102. Bos et Iuvencus (Irenaeus)

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 Bos et Iuvencus, the story of a hard-working ox and a frivolous calf. In Perry's indexing system, this is Perry 3oo.

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

Bovem aetate iuxta et labore confectum Iuvencus, comptus ac petulans, iugi adhuc expers, intuens, irridebat, exprobrans scabram pellem, cutem rugosam, et cervicem iugo attritam, plaustri denique duram necessitatem; et contra vegetae aetatis suae statum, otia, lascivias efferebat; nequicquam respondente aut mussitante Bove. Non diu post, cum solemnes sacrorum dies recursarent et pro sacrificio quaereretur victima, Bos dimittitur, Iuvencus rapitur immolandus, quem, dimisso iam capite et lento gressu, cum ad aram duceretur, Bos videns, "Nolim (inquit), O mi frater, afflicto tibi afflictionem dare, sed cum ita sors tulerit, tuo iam experimento comperi verum esse quod olim audivi: vecordem esse iuventutem, sed ubi petulantia adolescentiae iungitur, vix e malis emergere, sapuisses forte, si senuisses.

Bovem
aetate iuxta et labore confectum
Iuvencus,
comptus ac petulans,
iugi adhuc expers,
intuens,
irridebat,
exprobrans
scabram pellem,
cutem rugosam,
et cervicem iugo attritam,
plaustri denique
duram necessitatem;
et contra
vegetae aetatis suae
statum,
otia, lascivias efferebat;
nequicquam respondente
aut mussitante Bove.
Non diu post,
cum
solemnes sacrorum dies
recursarent
et pro sacrificio
quaereretur victima,
Bos dimittitur,
Iuvencus rapitur
immolandus,
quem,
dimisso iam capite
et lento gressu,
cum ad aram duceretur,
Bos videns,
"Nolim (inquit),
O mi frater,
afflicto tibi
afflictionem dare,
sed
cum ita sors tulerit,
tuo iam experimento comperi
verum esse
quod olim audivi:
vecordem esse iuventutem,
sed ubi petulantia
adolescentiae iungitur,
vix e malis emergere,
sapuisses forte,
si senuisses.

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

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

101. De Adolescente et Hirundine (Irenaeus)

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 Adolescente et Hirundine, the story of a young man who did not realize that "one swallow does not a summer make." In Perry's indexing system, this is Perry 169.

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

Effrenus quidam ac dissolutus Iuvenis, cum inter ganeonum greges bona sua in popinis et luxuriis abligurisset, ut nil reliqui praeter vestem haberet, visa Hirundine, existimavit actum esse de hieme, ver adventasse; confestimque vestem vendidit, et pretium eius ludis et solitis compotationibus impendit; sed cum paulo post, recrudescente frigore, dirissime algeret, visa alia Hirundine, et ipsa paene frigore enecta, O pessima avicula, dixit, quam male auguraris! Decepisti me, et simul decepta es. Ostendit inconsideratae iuventutis indolem temere et sine consilio se in errores praeceipitem agentem.

Effrenus quidam
ac dissolutus Iuvenis,
cum
inter ganeonum greges
bona sua
in popinis et luxuriis
abligurisset,
ut nil reliqui
praeter vestem haberet,
visa Hirundine,
existimavit
actum esse de hieme,
ver adventasse;
confestimque
vestem vendidit,
et pretium eius
ludis et solitis compotationibus
impendit;
sed
cum
paulo post,
recrudescente frigore,
dirissime algeret,
visa alia Hirundine,
et ipsa paene frigore enecta,
O pessima avicula, dixit,
quam male auguraris!
Decepisti me,
et simul decepta es.
Ostendit
inconsideratae iuventutis indolem temere et sine consilio
se
in errores
praeceipitem agentem.

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

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

100. De Delectore Militum (Irenaeus)]

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 Delectore Militum, the story of how appearances can be deceiving in military recruitment. This is not a fable I've seen anywhere else; it looks like a companion piece to the story about the unprepossessing race-horse story from yesterday.

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

Quidam, a Duce suo missus ut Milites conscriberet, attendebat maxime externam oris et corporis speciem in iis qui sese ipsi offerebant; quos inter unus eminebat, corporis habitudine et procera statura conspicuus, quem idcirco prae ceteris volebat deligere; et alium reiectare, minus bene natum, quem tamen omnes ut generosum et strenuum militem efferebant; et speciosum illum ut effeminatum et ignavum. Utriusque ergo nomen inscipsit, et effectu probavit quod dicebatur hominesque haud a specie externa iudicandos.

Quidam,
a Duce suo missus
ut Milites conscriberet,
attendebat maxime
externam oris et corporis speciem
in iis
qui sese ipsi offerebant;
quos inter
unus eminebat,
corporis habitudine
et procera statura
conspicuus,
quem idcirco
prae ceteris
volebat deligere;
et alium reiectare,
minus bene natum,
quem tamen
omnes
ut generosum et strenuum militem
efferebant;
et speciosum illum
ut effeminatum et ignavum.
Utriusque ergo nomen inscipsit,
et effectu probavit
quod dicebatur
hominesque
haud a specie externa
iudicandos.

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

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

99. De Equo Despecto

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 Equo Despecto, the story of a race-horse who runs better than he looks! This is not a fable indexed 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.

Cum ad proximos Circenses ludos Equi multi adducerentur, et producerentur in medium, iique elegantes, generosi, compti, aureis frenis et phaleris insignes, inter eos unus apparuit inelegans, et male curatus ac pexus, qui ab omnibus idcirco despectui habebatur, et indignus qui cum aliis concurreret; sed cum cursu probandi proluderent, et is ceteros longo post se intervallo relictos superaret, tum demum omnes mirari et dicere ab externa specie de rebus minime iudicandum, sed a virtute et generositate, quae se per opus probat et innotescit.

Cum
ad proximos Circenses ludos
Equi multi adducerentur,
et producerentur in medium,
iique elegantes,
generosi, compti,
aureis frenis et phaleris
insignes,
inter eos
unus apparuit
inelegans,
et male curatus ac pexus,
qui
ab omnibus idcirco
despectui habebatur,
et indignus
qui cum aliis concurreret;
sed
cum
cursu probandi
proluderent,
et is
ceteros
longo post se intervallo
relictos superaret,
tum demum
omnes mirari
et dicere
ab externa specie
de rebus
minime iudicandum,
sed a virtute et generositate,
quae
se per opus probat
et innotescit.

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 98: Vulpes et Pardus

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 Pardo, the story of the debate between the fox and the leopard about the true meaning of beauty. In Perry's indexing system, this is Perry 12.

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

Altercabantur Vulpes et Pardus de pulchritudine, qua in re Pardus longo intervallo existimans superare Vulpem, ostentabat pellis suae varietates, et contra Vulpinae fuliginem et fuscum colorem multis deprimebat. Vulpes autem, cum ab illa parte se superari cerneret: Iactas (inquit) varietates tuas in pelle; ego maiores habeo in mente. Et quanto anima praestat corpore, tanto specie te praecello. Indicat in homine magis attendi pulchritudinem mentis, quam cutis aut pellis.

Altercabantur
Vulpes et Pardus
de pulchritudine,
qua in re
Pardus
longo intervallo
existimans superare Vulpem,
ostentabat
pellis suae varietates,
et contra
Vulpinae fuliginem
et fuscum colorem
multis deprimebat.
Vulpes autem,
cum ab illa parte
se superari cerneret:
Iactas (inquit)
varietates tuas in pelle;
ego
maiores habeo in mente.
Et quanto
anima praestat corpore,
tanto
specie te praecello.
Indicat
in homine
magis attendi
pulchritudinem mentis,
quam cutis aut pellis.

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

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

Irenaeus Fable 97: Lepus et Vulpes, De Nobilitate

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 Lepore et Vulpe, the story of the fox and the rabbit debating their respective virtues. This is another fable from Abstemius.

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

Orta est aliquando contentio Vulpem inter et Leporem de nobilitate et praestantia. Ego te, dicebat Lepus Vulpi, praecello cursu. Ego te, respondebat Vulpes, mente. Ille: Sum te velocior pedibus. Ista: Ego ingenio, quo venatorum retia et plagas et canes saepius eludo, quam tu celeritate pedum. Docet non a dotibus corporis, sed mentis, metiendam cuiuscumque excellentiam.

Orta est aliquando
contentio
Vulpem inter et Leporem
de nobilitate et praestantia.
Ego te,
dicebat Lepus Vulpi,
praecello cursu.
Ego te,
respondebat Vulpes,
mente.
Ille:
Sum te velocior pedibus.
Ista:
Ego ingenio,
quo
venatorum retia
et plagas et canes
saepius eludo,
quam tu
celeritate pedum.
Docet
non a dotibus corporis,
sed mentis,
metiendam
cuiuscumque excellentiam.

Here's an illustration for the fable (image source) showing a sculpture of a fox and a rabbit; if you have time, visit the website to see some more wonderful artwork like this:

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

Irenaeus Fable 96: Canis et Asinus, Socii

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 et Asino, the story of a dog who recruited a donkey as his ally in the war with the wolf. This is a funny little story that I have not seen anywhere else that I can remember; is anybody familiar with other sources for this story?

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

Canis domesticus, de eorum genere quos vocant molossos, bellum gerens cum lupo, cum se viribus imparem crederet, socium pugnae sibi asciscendum putavit; et contemplatus de vicino Asinum, praegrandi corpore instructum, voce, tonitrui instar, rudentem, clitellis, velut thorace, armatum, inde reputans strenuum et bellicosum, rogavit in consortium pugnae, et, ut sperabat, certae victoriae. Acceptam habet invitationem Asinus, promittit se non defuturum. Ergo tali commilitone Canis factus audacior, provocat Lupum. Is descendit in arenam, sed ubi eum eminus conspexit Asinus, sine mora, proripit se e lycaeo et, concito cursu, horribiliter rudens et prae timore crepitans ac stercorans omnia, fugae praesidium sumit. Quod advertens Canis, et ipse fugit, dicens, Heu me infortunatum! Putavi Achillem habere, et inveni Thersitem. Certe a specie externa de quoquam minime est iudicandum.

Canis domesticus,
de eorum genere
quos vocant molossos,
bellum gerens cum lupo,
cum
se viribus imparem
crederet,
socium pugnae
sibi asciscendum
putavit;
et
contemplatus de vicino
Asinum,
praegrandi corpore instructum,
voce, tonitrui instar, rudentem,
clitellis, velut thorace, armatum,
inde reputans
strenuum et bellicosum,
rogavit
in consortium pugnae,
et, ut sperabat, certae victoriae.
Acceptam habet invitationem
Asinus,
promittit
se non defuturum.
Ergo
tali commilitone
Canis factus audacior,
provocat Lupum.
Is descendit in arenam,
sed ubi
eum eminus conspexit
Asinus,
sine mora,
proripit se e lycaeo
et,
concito cursu,
horribiliter rudens
et prae timore crepitans
ac stercorans omnia,
fugae praesidium sumit.
Quod advertens Canis,
et ipse fugit,
dicens,
Heu me infortunatum!
Putavi Achillem habere,
et inveni Thersitem.
Certe
a specie externa
de quoquam
minime est iudicandum.

Here's an illustration for the fable (image source), here's a funny picture of a real donkey-and-dog pair:

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

Irenaeus Fable 95: Vulpes et Caput Humanum

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 Capite humano, the story of a fox who found a human head (in this case, from a statue; in other versions, the fox finds an actor's mask). In Perry's indexing system, this is Perry 27.

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

Vulpes, sculptoris officinam ingressa, reperit caput humanum ex marmore singulari artificio elaboratum, quod pedibus anterioribus, quasi manibus, amplexans et curiosius contemplans, exclamavit, O quale sine cerebro caput, magno cum sensu ac ingenio fabricatum, sensus licet et ingenii expers. Tales sunt plerumque homines specie externa corporis, aut fortunae indulgentia, seu munere, sublimes, ingenio autem ac virtute, hominum larvae atque umbrae.

Vulpes,
sculptoris officinam ingressa,
reperit caput humanum
ex marmore
singulari artificio elaboratum,
quod
pedibus anterioribus,
quasi manibus, amplexans
et curiosius contemplans,
exclamavit,
O quale sine cerebro caput,
magno cum sensu ac ingenio
fabricatum,
sensus licet
et ingenii expers.
Tales sunt
plerumque homines
specie externa corporis,
aut fortunae indulgentia,
seu munere,
sublimes,
ingenio autem ac virtute,
hominum larvae atque umbrae.

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

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

Irenaeus Fable 94: Asinus et Heri Eius

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 Asino, novos semper heros quaeritante, the story of the donkey who is always hoping to get a better master, but who instead gets worse ones. In Perry's indexing system, this is Perry 179.

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

Asinus olitoris, aegre sustinens laborem quo herus eum premebat, conqueritur de eo apud Iovem, supplicat alium sibi dari; exaudit Iupiter; iubet figulo veneat. Mutatur herus, sed non minuitur labor, imo augescit: semper lutum, tegulae, lateres, imbrices, dorso portandae. Iterum ad Iovem; Iupiter, oratoris importunitate victus, dat coriarium. Statim expertus eum, omnibus quos unquam habuerat longe crudeliorem, apud se lamentans dicebat: Heu me miserum! Ut omnia mihi in deterius cedunt: nam in eum incidi dominum, qui vivo non parcit, nec mortuo; ipse enim ubi corpus meum flagris exhauserit, in fine excoriabit.

Asinus olitoris,
aegre sustinens laborem
quo
herus eum premebat,
conqueritur de eo
apud Iovem,
supplicat
alium sibi dari;
exaudit Iupiter;
iubet figulo veneat.
Mutatur herus,
sed non minuitur labor,
imo augescit:
semper
lutum, tegulae,
lateres, imbrices,
dorso portandae.
Iterum ad Iovem;
Iupiter,
oratoris importunitate victus,
dat coriarium.
Statim expertus eum,
omnibus
quos unquam habuerat
longe crudeliorem,
apud se lamentans
dicebat:
Heu me miserum!
Ut omnia
mihi in deterius cedunt:
nam
in eum incidi dominum,
qui vivo non parcit,
nec mortuo;
ipse enim
ubi corpus meum
flagris exhauserit,
in fine excoriabit.

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

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

Irenaeus Fable 93: Columbae, Milvus et Accipiter

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 Columbis Accipitrem pro Rege recusantibus, the story of the foolish doves who chose the hawk to be their king. In Perry's indexing system, this is Perry 486.

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

Dum invicem confligerent Milvus et Columbae, istae Milvi viribus impares, opem Accipitris implorant, et regem suum faciunt: ille vero non defensoris, sed tyranni partes agens, eas praedatur, depascit, rapit. Agnoscunt errorem suum Columbae, sed sero, melius esse unum, quam duos simul sustinere hostes, maxime si alter eorum sit domesticus. Propterea Accipitri non egere amplius ope sua, renuntiant, ad sua se recipiat. Ostendunt quam grave sit iugum cuiuscumque ferre imperantis.

Dum invicem confligerent
Milvus et Columbae,
istae
Milvi viribus impares,
opem Accipitris implorant,
et regem suum faciunt:
ille vero
non defensoris,
sed tyranni partes agens,
eas praedatur, depascit, rapit.
Agnoscunt errorem suum
Columbae,
sed sero,
melius esse unum,
quam duos
simul sustinere hostes,
maxime
si alter eorum
sit domesticus.
Propterea
Accipitri
non egere amplius ope sua,
renuntiant,
ad sua
se recipiat.
Ostendunt
quam grave sit
iugum
cuiuscumque ferre imperantis.

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

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

Irenaeus Fable 92: Ranae et Rex Earum

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 Ranis Regem postulantibus, the story of the frogs who foolishly wanted a king. In Perry's indexing system, this is Perry 44.

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

Ranae, regem habere cupientes, Iovi supplicant sibi dari regem; risit Iupiter ad vota ranarum, illae interim clamant et coaxare non desinunt, donec earum importunis clamoribus victus, e caelo demisit in earum stagnum immanem trabem, cuius cadentis fragore attonitae, initio siluere, sed postea audaciores, sensim accedere, desuper desultare, garrire, et ludibrio habere coeperunt; redeunt ad Iovem, querulae, non trabem se, sed regem velle, qui cor, os et sensum habeat. Iupiter, fremens, mittit loquacibus bestiis Ciconiam, quae, paludem perambulans, quotquot obvias habet, vivas devorat. Redeunt iterum ad Iovem, nec sic se velle regem, alium petunt, sed frustra, non audit importunas loquaces, ut propterea queri et coaxare non desinant, talis est conditio mortalium, ut nemo subiici velit.

Ranae,
regem habere cupientes,
Iovi supplicant
sibi dari regem;
risit Iupiter
ad vota ranarum,
illae interim clamant
et coaxare non desinunt,
donec
earum importunis clamoribus
victus,
e caelo demisit
in earum stagnum
immanem trabem,
cuius cadentis fragore
attonitae,
initio siluere,
sed postea audaciores,
sensim accedere,
desuper desultare, garrire,
et ludibrio habere coeperunt;
redeunt ad Iovem,
querulae,
non trabem se,
sed regem velle,
qui
cor, os et sensum habeat.
Iupiter, fremens,
mittit loquacibus bestiis
Ciconiam,
quae,
paludem perambulans,
quotquot obvias habet,
vivas devorat.
Redeunt iterum ad Iovem,
nec sic se velle regem,
alium petunt,
sed frustra,
non audit importunas loquaces,
ut propterea
queri et coaxare non desinant,
talis est conditio mortalium,
ut nemo subiici velit.

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

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

Irenaeus Fable 91: Leo et Homo, De Fortiore

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 Homine, the story of the lion and the man who debated about which of them was the stronger. In Perry's indexing system, this is Perry 284.

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

Leo et Homo, simul iter facientes, inter confabulandum in hanc incurrunt quaestionem, uter eorum altero esset fortior nobiliorque; quisque commendare se, certatimque allegare quae poterat in sua causa. Sed cum uterque vincere, neuter alteri cedere, vellet, venerunt in quemdam locum, in quo columnae marmoreae visebantur, et in eis prominenti opere pugna Hominis et Leonis insculpata, illius Leonem pedibus atterentis ac suffocantis. Ad quod erectus homo, ad Leonem: Haec sculptura (inquit) nostram litem apposite dirimit terminatque, ostenditque quanto Leonibus antistent Homines. Cui Leo: Ita est (inquit), si vobis creditur. Sculptura haec hominis opera est, sed si Leones artem scribendi aut effigiandi callerent, pingerent utique Homines Leonibus substratos. Haec indicant innatam cuique dominandi appetentiam, aliosque sibi subdendi.

Leo et Homo,
simul iter facientes,
inter confabulandum
in hanc incurrunt quaestionem,
uter eorum
altero esset fortior nobiliorque;
quisque commendare se,
certatimque allegare
quae poterat
in sua causa.
Sed
cum uterque vincere,
neuter alteri cedere,
vellet,
venerunt in quemdam locum,
in quo
columnae marmoreae visebantur,
et in eis
prominenti opere
pugna Hominis et Leonis
insculpata,
illius Leonem pedibus
atterentis ac suffocantis.
Ad quod
erectus homo,
ad Leonem:
Haec sculptura (inquit)
nostram litem
apposite dirimit terminatque,
ostenditque
quanto
Leonibus antistent Homines.
Cui Leo:
Ita est (inquit),
si vobis creditur.
Sculptura haec
hominis opera est,
sed
si Leones
artem scribendi aut effigiandi
callerent,
pingerent utique
Homines Leonibus substratos.
Haec indicant
innatam cuique
dominandi appetentiam,
aliosque sibi subdendi.

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

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

Irenaeus Fable 90: Lupus fluviatilis et Delphinus

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 Lupo fluviatili, the story of the "wolf-fish" who lived in the river and who wanted to be king of the sea, a fable from Abstemius.

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

Lupus, piscis fluviatilis (cui inter pisces principatum Plinius suo aevo tribui scribit) ad insolitam molem increverat, devoratis multis piscibus, et tantum metum sui omnibus incusserat, ut pro rege aut tyranno fluminum haberetur timereturque. Igitur opinione suae potentiae mirum quantum tumens, coepit cogitare de imperio maris, et polliceri sibi, sicut fluviorum, sic Oceani se monstra subacturum. Sed vix ostia maris intraverat, cum occurrit ei Delphinus, tum mole corporis, tum pulchritudine, cum etiam pernicitate multis eo parasangis superior, qui eum quamprimum unde venerat, remeare coegit, monitum ambitioni suae metas ponere.

Lupus,
piscis fluviatilis
(cui
inter pisces
principatum
Plinius suo aevo
tribui scribit)
ad insolitam molem
increverat,
devoratis multis piscibus,
et tantum metum sui
omnibus incusserat,
ut pro rege aut tyranno fluminum
haberetur timereturque.
Igitur
opinione suae potentiae
mirum quantum tumens,
coepit cogitare
de imperio maris,
et polliceri sibi,
sicut fluviorum, sic Oceani
se
monstra subacturum.
Sed
vix ostia maris intraverat,
cum occurrit ei Delphinus,
tum mole corporis,
tum pulchritudine,
cum etiam pernicitate
multis eo parasangis superior,
qui
eum quamprimum unde venerat,
remeare coegit,
monitum
ambitioni suae
metas ponere.

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

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

Irenaeus Fable 89: Rana et Bos

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 Rana et Bove, the story of a frog who wanted to be as big as an ox. In Perry's indexing system, this is Perry 376.

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

Veniebat potum in stagno Bos crassus et pinguis, et multoties visus Ranis, cuidam Ranae desiderium incussit grandiorem fieri et crescere instar Bovis. Reputare se felicem, si ad eam molem posset pervenire; multo potu id fieri posse reputans, coepit ultra solitum et captum bibere, matre filiam frustra increpante, ac dicente, fore potius ut creparet rumpereturque, quam Bovis mensuram aequaret, etiam si totam paludem ebiberet. Crepem licet, mater mea, si possum, grandior fiam. Quid tandem? Paulo post bibendo crepuit media. Exemplo aliis quemque intra sortes suae terminos se continere debere.

Veniebat potum in stagno
Bos crassus et pinguis,
et multoties visus Ranis,
cuidam Ranae
desiderium incussit
grandiorem fieri
et crescere instar Bovis.
Reputare se felicem,
si ad eam molem
posset pervenire;
multo potu
id fieri posse reputans,
coepit
ultra solitum et captum
bibere,
matre
filiam frustra increpante,
ac dicente,
fore potius
ut creparet rumpereturque,
quam Bovis mensuram aequaret,
etiam si totam paludem ebiberet.
Crepem licet,
mater mea,
si possum,
grandior fiam.
Quid tandem?
Paulo post
bibendo crepuit media.
Exemplo aliis
quemque
intra sortes suae terminos
se continere debere.

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

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

Irenaeus Fable 88: Aquila et Corvus

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 Aquila et Corvo, the story of a crow who foolishly tried to imitate an eagle. In Perry's indexing system, this is Perry 2.

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

Aquilam desursum in gregem Haedorum devolantem et Caprum unguibus prehensum secum per inane asportantem, Corvus prospiciebat et aemulari gestiens prosilit in arietem, quem cum unguibus prendere nititur, ita se velleri implicat, irretitque quod inde se extricare et avolare nequit, Pastores id videntes accurrunt, eumque comprehendunt, avulsisque pennis illudunt, tum quodam percontante ab eo quae volucris esset, Corvus natura (inquit) mente Aquila fui; iam Corvum implumem me esse certo cognosco, qui utinam mea sorte contentus fuissem.

Aquilam
desursum
in gregem Haedorum devolantem
et Caprum
unguibus prehensum
secum per inane asportantem, Corvus prospiciebat
et aemulari gestiens
prosilit in arietem,
quem
cum unguibus
prendere nititur,
ita se velleri implicat,
irretitque
quod inde
se extricare et avolare nequit,
Pastores
id videntes accurrunt,
eumque comprehendunt,
avulsisque pennis illudunt,
tum
quodam percontante ab eo
quae volucris esset,
Corvus natura (inquit)
mente Aquila fui;
iam
Corvum implumem me esse
certo cognosco,
qui utinam
mea sorte contentus fuissem.

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

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

Irenaeus Fable 87: Asinus et Scurra

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 Asino et Scurra, the story of a donkey-qua-artiste! This is yet another fable that Irenaeus has taken from Abstemius.

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

Asellus, videns in platea civitatis Circulatorem et Scurram diversorum voces et cantus, seu avium, seu animalium imitando et crepitus edendo multae plebis risum movere, et non parvam inde expiscari pecuniam, indigne ferens pluris fieri Scurram quam se, Magistratum adit, conqueritur de favore impertito Scurrae, alios despici digniores; petit ab eo Magistratus quidnam artis sciret, quo se Scurrae praeferri vellet. Si de voce agitur? (inquit) Longe valentiori praeditus sum. Si de cantu? Suavius modulor, testimonio sint qui me quotidie audiunt, qui ubi me vocem efferentem audiunt omnes prae dulcedine modulationis meae risum tenere non possunt. De cetero, crepitus maiores et longiores edo, absque fetore ullo, addo et stercora ad cumulum. Qua responsione homo in risum effusus probavit iustam Asini aemulationem, et ut solebat, monuit perseverare.

Asellus,
videns
in platea civitatis
Circulatorem et Scurram
diversorum voces et cantus,
seu avium, seu animalium
imitando
et crepitus edendo
multae plebis risum movere,
et non parvam inde
expiscari pecuniam,
indigne ferens
pluris fieri Scurram quam se,
Magistratum adit,
conqueritur
de favore impertito Scurrae,
alios despici digniores;
petit ab eo Magistratus
quidnam artis sciret,
quo
se Scurrae praeferri
vellet.
Si de voce agitur? (inquit)
Longe valentiori praeditus sum.
Si de cantu?
Suavius modulor,
testimonio sint
qui me quotidie audiunt,
qui ubi
me vocem efferentem audiunt
omnes
prae dulcedine
modulationis meae
risum tenere non possunt.
De cetero,
crepitus maiores et longiores
edo,
absque fetore ullo,
addo et stercora ad cumulum. Qua responsione
homo
in risum effusus
probavit
iustam Asini aemulationem,
et ut solebat,
monuit perseverare.

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

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

Irenaeus Fable 86: Cera Duritiem Appetens

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 Cera, duritiem lateris appetente, the story of some wax that wanted to become hard as a brick. The fable comes from Abstemius.

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

Cera, videns se mollem et tractabilem, nimis dolebat conditionis suae vicem, cupiebatque lateris cocti soliditate donari, quod ut consequeretur, iecit se in fornacem ardentem, sed momento liquefacta, et igne consumpta, documento fuit: quemque in suo statu manere debere, nec appetere quod sibi a natura fuit negatum.

Cera,
videns
se mollem et tractabilem,
nimis dolebat
conditionis suae vicem,
cupiebatque
lateris cocti soliditate donari,
quod ut consequeretur,
iecit se
in fornacem ardentem,
sed momento liquefacta,
et igne consumpta,
documento fuit:
quemque
in suo statu manere debere,
nec appetere
quod sibi
a natura fuit negatum.

Here's an illustration for the fable (image source) showing a wax candle:

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

Irenaeus Fable 85: Asinus et Catellus

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 Asino et Catello, the sad story of how the donkey tried to win his way into his master's heart by acting like the master's beloved puppy dog. In Perry's indexing system, this is Perry 91.

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

Lusitantem cum Patrefamilias Catellum, modo pedes iocose morsicantem, modo vestes, modo ad collum et ora subsilientem, mensa etiam assidentem, cibos de manu heri recipientem, mille modis blandientem, et blanditiis vicissim affectum, contemplabatur Asinus domesticus de area et invidia rumpebatur; sortem suam memorans, ut qui quotidie clitellas et onera deportaret, nusquam otiaretur, male tonsus et pransus, insuper semper mala verba, saepius verbera exciperet. Coepit autem aliquando pensiculantius ruminare, quaenam huius rei causa esset, et apud se dicere: Forsitan, ob rusticitatem meam, quod hero non abblandior, non alludo, non assuavior; addiscamus (inquit) amare, ut contingat amari. Excutiendus pudor est. Igitur expectavit cum rediret domum Herus suus, cui intranti occurrit arrectis auribus et voce altissima rudens et ridens, in humeros subsilit, pulsat pedibus, ungulis, capite, arridet. Exclamare Herus, voce, manibus, baculo excipere, accurrunt servi, et infelix Asellus egregie vapulat et foris truditur. Tunc ad se rediens: Digne (inquit) vapulo, et meae temeritatis poenas luo, quod Asinum non decet, factitare volens.


Lusitantem cum Patrefamilias
Catellum,
modo pedes
iocose morsicantem,
modo vestes,
modo ad collum et ora
subsilientem,
mensa etiam assidentem,
cibos
de manu heri recipientem,
mille modis blandientem,
et blanditiis vicissim affectum,
contemplabatur
Asinus domesticus
de area
et invidia rumpebatur;
sortem suam memorans,
ut qui
quotidie
clitellas et onera deportaret,
nusquam otiaretur,
male tonsus et pransus,
insuper
semper mala verba,
saepius verbera exciperet.
Coepit autem aliquando
pensiculantius ruminare,
quaenam huius rei causa esset,
et apud se dicere:
Forsitan,
ob rusticitatem meam,
quod hero non abblandior,
non alludo, non assuavior;
addiscamus (inquit) amare,
ut contingat amari.
Excutiendus pudor est.
Igitur expectavit
cum rediret domum
Herus suus,
cui intranti
occurrit arrectis auribus
et voce altissima rudens
et ridens,
in humeros subsilit,
pulsat
pedibus, ungulis, capite,
arridet.
Exclamare Herus,
voce, manibus, baculo excipere,
accurrunt servi,
et infelix Asellus
egregie vapulat
et foris truditur.
Tunc ad se rediens:
Digne (inquit) vapulo,
et meae temeritatis poenas luo,
quod Asinum non decet,
factitare volens.

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

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

Irenaeus Fable 84: Aquila et Testudo Volans

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 Testudine et Aquila, the story of the foolish turtle who wanted to fly. In Perry's indexing system, this is Perry 230.

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

Testudo videns Aquilam se pennarum remigio in altum levare, et multa aeris spatia facillime labore dimetiri, coepit desiderare sortem ipsius, saltem rogavit Aquilam, ut se in sublime portaret, ut posset hac voluptate frui, spectare et intueri caelum et terrarum tractus et maris; morem gessit Aquila cupiditati Testudinis, et ungue prehensam per inane sustulit, unde statim dimisit ex alto, meritas poenas dantem temerariae suae cupiditatis.

Testudo
videns Aquilam
se
pennarum remigio
in altum levare,
et multa aeris spatia
facillime labore dimetiri,
coepit desiderare sortem ipsius,
saltem rogavit Aquilam,
ut se in sublime portaret,
ut posset
hac voluptate frui,
spectare et intueri caelum
et terrarum tractus et maris;
morem gessit Aquila
cupiditati Testudinis,
et ungue prehensam
per inane sustulit,
unde statim
dimisit ex alto,
meritas poenas dantem
temerariae suae cupiditatis.

Here's an illustration for the fable (image source) by Stephanie Smith - and be sure to visit her website and blog for more great illustrations. She does fabulous work - wow!

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

Irenaeus Fable 83: Agricola et eius Militia Mercaturaque

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 Militiam et Mercaturam probante, the story of a farmer who tried his hand at being a soldier and a merchant, with disastrous results. This is another fable from Abstemius.

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

Quidam Agricola videns iuvenes sodales suos e militia redire divites, coepit de ineeunda militia cogitare, et taedere vitae prioris, tot laboribus exercitae, tam modicis compendiis; et venditis bobus, capris, ovibus, supellectile, emit equum et arma, et militiae nomen dedit. Non diu post, pugnatum est, sed infeliciter respectu novi militis, qui strenue licet decertans, cuncta quae habebat perdidit, et nil nisi vulnera multa recepit, militiae igitur renuntians, decrevit vacare mercaturae, ex qua maius lucrum, minus periculum speraret. Praediis igitur quae supererant venditiis, et inde comparatis mercibus, mari se commisit, fortunam retentaturus; sed infelicior, exorta tempestate, navi submersa, in undis periit, exemplum et spolium factus fallacis ac dolosae fortunae, ut satius sit, ipsi non credere et fidere, sed quemque sua sorte debere esse contentum.

Quidam Agricola
videns iuvenes sodales suos
e militia redire divites,
coepit
de ineeunda militia cogitare,
et taedere vitae prioris,
tot laboribus exercitae,
tam modicis compendiis;
et venditis
bobus, capris, ovibus, supellectile,
emit equum et arma,
et militiae nomen dedit.
Non diu post,
pugnatum est,
sed infeliciter
respectu novi militis,
qui strenue licet decertans,
cuncta quae habebat
perdidit,
et nil nisi vulnera multa recepit,
militiae igitur renuntians,
decrevit vacare mercaturae,
ex qua
maius lucrum,
minus periculum speraret.
Praediis igitur quae supererant
venditiis,
et inde comparatis mercibus,
mari se commisit,
fortunam retentaturus;
sed infelicior,
exorta tempestate,
navi submersa,
in undis periit,
exemplum et spolium factus
fallacis ac dolosae fortunae,
ut satius sit,
ipsi non credere et fidere,
sed
quemque
sua sorte
debere esse contentum.

Here's an illustration for the fable (image source) showing a shipwreck in the Honduras:

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