Fable 1.
A Fox and a Sick Lion.
A Lion falling sick, all the beasts went to see him except the Fox, upon which the Lion sent for him, telling him he wanted to see him, and his presence would be acceptable. Moreover he desired the messenger to assure the Fox that for several reasons he had no occasion to be afraid of him, since the Lion loved the Fox very well, and therefore desired to see him; besides he lay so sick, he could not stir to do the Fox any harm. The Fox returned an obliging answer, desiring the messenger to acquaint the Lion, he was very desirous of his recovery, and he would pray to the Gods for it; but desired to be excused for his not coming to see him as the other beasts had done; for truly, says he, the traces of their feet frighten me, all of them going towards the palace but none coming back.
Fable 2.
The Stag and the Vine.
A Stag, who was hard pursued, ran into a Vineyard, and took shelter under a Vine; when he thought his enemies were gone, and the danger over, he fell to, browsing on the leaves; the rustling of the boughs gave a suspicion to the huntsmen, and on search he was discovered and Shot, and as he was dying he said, How justly am I punished for offering to destroy my shade.
Fable 3.
The Crane and Geese.
As some Geese and Cranes were feeding in a Countrymans Corn field, he heard their noise, and came presently out upon them. The Cranes seeing the man fled for it, but the Geese staid and were caught.
Fable 4.
A Trumpeter taken Prisoner.
When an army had been routed, a trumpeter was taken prisoner, and as the soldiers were going to kill him, Gentlemen, says he, why should you kill a man that hurts nobody? You shall die the rather for that, says one of the company, when like a rascal you don't fight yourself, you set other people by the ears.
Fable 5.
The Husbandman and Stork.
A poor innocent Stork happened to be taken in a net that was laid for geese and cranes. The Storks plea was simplicity and the love of mankind, together with the service she did in picking up venemous creatures—It is all true says the husbandman, but they that keep ill company, if they are catched with them, must suffer with them.
Fable 6.
The Wasp and the Partridges.
A Flight of Wasps and a covey of Partridges being hard put to it for water, went to a farmer to beg some. The partridges offered to dig his vineyard for it, and the Wasps to secure it from thieves. Pray hold your peace says the farmer, I have oxen and dogs to perform those offices already, and I am resolved to provide for them first.
Fable 7.
A Daw and Pigeons.
A Daw took particular notice that the Pigeons in the Dove House were well provided for, so went and painted himself of a dove colour and fed among the Pigeons. So long as he kept silence, it passed very well, but forgetting himself he fell a chattering—On which discovery they beat him out of the house, and on his returning to his own companions, they also rejected him.
Fable 8.
The Fox and Snake.
A Fox and Snake meeting, she began to entertain the Fox with a long story concerning the beauties and colours of her skin. The Fox, weary of the discourse, interrupted her, and said, The beauties of the mind were better than those of a painted outside.
Fable 9.
The Chough and Swallow.
The Chough and the Swallow fell into a warm dispute about beauty, and the Swallow insisted mightily on hers, and claimed the advantage. Nay says the Chough, you forget that your beauty decays with the Spring, whereas mine lasts all the year.
Fable 10.
A Father and his Sons.
An honest man who had the misfortune to have contentious children, endeavoured to reconcile them; and one day having them before him, he bought a bundle of sticks, then desired each of them to break it, which they strove to do, but could not. Well, said he, unbind it, and take every one a single stick, and try what you can do that way. They did so, and with ease they snapped all the sticks. The father said to them, Children, your condition is exactly like unto that bundle of sticks; for if you hold together you are safe, but if you divide you are undone.
Fable 11.
The Fox and Huntsmen.
A Fox that had been run hard, begged of a countryman, whom he saw hard at work in a wood, to help him to a hiding place. The man directed him to a cottage, and thither he went. He was no sooner got in, but the Huntsmen were at his heels, and asked the cottager, If he did not see the Fox that way? No, said he, I saw none; but pointed with his finger to the place. Though the Huntsmen did not understand, yet the Fox saw him; and after they were gone, out steals the Fox; How now, said the countryman, have you not the manners to take leave of your host? Yes, said the Fox, if you had been as honest with your fingers, as with your tongue, I should not have gone without bidding you farewell.
Fable 12.
The Fox and Bramble.
A Fox being closely pursued, took to a hedge, the bushes gave way and in catching hold of a Bramble to break his fall, he laid himself down, and fell to licking his paws, making great complaint against the Bramble. Good words, Reynard, said the Bramble, you should never expect any kindness from an enemy.
