'The Cock and the Fox', an illustration by John Vernon Lord
in Aesop's Fables, Jonathan Cape, 1989, page 57.
The Text:
The Fox and the Cock
who told him that Hounds were near
An experienced old Cock was settling himself to roost upon a
high bough, when a Fox appeared under the tree. I am come, said the artful
hypocrite, to acquaint you, in the name of all my brethren, that a general
peace is concluded between your whole family and ours. Descend immediately, I
beseech you, that we may mutually embrace upon so joyful and unexpected an
event.
My good friend, replied the Cock, nothing could be more agreeable to me
than this news; and to hear it from you increases my satisfaction. But I
perceive two hounds at a distance coming this way who are probably dispatched
as couriers with the treaty: as they run very swiftly, and will certainly be
here in a few minutes. I will wait their arrival, that we may all four embrace
together.
Reynard well knew, if that was the case, it was no time for him to
remain there any longer: pretending therefore to be in great haste - Adieu,
said he, for the present; we will reserve our rejoicings to another
opportunity: upon which he darted into the woods with all imaginable
expedition.
Old Chanticleer no sooner saw him depart, than he crowed abundantly
in the triumph of his artifice: for by a harmless stratagem to disappoint the
malevolent intentions of those who are endeavouring to deceive us to our ruin,
is not only innocent but laudable.
Moral: Deceiving the deceiver in self-defence doubles the
pleasure.
Text: Robert Dodsley (1/46, 1761 [1824])
Selected Parallels:
La Fontaine 2/15. L’Estrange 353. Perry 671 (Fox and Dove). TMI
J1421
No comments:
Post a Comment