The Fables of La Fontaine Translated into English Verse by Walter Thornbury and Illustrated by Gustave Doré

This residence of Æsop in Egypt may, perhaps, have been the origin of the story that he was a slave there with Rhodope, who, by the aid of the presents made her by her lovers, e...

Some time after this a great difference took place between Xantus and his wife. The philosopher, being at a feast, put aside certain delicacies, and said to Æsop, "Carry these t...

The Grasshopper and the Ant The Raven and the Fox The Frog that Wished to make Herself as Big as the Ox The Two Mules The Wolf and the Dog The Heifer, the She-goat, and the Lamb...

Whilst this intimacy lasted, La Fontaine frequently took Racine and Boileau to Château-Thierry, whither he went from time to time to sell a few acres of land, in order to enable...

Two Friends, in want, resolved to sell A Bear-skin, though the Bear was well, And still alive. The Furrier paid Them willingly; the bargain's made. It was the King of Bears, the...

The desire to become a member of the Academy had been with La Fontaine a passion. He was attracted to the honour as well by his friendship for his comrades as by his love for li...

Cæsar and Laridon, his brother, Both suckled by the same dear mother, Sprang from an ancient royal race; Right hardy in the toiling chase. Two masters shared the noble brood; An...

A Mouse from the beak of an owl fell down, A Brahmin lifted it up, half dead: Tenderly nursed it, and tamed it, and fed. I could not have done such an act, I own; But every land...

All power is feeble, if it's disunited: Upon this head now hear the Phrygian slave. If I add verse to his, which has delighted, It's not from envy; but in hopes to grave And pai...

A Malady that Heaven sent On earth, for our sin's punishment-- The Plague (if I must call it right), Fit to fill Hades in a night-- Upon the animals made war; Not all die, but a...

A Man loved, heart and soul, his favourite Cat; She was his pet, his beauty, and all that. Her mewing was so sweet, and was so sad:-- He was far madder than the mad. This man, t...

"Friend Robber," said the Husband, "but for thee I had not known this boundless happiness. Take all I have,--I give thee liberty; Take house and all, to prove my gratitude." Thi...

Two Barn-door Fowls in peace spent all their life, Until, at last, love, love lit up the strife: War's flames burst out. O Love! that ruined Troy, 'Twas thou who, by fierce quar...

By gold the Miser was so little blessed. Not its possessor, but by it possessed; He buried it a fathom underground; His heart was with it; his delight To ruminate upon it day an...

A Man will sometimes meet his destiny The moment that he turns ill-luck to flee. A father had an only son, and dear He held him; so, as love is kin to fear, He with astrologers...

Jupiter youthful, once on a time, Thought it no crime To bring up his son as the mortal ones do; And straightway this godlike one, given to jollity, Love's sweet frivolity, Thou...

Your taste has always been to me a guide; I've sought in many ways to win your vote: Fastidious cares you often would deride, Forbad me on vain ornament to dote. I think with yo...

In Athens' city, fickle, vain, of old, An Orator, who dangers manifold Saw crowding on his country, one day went Up in the tribune, with the wise intent, With his skill'd tongue...

Three sorts of persons can't he praised too much: The Gods, the King, and her on whom we doat. So said Malherbe, and well he said, for such Are maxims wise, and worthy of all no...

The next example we must get From creatures even smaller yet. A Dove came to a brook to drink, When, leaning on the crumbling brink, An Ant fell in, and failed to reach, Through...

As the gods are forgiving, they wish that the lords Whom they send to rule over us creatures below, Should control the proud use of their conquering swords, And to subjects the...

It only remains to speak of the life of Æsop, whose biography by Planudes is almost universally regarded as fabulous. It is supposed that this writer formed the design of attrib...

I Have often said, on seeing How men like animals seem to act, That the lord of the earth, a poor frail being, Is not much better, in fact, Than the beasts whom he rules; and th...

Of equal age, lived closed together A Sparrow and a Cat; And he of fur and he of feather Grew so familiar, that The bird could fearlessly provoke His formidable friend in joke....

A Philosopher once, who, in Scythia born, Had somewhat, with study, his brain-pan outworn, Made his mind up, for pleasure and profit, to seek Repose for a time in the land of th...