The Swallow and Little Birds (Barlow)
More of Fontaine's poetry. I can definitely tell this section was translated by someone else. While the rhymes often work, Wright's aren't quite as deft as Larned.
The swallow tries to give advice to other birds about when to eat from a farmer's field, but they stop listening to her.
"It's thus we heed no instincts but our own;
Believe no evil till the evil's done."
The Man and the Adder
A man catches a snake and proceeds to claim he will kill it before it has the chance to do any harm. The snake asks the man to reconsider, ask others to judge whether or not the man is truly acting in righteousness. A cow, an ox and a tree all admonish the man for taking advantage of them and giving no thanks in return. The man kills the snake out of spite.
"So ever is it with the great,
With whom the whim does always run,
That Heaven all creatures does create
For their behoof beneath the sun —
Count they four feet, or two, or none.
If one should dare the fact dispute,
He's straight set down a stupid brute.
Now, grant it so — such lords among,
What should be done, or said, or sung?
At distance speak, or hold your tongue."
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