BESTIARIA LATINA BLOG - Latin Via Fables - Zoo - Legenda

Ranae et Rex

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The story of The Frogs Who Want A King is a poem by Caspar Barth. It is written in Sapphic stanzas. The Perry number for this fable is Perry 44. You can see a 1501 woodcut illustration for this fable at the University of Mannheim website. You can find a translation of a different Latin version of this story in Aesop's Fables, by Laura Gibbs (Oxford University Press, 2003).

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Here is the poem (click "play" icon for brief audio sample):

Saecla cum Reges animantum haberent
Omnia et Ranas subiit libido
Sceptra regalis Domini a supremo
Poscere Rege.
Ergo clamosis sibi cantilenis
Principem poscunt, Iovis a favore.
Risit et truncum Pater in paludes
Misit opacas.
Aspero primum trepidae tumultu
In paludosas redeunt latebras,
Mox super Regem petulante ludunt
Plurima saltu.
Vidit iratus Pater, et secundo
Principem orantes, dat habere longo
Alitem rostro, necat Ibis omnes
Quos pote apisci.
Saepe mortales sua damna poscunt,
Ergo componant moderata vota,
Quod dii donant, ratum habere fas est,
Absque querella.

The following version puts the words in a more prose-like order so that it will be easier for you to read:

Cum omnia saecla animantum Reges haberent, libido et ranas subiit poscere sceptra regalis Domini a supremo Rege.	Additional grammar commentary to be added... meanwhile, if you have questions, use the Comments? Questions? Suggestions? link at the top or bottom of this page if you have a query. You might also want to look at these Tips on Using Segmented Texts.
Ergo clamosis cantilenis principem sibi poscunt a favore Iovis.
Pater risit et truncum misit in paludes opacas.
Primum aspero tumultu trepidae redunt in paludosas latebras,
mox petulante saltu plurima ludunt super Regem.
Pater vidit, iratus, et secundo dat principem orantes habere alitem longo rostro.
Ibis necat omnes quos apisci pote est.
Saepe mortales sua damna poscunt,
ergo componant moderata vota.
Fas est ratum habere quod dii donant, absque querella.