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Few ranges at a glance: with La Fontaine’s Fables (“Les Fables de La Fontaine”) – Aesop’s Fables
THE CICADA AND ANT (I,1)
Substrate: PLA
Ranges: PRIMER PLA (primer varnish)
+ UVICARD (red, sand, purple)
THE CICADA AND ANT (I,1)
The gay cicada, full of song
All the sunny season long,
Was unprovided and brought low,
When the north wind began to blow ;
Had not a scrap of worm or fly,
Hunger and want began to cry ;
Never was creature more perplexed.
She called upon her neighbour ant,
And humbly prayed her just to grant
Some grain till August next ;
“I’ll pay, ” she said, “what ye invest,
Both principal and interest,
Honour of insects –and that’s tender. ”
The ant, however, is no lender ;
That is her least defective side ;
“But, hark ye, pray, Miss Borrower, ” she cried,
“What were ye doing in fine weather ? ”
“ Singing . . . nay,! look not thus askance,
To every comer day and night together. ”
“ Singing ! I’m glad of that ; why now then dance. ”
THE MONKEY AND CAT (IX, 17)
Bertrand the wicked, Rodilard the bad
In the same house one common master had.
A pretty couple they of guardians made ;
Of nothing round them they afraid.
If aught were lest or aught defiled,
None blamed their neighbour’s cat nor child.
Bertrand stole all, and Rodilard so nice
Preferred devouring cheese to catching mice.
These hardened rogues, before the fire one day,
Saw chestnuts roasting, and prepared for play ;
For they beheld them as a pleasant prey,
Which offered double profit to each thief,
First his own good, and next his neighbour’s grief.
” Brother,” said Bertrand, ” I’m resolved to-day,
That you a masterpiece of work display
Rake out these nuts : had I been formed for that,
I warrant ye I’d show them fun.”
The thing no sooner said than done ;
Most delicately with his pat
The cat the aches laid aside,
Drew back his claws, and them again applied ;
Got a few chestnuts out at last,
Which Bertrand cracked and ate as fast.
A servant came, the rogues soon fled,
And Rodilard not quite content, ’tis said.
Nor better are those princes paid,
Who, flattered with a similar thing,
Their fingers burn recruiting for some king.
THE TWO GOATS (XII, 4)
Two goats, who self-emancipated,—
The white that on their feet they wore
Look’d back to noble blood of yore,—
Once quit the lowly meadows, sated,
And sought the hills, as it would seem:
In search of luck, by luck they met
Each other at a mountain stream.
As bridge a narrow plank was set,
On which, if truth must be confest,
Two weasels scarce could go abreast.
And then the torrent, foaming white,
As down it tumbled from the height,
Might well those Amazons affright.
But maugre such a fearful rapid,
Both took the bridge, the goats intrepid!
I seem to see our Louis Grand
And Philip IV. advance
To the Isle of Conference,
That lies ‘twixt Spain and France,
Each sturdy for his glorious land.
Thus each of our adventurers goes,
Till foot to foot, and nose to nose,
Somewhere about the midst they meet,
And neither will an inch retreat.
For why? they both enjoy’d the glory
Of ancestors in ancient story.
The one, a goat of peerless rank,
Which, browsing on Sicilian bank,
The Cyclop gave to Galatæa;
The other famous Amalthæa,
The goat that suckled Jupiter,
As some historians aver.
For want of giving back, in troth,
A common fall involved them both.—
A common accident, no doubt,
On Fortune’s changeful route.
THE WOLF AND DOG (I, 5)
Substrate: PVC Recycled
Ranges: PLUTON (blue-green, brown, purple)
THE WOLF AND DOG (I, 5)
A wolf reduced to skin and bone,
So well the dogs had watched their care,
Met with a wildered mastiff stout as fair,
Fat, in good case, and straying all alone ;
Gladly Sir Wolf had made the attack,
And tore his belly from his back.
He fain would have his dinner ;
But he must to battle fall,
With a mastiff strong and tall,
Which kept in awe the sinner.
Most humbly therefore he the silence broke,
And pretty compliments admiring spoke,
About his goodly size and fat. ”
“ Why, ” said the Dog, “ you soon may equal that ;
Leave but your woods and come along with me,
And from your wretched, starving neighbours flee ;
For here you live by fighting or by fetches ;
No easy cheer, no certain state,
Poor, despicable, hungry, shabby wretches :
Corne follow me and share a better fate. ”
“ And what’s the work, ” said Wolf, “ required in place ? ”
“ A trifie, ”—answered Mastiff, “ just to chase
Beggars and men with sticks away ;
Fawn on the family, and please the master,
Which mounts our wages up the faster ;
Platesful of broken victuals every day,
Pullets’ and pigeons’ bones are on us pressed ;
You’ve no idea how we’re caressed. ”
The Wolf o’ercome assented weeping,
He formed great popes of such high keeping.
As they advanced he saw the Dog’s neck bare.
What’s that ?” he cried.— “ Nothing. ” — “ Nothing ? why pause ? ”
“ Pshaw ! what ye see, perhaps is worn-off hair ;
The collar I’m tied up in is the cause. ”
“ Tied ! ” cried the Wolf, “” ye don’t run where ye will ? ”
“ Not always.— But no matter ; we’ve our fill.”
“ Have you indeed ? I really do not care
Now, for your sumptuous fare ;
For liberty I count all treasures light. ”—
He said, and fled, and still holds on his flight.
THE HORNETS AND BEES (I, 21)
The artist by his work is known.
Some honeycombs without their lords were found :
The hornets came and claimed them as their own ;
Some bees opposing gathered round.
Over the cause a wasp presided,
A cause not easily decided.
The witnesses deposed that round the combe,
Winged insects, longish, buzzing at their ease,
Of tawny colour like the bees,
Had long been seen, as in their native homes.
But lo ! the hornets had their marks the same !
On this the wasp, quite puzzled what to say,
Another trial did proclaim,
In hopes that what an ant-hill swore,
Would make it clearer than before.
At last a bee, for wisdom famed,
Arose, and with some warmth exclaimed
“ We’ve worked six months in this affair,
And now we’re only where we were.
The summer’s gone, the honey run to waste,
’Tis time, Sir Judge, to make some haste ;
You’ve had enough of us, and we of you,
All further legal gibberish we eschew.
Certes, we own your pleaders wondrous clever,
But now, let bees and hornets work together ;
Build cells together and produce,
We’ll see which gives the honey-juice ! ”
Then the poor hornets flinched their part,
Which proved the work beyond their art ;
And their pretensions thus being quashed
They lost their law-suit quite abashed.
Ah ! might such wisdom o’er all suits preside !
Might we in this but follow Turkish modes !
Plain common-sense would serve for civil codes :
And what a saving of expense beside !
Instead of this, devoured by law’s delay,
Lawyers like vultures on our substance prey :
At last the judge the oyster eats, and tells
The clients that they’ve gained the shells.
THE TOWN RAT AND THE COUNTRY RAT (I,9)
Substrate: VYNYL
Ranges: UVISOFT (brown red, mole grey, white)
THE TOWN RAT AND THE COUNTRY RAT (I,9)
A city rat upon a day,
Invited from his curds
A country rat, in courteous way,
To pick the bones of birds.
The cloth on Turkey-carpet spread
With sundry odds and ends ;
I think it need not here be said,
How happy were these friends !
It was a most genteel repast,
Where Plenty held her reign,
But ah ! a noise their mirth o’ercast,
As they were in the vein.
Hard at the door that noise was heard,
The town rat ran away,
The rustic also something stirred
Advising not to stay.
The noise was hushed, the town rat grew
Bold, and brought back his guest.
“ Come ”said the cit, inspired anew,
Let’s now eat up the rest. ”
“ I’ve quite enough, ” the rustic cried,
“ To-morrow dine with me ;
Not that I feast in regal pride,
Or e’er such dainties see ;
“ But at my leasure still I eat,
There’s nought to damp my cheer ;
Away with fests, however great,
That may be spoiled by fear. ”
THE CROW AND FOX. (I,2)
Substrate: Transparent ABS
Ranges: VYNIGLOSS (orange yellow)
+ 39 NF (blue, purple)
THE CROW AND FOX. (I,2)
Perched on a tree sat Master Crow
While in his beak he held a cheese ;
Lured by the smell stood Master Fox below,
And hailed him in such words as these :
“ What ! Master Crow ! good day ! how be ye ?
’Pon honour I am glad to see ye !
How beautiful, how handsome ye appear !
How I should like to hear your note !
For if your warbling’s like your coat,
You are the phoenix of the forests here. ”
At this the crow could not enough rejoice,
Opened a large beak to show his pretty voice ;
Down dropt the precious prey . . .
Which Reynard seized, and ran away,
Leaving this short adieu :
“ Learn, my good fellow, that the flattering crew
Live at the cost of those they slyly please ;
I hope my lesson’s worth your cheese. ”
The Crow too late, ashamed, and full of pain
Swore they should never bilk him so again
THE EAGLE AND OWL (V,18)
Substrate: PET
Ranges: MPI (white) + SERIMIROR (mirror effect)
+ PERMACAL (white)
THE EAGLE AND OWL (V,18)
The owl and eagle, all contesting past,
Made peace, and mutually kissed at last.
As king the one, as owl the other swore,
That they would eat each other’s young no more.
“ You know my chicks ? ” exclaimed Minerva’s bird.
“ I don’t, ” replied the eagle, “ on my word. ”
“ So much the worse ! ” the fowl of darkness sighed,
“ I fear in that case for their pretty hide.
’Tis odds I ne’er shall see my pets again,
You care for nothing so long as you reign.
For Kings and Gods, whate’er the people say,
Consider everything their lawful prey.
So if you meet my chicks,’tis their last day.”
“ Describe or show them me,” the eagle said,
“ I pledge my word you need not be afraid.”
“ Oh, they are beautiful ! ” the owl replies,
“ Well formed and fine, with pretty sparkling eyes ;
Nothing around to equal them you’ll find,
You’ll recognise them, keeping this in mind :
Remember it, I pray, where’er you go,
Nor let the fatal Sisters work me woe.”
The owl God, made the father of a brood,
Now as he went one night in search of food,
By chance our eagle saw before him sprawl
In hole of some old ruin, or a rock,
I don’t know which it was at all
Grim little monsters, fitted but to shock,
With sorrowing looks and with Megæra’s cry :
“ They can’t,” he said, “ belong to our ally,
So we the hideous brutes may scrunch ;
His meals, you know, are not a sober lunch.”
The owl returned, and found but legs and wings
Of all his darlings, tender little things !
He wept, and called the gods to his relief,
To punish the vile author of his grief.
On this some one or other now exclaimed :
“ Thyself alone art to be blamed,
Or nature’s common law the rather,
That makes the offspring to each father
Appear so fascinating and divine :
Such was the portrait drawn by thee of thine :
Was there a likeness in a single line ? ”
THE HARE AND TORTOISE (VI, 10)
Substrate: PP Treated
Ranges: AKYTAC (green) + UVILABEL (purple)
+ LABELMAT (sand)
THE HARE AND TORTOISE (VI, 10)
To run is nothing ; we must timely start.
The hare and tortoise here shall teach the art.
“ Let’s bet,” the tortoise said, “ my clever spark,
Which, you or I, the first shall gain that mark.”
“ The first ? what, are you mad ? “ the hare replied
“ Take hellebore and purge ; your talk is wide.”
“ Well, mad or not, I’ll bet !” the tortoise cried.—
The stakes accordingly were paid,
And near the winning-post were laid.
What were the stakes we won’t say in this place,
Nor who it was that judged the race.
The hare had scarce four jumps to make,
Of such as, nearly caught, he’s wont to take ;
Leaving the hounds behind, who then may wait
For the Greek Kalends, roaming until late.
Taking his time, to feast at ease,
And list and sniff whence comes the breeze,
The hare lets now the tortoise go,
Like a grave bishop pacing slow.
And now behold the tortoise gone,
Toiling, hastening slowly on.
The hare the bet but little prized,
And such a victory despised ;
He thought, in his great pride of heart,
’Twas yet too soon for him to start.
So, browsing, resting at his ease,
Oblivious of his bet, he sees
The tortoise the wished goal about to gain,
He sprang like lightning, but he sprang in vain :
The tortoise won just as the hare took flight.
“ Well,” she exclaimed, “ good runner, was I right ?
What means your swiftness, yielding thus to me ?
And if you bore your house, what would it be ? ”
THE HORSE AND ASS (VI, 15)
Substrate: Flexible PVC
Ranges: MPI (blue-green, purple)
+ PLUTON (brown)
THE HORSE AND ASS (VI, 15)
We ought to help each other when in need
In this world ; should your neighbour die,
On you the heavy load will lie.
An ass accompanied a haughty steed :
The latter had his harness and no more,
Poor Jack was sinking with the load he bore,
And begged the horse a little help to give,
Or till ho reached the town he could not live.
“ I am not rude,” said he, “ when I implore ;
Half of my load for you would be a song.”
The horse said “ No ! ” and let a cracker fly,
And Jack beneath his load lay down to die.
Then he acknowledged he was wrong.
They laid the ass’s load upon his back,
And over that the skin of Master Jack.
THE CROW AND FOX. (I,2)
Substrate: Transparent ABS
Ranges: VYNIGLOSS (orange yellow)
+ 39 NF (blue, purple)
THE CROW AND FOX. (I,2)
Perched on a tree sat Master Crow
While in his beak he held a cheese ;
Lured by the smell stood Master Fox below,
And hailed him in such words as these :
“ What ! Master Crow ! good day ! how be ye ?
’Pon honour I am glad to see ye !
How beautiful, how handsome ye appear !
How I should like to hear your note !
For if your warbling’s like your coat,
You are the phoenix of the forests here. ”
At this the crow could not enough rejoice,
Opened a large beak to show his pretty voice ;
Down dropt the precious prey . . .
Which Reynard seized, and ran away,
Leaving this short adieu :
“ Learn, my good fellow, that the flattering crew
Live at the cost of those they slyly please ;
I hope my lesson’s worth your cheese. ”
The Crow too late, ashamed, and full of pain
Swore they should never bilk him so again
THE FROG AND OX. (I,3)
Substrate: ALUMINIUM
Ranges: POLYGLOSS (white) + PLUTON (yellow,
black)
THE FROG AND OX. (I,3)
A frog an ox with envy saw,
Admired his wondrous size,
Staring with both her little eyes.
And murmuring at Nature’s law,
Thought fit for larger bulk to beg,
Herself no bigger than an egg ;
She laboured, stretched, began to swell,
“ Sister, ” she said, “ now mark me well,
Is that enough ?—tell me—may I compare ? ”
“ No, faith ; ”—“ look flow ? ” “ Not in the least ”—“ then there ? ”
“ You don’t approach it, sister. ” . . . “ Then here goes !”
So swelled the silly thing, and burst amidst her throes.
Of just such fools, the world enough affords,
Cits buy and build to copy dukes and lords ;
Each petty prince a monarch’s pomp assumes,
Each count has pages strutting round his rooms.
THE CAT AND FOX (IX, 14)
Substrate: WHITE RECYCLED PAPER
Ranges: 39 NF (yellow, green, purple)
THE CAT AND THE FOX (IX, 14)
The cat and fox, when saints were all the rage,
Together went on pilgrimage.
Arch hypocrites and swindlers, they,
By sleight of face and sleight of paw,
Regardless both of right and law,
Contrived expenses to repay,
By eating many a fowl and cheese,
And other tricks as bad as these.
Disputing served them to beguile
The road of many a weary mile.
Disputing! but for this resort,
The world would go to sleep, in short.
Our pilgrims, as a thing of course,
Disputed till their throats were hoarse.
Then, dropping to a lower tone,
They talk’d of this, and talk’d of that,
Till Renard whisper’d to the cat,
‘You think yourself a knowing one:
How many cunning tricks have you?
For I’ve a hundred, old and new,
All ready in my haversack.’
The cat replied, ‘I do not lack,
Though with but one provided;
And, truth to honour, for that matter,
I hold it than a thousand better.’
In fresh dispute they sided;
And loudly were they at it, when
Approach’d a mob of dogs and men.
‘Now,’ said the cat, ‘your tricks ransack,
And put your cunning brains to rack,
One life to save; I’ll show you mine –
A trick, you see, for saving nine.’
With that, she climb’d a lofty pine.
The fox his hundred ruses tried,
And yet no safety found.
A hundred times he falsified
The nose of every hound. –
Was here, and there, and everywhere,
Above, and under ground;
But yet to stop he did not dare,
Pent in a hole, it was no joke,
To meet the terriers or the smoke.
So, leaping into upper air,
He met two dogs, that choked him there.
Expedients may be too many,
Consuming time to choose and try.
On one, but that as good as any,
‘Tis best in danger to rely.
THE BAT AND TWO WEASELS (II, 5)
Substrate: Rigid PVC
Ranges: VHRC (red) + UVICARD (brown,
mole grey)
THE BAT AND TWO WEASELS (II, 5)
A blundering bat in search of rest,
Bounced unawares into a weasel’s nest ;
Who, long enraged against the mice,
Ran to devour her in a trice.
“ What ! dare you venture in my sight,
While all your race against me fight ?
Aren’t you a mouse ? No fibbing in my house ;
Yes, sure as I’m a weasel you’re a mouse.”
“ Nay, ” said the poor bat, trembling. “ Pardon me.
A mouse is not what I profess to be ;
A mouse ! what wicked tales abound !
I am a bird and soar around.
Behold the wings with which I fly,
Thanks to the Ruler of the sky,
The tribes that cleave the air for ever ! ”
Her answer pleased, for it was clever ;
The weasel dropped her claws and ire,
And gave her freedom to retire.
But two days later, blind as any mole,
She poked her head in quite another hole,
Where dwelt a weasel, to all birds a foe,
And now her life again was like to go.
The lady of the house, with snout so long,
Was just about to crunch poor birdy’s bones :
“What ! I a bird ! ” she cried, with piteous groans,
“ I ever seen on high ! Who’s heard my song ?
Indeed, ma’am, you’re insulting me.
Where are my feathers ? Sure you cannot see ;
I am a mouse, long live the rats !
Perdition seize on all the cats ! ”
Thus skilful in a shifting strain,
The bat now saved her life again.
Thus many change their coat
To keep themselves afloat
A wise man says just as folks please,
ong live the king ! or, Long live Guise !
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