The Fables of Phaedrus Part 15

FABLE XIV.

THE WIDOW AND THE SOLDIER.

_The great Inconstancy and l.u.s.tfulness of Women._

A certain Woman[14] had for some years lost her beloved Husband, and had placed his body in a tomb; and as she could by no means be forced from it, and pa.s.sed her life in mourning at the sepulchre, she obtained a distinguished character for strict chast.i.ty. In the meantime, some persons who had plundered the temple of Jupiter suffered the penalty of crucifixion. In order that no one might remove their remains, soldiers were appointed as guards of the dead bodies, close by the monument in which the woman had shut herself up. Some time after, one of the Guards, being thirsty, asked, in the middle of the night, for some water, of a servant-maid, who chanced just then to be a.s.sisting her mistress, who was going to rest; for she had been watching by a lamp, and had prolonged her vigils to a late hour. The door being a little open, the Soldier peeps in, and beholds a Woman, emaciated indeed, but of beauteous features. His smitten heart is immediately inflamed, and he gradually burns with unchaste desires. His crafty shrewdness invents a thousand pretences for seeing her more frequently. Wrought upon by daily intercourse, by degrees she became more complaisant to the stranger, and soon enthralled his heart by a closer tie. While the careful Guard is here pa.s.sing his nights, a body is missed from one of the crosses. The Soldier in his alarm relates to the Woman what has happened; but the chaste Matron replies: "You have no grounds for fear;" and gives up the body of her Husband to be fastened to the cross, that he may not undergo punishment for his negligence.

Thus did profligacy usurp the place of honour.

[Footnote NF.14: _A certain Woman_)--Ver. 1. This is the story of the Matron of Ephesus, told in a much more interesting manner by Petronius Arbiter.]

FABLE XV.

THE RICH SUITOR AND THE POOR ONE.

_Fortune sometimes favours Men beyond their hopes and expectations._

Two Youths were courting a Maiden at the same time; the Rich man got the better of the birth and good looks of the Poor one. When the appointed day for the nuptials had arrived, the woe-begone Lover, because he could not endure his grief, betook himself to some gardens near at hand; a little beyond which, the splendid villa of the Rich man was about to receive the Maiden from her mother's bosom, as his house in the city seemed not to be roomy enough. The marriage procession is arranged, a great crowd flocks to the scene, and Hymenaeus gives the marriage torch. Now an a.s.s, which used to gain a living for the Poor man, was standing at the threshold of a gate; and it so happens the maidens lead him along, that the fatigues of the way may not hurt the tender feet {of the Bride}. On a sudden, by the pity of Venus, the heavens are swept by winds, the crash of thunder resounds through the firmament, and brings on a rough night with heavy rain; light is withdrawn from their eyes, and at the same moment a storm of hail, spreading in all directions, beats upon them, frightening and scattering them on all sides, compelling each to seek safety for himself in flight. The a.s.s runs under the well-known roof close at hand, and with a loud voice gives notice of his presence. The servants run out of doors, behold with admiration the beautiful Maiden, and then go and tell their master. He, seated at table with a few companions, was consoling his pa.s.sion with repeated draughts.

When the news was brought him, exulting with delight, {both} Bacchus and Venus exhorting him, he celebrated his joyous nuptials amid the applauses of his comrades. The bride's parents sought their daughter through the crier, {while} the intended Husband grieved at the loss of his Wife. After what had taken place became known to the public, all agreed in approving of the favour shown by the G.o.ds of heaven.

FABLE XVI.

aeSOP AND HIS MISTRESS.

_How injurious it often is to tell the Truth._

aesop being in the service of an Ugly Woman, who wasted the whole day in painting herself up, and used fine clothes, pearls, gold, {and} silver, yet found no one who would touch her with a finger: "May I {say} a few words?" said he. "Say on," {she replied}. "{Then} I think," {said he}, "that you will effect anything you wish, if you lay aside your ornaments." "Do I then seem to you so much preferable by myself?" {said she}. "Why, no; if you don't make presents, your bed will enjoy its repose." "But your sides," she replied, "shan't enjoy their repose;"[15]

and ordered the talkative Slave to be flogged. Shortly after a thief took away a silver bracelet. When the Woman was told that it could not be found, full of fury she summoned all {her slaves}, and threatened them with a severe flogging if they did not tell the truth. "Threaten others," said {aesop}, "indeed you won't trick me, mistress; I was lately beaten with the whip because I told the truth."

[Footnote NF.15: _Shan't enjoy their repose_)--Ver. 9. The play upon the word "cessabo," seems redolent of the wit of the middle ages, and not of the days of Phaedrus.]

FABLE XVII.

A c.o.c.k CARRIED IN A LITTER BY CATS.

_An extreme feeling of Security often leads Men into Danger._

A c.o.c.k had some Cats to carry him in his litter: a Fox on seeing him borne along in this pompous manner, said: "I advise you to be on your guard against treachery, for if you were to examine the countenances of those creatures, you would p.r.o.nounce that they are carrying a booty, not a burden." As soon as the savage brotherhood[16] began to be hungry, they tore their Master to pieces, and went shares in the proceeds of their guilt.

[Footnote NF.16: _Savage brotherhood_)--Ver. 6. "Societas."

The brotherhood of litter-carriers, perhaps four or six in number.]

FABLE XVIII.

THE SOW BRINGING FORTH, AND THE WOLF

_We must first make trial of a Man before we entrust ourselves to him._

A Sow was lying and groaning, her travail coming on; a Wolf came running to her aid, and, offering his a.s.sistance, said that he could perform the duties of midwife. She, however, understanding the treachery of the wicked animal, rejected the suspicious services of the evil-doer, and said: "If you keep at a greater distance it is enough."

But had she entrusted herself to the perfidious Wolf, she would have had just as much pain to cry for, and her death {into the bargain}.

FABLE XIX.

THE RUNAWAY SLAVE AND aeSOP.

_There is no necessity to add evil to evil._

A Slave, when running away from a Master of severe disposition, met aesop, to whom he was known as a neighbour: "Why {are} you in such a hurry?" {said aesop}. "I'll tell you candidly, father," {said the other}, "for you are worthy to be called by that name, as our sorrows are safely entrusted to you. Stripes are in superabundance; victuals fail: every now and then I am sent to the farm as a slave to the rustics {there}: if he dines at home I am kept standing by him all night, or if he is invited out, I remain until daylight in the street. I have fairly earned my liberty; but with grey hairs I am {still} a slave. If I were conscious to myself of any fault, I should bear this patiently: I never have had a bellyful, and, unhappy that I am, I have to put up with a severe master besides. For these reasons, and {for others} which it would take too long to recount, I have determined to go wherever my feet may carry me." "Listen then," said aesop; "When you have committed no fault, you suffer these inconveniences as you say: what if you had offended? What do you suppose you would {then} have had to suffer?"

By such advice he was prevented from running away.

FABLE XX.

THE CHARIOT-HORSE SOLD FOR THE MILL.

_Whatever happens, we must bear it with equanimity._

A certain Man withdrew from his chariot a Horse, enn.o.bled by many victories, and sold him for the mill. As he was being led out of doors from the mill-stones to water, he saw his fellows going towards the Circus, to celebrate the joyous contests at the games. With tears starting forth, he said, "Go on and be happy; celebrate without me the festive day in the race; at the place to which the accursed hand of the thief has dragged me, will I lament my sad fate."

FABLE XXI.

THE HUNGRY BEAR.

_Hunger sharpens the wits._

If at any time[17] sustenance is wanting to the Bear in the woods, he runs to the rocky sh.o.r.e, and, grasping a rock, gradually lets down his s.h.a.ggy thighs into the water; and as soon as the Crabs have stuck to the long hair, betaking himself to sh.o.r.e, the crafty fellow shakes off his sea-spoil, and enjoys the food that he has collected in every quarter.

Thus even in Fools does hunger sharpen the wits.

[Footnote NF.17: _If at any time_)--Ver. 1. This is not a Fable; it is merely an anecdote in natural history, and one not very unlikely to have been true.]

FABLE XXII.

THE TRAVELLER AND THE RAVEN.

_Men are very frequently imposed upon by words._

A Man while going through the fields along his solitary path, heard the word "Hail!" whereat he stopped for a moment, but seeing no one, went on his way. Again the same sound saluted him from a hidden spot; encouraged by the hospitable voice, he stopped short, that whoever it was might receive the like civility. When, looking all about, he had remained long in perplexity, and had lost the time in which he might have walked some miles, a Raven showed himself, and hovering above him, continually repeated "Hail!" Then, perceiving that he had been deluded: "Perdition seize you," said he, "most mischievous bird, to have thus delayed me when I was in such a hurry."