Lupus et Agnus

Source: The fables of the medieval scholar and poet Alexander Nequam are available in several different editions at GoogleBooks.

Other Versions: See Perry 155.

Nequam 10: LUPUS ET AGNUS

Potans fonte lupus de rivo vidit eodem
agnum potantem, || sicque dolosus ait:
Cur mihi, dum biberem, turbasti, perfide, rivum?
nec mala fecisti || tu semel ista mihi.
Agnus ad haec: Ab te cum rivus defluat ad me,
dic, turbare tibi || qualiter hunc potui?
Tunc lupus adiecit: Maledicere non timuisti
tu mihi, iam menses || praeteriere novem.
Agnus ait: Nondum me credo fuisse creatum,
testari mater || ut mea saepe solet.
Me, lupus inquit ad haec, mendacem, perfide, dicis;
haec ultra nequeo || verba superba pati.
Sic lupus ore tonat rursum: Mihi damna minaris.
Non minor, agnus ait. || Cui lupus: Immo facis:
Fecit idem tuus ante pater, sex mensibus actis,
cum bene patrisses, || crimine patris obi.
Sic circumventum verbis mendacibus agnum
non metuit saevus || mox iugulare lupus.
Hinc discat simplex semper vitare dolosum,
qui iustos damnat || innocuosque premit!

Prose paraphrase:

Lupus
fonte potans
vidit
agnum potantem
de rivo eodem,
et sic dolosus ait:
Perfide,
cur mihi rivum turbasti,
dum biberem?
Et non semel
tu mihi fecisti
ista mala.
Agnus ad haec:
Cum rivus
ab te defluat
ad me,
dic,
qualiter potui
tibi hunc turbare?
Tunc lupus adiecit:
Tu
mihi maledicere non timuisti,
novem menses iam praeteriere.
Agnus ait:
Credo
me nondum creatum fuisse,
ut mater mea
saepe testari solet.
Lupus
ad haec inquit:
Perfide,
dicis
me mendacem;
nequeo
ultra pati
haec verba superba.
Sic lupus
rursum ore tonat:
Mihi damna minaris.
Agnus ait:
Non minor.
Cui lupus:
Immo facis:
pater tuus
ante idem fecit,
sex mensibus actis,
cum bene patrisses,
crimine patris obi.
Sic
lupus saevus
agnum
verbis mendacibus circumventum
mox iugulare non metuit.
Hinc simplex discat
semper vitare dolosum,
qui
iustos damnat
et innocuos premit!

NoDictionaries.com: You can find the word list for this fable online, and use it interactively (here are some tips on how to make best use of the tool). The dictionary list does not recognize the verb patrisses in the phrase cum bene patrisses, "since you're so much like your father."

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

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

Lupus et Bubulcus

Source: The fables of the medieval scholar and poet Alexander Nequam are available in several different editions at GoogleBooks.

Other Versions: See Perry 22 (it varies from story to story just what kind of animal is fleeing from the hunter).

Nequam 22: LUPUS ET BUBULCUS

Cum venatores fugeret lupus atque molossos,
et fessus densas || iam peteret latebras,
Obvius invisus fuit illi forte bubulcus,
quem supplex verbis || talibus alloquitur:
Immeritam, fateor, veniam compellor ab hoste
quaerere; mos tamen est || parcere supplicibus.
Rem te perfacilem supplex rogo; ne latitantem
me prodas: vivam, || si modo tu taceas.
Esto, bubulcus ait, tutus, celabo latentem,
nec tibi quam potero || ferre pigebit opem.
Finierat: venator adest, rogitatque bubulcum
ut partem ostendat || quam petit ille lupus.
Laevam respondens, oculis nutuque bubulcus
ad dextram fallax || innuit esse lupum.
Venator properans oculorum non bene nutus
sensit, sed laevam || cum canibus petiit.
Mox quasi congaudens fertur dixisse bubulcus:
Nunc, lupe, scire potes || quam bona nostra fides.
Grates iure tuae, lupus inquit, reddere linguae
debeo; luminibus || sed mala multa precor.
Haec duplicem tangit qui cum mala promere verbis
non audet, nutu || significare solet.

Prose paraphrase:

Cum lupus
venatores atque molossos
fugeret,
et iam fessus
latebras densas peteret,
forte
bubulcus invisus
illi obvius fuit,
quem
supplex alloquitur
verbis talibus:
Fateor:
ab hoste
veniam immeritam quaerere
compellor;
mos tamen est
supplicibus parcere.
Supplex
te rogo
rem perfacilem;
ne me latitantem prodas:
vivam,
si modo tu taceas.
Bubulcus ait:
Esto tutus,
latentem celabo,
et non pigebit
opem tibi ferre
quam potero.
Finierat;
venator adest,
et bubulcum rogitat,
ut partem ostendat
quam ille lupus petit.
Laevam
respondens,
oculis et nutu
bubulcus fallax
innuit
ad dextram esse lupum.
Venator properans
nutus oculorum non bene sensit,
sed laevam petiit
cum canibus.
Mox bubulcus
quasi congaudens
dixisse fertur:
Lupe,
nunc scire potes
quam bona nostra fides.
Lupus inquit:
Grates
tuae linguae
iure reddere debeo;
sed luminibus
mala multa precor.
Haec
duplicem tangit
qui
nutu significare solet,
cum non audet
verbis mala promere.

NoDictionaries.com: You can find the word list for this fable online, and use it interactively (here are some tips on how to make best use of the tool).

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

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Pavo et Graculus

Source: The fables of the medieval scholar and poet Alexander Nequam are available in several different editions at GoogleBooks.

Other Versions: See Perry 472.

Nequam 12: DE PAVONE ET GRACULO

Pavonum pennis · ornatus, graculus omne
vile suum tumidus || coepit habere genus;
Pavonumque sequens, · turbae consanguinearum
dedignabatur || iungere se volucrum.
Pavonum talem · pulcherrima turba sodalem
contemnens, rostris || hunc fugat et pedibus.
Ad genus ergo suum · cum flens miser ille rediret,
omnis turba sui || reppulit hunc generis.
Sic parti gratus · neutri, sed utraque repulsus,
contemptum meritis || se dolet esse suis.
Haec docet alterius · bona ne sua deputet ullus,
nunc sua ne perdat || et sua non habeat.

Prose paraphrase:

Graculus,
pavonum pennis ornatus,
tumidus
omne genus suum
vile habere coepit;
et pavonum turbam sequens,
turbae volucrum consanguinearum
se iungere dedignabatur.
Pavonum turba pulcherrima
talem sodalem contemnens,
rostris et pedibus
hunc fugat.
Ergo
cum ille miser, flens,
ad genus suum rediret,
omnis turba
sui generis
hunc repulit.
Sic gratus
parti neutri,
sed utraque repulsus,
dolet
meritis suis
se contemptum esse.
Haec docet
ne ullus
alterius bona
sua deputet,
ne nunc sua perdat
et sua non habeat.

NoDictionaries.com: You can find the word list for this fable online, and use it interactively (here are some tips on how to make best use of the tool).

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

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Leo et Socii Eius

This fable has moved to the Ictibus Felicibus blog.

Agricola Militiam et Mercaturam Affectans

This poem has moved to the Ictibus Felicibus blog.

Canis et Ovis

This poem has moved to the Ictibus Felicibus blog.

Aquila et Corvus

This poem has moved to the Ictibus Felicibus blog.

Camelus et Pulex

This poem has moved to the Ictibus Felicibus blog.

Lupus et Hystrix

This poem has moved to the Ictibus Felicibus blog.

Pica et Cauda Eius (Nequam)

This poem has moved to the Ictibus Felicibus blog.

Leo et Equus (Nequam)

Source: The fables of the medieval scholar and poet Alexander Nequam are available in several different editions at GoogleBooks.

Other Versions: See Perry 187.

Nequam 24: DE LEONE ET EQUO

Pascentem leo vidit equum, · quem fallere tentans
aggreditur blande || se simulans medicum.
Sensit equus fraudem: · mox dissimulando timorem
oblitusque sui || graminis, inquit equus;
Gratulor ecce nimis · te, frater, adesse, mederi
laeso stirpe meo || quem puto posse pedi.
Accedens leo spondet opem; · palpare volentis,
calce ferit gemino || mox caput eius equus.
Ille cadit; deridet equus, · tandemque recedens:
Nunc, inquit, medice, || quod mediceris habes.
Ut stupor abscessit, · dixit leo: Contigit istud
iure mihi, factus || qui fueram medicus,
Nolueramque mea · feritate et viribus uti;
ecce dolo pereo || iure dolosus ego.
Nobilis ad turpes · verti quem non pudet artes,
formidet turpi || se quoque fraude capi!

Prose paraphrase:

Leo vidit
equum pascentem,
quem aggreditur,
fallere tentans,
blande simulans se medicum.
Equus fraudem sensit:
mox dissimulando timorem
et oblitus sui graminis,
equus inquit;
Ecce, frater,
nimis gratulor
te adesse,
quem posse puto
mederi
pedi meo
laeso stirpe.
Leo, accedens,
opem spondet;
palpare volentis,
caput eius
mox equus ferit
calce gemino.
Ille cadit;
equus deridet,
et, tandem recedens, inquit:
Medice,
nunc habes
quod mediceris.
Leo,
ut stupor abscessit,
dixit:
Iure
istud mihi contigit,
qui
medicus factus fueram,
et nolueram
mea feritate et viribus uti;
ecce
ego dolosus
iure
dolo pereo.
Nobilis,
quem non pudet
ad artes turpes verti
formidet
se quoque
fraude turpi capi!

NoDictionaries.com: You can find the word list for this fable online, and use it interactively (here are some tips on how to make best use of the tool). The word list is missing the verb medico, medicare, "heal, cure."

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

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Musca et Calvus (Nequam)

This poem has moved to the Ictibus Felicibus blog.

Canis et Umbra (Nequam)

This poem has been moved to the Ictibus Felicibus blog.

Agricola et Filii et Vinea (Trinity)

Source: This poem was composed by the anonymous "Trinity Master" who published a lovely little book in 1852 setting Latin fables in prose side-by-side with his verse compositions; read the book at Google Books.

Other Versions: For more versions, see Perry 42.

22. AGRICOLA ET FILII

Optimus est, pueri, vobis Industria census;
Scilicet enisum || fors hominesque iuvant.
Agricola ad vitae finem provenerat; ad se
Continuo Natos || iussit adire suos.
"Iam moriturus ego," dixit; "mea verba tenete:
Vinea thesauros || possidet illa meos."
Finierat senior; cum verbo vita refugit.
Rite suum iuvenes || indoluere patrem.
Funera post patris, thesaurum quaerere certant;
Armatur duro || quaeque ligone manus.
Funditus ad vernum subvertitur area solem;
Nil tamen inveniunt; || nil locus aeris habet.
Reddit et autumnus lucrum pretiumque laboris;
Muneribus Bacchi || fertilis uva tumet.

Prose paraphrase:

Pueri,
vobis
census optimus
Industria est;
Scilicet
fors et homines
enisum iuvant.
Agricola
ad vitae finem provenerat;
continuo
Natos suos iussit
ad se adire.
Dixit:
"Ego
iam moriturus sum;
mea verba tenete:
Vinea illa
thesauros meos possidet."
Senior finierat;
cum verbo
eius vita refugit.
Iuvenes
rite patrem suum indoluere.
Post patris funera,
thesaurum quaerere certant;
quaeque manus
duro ligone armatur.
Area
ad vernum solem
funditus subvertitur.
Nil tamen inveniunt;
locus
nil aeris habet.
Autumnus
et lucrum et pretium laboris
reddit;
fertilis uva
Bacchi muneribus tumet.

NoDictionaries.com: You can find the word list for this fable online, and use it interactively (here are some tips on how to make best use of the tool).

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



Word list thanks to NoDictionaries.com:

Coming soon.

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Asinus et Lupus (Nequam)

This poem has moved to the Ictibus Felicibus blog.

Serpens et Lima (Nequam)

This poem has moved to the Ictibus Felicibus blog.

Nisus et Columbae (Nequam)

Source: The fables of the medieval scholar and poet Alexander Nequam are available in several different editions at GoogleBooks.

Other Versions: See Perry 486.

Nequam 25: DE NISO ET COLUMBIS

Crudelem blandae · nisum fugiendo columbae,
accipitrem dominum || constituere suum.
Ille velut iudex, · praetenso crimine cuique,
perfidus innocuas || dilaniabat aves.
Una dolum noscens: · Minus, inquit, noxius hostis
ille fuit primus || quam novus hic dominus.
Hostis apertus erat · nobis prior ille, fugaque
vitari tardus || praeceleri poterat.
Cogit iustitiae · nos iste perire sub umbra,
nec licet abscondi || nec licet effugere.
Haec merito patimur · quia nos commisimus illi
cuius semper ali || sanguine vita solet.
Ista iocosa monent · homines ne, dum mala vitant,
non praevisa satis || pessima sponte petant.

Prose paraphrase:

Columbae blandae,
crudelem nisum fugiendo,
accipitrem
dominum suum constituere.
Ille velut iudex,
crimine cuique praetenso,
perfidus
aves innocuas dilaniabat.
Una, dolum noscens,
inquit:
Ille primus fuit
hostis minus noxius
quam hic dominus novus.
Prior,
ille
nobis erat
hostis apertus,
et fuga praeceleri
tardus vitari poterat.
Iste
nos cogit perire
sub umbra iustitiae,
nec licet abscondi
nec licet effugere.
Merito
haec patimur
quia nos commisimus illi
cuius vita
sanguine ali solet
semper.
Ista iocosa monent homines
ne,
dum vitant mala,
sponte petant pessima,
non satis praevisa.


NoDictionaries.com: You can find the word list for this fable online, and use it interactively (here are some tips on how to make best use of the tool). It did not recognize the late Latin form praetenso for the perfect participle of praetendo, "spread out, extend, allege, pretend." It also did not recognize the verb dilanio, dilaniare, "tear to pieces" and praeceler, the compound form of celer, meaning "very swift, very fast."

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

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Corvus et Vulpes (Nequam)

Source: The fables of the medieval scholar and poet Alexander Nequam are available in several different editions at GoogleBooks.

Other Versions: See Perry 124.

Nequam 27: DE CORVO ET VULPE

Excelsa laetus · residebat in arbore corvus,
caseolum raptum || mordicus ore ferens.
Praeteriens, illum · suspexit callida vulpis;
fallere quem cupiens || taliter alloquitur:
Si Natura potens · in avem me vertere vellet,
corvum praecipue || me cuperem faceret.
Nunquam vivit avis · similis tibi, corve decore,
aut par ingenio || non valet esse tuo.
Tu nosti cantu · mentes aperire deorum;
auguriis homines || multa docere soles.
Si tibi nunc solito · modicum vox clarior esset,
nulla tuis volucris || laudibus obstreperet.
Corvus adulanti · credens, dum tentat aperto
ore suam vocem || reddere clarisono,
Caseolus cecidit, · quem tollens callida vulpis
inquit: Prodesset || plus tacuisse tibi.
Haec reticere monet · stultum, ne forte loquendo
secretum prodat || quod reticendo tenet.

Prose paraphrase:

Corvus, laetus,
residebat
in arbore excelsa,
caseolum
raptum mordicus
ore ferens.
Vulpis, callida,
praeteriens,
illum suspexit;
quem fallere cupiens,
taliter alloquitur:
Si Natura potens
in avem
me vertere vellet,
praecipue
cuperem
corvum me faceret.
Corve decore,
avis
similis tibi
nunquam vivit
aut
non valet
ingenio tuo par esse.
Tu
cantu nosti
deorum mentes aperire;
auguriis soles
homines multa docere.
Si nunc
tibi vox esset
modicum clarior solito,
volucris nulla
tuis laudibus obstreperet.
Corvus,
adulanti credens,
dum, ore aperto,
suam vocem
clarisono reddere tentat,
cecidit caseolus,
quem tollens
callida vulpis inquit:
Plus tacuisse tibi prodesset.
Haec monet stultum
reticere,
ne forte prodat loquendo
secretum
quod reticendo tenet.

NoDictionaries.com: You can find the word list for this fable online, and use it interactively (here are some tips on how to make best use of the tool). It did not recognize the diminutive caseolum, from caseum, "cheese." It also did not recognize the adjective clarisonus, "clear-sounding, resounding."

Image. Here's an illustration for the fable (image source) by Felix Lorioux:



Word list thanks to NoDictionaries.com:

Coming soon.

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Vulpes et Aquila (Nequam)

This poem has moved to the Ictibus Felicibus blog.

Capella et Lupus (Nequam)

Source: The fables of the medieval scholar and poet Alexander Nequam are available in several different editions at GoogleBooks.

Other Versions: See Perry 157.

Nequam 42: DE CAPELLA ET LUPO

More suo pastum · dum vellet adire capella,
fertur sic haedum || praemonuisse suum:
Insidias, dum vado, lupi, rogo, nate, caveto,
qui varia nostrum || decipit arte genus.
Quidquid agat, dicatve tibi, tu credere noli,
nec stabulum reseres || qualibet arte sibi.
Dixit et abcessit, lupus affuit, et simulando
voce capram fallax || talia verba dedit:
Mater adest; aperi · stabulum, carissime fili;
nam secreta volo || dicere pauca tibi.
Materni sed consilii · non immemor haedus,
spectans per rimas || comperit insidias.
Sub specie matris, dicit, me, perfide, quaeris
perdere; sed mutilum || non habet illa caput.
Consiliis nos ista monent · parere parentum
qui nostrae curas || utilitatis habent.

Prose paraphrase:

Dum capella,
more suo,
pastum adire vellet,
fertur
sic praemonuisse
haedum suum:
Nate, rogo:
dum vado,
caveto
insidias lupi,
qui
arte varia
genus nostrum decipit.
Tu credere noli
quidquid agat aut tibi dicat,
nec, qualibet arte,
sibi stabulum reseres.
Dixit et abcessit;
Lupus affuit,
et voce capram simulando,
fallax,
talia verba dedit:
Mater adest;
stabulum aperi,
carissime fili;
nam
secreta pauca
tibi dicere volo.
Sed haedus
non immemor
materni consilii,
spectans per rimas,
insidias comperit.
Dicit:
Perfide,
sub specie matris
me perdere quaeris,
sed illa
caput mutilum non habet.
Ista
nos monent
consiliis parentum parere,
qui
curas nostrae utilitatis habent.

NoDictionaries.com: You can find the word list for this fable online, and use it interactively (here are some tips on how to make best use of the tool). The word list does not recognize the noun capella, meaning "she-goat," and it does not recognize the verbs resero, reserare, "to open up, unbar, unlock" and abcedo, abcedere, "depart, go away."

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

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Corvus et Lupi (Trinity)

This poem has moved to the Ictibus Felicibus blog.

Stultus et Muli (Nequam)

Source: The fables of the medieval scholar and poet Alexander Nequam are available in several different editions at GoogleBooks.

Other Versions: This is not a fable from the classical Aesop tradition, but compare the fable of the Boastful Mule.

Nequam 11: DE STULTO ET MULIS

Stultus olympiacum · certamine vincere cursum
posse putans, mulos || emit ad hoc geminos;
Larga quibus praebens · studiose pabula, promptos
ad cursum fieri || posse putabat eos.
tempus erat cursus, · bigam conscendit et ambos
mulos suppositis || exagitat stimulis;
Sed quo plus properat, hoc plus animalia tardant,
et quo progenita || sint patre pigra probant.
Attigerant alii cursores iam prope metam,
vix hic adhuc recta || coeperat ire via.
Attollit magnum circumstans turba cachinnum
et stultum coeno || stercorat atque luto.
Ut posset tandem fugiens evadere turbam,
caedebat mulos || acriter ille suos.
Illorum tunc unus ait: Cur quae meruisti,
pessime, nos cogis || dura flagella pati?
Cum nos emisti numquid non, rustice, nosti
natura pigro || nos genitos asino?
Hoc monet exemplum ne quis committat agendum
obscure natis || nobilis officium.

Prose paraphrase:

Stultus,
certamine
cursum olympiacum vincere posse
putans,
ad hoc
mulos emit geminos;
quibus
pabula larga studiose praebens,
putabat
eos fieri posse
promptos ad cursum.
Tempus cursus erat,
bigam conscendit
et mulos ambos exagitat
stimulis suppositis;
sed quo plus properat,
hoc plus animalia tardant,
et probant
quo patre
pigra progenita sint.
Cursores alii
iam metam prope attigerant,
hic
vix adhuc coeperat
via recta ire.
Turba circumstans
cachinnum magnum attollit
coeno atque luto
et stultum stercorat.
Ille,
tandem fugiens,
acriter mulos suos caedebat,
ut turbam evadere posset.
Tunc unus illorum ait:
Pessime,
cur nos cogis
dura flagella pati
quae meruisti?
Rustice,
numquid,
cum nos emisti,
non nosti
nos genitos
asino, natura pigro?
Hoc exemplum monet
ne quis committat
officium nobilis
obscure natis agendum.

NoDictionaries.com: You can find the word list for this fable online, and use it interactively (here are some tips on how to make best use of the tool). The word list did not recognize the adjectives olympiacus, "Olympian," and progenitus, "born, brought forth."

Image. Here's an illustration for the fable (image source) showing an ancient chariot:



Word list thanks to NoDictionaries.com:

Coming soon.

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E Pastore Mercator (Trinity)

This poem has moved to the Ictibus Felicibus blog.

Mons Parturiens (Nequam)

Source: The fables of the medieval scholar and poet Alexander Nequam are available in several different editions at GoogleBooks.

Other Versions: See Perry 520.

Nequam 35: DE MONTE PARTURIENTE MUREM

Cum gemitu magno · mons praegnans parturiebat,
mugitu magnum || exsuperans tonitrum.
Vicinos omnes ·timor ingens excruciabat;
auxilii nullus || consiliive locus.
Dicebant: Terram · cum mons hic occupet istam,
Quid faciet partus || illius immodicus?
Illorum subito · cumulus nos obruet ingens,
membraque non minimo || pondere nostra teret.
Murem post multas · peperit mons ille querelas;
in risum versus || sic fuit ille metus.
Dicitur elatis · istud qui maxima iactant,
cum se facturos || vix modicum faciunt.

Prose paraphrase:

Mons, praegnans,
parturiebat
cum gemitu magno,
mugitu exsuperans
tonitrum magnum.
Timor ingens
vicinos omnes excruciabat;
auxilii aut consilii locus nullus.
Dicebant:
Cum mons hic
terram istam occupet,
partus illius immodicus
quid faciet?
Subito
illorum cumulus ingens
nos obruet,
et membra nostra teret
non minimo pondere.
Post querelas multas,
mons ille
peperit murem;
sic metus ille
in risum versus fuit.
Istud dicitur
elatis,
qui iactant
se maxima facturos,
cum vix modicum faciunt.

NoDictionaries.com: You can find the word list for this fable online, and use it interactively (here are some tips on how to make best use of the tool).

Image. 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.

Leo et Asinus Comes (Nequam)

Source: The fables of the medieval scholar and poet Alexander Nequam are available in several different editions at GoogleBooks.

Other Versions: See Perry 151.

Nequam 8: DE LEONE ET ASELLO

Saltus forte leo · peragrans, comitatus asello,
undique diversas || vidit adesse feras.
Horrendo clamare sono · mox jussit asello
ut subito sic has || occupet attonitas.
Ille dedit magnam · magno conamine vocem,
excusso quantam || fulmine dat tonitrus.
Exanimi similis · stetit omnis turba ferarum,
nec potuit pugnae || vel meminisse fugae.
Quot voluit rapuit · leo frendens, et laniavit,
nec nisi defessus || caedibus abstinuit.
Sic tandem vocem · compescere iussit asello,
permittens stupidas || fessus abire feras.
Mox asinus forti · credens par esse leoni:
Quid tibi de nostra || voce videtur, ait?
Vox tua, respondit · leo, vere fortibus ipsis,
si te non noscant, || est metuenda nimis.
Par, tibi confiteor, · factus trepidando fuissem,
si non novissem || teque tuumque genus.
Increpat hoc stolidum · qui par sapientibus ipsis
esse putat, sola || garrulitate sua.

Prose paraphrase:

Leo
forte saltus peragrans,
asello comitatus,
vidit
feras diversas undique adesse.
Mox
asello iussit
sono horrendo clamare
ut subito
has sic attonitas occupet .
Ille
conamine magno
vocem magnam dedit,
quantam tonitrus dat
fulmine excusso.
Ferarum turba omnis
similis exanimi stetit,
nec meminisse potuit
pugnae vel fugae.
Leo frendens
quot voluit
rapuit et laniavit,
et caedibus non abstinuit
nisi defessus.
Sic tandem
asello iussit
vocem compescere,
permittens, fessus,
feras stupidas abire.
Mox asinus,
par leoni forti esse credens,
ait:
Quid tibi de voce nostra videtur?
Leo respondit:
Vox tua
vere nimis metuenda est
fortibus ipsis,
si te non noscant.
Tibi confiteor
par trepidando factus fuissem,
si non novissem
et te et tuum genus.
Hoc
stolidum increpat,
qui
par sapientibus ipsis esse putat,
sola garrulitate sua.

NoDictionaries.com: You can find the word list for this fable online, and use it interactively (here are some tips on how to make best use of the tool). The word list does not recognize the noun saltus as "woodland with glades."

Image. 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.

Mures Duo (Trinity)

Source: This poem was composed by the anonymous "Trinity Master" who published a lovely little book in 1852 setting Latin fables in prose side-by-side with his verse compositions; read the book at Google Books.

Other Versions: For more versions, see Perry 352.

15. MURES

Rusticus urbanum Murem Mus excipit; olim
Iunctus amicitia || forte viator erat:
Excipit hospitio; mensamque dapesque paravit;
At cibus est simplex || conveniensque loco.
Accidit, ut talem vitam fastidiat hospes;
Non tenuis victus || simplicitasque iuvant.
Urbis delicias ut tentet, suadet amico:
Res placet; inde urbem || nocte silente petunt.
Protinus ingressi tendunt ad divitis aedes;
Hac dapibus socios || ceperat ille die.
Relliquias nacti, genio coepere quieto
Indulgere; dapum || copia lauta manet.
Rusticus at sibi dum gratulatur, perstrepit, eheu!
Servorum subitus || tecta per ampla sonus.
Parte canes ululant omni; tremuere pavore
Convivae; dapibus || diffugiuntque procul.
Tum, "Longum valeas," Mus rusticus inquit, "amice!
Tuque fruare tuis: || tutus egoque meis."

Prose paraphrase:

Mus rusticus
Murem urbanum excipit;
forte
viator urbanus
olim amicitia iunctus erat
Muri rustico;
Mus rusticus
urbanum hospitio excipit.
Mus rusticus
et mensam et dapes paravit;
at cibus
simplex est
et loco conveniens.
Accidit,
ut hospes
talem vitam fastidiat;
tenuis victus et simplicitas
Murem urbanum non iuvant.
Mus urbanus
amico suadet
ut urbis delicias tentet.
Res placet;
inde
octe silente
urbem npetunt.
Protinus ingressi
ad divitis aedes tendunt;
hac die
ille dives
socios ceperat
dapibus.
Relliquias nacti,
Mures
Indulgere coepere,
genio quieto;
dapum copia lauta manet.
At
dum rusticus sibi gratulatur,
eheu!
Servorum sonus
subitus perstrepit
per ampla tecta.
Parte omni
canes ululant;
convivae
pavore tremuere
et dapibus procul diffugiunt.
Tum Mus rusticus inquit:
"Amice,
tu longum valeas,
et tuis fruare,
et ego tutus
meis fruar."

NoDictionaries.com: You can find the word list for this fable online, and use it interactively (here are some tips on how to make best use of the tool). The word list did not recognize the variant form relliquias for reliquias, from reliquia, "remains, leftovers." It also did not recognize the genitive plural dapum, from daps, "feast." It also did not recognize the intensive form, perstrepit, from strepo, strepere, "make a loud noise, shriek, creak."

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

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Rusticus Amnem Transiturus (Trinity)

This poem has moved to the Ictibus Felicibus blog.

Mus et Rana (Nequam)

This fable has moved to the ICTIBUS FELICIBUS blog.

Oves et Lupi (Nequam)

Source: The fables of the medieval scholar and poet Alexander Nequam are available in several different editions at GoogleBooks.

Other Versions: See Perry 153.

Nequam 4: DE OVIBUS ET LUPIS

Grex ovium pugnando · lupos superasse refertur,
agmine custodum || subveniente canum.
Ut videre lupi · se vi non posse nocere,
arte minus cautas || aggrediuntur oves.
Perpetuam pacem · promittunt, si datur illis
obses turba canum. || Conditio placuit;
Auxiliumque suum · grex nescius insidiarum
hostibus infidis || tradere non timuit.
Securi coepere lupi, · custode carentem
post modicum tempus || dilaniare gregem.
Sero poenituit · facti pecus insidiantis,
esset cum nullus || qui daret auxilium.
tradit opem quicumque suam · male providus hosti,
poena plectendum || se timeat simili!

Prose paraphrase:

Grex ovium
lupos superasse refertur
pugnando,
subveniente
agmine canum custodum.
Lupi,
ut videre
vi nocere
se non posse,
arte
oves minus cautas
aggrediuntur.
Promittunt
perpetuam pacem,
si turba canum
obses illis datur.
Conditio placuit,
et grex,
insidiarum nescius,
auxilium suum
hostibus infidis tradere non timuit.
Lupi securi
post modicum tempus
gregem, custode carente,
dilaniare coepere.
Sero
pecus
insidiantis facti poenituit,
cum esset nullus
qui daret auxilium.
Quicumque
male providus
opem suam
hosti tradit,
timeat
se
poena simili plectendum!

NoDictionaries.com: You can find the word list for this fable online, and use it interactively (here are some tips on how to make best use of the tool). The verb careo appears incorrectly in the word list as careor.

Image. Here's an illustration for the fable (image source) by Francis Barlow:

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Rusticus et Anguis (Trinity)

This poem has moved to the Ictibus Felicibus blog.

Culex et Taurus (Nequam)

Source: The fables of the medieval scholar and poet Alexander Nequam are available in several different editions at GoogleBooks.

Other Versions: See Perry 273.

Nequam 3: DE CULICE ET TAURO

Ingentem taurum · nimio fervore superbum
provocat exiguus || ad fera bella culex.
Ergo die posito · convenit maxima turba
ut tam dissimiles || conspicerent pugiles.
Venerat horrendus · prior ad certamina taurus,
impatiens et humum || saepe cavans pedibus.
Hunc procul inde culex · ut vidit adesse paratum,
talibus irridens || corripuit stolidum.
Quod mecum certare paras, · iam sit mihi palma;
iam sum nempe tuo || par tibi iudicio.
Evolat his dictis · subito, taurumque frementem
ostendit toto || ridiculum populo.
Fabula cum minimis · vetat haec contendere magnos,
ipsum ne sit eis || vincere dedecori.

Prose paraphrase:

Culex exiguus
nimio fervore
taurum superbum ingentem
ad fera bella provocat.
Ergo, die posito,
maxima turba
convenit
ut pugiles conspicerent
tam dissimiles.
Taurus horrendus
ad certamina prior venerat,
impatiens
et pedibus saepe humum cavans.
Culex
ut procul inde vidit
hunc adesse paratum,
corripuit stolidum,
talibus irridens:
quod mecum certare paras,
iam palma mihi sit;
iam nempe
iudicio tuo
par tibi sum.
Subito evolat
et his dictis,
taurum frementem
ridiculum ostendit
populo toto.
Fabula haec
magnos vetat
cum minimis contendere,
ne
ipsum vincere
eis dedecori sit.

NoDictionaries.com: You can find the word list for this fable online, and use it interactively (here are some tips on how to make best use of the tool). The word list did not recognize the participle cavans, from the verb cavo, cavare: hollow out, excavate.

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

Word list thanks to NoDictionaries.com:

Coming soon.

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Cerva et Leaena (Trinity)

This poem has moved to the Ictibus Felicibus blog.

Lupus et Grus (Nequam)

Source: The fables of the medieval scholar and poet Alexander Nequam are available in several different editions at GoogleBooks.

Other Versions: See Perry 156.

Nequam 1: DE LUPO ET GRUE

Ingluvie cogente, lupus · dum devorat ossa,
pars ossis fracti || faucibus haesit ei:
Anxius, orat opem · supplex pecudesque ferasque
insuper, et volucrum || postulat auxilium.
Omnes respondent · gruis ossea labra valere
os quod inhaerebat || faucibus abstrahere.
Hanc lupus aggreditur, · ululansque gemensque precatur
ne quam sola potest || ferre, recuset opem.
Grus pretium poscit; · iurat lupus omne daturum
quod petet, et testes || invocat ille deos.
Grus credit, totumque caput · mox eius in ore
mergens, inventum || detrahit os vacuum.
Ereptus lupus exultat; · grus praemia poscit;
fallit eam verbis || callidus ambiguis.
Ast ubi grus coepit · nimis infestare dolosum,
paucis edocuit || se lupus esse lupum:
Sufficiat quod ab ore lupi · salvum caput una
traxeris, et magnum || sit tibi vita lucrum.
Crudelem mitis quisquis · iuvat, hinc doceatur
praemia ne speret, || damna sed extimeat!

Prose paraphrase:

Lupus,
ingluvie cogente,
dum ossa devorat,
pars ossis fracti
faucibus ei haesit.
Anxius, supplex
opem orat;
insuper pecudesque ferasque,
et volucrum auxilium postulat.
Omnes respondent
gruis ossea labra valere
abstrahere os
quod faucibus inhaerebat.
Lupus
hanc aggreditur,
ululansque gemensque
precatur
ne recuset opem
quam ferre potest sola.
Grus
pretium poscit;
lupus iurat
daturum omne
quod petet,
et ille
deos testes invocat.
Grus credit
et mox
totum caput mergens
eius in ore,
os vacuum
inventum detrahit .
Lupus ereptus exultat;
grus praemia poscit;
callidus
eam fallit
verbis ambiguis.
Ast ubi grus
nimis dolosum
infestare coepit,
lupus
paucis edocuit
se esse lupum:
Sufficiat
quod caput salvum
ab lupi ore
una traxeris,
et vita
lucrum magnum tibi sit.
Quisquis mitis
crudelem iuvat,
hinc doceatur
ne praemia speret,
sed damna extimeat!

NoDictionaries.com: You can find the word list for this fable online, and use it interactively (here are some tips on how to make best use of the tool). Note that the word list did not recognize the compound verb extimeo, extimere: "fear greatly."

Image. Here's an illustration for the fable (image source) by the French illustrator Felix Lorioux:



Word list thanks to NoDictionaries.com:

Coming soon.

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Camelus (Trinity)

This poem has moved to the Ictibus Felicibus blog.

Lepus et Passer (Nequam)

Source: The fables of the medieval scholar and poet Alexander Nequam are available in several different editions at GoogleBooks.

Other Versions: See Perry 473.

Nequam 14: DE LEPORE ET PASSERE

Dum moriendo lepus · gemeret, Iovis alite captus,
sic illum passer || improbus aggreditur:
Cur tibi, stulte lepus, · solita non arte cavebas?
Cur non sollicitus || et bene cautus eras?
Est naturalis ubi · nunc astutia mira,
qua venatores || decipis atque canes?
Quid vitasse tibi · laqueos et retia prodest,
oraque post morsum || praeteriisse canum?
Quid tibi retrogradi · cursus saltusque citati?
Quid saltu sepes || transiluisse iuvat?
Artes, stulte lepus, · quid prosunt mille cavendi?
Quam male cavisti || nunc miser ipse tibi!
Nullus amicorum · debet te flere parentum;
stultitia moreris || desidiaque tua.
talia dicentem · rapuit mox nisus eumdem,
et correptorem || corripuit stolidum.
Passeris ad gemitus, · oculos iam deficientes
protinus attollens, || retulit ista lepus:
Laetor in extremis · quod, qui modo non timuisti
insultare mihi, || morte peris simili.
Haec res ficta monet · misero ne deroget ullus,
ne subito damnum || perpatiatur idem.

Prose paraphrase:

Dum lepus,
Iovis alite captus,
moriendo gemeret,
passer improbus
sic illum aggreditur:
Cur, stulte lepus,
arte solita
tibi non cavebas?
Cur non sollicitus eras
et bene cautus?
Ubi est nunc
astutia naturalis mira,
qua venatores decipis
atque canes?
Quid tibi prodest
vitasse laqueos et retia,
et canum ora praeteriisse
post morsum?
Quid tibi
retrogradi cursus
et saltus citati?
Quid iuvat
saltu sepes transiluisse?
Lepus stulte,
quid prosunt
mille artes cavendi?
Quam male nunc
tibi cavisti ipse miser!
Nullus parentum amicorum
te flere debet;
moreris
stultitia et desidia tua.
Mox nisus
eumdem, talia dicentem, rapuit
et stolidum correptorem corripuit.
Lepus,
oculos iam deficientes
ad passeris gemitus attollens,
protinus retulit ista:
In extremis
laetor quod
morte simili peris
qui modo
mihi insultare non timuisti.
Haec res ficta monet
ne ullus
misero deroget,
ne subito perpatiatur
damnum idem.

NoDictionaries.com: You can find the word list for this fable online, and use it interactively (here are some tips on how to make best use of the tool). Note that the word list did not recognize cavebas as a form of the verb caveo, cavere: "take care, be cautious." There were also several words it did not recognize at all: retrogradus, meaning "backwards, evasive" - nisus, meaning "hawk, sparrow-hawk" - correptor, as "someone who snatches, grabs" - and perpatior, perpati, an intensive form of the verb patior, "to suffer, endure, allow." It also did not recognize eumdem as a form of idem.

Image. Here's an illustration for the fable (image source) from an early 19th-century edition of Aesop:

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Canis et Bos (Trinity)

This poem has moved to the Ictibus Felicibus blog.

Leo et Pastor (Nequam)

Source: The fables of the medieval scholar and poet Alexander Nequam are available in several different editions at GoogleBooks.

Other Versions: See Perry 563 for other versions of "Androcles and the Lion."

Nequam 20: DE LEONE ET PASTORE

Calcata leo stirpe pedem · sibi laeserat unum;
pastoris supplex || auxilium petiit.
Horrendum cernens · pastor feritate leonem,
adventante, timet || et pecudes obicit.
Non curat leo, sed gestu · vultuque benigno
blande pro verbis || anxius orat opem,
Extensumque pedem · laesum docet esse gemendo.
Rem noscens aperit || ulcera pastor acu;
Stirpeque detracta, · saniem cum stirpe repellit.
Gaudens optatam || tunc leo sensit opem,
Pastorisque manum, · quasi traderet oscula, lingens
grates non cessat || reddere quas poterat.
Inde redit sanus. · Longo post tempore captus,
ad theatri ludos || venditur ipse leo.
Pastor erat per tempus idem · pro crimine captus;
damnatus, theatri || traditur ille feris.
Accurrens leo novit eum, · gressumque repressit
et blandum multis || se docet esse modis;
Assidet huic, lingitque manus, · miranteque turba,
defendit reliquas || inde fugando feras.
Admirans, causam · plebs ab pastore requirit;
quaerenti pastor || ordine cuncta refert.
Confestim plebis pietas · dimisit utrumque;
gratia sic factis || redditur obsequiis.
Hoc collatorum · memores nos esse bonorum
admonet, et laeta || mente referre vicem.

Prose paraphrase:

Leo,
stirpe calcata,
pedem unum sibi laeserat;
supplex
pastoris auxilium petiit.
Pastor,
leonem, feritate horrendum, cernens,
timet
et, adventante, pecudes obicit.
Leo
non curat,
sed gestu et vultu benigno,
pro verbis
anxius
opem blande orat,
et gemendo docet
pedem extensum laesum esse.
Pastor,
rem noscens,
acu ulcera aperit;
et, stirpe detracta,
saniem cum stirpe repellit.
Tunc leo, gaudens,
opem optatam sensit,
et pastoris manum lingens,
quasi oscula traderet,
non cessat
reddere grates,
quas poterat.
Inde sanus redit.
Post tempore longo
ipse leo,
captus,
ad theatri ludos venditur.
Per tempus idem
pastor captus erat
pro crimine;
ille, damnatus,
theatri feris traditur.
Leo, accurrens,
eum novit,
et gressum repressit
et docet
modis multis
se blandum esse;
assidet huic,
et manus lingit,
turba mirante,
et defendit
feras reliquas inde fugando,.
Plebs, admirans,
ab pastore
causam requirit;
pastor
quaerenti refert
ordine cuncta.
Confestim
plebis pietas
utrumque dimisit;
sic factis obsequiis
gratia redditur .
Hoc nos admonet
bonorum collatorum
memores esse,
et laeta mente vicem referre.

NoDictionaries.com: You can find the word list for this fable online, and use it interactively! The word list is not displaying the basic meaning of stirps as plant, root, stem, etc. - and here in this poem it seems to mean specifically a thorn or spiky stem. In addition, the word list doesn't recognize that uterque is a single word, meaning "both, each of two" (it recognizes it instead as two words, uter plus que, which is not correct).

Image. 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.

Auceps, Columba et Anguis (Trinity)

This poem has moved to the Ictibus Felicibus blog.

Catulus et Lapis (Alciato)

This poem by Alciato has been moved to the ICTIBUS FELICIBUS blog.

Mus et Rana (Trinity)

This poem has moved to the Ictibus Felicibus blog.

Mors et Amor (Alciato)

This fable has been moved to the Ictibus Felicibus blog.

Canes Duae, Una Parturiens (Nequam)

This poem has moved to the Ictibus Felicibus blog.

Praeco Captivus (Alciato)

This poem by Alciato has been moved to the ICTIBUS FELICIBUS blog.

Lupus cervarius (Alciato)

This poem by Alciato has been moved to the ICTIBUS FELICIBUS blog.

Canis et Asinus (Nequam)

Source: The fables of the medieval scholar and poet Alexander Nequam are available in several different editions at GoogleBooks.

Other Versions: See Perry 91.

Nequam 5: DE CANE ET ASINO

Latratu blando · canis et vibramine caudae
alludens domino || subsiliendo suo,
Et pedibus geminis, · quasi cingens colla lacertis,
amplexus quosdam || blanditiasque dabat.
Hac causa dominus · lecti mensaeque solebat
fidum participem || semper habere canem.
Arte putans stolidus · simili fore gratus asellus
intrantis domini || colla ferit pedibus,
Horrendumque rudens · sua crura ferentis in aures
ceu subito tonitru || reddidit attonitum.
Territus, ut mentem · potuit revocare paventem,
eius utrumque latus || tergaque fuste dolat;
Insanumque putans, · vinclis oneravit asellum,
per tormenta famis || et sitis excrucians.
Fabula nostra docet · cunctis non cuncta licere,
et debere modum || quemque tenere suum.

Prose paraphrase:

Canis
latratu blando
et caudae vibramine
domino alludens
subsiliendo suo,
et pedibus geminis,
quasi lacertis,
colla cingens,
amplexus quosdam et blanditias
dabat.
Hac causa
dominus
semper solebat
canem habere
lecti mensaeque
participem fidum.
Asellus stolidus
putans
gratus fore
arte simili
pedibus ferit
colla domini intrantis
et ferentis
crura sua in aures,
horrendum rudens,
reddidit
ceu subito tonitru attonitum.
Territus,
ut mentem paventem revocare potuit,
eius utrumque latus et terga
fuste dolat,
et putans insanum,
vinclis asellum oneravit,
excrucians
per famis et sitis tormenta.
Fabula nostra docet
cunctis cuncta non licere,
et quemque debere
modum suum tenere.

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



Word list thanks to NoDictionaries.com:

Latratu blando · canis et vibramine caudae
latratus barking/baying; shouting, bawling; roaring
blandus flattering, coaxing; charming, pleasant; smooth, gentle; alluring, attractive
canis dog; hound; subordinate; "jackal"; dog-star/fish; lowest dice throw; clamp
et and, and even; also, even
vibramen shaking, wagging
cauda tail; extreme part/tail of anything; penis; train/edge/trail

alludens domino || subsiliendo suo,
alludo frolic/play/sport around/with, play against; jest, make mocking allusion to
dominus owner, lord, master; the Lord; title for ecclesiastics/gentlemen
subsilio jump/leap/spring up; plunge beneath;
suus his/one's, her, hers, its; their, theirs

Et pedibus geminis, · quasi cingens colla lacertis,
et and, and even; also, even
pes foot
geminus twin, double; twin-born; both
quasi as if, just as if, as though; as it were; about
cingo surround/encircle/ring; enclose; beleaguer; accompany; gird, equip; ring
collum neck; throat; head and neck; severed head; upper stem; mountain ridge
lacertus upper arm, arm, shoulder; strength, muscles, vigor, force; lizard

amplexus quosdam || blanditiasque dabat.
amplexus clasp, embrace, surrounding; sexual embrace; coil; circumference
quisdam certain; as INDEF a certain thing; somebody, one, something
blanditia flattery, caress, compliment; charm, flatteries, enticement, courtship
do give; dedicate; sell; pay; grant/bestow/impart/offer/lend; devote; allow; make

Hac causa dominus · lecti mensaeque solebat
hic this; these
causa cause/reason/motive; origin, source, derivation; responsibility/blame; symptom
dominus owner, lord, master; the Lord; title for ecclesiastics/gentlemen
lectus bed/couch/dining couch
mensa table; course, meal; banker's counter
soleo be in the habit of; become accustomed to

fidum participem || semper habere canem.
fidus faithful, loyal; trusting, confident
particeps sharer, partaker
semper always
habeo have, hold, consider, think, reason; manage, keep; spend/pass
canis dog; hound; subordinate; "jackal"; dog-star/fish; lowest dice throw; clamp

Arte putans stolidus · simili fore gratus asellus
ars skill/craft/art; trick, wile; science, knowledge; method, way; character
puto think, believe, suppose, hold; reckon, estimate, value; clear up, settle
stolidus dull, stupid, insensible; brutish; inert
similis like, similar, resembling
sum be; exist; with NOM PERF PPL
gratus pleasing, acceptable, agreeable, welcome; dear, beloved; grateful, thankful
asellus ass, donkey; fish of the cod family, hake?; Asses/stars in Cancer

intrantis domini || colla ferit pedibus,
intro enter; go into, penetrate; reach
dominus owner, lord, master; the Lord; title for ecclesiastics/gentlemen
collum neck; throat; head and neck; severed head; upper stem; mountain ridge
ferio hit, strike; strike a bargain; kill, slay
pes foot

Horrendumque rudens · sua crura ferentis in aures
horreo dread, shrink from, shudder at; stand on end, bristle; have rough appearance
rudo bellow, roar, bray, creak loudly
suus his/one's, her, hers, its; their, theirs
crus leg; shank; shin; main stem of shrub, stock; upright support of a bridge
fero bring, bear; tell/speak of; consider; carry off, win, receive, produce; get
in into; about, in the mist of; according to, after; for; to, among
auris ear; hearing; a discriminating sense of hearing,"ear"; pin on plow

ceu subito tonitru || reddidit attonitum.
ceu as, in the same way/just as; for example, like; as if; as it were
subeo go/move/pass/sink/extend underneath/into; climb/come/go up, ascend; steal in on
tonitrus thunder
reddor eturn; restore; deliver; hand over, pay back, render, give back; translate
attono strike with lightning, blast; drive crazy, distract

Territus, ut mentem · potuit revocare paventem,
terreo frighten, scare, terrify, deter
ut to, in order that/to; how, as, when, while; even if
mens mind; reason, intellect, judgment; plan, intention, frame of mind; courage
possum be able, can
revoco call back, recall; revive; regain
paveo be frightened or terrified at

eius utrumque latus || tergaque fuste dolat;
is he/she/it/they; DEMONST: that, he/she/it, they/them
uterque both, each of two
latus side; flank
tergum back, rear; reverse/far side; outer covering/surface
fustis staff club; stick
dolo hew/chop into shape, fashion/devise; inflict blows, batter/cudgel soundly, drub

Insanumque putans, · vinclis oneravit asellum,
insanus mad, raging, insane, demented; frenzied, wild; possessed, inspired; maddening
puto think, believe, suppose, hold; reckon, estimate, value; clear up, settle
vinclum chain, bond, fetter; imprisonment
onero load, burden; oppress
asellus ass, donkey; fish of the cod family, hake?; Asses/stars in Cancer

per tormenta famis || et sitis excrucians.
per through; during; by, by means of
tormentum windlass; instrument for twisting/winding; engine for hurling stones; missile
fames hunger; famine; want; craving
et and, and even; also, even
sitis thirst
excrucio torture; torment

Fabula nostra docet · cunctis non cuncta licere,
fabula story, tale, fable; play, drama
noster our
doceo teach, show, point out
cunctus altogether, in a body; every, all, entire; total/complete; whole of
non not, by no means, no
cunctus altogether, in a body; every, all, entire; total/complete; whole of
licet it is permitted, one may; it is all right, lawful, allowed, permitted;

et debere modum || quemque tenere suum.
et and, and even; also, even
debeo owe; be indebted/responsible for/obliged/bound/destined; ought, must, should
modus manner, mode, way, method; rule, rhythm, beat, measure, size; bound, limit
quisque each, each one; every, everybody, everything; whatever
teneo hold, keep; comprehend; possess; master; preserve
suus his/one's, her, hers, its; their, theirs

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

Juno et Pavo (Nequam)

This project has evolved to a new blog - ICTIBUS FELICIBUS - so please check there for more poems. Here I will finish up publishing the longer poems, but all the shorter poems, with macrons and meter marks, will be found at Ictibus instead. :-)

---

Source: The fables of the medieval scholar and poet Alexander Nequam are available in several different editions at GoogleBooks.

Other Versions: See Perry 509.

Nequam 40: IUNO ET PAVO

Maesta querebatur volucris Iunonia vocem
parvula vincebat || quod philomena suam.
Iuno suae volucris cupiens lenire querelas,
formam laudabat || illius eximiam.
Dicebat vario pennas fulgore nitentes,
praecipuis gemmis || sideribusque pares.
Illa refert: Tantae quid prosunt munera formae,
cum vincar modulis || praemodicae volucris?
Respondit Iuno: Naturae provida virtus
nulli vult vitae || commoda cuncta dare.
Illa tibi formam tribuit variumque colorem
quo superas omnes || quas habet orbis aves.
Haec vires aquilae magnas dedit ancipitrique,
et dedit ut corvus || voce futura canat.
Dat gallo cantu distinguere tempora noctis;
luciferum progne || voce notare docet.
Et modulos modicae dulces dedit haec philomenae,
ne nihil haec habeat || unde placere queat.
cuique dedit Natura suum doctissima morem
quo placet, et nihil est || utilitate carens.
Pauca dedit reliquis, tibi maxima pluraque dona
contulit: unde, precor, || sint satis ista tibi!
Torqueri nos ista bonis prohibent alienis,
et bona sufficiant || ut sua cuique monent.

Prose paraphrase:

Iunonia volucris, maesta,
querebatur quod
philomena parvula
vocem suam vincebat.
Iuno,
cupiens
volucris suae querelas lenire,
illius formam eximiam laudabat.
Dicebat
fulgore vario pennas nitentes,
pares
praecipuis gemmis et sideribus.
illa refert:
Quid
formae tantae munera prosunt,
cum vincar
modulis praemodicae volucris?
Iuno respondit :
Provida virtus naturae
nulli dare vult
commoda vitae cuncta.
Illa
tibi formam tribuit
et varium colorem
quo superas aves omnes
quas orbis habet.
Haec
vires magnas dedit
aquilae et ancipitri,
et dedit
ut corvus
voce futura canat.
Dat gallo
tempora noctis
cantu distinguere;
progne
voce docet
luciferum notare.
Et haec
philomenae modicae
modulos dulces dedit ,
ne haec nihil habeat
unde placere queat.
Natura doctissima
cuique morem suum dedit
quo placet,
et nihil est
utilitate carens.
Reliquis
pauca dedit;
tibi contulit
dona maxima et plura:
unde, precor,
sint ista satis tibi!
Ista nos prohibent
bonis alienis torqueri,
et monent
ut cuique bona sua sufficiant.

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





Word list thanks to NoDictionaries.com:

Coming soon.

---

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

Lupus et Canis (Nequam)

This project has evolved to a new blog - ICTIBUS FELICIBUS - so please check there for more poems. Here I will finish up publishing the longer poems, but all the shorter poems, with macrons and meter marks, will be found at Ictibus instead. :-)

---

Source: The fables of the medieval scholar and poet Alexander Nequam are available in several different editions at GoogleBooks.

Other Versions: See Perry 346.

Nequam 39: LUPUS ET CANIS

Pingui forte cani factus lupus obvius inquit:
Frater tam pinguis, || dic, precor: unde venis?
De domini quam servo domo, canis, exeo, dixit;
in qua non paucis || affluo deliciis.
Nil facio nisi quod fures fugo nocte latratu,
et moneo dominum || voce cavere sibi.
Hac causa, variis illi gratissimus escis
impleor et grata || saepe quiete fruor.
Censeo te nimium, lupus inquit, amice, beatum
qui tantis frueris || absque labore bonis;
Sed cur nescio qua tibi sunt astricta catena
colla; precor, referas! || Rettulit ista canis:
Luce ligor, quia non notis sum saepe molestus,
cum vereor ne quid || surripiant domino.
Res nimis ista mihi, lupus inquit, dura videtur
ut, ventris causa, || vincula dura feras.
Sis satur et pinguis, servus vinctusque catenis;
Sim macer et vacuus || dummodo liber eam!
Quisquis dura pati vult, causa ventris avari,
a nobis dici || sentiat ista sibi!

Prose paraphrase:

Lupus
pingui forte cani factus obvius
inquit:
Frater,
tam pinguis,
dic, precor:
unde venis?
Canis dixit:
Exeo
de domini domo
quam servo,
in qua
non paucis deliciis affluo.
Nil facio
nisi quod
nocte
latratu fures fugo,
et voce
dominum moneo
sibi cavere.
Hac causa
illi gratissimus,
variis escis impleor
et saepe
grata quiete fruor.
Lupus inquit:
Amice,
censeo
te nimium beatum,
qui bonis tantis frueris
absque labore;
sed cur
nescio qua catena
colla
tibi astricta sunt?
Precor, referas!
Canis
rettulit ista:
Luce ligor,
quia saepe
non notis molestus sum,
cum vereor
ne quid surripiant domino.
Lupus inquit:
Res ista
nimis dura mihi videtur
ut, ventris causa,
vincula dura feras.
Sis satur et pinguis,
servus
et vinctus catenis;
sim macer et vacuus
dummodo liber eam!
Quisquis dura pati vult,
ventris avari causa,
sentiat
sibi ista a nobis dici!

Image. Here's an illustration for the fable (image source) by Richard Heighway:



Word list thanks to NoDictionaries.com:

Coming soon.

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