can find materials and resources for this fable at the Aesopus Wiki - and you can also see the illustrated versions at Tar Heel Reader. Here is the fable in simple prose:

Taurus humi stratus est. Mus forte Tauri crura momórdit. Taurus ruit et petit hostem suum córnibus. Sed córnua vibrat frustra! Murem Taurus cérnere non potest, quod herba densa Murem tegit.

Sic salvus, Mus Tauro dicit: "Ne párvula spernas! Ego, qui sum parvulus Mus, te impúne lacésso, quamvis grandis sis. Tu, máximus, a me, mínimo, laesus es."

Fabula docet: Quamvis Taurus sis, cave parvulum Murem!

Here's an illustration for the fable (image source) from a 15th-century edition of Aesop's fables:

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

Irenaeus Fabula 60. Asinus Silvestris

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 Asinus Silvestris, the story of the wild donkey and his reflections on the free life. In Perry's indexing system, this is Perry 183.

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

Onager seu Asinus silvestris, viso Asino domestico in aprico pascente, accedens, eum felicem dicebat, eiusque conditionem multis extollebat, ut qui sine ferarum periculo interdiu herbam pasceret et in stabulo noctu securus a servis heri sui curaretur. At ubi postera die eumdem vidit clitellis onustum, gravia onera ferentem, et famulum retro eum fuste et flagellis egregie excipientem, mutavit sententiam et quem felicem prius reputaverat, miserrimum pronuntiavit. Sic res humanae fallaces sunt, et cum rident specioso vultu prima fronte, momento produnt malum quod intus celant.

Onager seu Asinus silvestris,
viso Asino domestico
in aprico pascente,
accedens,
eum felicem dicebat,
eiusque conditionem
multis extollebat,
ut qui
sine ferarum periculo
interdiu herbam pasceret
et in stabulo noctu securus
a servis heri sui curaretur.
At ubi postera die
eumdem vidit clitellis onustum,
gravia onera ferentem,
et famulum retro
eum fuste et flagellis
egregie excipientem,
mutavit sententiam
et quem
felicem prius reputaverat,
miserrimum pronuntiavit.
Sic res humanae
fallaces sunt,
et cum rident specioso vultu
prima fronte,
momento produnt malum
quod intus celant.

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

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

Aesopus Simplicissimus: Rusticus et Hercules

The Tar Heel Reader project has inspired me to start writing some fables I'm labeling Aesopus Simplicissimus. I'll be publishing those fables here - sometimes with an accompanying reader at Tar Heel, and sometimes just the text on its own. You can read more about this "Simplicissimus" project in this earlier post, and see all the "Simplicissimus" fables here.

For today, the fable is Rusticus et Hercules, an old Aesop's fable about how "God helps them that help themselves." You can find materials and resources for this fable at the Aesopus Wiki - including Tar Heel Reader versions. Here is the fable:

Ecce Rústicus! Rústicus currum habet. Ecce lutum! In via est lutum profúndum. In via lutósa, Rústici currus omnino haeret.

Rústicus valde frustrátus est! In lutum súbsidit et Deum implórat: "O Hércules, te implóro: audi mea vota! Propítius ádiuva me quod currus meus in luto haeret!"

De caelo Hércules ómnia videt. Currum in luto videt et rústicum pigrum. Deus íntonat: "Nunc surge, O piger, et ágita equum! Currum impélle víribus tuis! Ádmove manus - tum demum Hércules tibi propítius erit."

Fábula docet: Otiósa vota Deus non audit.

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

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

Irenaeus Fabula 59. De Cane ad cenam eunte.

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 Cane ad cenam eunte, the story of the dog's adventure when he attended a banquet. In Perry's indexing system, this is Perry 328.

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

Invitarat quidam Civis Amicum suum ad convivium opiparum, cuius Canis etiam eiusdem Amici Canem ad cenam invitavit. Is, spe futuri prandii lauti, ut sperabat, diem abstinuit, ut ventrem copiosius ac genialius infarciret; condicta igitur hora cum hero ad convivii locum veniens praecucurrit, cauda prae laetitia gestiens, et ut moris est Canum, statim in culinam penetravit, quem Coquus cauda prehensum, Te unum, inquit, O bona bestia! expectabamus ad cenam; sed quia nondum carnes sufficienter assata sunt, tantillum exeundum est foras, sicque illum rotans, per fenestram proiecit: ille ex casu paene exanimis, ac resurgendo exclamans, accurrentibus ad se canibus, petentibusque quam laute cenasset, tam bene, inquit, pastus sum, ut vix qua exierim viam adverterim. Haec fabula carpit inanes expectationes hominum, qui ad primam degustandae voluptatis umbran procurrentes, miseri saepe falluntur.

Invitarat quidam Civis
Amicum suum
ad convivium opiparum,
cuius Canis etiam
eiusdem Amici Canem
ad cenam invitavit.
Is,
spe futuri prandii lauti,
ut sperabat,
diem abstinuit,
ut ventrem
copiosius ac genialius infarciret;
condicta igitur hora
cum hero
ad convivii locum veniens
praecucurrit,
cauda prae laetitia gestiens,
et ut moris est Canum,
statim in culinam penetravit,
quem Coquus cauda prehensum,
Te unum, inquit,
O bona bestia!
expectabamus ad cenam;
sed quia
nondum carnes
sufficienter assata sunt,
tantillum exeundum est foras,
sicque illum rotans,
per fenestram proiecit:
ille ex casu paene exanimis,
ac resurgendo exclamans,
accurrentibus ad se canibus,
petentibusque quam laute cenasset,
tam bene, inquit, pastus sum,
ut vix
qua exierim
viam adverterim.
Haec fabula carpit
inanes expectationes hominum,
qui
ad primam degustandae voluptatis umbran
procurrentes,
miseri saepe falluntur.

Here's an illustration for the fable (image source), showing a dog being tossed in the air:

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

Irenaeus Fabula 58. De Piscatoribus

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 Piscatoribus, the story of the ups and downs of the life of a fisherman. In Perry's indexing system, this is Perry 13.

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

Piscatores retia in mare iecerant, quod ad terram trahentes, cum grave sentirent, magna laetitia gestiebant, existimantes se multum piscem captaturos et lucrum. Ad quos unus e sociis: "Quid ita?" inquit, et "Forte frustra gestimus? Quid si truncum inutilem aut lapidem trahimus? Et tempus et operam perdimus? Quippe laetitiae solet esse comes tristitia, ne efferamur: res humanae sic ludunt mortales; non omne quod splendet aureum est.

Piscatores
retia in mare iecerant,
quod ad terram trahentes,
cum grave sentirent,
magna laetitia gestiebant,
existimantes
se
multum piscem captaturos
et lucrum.
Ad quos
unus e sociis:
"Quid ita?" inquit, et
"Forte frustra gestimus?
Quid si truncum inutilem
aut lapidem trahimus?
Et tempus et operam perdimus?
Quippe laetitiae solet esse comes
tristitia,
ne efferamur:
res humanae
sic ludunt mortales;
non omne quod splendet
aureum est.

Here's an illustration for the fable (image source) showing a fisherman with his net:

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

Aesopus Simplicissimus: Cornix et Urna

The Tar Heel Reader project has inspired me to start writing some fables I'm labeling Aesopus Simplicissimus. I'll be publishing those fables here - sometimes with an accompanying reader at Tar Heel, and sometimes just the text on its own. You can read more about this "Simplicissimus" project in this earlier post, and see all the "Simplicissimus" fables here.

For today, the fable is Cornix et Urna, the story of the thirsty crow. You can find materials and resources for this fable at the Aesopus Wiki - including Tar Heel Reader versions:

Ecce cornix! Cornix sitibúnda est et bíbere vult. Ecce urna! Cornix urnam ínvenit. In urnae fundo est aqua. Sed urna alta est, et aqua brevis. Quod urna alta est, et aqua brevis, Cornix bíbere non potest.

Cornix cógitat: "Víribus meis, urnam evértam!" Cornix alis vérberat et fórtiter ad urnam ádvolat. Sed urna fírmiter stat et non movétur.

Cornix íterum cógitat: "In urna est aqua, et bíbere volo. Sed urna fírmiter stat, et evértere non possum. Quid ergo fáciam?"

Cornix diu cógitat, deinde clamat: "Euréka! Consílium hábeo! Prope urnam cálculi sunt. Cálculos legam et in urnam mittam! Sic aquam levabo et bibere potero!"

Ergo: Cornix rostro cálculos legit. Cálculos in urnam mittit et sic aquam levat. Hoc modo ingenióso Cornix felíciter bibit. Fábula docet: Ingénium plus valet quam vires.

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

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

Aesopus Simplicissimus: Formica et Cicada

The Tar Heel Reader project has inspired me to start writing some fables I'm labeling Aesopus Simplicissimus. I'll be publishing those fables here - sometimes with an accompanying reader at Tar Heel, and sometimes just the text on its own. You can read more about this "Simplicissimus" project in this earlier post, and see all the "Simplicissimus" fables here.

For today, the fable is Formica et Cicada, the story of the hard-working ant and the carefree grasshopper. You can find materials and resources for this fable at the Aesopus Wiki - including Tar Heel Reader versions (one all in Latin, and one bilingual, along with some poetry based on this fable, too):

Ecce Formíca! Formíca negotiósa est, et prudens. In aestáte, Formíca labórat, cólligens fruméntum. Colléctum fruméntum trahit in cavérnam suam. Cibum repónit in aestáte, ut cómedat in híeme.

Ecce Cicáda! Cicáda otiósa est, et imprúdens. In aestáte, Cicáda cantat, et non labórat. Sed mox tempus híemis ádvenit cum magno frígore. Formíca in cavérna sua manet, cómedens cibum suum. Sed Cicáda cibum non habet.

Auxílium quaerens, Cicáda venit ad Formícae iánuam. Famélica Cicáda clamat: "O Formíca, te implóro: da mihi cibum! Cópiam habes tu, et ego nihil. Fame iam moritúra sum!"

Sed Formíca Cicádam intérrogat: "Ego tota aestáte laborábam, cólligens fruméntum. Dum ego sic laborábam, quid agébas tu?

Cicáda respóndet: "Per flores errábam, et per grámina. Cármina cantábam ómnibus, gratis. Hoc erat mihi opus aestívum."

Formíca ridet et iánuam claudit: "Si aestáte cantábas híeme nunc salta!"

Fábula docet: Sine labóre, non erit panis in ore.

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

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

Irenaeus Fabula 57. De Mulo et Equo

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 Mulo et Equo, the story of the proud horse and the humble mule. In Perry's indexing system, this is Perry 565.

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

Mulus cuiusdam nobilis videns quotidie Equum domini sui, aureo freno ephippioque insignem et decoris opertum phaleris, superbe prodeuntem, rumpebatur invidia, beatum illum reputans, qui tam pulchro amiciretur ornatu et optimis vesceretur cibis, se vero infelicissimum, qui clitellis male dolatis indutus: ad onera omnia a vilissimis quibusque servis ageretur, perpetuo fustibus tunsus. Accidit autem, ut herus ad bellum proficisceretur, cum Equo praedicto, quo confecto rediret incolumis, Equus autem multis acceptis vulneribus vix in pedes consisteret. Quod perpendens Mulus, coepit falsae felicitati Equi maledicere et suae conditioni gratulari, dicens, O quantum est in rebus inane! Non omne quod splendet aureum est, aut diuturnum.

Mulus cuiusdam nobilis
videns quotidie
Equum domini sui,
aureo freno ephippioque insignem
et decoris opertum phaleris,
superbe prodeuntem,
rumpebatur invidia,
beatum illum reputans,
qui tam pulchro amiciretur ornatu
et optimis vesceretur cibis,
se vero infelicissimum,
qui clitellis male dolatis indutus:
ad onera omnia
a vilissimis quibusque servis
ageretur,
perpetuo fustibus tunsus.
Accidit autem,
ut herus ad bellum proficisceretur,
cum Equo praedicto,
quo confecto rediret incolumis,
Equus autem
multis acceptis vulneribus
vix in pedes consisteret.
Quod perpendens Mulus,
coepit
falsae felicitati Equi maledicere
et suae conditioni gratulari,
dicens,
O quantum est in rebus inane!
Non omne quod splendet
aureum est, aut diuturnum.

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

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

Aesopus Simplicissimus: Lupus et Grus

The Tar Heel Reader project has inspired me to start writing some fables I'm labeling Aesopus Simplicissimus. I'll be publishing those fables here - sometimes with an accompanying reader at Tar Heel, and sometimes just the text on its own. You can read more about this "Simplicissimus" project in this earlier post, and see all the "Simplicissimus" fables here.

For today, the fable is Lupus et Grus, the story of the crane who foolishly did a favor for a wolf. You can find materials and resources for this fable at the Aesopus Wiki - including Tar Heel Reader versions (one all in Latin, and one bilingual):

Ecce lupus! Lupus ánimal saevum est, et vorax. Dum Lupus ávide cenat, os gluttit. Os in gútture Lupi haeret et eum fere strángulat. Lupus gráviter dolet, et clamat: "Ádiuva me!" Sed animália ómnia Lupum ódio habent et iuváre nolunt.

Deinde Lupus Gruem animadvértit. Grus longum collum habet et longum rostrum. Dolóre gemens, Lupus Grui dicit: "O Grus, praémium tibi promítto, si me ádiuvas!"

Crédula Grus caput suum in guttur Lupi immíttit. Collum suum exténdit et rostro suo e Lupi gútture os éxtrahit. Grus ergo praémium póstulat sed Lupus nihil ei dat.

Lupus subrídet, dentes revélans, et dicit Grui: "Quam stulta es tu, et ridícula! Caput tuum in ore meo fuit et tibi vívere permísi. Hoc, O stulta, satis praémii est tibi." Fábula docet: Cave lupum! Periculósum est malos adiuváre.

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

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

Irenaeus Fabula 56. Talpa et Mus.

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 Talpa et Mus, the story of the mouse and the mole. This is not a fable I've seen before - does anybody know of an earlier source for it?

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

Talpam caecum animal oculorum omnino expers, aut si habet, habet membrana quadam insidente obstructos, ut nil videat, ferunt aliquando gloriatum adversus Murem de praestantia oculorum et visus. Cui Mus: Egregios sane oculos habes, sed unde videas, non habes. Notans caecitatem mentis, plerumque graviorem multorum, qui caeci cum sint, acutius aliis videre se iactant et putant.

Talpam
caecum animal
oculorum omnino expers,
aut si habet,
habet
membrana quadam insidente
obstructos,
ut nil videat,
ferunt aliquando
gloriatum
adversus Murem
de praestantia oculorum et visus.
Cui Mus:
Egregios sane oculos habes,
sed unde videas, non habes.
Notans caecitatem mentis,
plerumque graviorem multorum,
qui caeci cum sint,
acutius aliis videre
se iactant et putant.

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

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

Aesopus Simplicissimus: Gallus et Gemma

The Tar Heel Reader project has inspired me to start writing some fables I'm labeling Aesopus Simplicissimus. I'll be publishing those fables here - sometimes with an accompanying reader at Tar Heel, and sometimes just the text on its own. You can read more about this "Simplicissimus" project in this earlier post, and see all the "Simplicissimus" fables here.

For today, the fable is Gallus et Gemma, the story of the rooster who found a jewel in the manure. You can find materials and resources for this fable at the Aesopus Wiki - including Tar Heel Reader versions (one all in Latin, and one bilingual):

Ecce Gallus! Gallus famélicus est. Ecce stercus! Gallus in stércore escam quaerit. Quid Gallus cómedit? Gallus trítici grana cómedit. Gallus hórdei grana cómedit. Gallus etiam vermes cómedit.

Ex improvíso, dum escam quaerit, Gallus gemmam in stércore ínvenit. Gemma res rara est! Gemma res pulchra est! Gemma res pretiósa est! Sed Gallo gemma non placet.

Gallus frustrátus est et dicit: "Gemma mihi non placet! Gemma mihi non prodest! Escam quaero, non gemmas! Gemmas comédere non possum. O gemma, mísera es quod in stércore iaces. Ego quoque miser sum quod escam non hábeo. Unum granum escae mélius mihi est quam omnes gemmae pretiosae. Ergo: hanc gemmam pretiósam frustra invéni." Fábula docet: Cuique suum.

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

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

Irenaeus Fabula 55. De Talpa, matre et filio.

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 Talpa, matre et filio, the story of the story of the mole and his mother. In Perry's indexing system, this is Perry 214.

Talpa, animal caecitatis perpetuae tenebris alte defossum et quasi in terra sepultum, dicebat aliquando matri suae; Mater, ingentem odorem sentio: aliquanto post, magnam fornacem accensam video; tertio iterum ad eam, audio fabrorum ictus malleorumque incudes fortiter tundentium. Cui mater subridens, respondit, Heu, fili mi, ut video, tam odoratu et auditu capta es, quam oculis et visu; nec plus audis, aut sentis, quam vides. Quantos huiuscemodi caecos, ut talpas, et surdos, et veri odoratus expertes, saeculum habet.

Talpa,
animal
caecitatis perpetuae tenebris
alte defossum
et quasi in terra sepultum,
dicebat aliquando matri suae;
Mater,
ingentem odorem sentio:
aliquanto post,
magnam fornacem accensam video;
tertio iterum ad eam,
audio
fabrorum ictus
malleorumque incudes
fortiter tundentium.
Cui mater subridens, respondit,
Heu, fili mi,
ut video,
tam odoratu et auditu capta es,
quam oculis et visu;
nec plus audis, aut sentis,
quam vides.
Quantos huiuscemodi caecos,
ut talpas,
et surdos,
et veri odoratus expertes,
saeculum habet.

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

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

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

Aesopus Simplicissimus: Cervus et Cornua Eius

The Tar Heel Reader project has inspired me to start writing some fables I'm labeling Aesopus Simplicissimus. I'll be publishing those fables here - sometimes with an accompanying reader at Tar Heel, and sometimes just the text on its own. You can read more about this "Simplicissimus" project in this earlier post, and see all the "Simplicissimus" fables here.

For today, the fable is Cervus et Cornua Eius, the story of the stag and his horns. You can find materials and resources for this fable at the Aesopus Wiki - including Tar Heel Reader versions (one all in Latin, and one bilingual):

Ecce Cervus! Cervus córnua habet. Cervi córnua magna sunt. Cervus crura habet, sed magna non sunt. Cervi crura tenuíssima sunt.

Cervus sítiens ad fontem venit, ut bibat. Dum bibit, Cervus imáginem suam spectat in aquis. Cervus córnua sua laudat. "Quam pulchra sunt mea córnua! Magna sunt mea córnua, et mirífica." Cervus crura sua damnat. "Quam indígna sunt mea crura! Tenuíssima sunt mea crura, et túrpia."

Dum Cervus se spectat, venátor appropínquat. Cervus audit canes latrántes. Cervus pertérritus est. Cervus celérrime fugit! Quam velox Cervus est! Venátor cum cánibus Cervum petit. Per campum Cervus cánibus praecúrrit.

Sic Cervus evádit et currit in silvam. Sed inter árbores silvae, Cervi córnua haerent. Córnua Cervum détinent, ut cúrrere non possit. Profécto canes Cervum apprehéndunt.

Cervus moribúndus clamat: "Me míserum! Quam stultus eram! Damnávi crura, sed ecce: crura mihi utilíssima erant. Laudávi córnua, sed ecce: córnua me perdunt. Nimis sero errórem intéllego." Fábula docet: Laudáte non pulchrum, sed útile.

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

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

Irenaeus Fabula 54. Leo et Rana.

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 Leo et Rana, the story of the lion who heard a frog. In Perry's indexing system, this is Perry 141.

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

Propter stagnum Leo inambulans, coaxantium Ranarum cantibus ac vocibus auditis, obstupescebat, existimans tanti rumoris vocem esse cuiusdam animalis perampli, iamque iubas arrigebat et cauda latera in iram percutiebat, quodcumque animal esset, expugnatuarus, cum, propius accedens ad oram stagni, videt Ranam coaxantem sub se moveri, quam pede calcavit et attrivit, pudore suffusus, sibi tam exile et foedum animalculum fuisse terrori. Quo docemur plerumque rerum inanium vano timore homines deterreri, quae si nossent, flocci facerent.

Propter stagnum
Leo inambulans,
coaxantium Ranarum
cantibus ac vocibus auditis,
obstupescebat,
existimans
tanti rumoris vocem
esse cuiusdam animalis perampli,
iamque iubas arrigebat
et cauda
latera in iram percutiebat,
quodcumque animal esset, expugnatuarus,
cum,
propius accedens ad oram stagni,
videt
Ranam coaxantem sub se moveri,
quam pede calcavit et attrivit,
pudore suffusus,
sibi
tam exile et foedum animalculum
fuisse terrori.
Quo docemur
plerumque
rerum inanium vano timore
homines deterreri,
quae si nossent,
flocci facerent.

Here's an illustration for the fable (image source) showing a puppet theater with a lion and a frog:

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

Aesopus Simplicissimus: Feles et Venus

The Tar Heel Reader project has inspired me to start writing some fables I'm labeling Aesopus Simplicissimus. I'll be publishing those fables here - sometimes with an accompanying reader at Tar Heel, and sometimes just the text on its own. You can read more about this "Simplicissimus" project in this earlier post, and see all the "Simplicissimus" fables here.

For today, the fable is Feles et Venus, the story of what happened when Venus turned a cat into a woman. You can find materials and resources for this fable at the Aesopus Wiki - including Tar Heel Reader versions (one all in Latin, and one bilingual):

Ecce Feles! Ecce Puer! Puer Felem amat. Ecce Venus, amóris Dea. Puer orat Vénerem: "O Dea, muta Felem in Puéllam!"

Venus ádnuit. Venus Felem mutat in Puéllam. Feles nunc habet Puéllae formam. Pulchra est! Puer gaudet, quod Puéllam amat. Puer Puéllam domum ducit.

Venus dúbia est, et dicit: "Certe habet Puéllae formam. Sed Puéllae natúram habet, an Felis? Certe habet Puéllae fáciem. Sed Puéllae mentem habet, an Felis?"

Venus experiméntum agit. Venus experiméntum agit per Murem. Puélla Murem spectat. Puélla currit! Puélla Murem captat. Venus iráta est, et dicit: "Puéllae spécies me decipit! Habet Felis natúram, non Puéllae!"

Ergo Venus Puéllam mutat in Felem. Feles Murem dévorat. Feles gaudet, quod Murem dévorat. Puer lácrimat, quod Puéllam non habet. Venus ridet, quod Dea dura est. Fábula docet: Mentem specta non fáciem. Spécies décipit!

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

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

Irenaeus Fabula 53. Vulpes et Tintinnabulum

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 Vulpes et Tintinnabulum, the story of the fox and the drum. This is not a fable found in Perry's Aesop, and it derives from the ancient Indian tradition via the Panchatantra.

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

Vulpes iuxta flumen habebat cavum suum, propter arborem, e cuius ramo pendebat Tintinnabulum, quod cum ventus agitaret, loca circum vicina sono resonabant, quo, mirum quantum Vulpes terrebatur, ignorans cuius ea vox esset animalis, et qualitate vocis immane reputabat, quousque propius accedens, et videns vas esse inane et vacuum, vitae ac virium expers, coepit incusare sese ac dicere: Heu nos miseros mortales et ignaros, ut saepius vana opinione aut rumore fallimur; putabam a voce monstrum aliquod immane et erat cymbalum inane.

Vulpes
iuxta flumen
habebat cavum suum,
propter arborem,
e cuius ramo
pendebat Tintinnabulum,
quod cum ventus agitaret,
loca circum vicina
sono resonabant,
quo,
mirum quantum Vulpes terrebatur,
ignorans
cuius ea vox esset animalis,
et qualitate vocis immane reputabat,
quousque propius accedens,
et videns
vas esse inane et vacuum,
vitae ac virium expers,
coepit incusare sese ac dicere:
Heu nos miseros mortales et ignaros,
ut saepius vana opinione aut rumore
fallimur;
putabam a voce
monstrum aliquod immane
et erat cymbalum inane.

Here's an illustration for the fable (image source), from a YouTube video showing the old Indian fable:

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