De Columba et Pica

Title: De Columba et Pica: Dove and Magpie

Source: Abstemius 6 (You can see a 1499 edition of Abstemius online, but I am doing my transcription from the 1568 edition of Aesopi fabulae in the EEBO catalog.)

Parallels: The Abstemius fables are "original," without a source in the classical fable tradition.

Latin Text:

Columba interrogata a pica, quid eam induceret ut in eodem semper loco nidificaret, cum eius pulli inde semper surriperentur. Simplicitas, respondit. Haec indicat fabula facile esse viros probos saepe decipi.

Here is a segmented version to help you see the grammatical patterns:

Columba
interrogata a pica,
quid eam induceret
ut in eodem semper loco nidificaret,
cum eius pulli inde semper surriperentur.
Simplicitas, respondit.
Haec indicat fabula
facile esse
viros probos saepe decipi.

Translation:

A dove was asked by a mappie what led her to always make her nest in the same place, when her chicks were always snatched away from her there. My simplicity leads me to do this, replied the dove. This fable shows that it is an easy thing for honest people to be duped.

[This translation is meant as a help in understanding the story, not as a "crib" for the Latin. I have not hesitated to change the syntax to make it flow more smoothly in English, altering the verb tense consistently to narrative past tense, etc.]

Sir Roger L'Estrange included the fables of Abstemius in his amazing 17th-century edition of Aesop's fables. here is L'Estrange's translation:

A Pye was Wond'ring once to a Pigeon, why she would Breed still in the same Hole, when her Young Ones were constantly taken away from her before they were able to fly. Why That's my Simplicity, says the Pigeon. I mean no Harm, and I suspect none.
Do as you would be done by, it is a Better Rule in the Doctrine than in the Practice: For Trust as you would be Trusted, will not hold betwixt a Knave and an Honest Man. There's no Dealing with a Sharper but at his Own Play.

Illustration: I don't know of an illustrated edition of Abstemius's fables, alas.

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De Rustico amnem transituro

Title: De Rustico amnem transituro: Farmer Crossing the Stream

Source: Abstemius 5 (You can see a 1499 edition of Abstemius online, but I am doing my transcription from the 1568 edition of Aesopi fabulae in the EEBO catalog.)

Parallels: The Abstemius fables are "original," without a source in the classical fable tradition.

Latin Text:

Rusticus torrentem transiturus, qui forte imbribus excreverat, quaerebat vadum. Et cum primum eam fluminis partem tentasset, quae quietior placidiorque videbatur, reperit eam altiorem quam animo erat opinatus. Rursus ibi breviorem tutioremque adinvenit, ubi maiori aquarum strepitu fluvius decurrebat. Tunc secum "Quam tutius (inquit) clamosis aquis, quam quietis et silentibus vitam nostram credere possumus." Hac admonemur fabula ut minus verbosos et minaces quam quietos extimescamus.

Here is a segmented version to help you see the grammatical patterns:

Rusticus
torrentem transiturus,
qui forte imbribus excreverat,
quaerebat vadum.
Et cum primum
eam fluminis partem tentasset,
quae quietior placidiorque videbatur,
reperit eam altiorem
quam animo erat opinatus.
Rursus
ibi breviorem tutioremque adinvenit,
ubi maiori aquarum strepitu fluvius decurrebat.
Tunc secum
"Quam tutius (inquit) clamosis aquis,
quam quietis et silentibus
vitam nostram credere possumus."
Hac admonemur fabula
ut minus verbosos et minaces
quam quietos extimescamus.

Translation:

A farmer was about to cross a rushing stream which by chance had swollen with rains, and he sought a ford. First, he tried that part of the stream which seemed quieter and more peaceful, and he found it to be deeper than he had thought. Then he found that place was shallower and safer where the stream flowed by with a greater burbling of the waters. Then he said to himself, "How much more safely can we entrust our life to the roaring waters rather than to the quiet and noiseless waters." We are warned by this fable that we should fear noisy, threatening people than those people who keep quiet.

[This translation is meant as a help in understanding the story, not as a "crib" for the Latin. I have not hesitated to change the syntax to make it flow more smoothly in English, altering the verb tense consistently to narrative past tense, etc.]

Sir Roger L'Estrange included the fables of Abstemius in his amazing 17th-century edition of Aesop's fables. here is L'Estrange's translation:

A Country-man that was to pass a River, founded it up and down to try where it was most fordable: and upon Trial he made this Observation on't: Where the Water ran Smooth, he found it Deepest; and on the contrary, Shallowest where it made most Noise.
There's More Danger in a Reserv'd and Silent, than in a Noisy, Babbling Enemy.

Illustration: I don't know of an illustrated edition of Abstemius's fables, alas.

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De Aranea et Hirundine

Title: De Aranea et Hirundine: Spider and Swallow

Source: Abstemius 4 (You can see a 1499 edition of Abstemius online, but I am doing my transcription from the 1568 edition of Aesopi fabulae in the EEBO catalog.)

Parallels: The Abstemius fables are "original," without a source in the classical fable tradition.

Latin Text:

Aranea in hirundinem excandescens, quae muscas, qui suus est cibus, capiebat, retia in foribus, per quas volitare solebat, ut eam caperet, suspenderat. Hirundo vero advolans, retia cum textrice per aera portabat. Tunc aranea in aere pendens et se iamiam perituram intelligens, "Quam iuste haec patior," dicebat, "quae minima volatilia magno labore vix capiens, credidi tam magnas aves comprehendere." Hac monemur fabula ne viribus maiora aggrediamur.

Here is a segmented version to help you see the grammatical patterns:

Aranea
in hirundinem excandescens,
quae muscas,
qui suus est cibus,
capiebat,
retia in foribus,
per quas volitare solebat,
ut eam caperet,
suspenderat.
Hirundo vero advolans,
retia cum textrice
per aera portabat.
Tunc aranea
in aere pendens
et se iamiam perituram
intelligens,
"Quam iuste haec patior,"
dicebat,
"quae
minima volatilia
magno labore vix capiens,
credidi
tam magnas aves comprehendere."
Hac monemur fabula
ne viribus maiora aggrediamur.

Translation:

A spider got hot with anger at a swallow, who was catching the flies, which was the spider's own food. So the spider hung a net in the doorway through which the swallow usually flew, in order to capture her. The swallow in fact flew up and carried off the net, together with its spinner, through the air. then the spider, hanging in the air, and realizing that she was now going to die, said: "How justly I suffer these things! Barely able to catch little flying things only with great difficulty, I thought I could seize such big birds." We are warned by this fable that we should not attack those who are greater in strength.

[This translation is meant as a help in understanding the story, not as a "crib" for the Latin. I have not hesitated to change the syntax to make it flow more smoothly in English, altering the verb tense consistently to narrative past tense, etc.]

Sir Roger L'Estrange included the fables of Abstemius in his amazing 17th-century edition of Aesop's fables. here is L'Estrange's translation. Notice that L'Estrange's spider does not meet such a grim fate as in Abstemius's own version!

A Spider that observ'd a Swallow catching of Flies, fell immediately to work upon a Net to catch Swallows, for she look't upon't as an Encroachment upon her Right: But the Birds, without any Difficulty, brake through the Work, and flew away with the very Net it self. Well, says the Spider, Bird-catching is none of my Talent I perceive; and so she return'd to her old Trade of catching Flies again.
A Wise Man will not Undertake any thing without Means answerable to the End.

Illustration: I don't know of an illustrated edition of Abstemius's fables, alas.

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De Accipitre columbam insequente

Title: De Accipitre columbam insequente: Hawk and Dove

Source: Abstemius 3 (You can see a 1499 edition of Abstemius online, but I am doing my transcription from the 1568 edition of Aesopi fabulae in the EEBO catalog.) This particular fable also appears in Barlow's Aesop.

Parallels: The Abstemius fables are "original," without a source in the classical fable tradition.

Latin Text:

Cum Accipiter Columbam praecipiti insequeretur volatu, villam quandam ingressus, a Rustico captus est, quem blande, ut se dimitteret, obsecrabat. Non etenim te laesi, dixit. Cui Rusticus, Nec haec te laeserat. Fabula indicat merito puniri qui Innocentes laedere conantur.

Here is a segmented version to help you see the grammatical patterns:

Cum Accipiter
Columbam
praecipiti insequeretur volatu,
villam quandam ingressus,
a Rustico captus est,
quem blande,
ut se dimitteret,
obsecrabat.
Non etenim te laesi,
dixit.
Cui Rusticus,
Nec haec
te laeserat.
Fabula indicat
merito puniri
qui Innocentes laedere conantur.

Translation:

A hawk was chasing a dove in headlong flight and fly into a certain farmhouse. He was captured by a country-man. With flattering words, the hawk begged the man to let him go. The hawk said, "For in fact, I did you no harm." The man said to the hawk, "And the dove had done you no harm." The fable indicates that those who try to harm the innocent are rightfully punished.

[This translation is meant as a help in understanding the story, not as a "crib" for the Latin. I have not hesitated to change the syntax to make it flow more smoothly in English, altering the verb tense consistently to narrative past tense, etc.]

Sir Roger L'Estrange included the fables of Abstemius in his amazing 17th-century edition of Aesop's fables. here is L'Estrange's translation:

A Country Fellow had the Fortune to take a Hawk in the hot Pursuit of a Pigeon. The Hawk pleaded for her self, that she never did the Country-man any harm, and therefore I hope, says she, that you'll do me none. Well, says the Country-man, and pray what wrong did the Pigeon ever do you? Now by the Reason of your own Argument, you must e'en expect to be treated your self, as you your self would have treated this Pigeon.
'Tis good to think before we speak, for fear of condemning our selves out of our own Mouths.

Illustration: I don't know of an illustrated edition of Abstemius's fables, alas.

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De Rustico et Cerere

Title: De Rustico et Cerere: The Farmer and Ceres

Source: Abstemius 2 (You can see a 1499 edition of Abstemius online, but I am doing my transcription from the 1568 edition of Aesopi fabulae in the EEBO catalog.)

Parallels: The Abstemius fables are "original," without a source in the classical fable tradition.

Latin Text:

Impetravit a Cerere rusticus quidam ut triticum absque aristis nasceretur, ne metentium triturantiumque manus laederet. Quod ubi inaruit, a minutis avibus depastum est. Tum rusticus, "Quam indigna (inquit) patior, qui parvae commoditatis causa emolumenta quam maxima perdidi." Fabula indicat parva incommoda maiori utilitate pensanda.

Here is a segmented version to help you see the grammatical patterns:

Impetravit a Cerere
rusticus quidam
ut triticum
absque aristis nasceretur,
ne metentium triturantiumque manus laederet.
Quod ubi inaruit,
a minutis avibus depastum est.
Tum rusticus,
"Quam indigna (inquit) patior,
qui parvae commoditatis causa
emolumenta quam maxima
perdidi."
Fabula indicat
parva incommoda
maiori utilitate pensanda.

Translation:

A certain country-man begged a favor from Ceres, asking that the wheat grow without its beard, so that it would not injure the hanads of the people as they reaped and threshed the grain. When it was dry, it was eaten by the little birds. Then the country-man said, "What a disgrace I have suffered - for the sake of a tiny advantage, I have lost the greatest possible gain." The fable shows that a small inconvenience is compensated for by a greater usefulness.

[This translation is meant as a help in understanding the story, not as a "crib" for the Latin. I have not hesitated to change the syntax to make it flow more smoothly in English, altering the verb tense consistently to narrative past tense, etc.]

Sir Roger L'Estrange included the fables of Abstemius in his amazing 17th-century edition of Aesop's fables. here is L'Estrange's translation:

A Certain Farmer complain'd that the Beards of his Corn cut the Reapers and the Thrashers Fingers sometimes, and therefore he desir'd Ceres that his Corn might grow hereafter without Beards. The Request was granted, and the little Birds eat up all his Grain. Fool that I was (says he) rather to loose the Support of my Life, than venture the Pricking of my Fingers.
There must be no Refining upon the Works of Providence; for he that thinks to mend them, forfeits his Right to the Blessing and Benefit of them.

Illustration: I don't know of an illustrated edition of Abstemius's fables, alas.

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De Mure in cista nato

Title: De Mure in cista nato: Mouse Born in a Box

Source: Abstemius 1 (You can see a 1499 edition of Abstemius online, but I am doing my transcription from the 1568 edition of Aesopi fabulae in the EEBO catalog.)

Parallels: The Abstemius fables are "original," without a source in the classical fable tradition.

Latin Text:

Mus in cista natus, omnem fere ibi duxerat aetatem, nucibus pastus, quae in ea servari solebant. Dum autem circa oras cistae ludens decidisset quaereretque ascensum, reperit epulas lautissime paratas, quas cum gustare coepisset, "Quam stultus (inquit) hactenus fui, qui in toto terrarum orbe nihil melius cistula mea esse credebam. Ecce quam suavioribus hic vescor cibis." Haec fabula indicat non ita patriam diligendam si ignobilis sit, ut alia non adeamus loca, cum alibi beatiores esse possimus.

Here is a segmented version to help you see the grammatical patterns:

Mus
in cista natus,
omnem fere ibi duxerat aetatem,
nucibus pastus,
quae in ea servari solebant.
Dum autem
circa oras cistae ludens
decidisset
quaereretque ascensum,
reperit epulas lautissime paratas,
quas cum gustare coepisset,
"Quam stultus (inquit) hactenus fui,
qui in toto terrarum orbe
nihil melius cistula mea esse credebam.
Ecce
quam suavioribus hic vescor cibis."
Haec fabula indicat
non ita patriam diligendam
si ignobilis sit,
ut alia non adeamus loca,
cum alibi beatiores esse possimus.

Translation:

A mouse was born in a box, and had spend practically all of its life there, feeding on the nuts which were accustomed to be kept in the box. When, however, it played around the edge of the box, it fell down. As the mouse was seeking a way back up, it found a lavishly prepared banquet. When it started to eat, the mouse said, "How stupid I have been up till now! I believed that in the whold world there was nothing better than my little box. But look: how much sweeter foods I am eating here!" This fable shows that our homeland should not be so great loved, humble as it is, with the result that we don't go to other places, when we might be happier elsewhere.

[This translation is meant as a help in understanding the story, not as a "crib" for the Latin. I have not hesitated to change the syntax to make it flow more smoothly in English, altering the verb tense consistently to narrative past tense, etc.]

Sir Roger L'Estrange included the fables of Abstemius in his amazing 17th-century edition of Aesop's fables. here is L'Estrange's translation:

A Mouse that was bred in a Chest, and had liv'd all her Days there upon what the Dame of the House laid up in't, happen'd one time to drop out over the Side, and to stumble upon a very delicious Morsel, as she was hunting up and down to find her way in again. She had no sooner the Taste of it in her Mouth, but she brake out into Exclamations, what a Fool she had been thus long, to persuade herself that there was no Happiness in the World but in that Box.
A contented Mind and a good Conscience will make a Body happy where-ever he is.

Illustration: I don't know of an illustrated edition of Abstemius's fables, alas.

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Keep up with the latest posts... Subscribe by Email. I also post a daily round-up of all the Bestiaria Latina blogs: fables, proverbs, crosswords, and audio.

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