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A Poetical Translation Of The Fables of Phaedrus

With The Appendix of Gudius, And an accurate Edition of the Original on the opposite Page. To which is added, A Parsing Index For the Use of Learners. By Christopher Smart
Smart, Christopher (1722-1771)

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THE FABLES of PHÆDRUS, Freed Man of AUGUSTUS, After the Manner of ESOP. In FIVE BOOKS.
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THE FIRST BOOK OF THE FABLES of PHÆDRUS.
  
Prologue.
 I. 
FABLE I. The Wolf and the Lamb.
 II. 
FABLE II. The Frogs desiring a King.
 III. 
FABLE III. The vain Jackdaw.
 IV. 
FABLE IV. The Dog in the River.
 V. 
FABLE V. The Heifer, Goat, Sheep, and Lion.
 VI. 
FABLE VI. The Frogs and Sun.
 VII. 
FABLE VII. The Fox and Tragic Mask.
 VIII. 
FABLE VIII. The Wolf and Crane.
 IX. 
FABLE IX. The Hare and the Sparrow.
 X. 
FABLE X. The Wolf and Fox, with the Ape for their Judge.
 XI. 
FABLE XI. The Ass and Lion hunting.
 XII. 
FABLE XII. The Stag at the Fountain.
 XIII. 
FABLE XIII. The Fox and the Crow.
 XIV. 
FABLE XIV. The Cobler turn'd Doctor.
 XV. 
FABLE XV. The sapient Ass.
 XVI. 
FABLE XVI. The Sheep, the Stag, and the Wolf.
 XVII. 
FABLE XVII. The Sheep, the Dog, and the Wolf.
 XVIII. 
FABLE XVIII. The Woman in Labour.
 XIX. 
FABLE XIX. The Bitch and her Puppies.
 XX. 
FABLE XX. The hungry Dogs.
 XXI. 
FABLE XXI. The Old Lion.
 XXII. 
FABLE XXII. The Man and the Weasel.
 XXIII. 
FABLE XXIII. The faithful House-Dog.
 XXIV. 
FABLE XXIV. The proud Frog.
 XXV. 
FABLE XXV. The Dog and the Crocodile.
 XXVI. 
FABLE XXVI. The Fox and the Stork.
 XXVII. 
FABLE XXVII. The Dog, Treasure, and Vulture.
 XXVIII. 
FABLE XXVIII. The Fox and Eagle.
 XXIX. 
FABLE XXIX. The Frogs and Bulls.
 XXX. 
FABLE XXX. The Kite and the Doves.
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THE SECOND BOOK OF THE FABLES of PHÆDRUS.
  
Prologue.
 I. 
FABLE I. The judicious Lion.
 II. 
FABLE II. The Bald-pate Dupe.
 III. 
FABLE III. The Man and the Dog.
 IV. 
FABLE IV. The Eagle, the Cat, and the Sow.
 V. 
FABLE V. Cæsar and his Slave.
 VI. 
FABLE VI. The Eagle, Carrion Crow, and the Tortoise.
 VII. 
FABLE VII. The Mules and Robbers.
 VIII. 
FABLE VIII. The Stag and the Oxen.
  
Epilogue.
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THE THIRD BOOK OF THE FABLES of PHÆDRUS.
  
Prologue to Eutychus.
 I. 
FABLE I. The Old Woman and Empty Cask.
 II. 
FABLE II. The Panther and Shepherds.
 III. 
FABLE III. The Ape's Head.
 IV. 
FABLE IV. Æsop and the insolent Fellow.
 V. 
FABLE V. The Fly and the Mule.
 VI. 
FABLE VI. The Dog and the Wolf.
 VII. 
FABLE VII. The Brother and Sister.
 VIII. 
FABLE VIII. A Saying of Socrates.
 IX. 
FABLE IX. Of Doubt and Credulity.
 X. 
FABLE X. The Eunuch and Wicked Fellow.
 XI. 
FABLE XI. The Cock and the Pearl.
 XII. 
FABLE XII. The Bees and the Drones.
 XIII. 
FABLE XIII. Esop playing.
 XIV. 
FABLE XIV. The Dog and the Lamb.
 XV. 
FABLE XV. The Owl and the Grashopper.
 XVI. 
FABLE XVI. The Trees protected.
 XVII. 
FABLE XVII. Juno and the Peacock.
 XVIII. 
FABLE XVIII. Esop and the importunate Fellow.
 XIX. 
FABLE XIX. The Ass and Priests of Cybele.
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THE FOURTH BOOK OF THE FABLES of PHÆDRUS.
  
Prologue.
 I. 
FABLE I. The Weasel and Mice.
 II. 
FABLE II. The Fox and the Grapes.
 III. 
FABLE III. The Horse and Boar.
 IV. 
FABLE IV. Esop and the Will.
 V. 
FABLE V. The Battle of the Mice and Weasels.
 VI. 
FABLE VI. Phædrus to the Cavillers.
 VII. 
FABLE VII. The Viper and the File.
 VIII. 
FABLE VIII. The Fox and the Goat.
 IX. 
FABLE IX. The Two Bags.
 X. 
FABLE X. The sacrilegious Thief.
 XI. 
FABLE XI. Hercules and Plutus.
 XII. 
FABLE XII. The He-Goats and She-Goats.
 XIII. 
FABLE XIII. The Pilot and Sailors.
 XIV. 
FABLE XIV. The Man and the Adder.
 XV. 
FABLE XV. The Fox and the Dragon.
 XVI. 
FABLE XVI. Phædrus of his Fables.
 XVII. 
FABLE XVII. The Shipwreck of Simonides.
 XVIII. 
FABLE XVIII. The Mountain in Labour.
 XIX. 
FABLE XIX. The Ant and the Fly.
 XX. 
FABLE XX. The Escape of Simonides.
  
Epilogue to Eutychus.
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THE FIFTH BOOK OF THE FABLES of PHÆDRUS.
  
Prologue to Particulo.
 I. 
FABLE I. Demetrius and Menander.
 II. 
FABLE II. The Thief and the Travellers.
 III. 
FABLE III. The Bald Man and the Fly.
 IV. 
FABLE IV. The Man and the Ass.
 V. 
FABLE V. The Buffoon and Country-Fellow.
  
To Particulo.
 VI. 
FABLE VI. The Two Bald Men.
 VII. 
FABLE VII. Prince the Piper.
 VIII. 
FABLE VIII. Opportunity.
 IX. 
FAB. IX. The Bull and the Calf.
 X. 
FABLE X. The old Dog and the Huntsman.
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THE APPENDIX OF GUDIUS.
 I. 
FABLE I. The Sick Kite.
 II. 
FABLE II. The Hares weary of Life.
 III. 
FABLE III. Jupiter and the Fox.
 IV. 
FABLE IV. The Lion and the Mouse.
 V. 
FABLE V. The Man and the Trees .

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FABLE IV. Esop and the Will.

That one man sometimes is more shrewd
Than a stupendous multitude,
To after-times I shall rehearse,
In my concise familiar verse.
A certain man on his decease,
Left his three girls so much a-piece:
The first was beautiful and frail,
With eyes still hunting for the male;
The second giv'n to spin and card,
A country house-wife working hard;
The third but very ill to pass,
A homely slut, that lov'd her glass.
137

The dying man had left his wife
Executrix, and for her life
Sole tenant, if she should fulfill
These strange provisoes of his will.
“That she should give th'estate in fee,
“In equal portions to the three;
“But in such sort, that this bequest
“Should not be holden or possest;
“Then soon as they should be bereav'n
“Of all the substance that was giv'n,
“They must for their good mother's ease,
“Make up an hundred sesterces.”
This spread through Athens in a trice;
The prudent widow takes advice.
But not a lawyer could unfold
How they should neither have nor hold
The very things that they were left.
Besides, when once they were bereft,
How they from nothing should confer
The money that was due to her.
When a long time was spent in vain,
And no one could the will explain
She left the councellors unfeed,
And thus of her own self decreed.
The eunuchs, trinkets, plate, and dress,
She gave the harlot to possess.
139

Then Mrs. Notable she stocks
With all the fields, the kine and flocks:
The workmen, farm, with a supply
Of all the tools of husbandry.
Last to the guzler she consigns,
The cellar stor'd with good old wines,
A handsome house to see a friend,
With pleasant gardens at the end.
Thus as she strove th'affair to close,
By giving each the things they chose,
And those that knew them every one,
Highly applauded what was done;
Esop arose and thus address'd
The croud that to his presence press'd.
“O that the dead could yet perceive!
“How would the prudent father grieve,
“That all th'Athenians had not skill
“Enough to understand his will.”
Then at their joint request he solv'd
That error, which had all involv'd.
“The gardens, house, and wine-vaults too,
“Give to the spinster as her due;
“The cloaths, the jewels, and such ware,
“Be all the tippling lady's share;
“The fields, the barns, and flocks of sheep,
“Give the gay courtezan to keep.
141

“Not one will bear the very touch
“Of things that thwart their tastes so much;
“The slut to fill her cellar straight
“Her wardrobe will evacuate;
“The harlot soon will sell her farms,
“For garments to set off her charms;
“But she that loves the flocks and kine,
“Will alienate her stores of wine,
“Her rustic genius to employ.
“Thus none their portions shall enjoy,
“And from the money each has made,
“Their mother shall be duly paid.”
Thus one man by his wit disclos'd
The point, that had so many pos'd.
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