The Young Widow
A husband’s death brings always sighs;
The widow sobs, sheds tears—then dries.
Of Time the sadness borrows wings;
And Time returning pleasure brings.
Book 6
Discord – Jean de La Fontaine Fables
The goddess Discord, having made, on high,
Among the gods a general grapple,
And thence a lawsuit, for an apple,
Was turned out, bag and baggage, from the sky.
The Charlatan
The world has never lacked its charlatans,
More than themselves have lacked their plans.
One sees them on the stage at tricks
Which mock the claims of sullen Styx.
The Dog That Dropped The Substance For The Shadow
This world is full of shadow-chasers,
Most easily deceived.
Should I enumerate these racers,
I should not be believed.
The Horse and the Ass
In such a world, all men, of every grade,
Should each the other kindly aid;
For, if beneath misfortune’s goad
A neighbour falls, on you will fall his load.
The Fowler, the Hawk, and the Lark
From wrongs of wicked men we draw
Excuses for our own:
Such is the universal law.
Would you have mercy shown,
Let yours be clearly known.