"Woe is me! that I, who can wage war successfully with the hugest beasts, should perish myself from an insignificant spider!"
(Fable 234 Halm; Townsend's translation.)
THE HARES AND THE FOXES
THE Hares waged war with the Eagles, and called upon the Foxes to help them. The Foxes replied, "We would willingly have helped you, if we had not known who ye were, and with whom ye were fighting."
Count the cost before you commit yourselves.
(Fable 236 Halm; Townsend's translation.)
THE FOX AND THE MONKEY
A FOX and a Monkey were travelling together on the same road. As they journeyed, they passed through a cemetery full of monuments. "All these monuments which you see," said the Monkey, "are erected in honour of my ancestors, who were in their day freed men, and citizens of great renown." The Fox replied, "You have chosen a most appropriate subject for your falsehoods, as I am sure none of your ancestors will be able to contradict you."
A false tale often betrays itself.
(Fable 43 b. Halm; Townsend's translation.)
THE MONKEY WHO WOULD BE KING
A MONKEY once danced in an assembly of the Beasts, and so pleased them all by his performance that they elected him their King. A Fox envying him the honour, discovered a piece of meat lying in a trap, and leading the Monkey to the place where it was
