Turkish Literature; Comprising Fables, Belles-lettres, and Sacred Traditions

Anonymous

Turkish Literature; Comprising Fables, Belles-lettres, and Sacred Traditions

Published by Good Press, 2022

goodpress@okpublishing.info

EAN 4064066231750

Table of Contents

TURKISH FABLES

The Gardener and His Wife

The Fly

The Widow and Her Friend

The Two Young Men and the Cook

The Buffaloes and the Log

The Old Man and His Son

The Bird-catcher and the Blackbird

The Hens and the Eagles

The Pigeon and the Painting

The Lion and the Man

The Compliment to the Vezir

The Ass and the Frogs

The Tortoise and the King of Animals

The Fox and the Lion

The Farmer and His Hounds

The Bear and His Mate

The Eel and the Serpent

The Sailors in Distress

The Father and Son

The Poet and the Clown

The Shark

The Wolf, the Nurse, and the Child

The Candle

The Clown Turned First Soldier, Then Merchant

The Two Kings at War

The River and Its Source

The Hunter and His Hounds

The Fool Who Sells Wisdom

The Dicer

The Lamb and the Wolf

The Insects, the Bee, and the Ant

The Two Cocks

The Assembly of the Birds

The Fox and the Crab

The Goats and the Wolves

The Lion, the Wolf, and the Fox

The Wolf and the Ass

The Fox and the Partridge

The Fox and the Sparrow

The Syrian Priest and the Young Man

The Converted Cat

The Fox and the Wolf

The Horse and His Rider

The Rose and the Butterfly

The Archer and the Trumpeter

The Wolf, the Fox, and the Shepherd’s Dog

THE MAGISTRATES

DRAMATIS PERSONÆ

THE MAGISTRATES

OTTOMAN POEMS

FROM THE ‘ĀSHIQ PASHA DĪWĀNI

FROM THE ISKENDER-NĀMA

FROM THE ISKENDER-NĀMA

FROM KHUSREV AND SHĪRĪN

YAZIJI-OGLU The Creation of Paradise

RUBĀ’Ī

GAZEL

FRAGMENT OF GAZEL

GAZEL

GAZEL

FRAGMENT OF GAZEL

GAZEL

GAZEL

GAZEL

GAZEL

FROM THE WINTER QASĪDA

FROM THE SPRING QASĪDA

FROM THE QASĪDA ON THE ACCESSION OF SULTAN BĀYEZĪD II

GAZEL

RUBĀ’ĪS

FROM THE SPRING QASĪDA

MUREBBA’

FRAGMENT

GAZEL

GAZEL

GAZEL

GAZEL

GAZEL

GAZEL

ON AUTUMN

ON SPRING

ROSE TIME

FROM AN ELEGY ON SULTAN SELĪM I

FROM AN ELEGY ON ISKENDER CHELEBI

FRAGMENT

GAZEL

ON THE PROPHET MUHAMMED

GAZEL

GAZEL

GAZEL

GAZEL

GAZEL

GAZEL

GAZEL

GAZEL

MUSEDDES

MUKHAMMES

FROM LEYLĪ AND MEJNŪN

MEJNŪN ADDRESSES NEVFIL

MEJNŪN’S GAZEL

ZEYD’S VISION

GAZEL

GAZEL

GAZEL

GAZEL

FROM THE KING AND BEGGAR

GAZEL

QAĪSDA

GAZEL

GAZEL

GAZEL

GAZEL

GAZEL

GAZEL

ON AUTUMN

GAZEL

GAZEL

GAZEL

GAZEL

ELEGY ON SULTAN SULEYMĀN I

GAZEL

GAZEL

GAZEL

MUSEDDES

GAZEL

TO SULTAN MURĀD IV

IN REPLY TO THE PRECEDING

LUGAZ

SACHLI ZEMĀN (FORTUNE THE LONG-HAIRED)

JIHĀN BĀNŪ (LADY WORLD)

LĀ‘L-PARA (RUBY-CHIP)

ĀQ-‘ĀLEM (WHITE UNIVERSE)

MUSEDDES

GAZEL

MUNĀJĀT

MUKHAMMES

GAZEL

MUNĀJĀT

GAZEL

FAREWELL POEM

GAZEL

GAZEL

GAZEL

ON A DANCING-GIRL

GAZEL

FRAGMENT

GAZEL

THE SONG OF LOVE’S NURSE

LOVE’S SONG

GAZEL

MUSEDDES

GAZEL

GAZEL

GAZEL

DESCRIPTION OF CIRCASSIAN WOMEN

DESCRIPTION OF GREEK WOMEN

ON THE DEFEAT OF THE FRENCH IN EGYPT BY THE QAPUDAN HUSEYN PACHA

SHARQĪ

SHARQĪ

GAZEL

GAZEL

GAZEL

ON THE DEATH OF ‘ANDELĪB KHĀNIM

TAKHMĪS

SHARQĪ

GAZEL

ON A BEYT OF MAHMŪD NEDĪM PACHA

THE COUNSELS OF NABI EFENDI TO HIS SON ABOUL KHAIR

INTRODUCTION

THE COUNSELS OF NABI EFENDI

THE ASCENSION OF MAHOMET

INTRODUCTION

THE ASCENSION OF MAHOMET

THE ROSE AND THE NIGHTINGALE (Gül and Bülbül)

I

II The Praise of God, the Wonders of God, and His Marvellous Works

III An Address to God’s Munificence, Holiness and Purity

IV Hymn of Praise to the Lord of Lords, to the Glory of His Creatures, and to the Prophets

V How He, the Master of Both Worlds, on the Night of His Celestial Journey Rose From the Bosom of the Earthly Multitude to the Summit of the Divine Unity

VI A Blessing on the Prophets, the Mediators of the People, with a Prayer of Intercession and a Greeting to His Companions

VII What Was the Occasion of This Poem and the Arrangement of the Narrative

VIII Praise of the Pearl of Lordship, the Heaven-great Prince, Whose Pity and Whose Purpose Extend From Heaven to Earth

IX The Beginning of the Fascinating Narrative and of the Heart-ravishing Fable

X Description of the Rose’s Beauty in Every Member

XI The Shah Provides a Teacher for His Daughter Rose

XII Morning and Evening in the Rose Garden

XIII The Attendants of the Pure Rose, and a Description of Her Noble Court Service

XIV How in the Morning the Mirror-holder of the Tender-cheeked Rose Holds the Mirror, and How the Rose is Proud of Her Beauty

XV The East Wind Finds the Nightingale, and They Discuss the Beauty of the Rose

XVI The Witty East Wind Counsels the Wandering Nightingale

XVII How the Lamenting Nightingale Comes to the Garden of the Rose

XVIII How the Nightingale Entered the Rose Garden Through the Kindly Offices of the Cypress

XIX How the Wandering Nightingale Alone in the Night Abides With His Sighs and Weeping Till Morning

XX The Sleepless Nightingale is Tormented in the Dark Night, and Mourns Aloud

XXI The Nightingale in His Amorous Pain Anxiously Addresses the Radiant Moon

XXII The Lovesick Nightingale Accosts the Risen Morning in a Clear and Fitting Manner

XXIII The Desponding Nightingale Addresses the World-adorning Sun, While His Inmost Heart Glows With Ardent Desire

XXIV The Nightingale, in His Distress, Turns From Sun and Moon and Addresses a Prayer to God

XXV The Beauteous Rose Hears the Voice of the Nightingale, and While She Feels an Inward Delight in it, She Puts on an Air of Reserve and Disdain

XXVI The Prudent Narcissus Remonstrates With the Garrulous Nightingale

XXVII The East Wind Meets the Wandering Nightingale and Brings Him Tidings From the Tender Rose

XXVIII The Soul-nurturing East Wind Takes Knowledge of the Nightingale and Sees Traces of Pity in the Beauteous Rose

XXIX Description of the Morning and of the Colloquy of the Lovely Rose With Her Nobles and Chief Men

XXX The Far-wandering Nightingale Finds No Healing for His Pain, and at Last Writes a Letter to Make Known His Plight

XXXI The Nightingale Despatches Through the Jasmine the Letter Written Out of the Fullness of His Heart

XXXII The Dainty Rose Sends Through the Tall Jasmine Sandbach an Answer to the Letter of the Distracted Nightingale

XXXIII Description of the Night and of the Reproof Which the Treacherous Hyacinth Gave in Answer to the Poor Nightingale

XXXIV The Insidious Hyacinth, Her Mind Darkened With Envy, Contrives That the Nightingale is Expelled From the Rose Garden

XXXV The Ruthless Thorn Gives Advice To the Soft-cheeked Rose

XXXVI The Hard-hearted Thorn Slanders the Lovesick Nightingale Before the Monarch of the Spring

XXXVII The Wounded Nightingale Sees the Violets, His Companions in Adversity; They Approach Each Other, and the Nightingale is Shut Up in a Cage

XXXVIII King August Appears in the East and Devastates the Earth

XXXIX King August Sends the Hot Wind With Fire to the Rose Garden

XL Samum Arrives at the Town of Rose Garden and Gives to the Monarch of Spring the Message of Fierce King August

XLI King August Sends His Son as Field Marshal to the City of Rose Garden, and the King of Spring, Unable To Oppose Him, Retires to the Heights

XLII The Monarch Spring Flees Also From the Peak of the Mountain and Disappears, and the Monarch August, in His Fury, Burns Up the City of Rose Garden

XLIII Autumn Comes From the North With the Intention of Administering the City of Rose Garden

XLV King Winter Appears in the East and Blows His Cold Blasts Over the Earth

XLVI King Winter Devastates the Rose Garden in a Snowstorm

XLVII The Monarch Spring Retires to the South to the King of the Equinox, From Whom He Asks Help, and Who Immediately Assures It to Him, and He Returns Therewith to the City of Rose Garden

XLVIII The Harbinger of Spring Gains Possession of the City of Rose Garden, Vanquishes King Winter, and Makes the Monarch of the Spring Triumphant

XLIX The Monarch Spring Mounts Upon His Throne and Makes His Residence in the City of the Rose Garden

L The Fair Rose Sends the East Wind to Cheer the Mourning Nightingale

LI The Pining Nightingale Lies in Affliction in the Cage and Turns Himself to God. The Kindly East Wind Arrives and Gives Him Information as to the Condition of Affairs

LII The Captive Nightingale Answers the Kind-hearted East Wind, Who Brings to the Pining Lover Greeting From the Radiant Rose

LIII While the Nightingale Lies a Prisoner Suffering in His Cage, the Rose Comes to Pay Him a Sick Visit, and to Learn of His Health

LIV The Lovely Rose Sends the Cheerful East Wind to the Monarch of Spring Asking Him to Free the Nightingale

LV The Gracious East Wind Brings News to the Rose Of the Nightingale’s Release

LVI Description of the Morning Feast Given by the Lovely Rose, to Which She Asks the Nightingale, and Enjoys Herself With Him in Ardent Passion And Kindness and Pure Love

LVII The Description of the Night and the Night-long Revel Amid the Sound of Trumpets and Castanets

LVIII The Happiness of the Rose and Nightingale Does Not Continue

LIX

LX

HISTORY OF THE FORTY VEZIRS

INTRODUCTION

Trial of the Three Sons

Stratagem Greater Than Strength

The Wiles of Woman

The Search for Khizr

The Vezir and Khizr

The Sherbet-seller and the Moor

The Tailor and the Woman

Story of the Adopted Son

The King and the Vezir

The Sparrow and His Mate

The Crafty Vezir

The Three Princes and the Cadi

The Caliph and the Slave Girl

The Foolish Princes

Story of the Egyptian Prince

The Merchant’s Bequest

The King and the Vezir’s Son

The King and the Weaver

The Vicissitudes of Life

The King and the Sheykh

The King’s Remorse

Luqmān’s Device

The King and the Dervish

Mahmūd and Hasan

Story of Sultan Mahmūd

Story of the Merchant’s Son

Hasan of Basra

The Gardener and His Son

The Dervish’s Advice

The Turkman Children

A Queen’s Deceit

The Abdal and the King

The Sultan and His Traitorous Son

Conclusion

TURKISH FABLES

Table of Contents

[Translated by Epiphanius Wilson, A.M.]

The Gardener and His Wife

Table of Contents

A CERTAIN Gardener had a young and pretty woman for his Wife. One day, when, according to her habit, she had gone to wash her linen in the river, the Gardener, entering his house, said to himself:

I do not know, really, whether my Wife loves me. I must put it to the test.

On saying this, he stretched himself full length upon the ground, in the middle of the room, as if dead. Soon, his Wife returned, carrying her linen, and perceived her husband’s condition.

Tired and hungry as I am, she said to herself, is it necessary that I should begin at once to mourn and lament? Would it not be better to begin by eating a morsel of something?

She accordingly cut off a piece of pasterma (dried smoked meat), and set it to roast on the coals; then she hurriedly went upstairs to the garret, took a pot of milk, drank some of it, and put the rest on the fire. At this moment, an old woman, her neighbor, entered, with an earthen vessel in her hand, and asked for some burning coals.

Keep your eye on this pot, she said to the old woman, rising to her feet. Then she burst into sobs and lamentations.

Alas! she cried, my poor husband is dead!

The neighbors, who heard her voice, rushed in, and the deceitful hussy kept on repeating:

Alas! What a wretched fate has my husband met with! and tears flowed afresh.

At that instant the dead man opened his eyes.

What are you doing? he said to her. "Finish first the roasting of the pasterma, quenching your throat in milk, and boiling the remainder of it; afterward you will find time to weep for me."

First myself, and then those I love, says a proverb.

The Fly

Table of Contents

A Fly who had carelessly fallen into a pot full of food was at the point of death.

What does it matter? she said, so long as hereafter I shall feel no more hunger, and for the present have eaten and drunk my fill, and have received a good bath.

Patiently to accept the misfortunes which can neither be hindered nor avoided is a proof of wisdom.

The Widow and Her Friend

Table of Contents

A Widow, tired of single blessedness, was desirous of marrying again, but feared to draw down upon herself the remarks of the public.

A Friend of hers, to show her how the tongues of neighbors discussed everything, took in hand to paint the Widow’s ass green; then leading the beast, she traversed all the streets of the town.

At first not only the children, but also their elders, who had never seen anything like it before, came to see the sight, and followed behind the ass.

At the end of a few days, when the Widow’s ass went forth people simply remarked: What a very singular animal!

Soon, however, the people ceased to pay any more attention to the spectacle.

The Friend of the Widow who wished to marry again returned to her and said:

You have seen what has just happened. It will be the same in your case. For some days you will be on the tongues of the people and have to endure the gossip and remarks; but at last they will leave off talking about you.

There is nothing so extraordinary in the world as not to become familiar in time.

The Two Young Men and the Cook

Table of Contents

Two Young Men entered a cook-shop for the purpose of buying some meat.

While the Cook was engaged in serving one of them the other seized a huge piece of meat and popped it into his companion’s pocket.

The Cook began looking about for his meat, but in vain. Then he addressed the two friends.

I have not seen it, said one.

As for me, added the other, I am sure I have not taken it.

Then each one confirmed his statement with an oath.

Really, gentlemen, said the owner of the shop, who well understood their rascality, although I do not know who has robbed me, the God by whom you have sworn does.

Although a man may conceal things from men like himself, God is not deceived.

The Buffaloes and the Log

Table of Contents

A pair of Buffaloes were harnessed to a heavy piece of elm wood, and were dragging it along.

You are stupid, said the Log, reproachfully, for when you are hitched to a light burden like me, why do you not gallop?

Poor wretch! they replied, we should doubtlessly move more quickly if we were not fastened to you. But if we moved quickly now, another log would be placed on top of you, to make up the load, and we do not wish to see you broken down by exhaustion.

This answer plunged the Log into profound thought.

The proverbial expression—the Buffaloes’ answer—a pretext for laziness—is founded on this fable.

The Old Man and His Son

Table of Contents

A feeble Old Man had given his home to his Son; soon the hapless father found himself driven from his home and forced to take refuge in a hospital.

Some time afterward, he saw his Son one day passing by, and called out to him.

For the love of God, my Son, he said in a supplicating tone, send me out of all that I have gained with the sweat of my brow a simple pair of sheets.

The Son promised his unfortunate father to do so.

I will send them at once, he answered him.

When he arrived at home he said to his own son: Take this pair of sheets, and carry them to your grandfather at the hospital.

The young man left one of the sheets at home and carried the other to his grandfather. Some time afterward his father happened to count his sheets.

Why didn’t you do as I told you, and carry the two sheets to your grandfather? he asked of his son.

When my father becomes old and goes to the hospital, I said to myself, I shall need this sheet to send to him.

Your child will behave toward you as you behaved toward your parents.

The Bird-catcher and the Blackbird

Table of Contents

A Bird-catcher was setting his snares; a Blackbird, as he flew by, caught sight of him.

For the love of God, he said to him, do tell me what you are building there?

I am founding a complete city.

The Blackbird believed this deceitful answer, and alighted on the net. Scarcely had he touched it, before he found himself caught.

When the Bird-catcher came up the Blackbird said to him: If this is the way you build your city, you won’t attract many inhabitants.

All men shun tyrannical magistrates and oppressors, who, by their violence, scatter ruin around them.

The Hens and the Eagles

Table of Contents

The Hens were at war with the Eagles.

When the day of battle came near, the Hens went and asked the foxes to help them.

We would willingly help you, replied the foxes, if we could forget what you are, and what Eagles are.

He who enters upon a quarrel with one more powerful than himself runs a great risk, and is certain to meet with disaster.

The Pigeon and the Painting

Table of Contents

A Pigeon in its simplicity took for real water the stream represented in a Painting.

He flew down toward it with a sudden swoop, fell to the ground, and was quickly caught.

How many stupid and ignorant people ignore the real condition of things, follow entirely their own silly notions, and at last find themselves in serious trouble!

The Lion and the Man

Table of Contents

A Lion and a Man were journeying together as friends; they took turns in boasting each of his own merits. As they advanced on their way, they saw a mausoleum on which was carved in marble a man trampling a lion under his feet.

The Man called the attention of the Lion to this sculpture.

I need say no more, he remarked, this is sufficient to show that man surpasses the Lion in strength and vigor.

The chisel is in the hands of men, replied the beast, so they represent in sculpture whatever they like. If we could handle it as you do, you would see what would be the subjects of our works.

Artists do not base their creations upon the realities of life, but follow the ideas which pass through their heads.

The Compliment to the Vezir

Table of Contents

A Vezir had just received his appointment; those who had supported him came to compliment him on his promotion to a post of honor.

He was so inflated by the homage he received, that he came at last to pass by his former friends without noticing them.

Who are you? he asked one of them.

My God, exclaimed the other, who was a wit: I feel sorry for you indeed, for your Excellency, like most of those who have reached an eminent position, has suddenly lost sight, hearing, and memory, so that you no longer know your former friends.

It generally happens that those who attain to high station feel contempt for their friends.

The Ass and the Frogs

Table of Contents

An Ass was walking along loaded with wood; as he journeyed he fell into a pond, and lamented because he could not get out.

The Frogs, dwellers in the pond, heard his cries and came up to him.

Pray tell us, they said to him, how is it that you, who have been but a moment in this pond, cry out so vehemently. What would you do, if like us, you had been here for an infinite time?

Such were the sarcastic consolations they addressed to him.

Young people full of vigor, and capable of enduring all sorts of hardship, too often deride the feebleness of the old.

The Tortoise and the King of Animals

Table of Contents

The quadrupeds and birds assembled one day at an entertainment given by the King of Beasts. Both those who go on foot and those who fly were there.

The Tortoise arrived late because of his slow motion, and asked pardon for his want of punctuality.

I have such a pleasant home, said he, that I never leave it without regret.

At some future time, cried the Lion in a rage, you will have a house of stone which you can never leave.

This fable is addressed to those who, instead of keeping to their own vocation, are anxious to attend the entertainments of the great.

The Fox and the Lion

Table of Contents

A Fox who had never seen a lion in his life met one of the greatest size. In his terror and surprise, he thought that his last hour had come. At the second meeting, he was still somewhat alarmed, but less so than at first. At the third sight of the Lion, he felt no fear at all, but walked up to the Lion and began to converse with him.

By force of habit we become enabled to confront, unmoved, things the most terrible and dangerous.

The Farmer and His Hounds

Table of Contents

A Farmer who lived remote from the city, was kept at home by the severity of the winter. Soon, his provisions were exhausted, and finally, he was compelled to kill his great black oxen.

On seeing this, his Hounds gathered together.

If this man, said they, butchers such strong oxen as these, the mainstay of his house, do you think he will spare us? Let us make our escape!

Keep away from the man who without hesitation does injury to everyone else. To avoid him is a matter of haste and necessity.

The Bear and His Mate

Table of Contents

A Bear, in struggling with his Mate, used his claws with such violence that he tore her eyes out. He was immediately seized with such sorrow that he bit off his own claws.

A short time afterward, he conversed with her in a friendly manner in his cave.

My dear, he remarked to her, for your sake, I have sacrificed my weapons of war.

What good, said she, is that to me, now that I am blind, and deprived by you of my precious eyes?

Repentance cannot repair an injury once inflicted.

The Eel and the Serpent

Table of Contents

The Eel and the Serpent were talking together.

Why is it, said the Eel, that I, although I undoubtedly resemble you, in every point, am hunted by men, while they leave you in peace?

Because, if they caught me, they would do it to their cost.

No one attacks the person who always repays an injury.

The Sailors in Distress

Table of Contents

A ship at sea was caught in a violent tempest. The crew, seeing her on the point of foundering, began to address their prayers, some to one saint, some to another, imploring them to intercede with the Almighty, that the suppliants might be delivered in their extremity.

While they thus poured out their prayers the Captain remained unmoved. Fools! he said at length, before your patron saints have time to carry their prayers to God, and he has given them a hearing, all of those on board this ship will be drowned. Let us address our prayers directly to the Most High, and implore his help!

In obedience to the suggestion of their Captain, the Sailors cried out aloud to God himself, and were saved.

When a man of brains and intelligence wishes to ask a favor of the great, he avoids addressing subordinates.

The Father and Son

Table of Contents

A certain Father had a Son of extremely bad habits.

He who abandons himself to vicious irregularities, and wanders from the straight path, he said to him, gains nothing but shame and disgrace.

It was thus he used to speak to him plainly, and give him good counsel and advice.

These, answered the Son, are words empty and irrational!

Alas, cried the Father, can I listen to such words!

When you consider, went on the Son, that I have continued deaf to the admonitions of the most famous preachers, who are always talking of virtue to me, do you think I could listen to you?

He whose natural disposition is coarse and vicious would not give up his criminal and debauched way of life, even if Plato, or the very angels of paradise, appealed to him.

The Poet and the Clown

Table of Contents

A certain countryman, who was engaged in sowing his field, saw a man of letters, who was also a Poet, approaching:

Sir, said the Clown to him, how can you study, as you do, in solitude?

I am a Poet, replied the other; at first I studied in company with others, but now I go on in my education alone.

The uneducated man who begins by seeking the society of the learned, in this way becomes educated. In time he grows capable of finishing his education, unaided by others.

The Shark

Table of Contents

A Shark, taking up his station at the mouth of a river, ruled over all the inhabitants of the waters. As he conducted himself with extreme violence toward them, they showed every sign of submissiveness. He had, in fact, become their King, and they treated him as such.

The Shark was unduly elated by his situation. Wherefore, said he to himself, should I not extend my dominion still farther?

Taking advantage of a favorable opportunity, he left the river and went out to sea, with a view of expanding his domain. I must now subjugate the fishes who dwell here, he remarked.

He was thus dreaming of ocean conquest, when he met the whale. Seized with alarm, and frozen with terror, the would-be conqueror fled, and regained the mouth of the river, feeling quite dejected. Henceforth he was very careful not to leave his lurking-place.

Let us beware of giving up a satisfactory position, in pursuit of vainglory, and for the sake of increasing our power; in all cases let us limit our desires.

The Wolf, the Nurse, and the Child

Table of Contents

A certain Wolf was wandering round in search of prey. He entered a village and heard a Child crying.

What are you crying for? asked the Child’s old Nurse. Unless you stop I will give you to the Wolf.

Some time afterward, when the Child had stopped crying, the old woman began to flatter and humor him. If the Wolf comes, said she, we will tie him fast, then we will give him a beating, and hit him so hard that it will kill him, and after that we will give him to the cat.

Lord deliver us from the people of this house! cried the Wolf, on hearing these words. Nothing is less to be relied upon than their words; one moment they speak in one way, and the next in another!

Saying this, he took himself off, and hurriedly retired.

Do not trust the promises of people whose word is as changeable as the color of the chameleon.

The Candle

Table of Contents

A Candle, made of soft and pliant wax, lamented over the fact that the slightest touch injured it. It did nothing but sigh, and burst out into bitter complaints against its dismal lot, especially dwelling upon the fact that bricks, although at first tender and pasty, grow hard from heat and thus acquire an age-long durability. In order to acquire the same hardness, and to reap the same advantages, it leaped into the fire, melted, and was consumed.

It is useless to rise up in irritation and revolt against the disadvantages which are inherent in our nature, our constitution, or our position.

The Clown Turned First Soldier, Then Merchant

Table of Contents

A certain Clown, occupied in cultivating his field, guided the plough now this way, now that, and in the midst of his task felt sorry that he had not been more favored by fortune.

A number of volunteers, who formed part of a brigade, which had just come back victorious from war, happened at this moment to pass by, loaded with rich and abundant booty, and plentifully supplied with provisions. Moved by the sight of them, the laborer set to work to sell his sheep, goats, and oxen; with the price received for these he collected horses, weapons, and ammunition, with a view of joining the army on campaign. Just on his arrival, this army was beaten by the enemy, and utterly routed; the baggage of the new-comer was seized, and he himself returned home, crippled with wounds.

I am disgusted with the military profession, he said, and I am going to be a business man. In spite of my slender income I shall be able to realize great profits in trade.

He accordingly sold his remaining arms and ammunition, and employed the proceeds in the purchase of goods which he put on board a ship and embarked himself as passenger. As soon as they had put to sea, a tempest fell upon the ship, which went down with the Merchant on board.

He who seeks for a better position in life, finds a worse one and falls at last into misery. Do not try to learn by experience the disadvantages of each several condition.

The Two Kings at War

Table of Contents

A King, the hero of his age, had declared war upon one of his neighbors. The enemy for want of resources, had not been able to make sufficient preparations, and did not know how to meet the emergency. He sent out a spy to meet the foe.

The fellow, gazing from a distance, saw advancing a countless multitude of soldiers, armed with lances.

He immediately turned and galloped back to his sovereign.

My Lord, he said, you are about to be attacked by an army as numerous as current coin, for I saw advancing such a crowd of lances that they hide the sun from us.

Take this robe of honor, said the monarch; please God we shall fight to-day in the shadow of the enemy.

By this warlike answer, he was able to inspire his troops with a daring and courage which were invincible.

He who suffers himself neither to be cast down by alarm nor dismayed by danger can surmount every obstacle.

The River and Its Source

Table of Contents

A River one day said to its Source: How idle and good-for-nothing you are! In spite of your incessant movement you do not contain the slightest quantity of fish! In me, on the contrary, are seen more choice fishes swimming than in any other watercourse; thus I produce joy and happiness in all the plains and their inhabitants, through which I pass! You seem to me to be a corpse, from which life has completely vanished.

The Source, indignant at these insulting words, made no reply, but began to diminish the quantity of water which she furnished to the River; soon she entirely ceased to feed it. By this means the height of the flood sank gradually, until at last water failed entirely, and River and fish disappeared together.

This fable is addressed to those who treat their friends in a similar manner and imagine that their prosperity is specially and directly due to the munificence of God.

An ungrateful man, says the poet, is one who addresses no thanks to Divine Providence for the innumerable gifts showered upon him: he is a blasphemer, as well as an ingrate, who is grateful toward no one excepting the giver of them all.

The Hunter and His Hounds

Table of Contents

A certain Hunter, who was seized with an ardent desire to make his prey a superb anqua,[1] spent large sums of money in the keeping of Hounds. By accident, one of his bitches bit his son, and the child died of the wound.

Since the Hounds have caused his death, said the master to the servants, let us kill them all.

Alas! cried one of the poor creatures, all of us must die for the fault committed by a single one of us!

A single scoundrel is sufficient to bring ruin on a whole ward.

The Fool Who Sells Wisdom

Table of Contents

A certain Fool kept constantly passing through the streets of a town.

Who will buy Wisdom? he cried in a loud voice. A passer-by met him on his way, accosted him, and presented him with some small pieces of money.

Sell me a little Wisdom, he said.

Here it is, replied the other, cuffing him heartily. Immediately afterward he put into his hands a long thread.

If you wish in future to be wise and prudent, said the Fool to him, always keep as far away from fools as the length of this thread.

We should avoid all connection and communication with fools and cranks.

The Dicer

Table of Contents

A Dicer one day lost at play all that he possessed, even to his clothes. Sitting at the door of a wine shop he burst into tears.

One of his friends happened to pass, and noticed the state he was in.

Have you anything the matter with you that you are so mournful, my friend? he inquired.

I have nothing, replied the other.

Nothing? went on the other. Then there is no reason for weeping.

It is really because I have nothing that I weep, replied he.

Numerous are the applications of this profound fable.

The Lamb and the Wolf

Table of Contents

A tender lamb was in the fold, when suddenly a Wolf entered for the purpose of devouring her. Throwing herself at the feet of the Wolf, she said, weeping: God has put me in your power; sound therefore your horn in order to grant me one moment’s delight; my desires will then be perfectly satisfied, for my parents have told me that the race of wolves are the best players on the horn. The Wolf heard this silly proposal, and set himself to cry out with all his might and main; when lo and behold, the dogs were waked up and attacked him. He took to flight, and did not stop until he reached a hill, where he said, lamenting: I certainly deserve this mishap, for who has made me a musician, when I have never been anything but a butcher?

This fable proves that many good people are deceived by attending to silly proposals, and afterward, like the Wolf, are sorry for it; and that many others undertake, either in word or deed, things for which they are not adapted, and consequently fall into misfortune.

The Insects, the Bee, and the Ant

Table of Contents

The Insects betook themselves one winter to the dwellings of the Bee and the Ant.

Give us some food, they said, for we are dying of hunger.

The others answered: What do you do in summer time?

We rest on the spreading trees, they replied, and we cheer the traveller with our pleasant songs.

If that be so, was the reply, it is no wonder that you are dying of hunger; you are therefore no proper objects of charity.

This fable shows that the foolish virgins ask charity, and those who are wise refuse to give, because there comes a time when not charity but justice is to be rendered.

During the time of this life, which is our summer, we must gather, by wisdom and industry, the spiritual food, without which, we shall be made, at the day of judgment, to die of hunger in hell.

The Two Cocks

Table of Contents

Two Cocks were fighting in the middle of a street; he who defeated his comrade and flung him to the ground was inflated with pride at his victory.

He flew off, and taking his station on a high place, began to swagger up and down and to crow, elated with victory. While he thus exhibited his vanity an eagle unexpectedly swooped down upon him and carried him off.

This fable shows that he who rejoices over the defeat of his adversary, or plumes himself upon victory over a foe, brings upon his own head, without knowing it, torments and sufferings which will compel him to deplore his own lot.

The Assembly of the Birds

Table of Contents

The Birds gathered together and elected the Peacock and crowned him King, on account of his great beauty.

Then the Dove came to him and said: O excellent King, if the Eagles harass us, how will you be able to bring help?

This fable shows that beauty is not the sole attribute to be sought for in a king, but that he is required to show on every occasion, courage, military valor, and ripe wisdom.

The Fox and the Crab

Table of Contents

The Fox and the Crab lived together like brothers; together they sowed their land, reaped the harvest, thrashed the grain and garnered it.

The Fox said one day: Let us go to the hill-top, and whoever reaches it first shall carry off the grain for his own.

While they were mounting the steep the Crab said:

Do me a favor; before you set off running, touch me with your tail, so that I shall know it and be able to follow you.

The Crab opened his claws, and when the Fox touched him with his tail, he leaped forward and seized it, so that when the Fox reached the goal and turned round to see where the Crab