FablesPart 4 of 26
French original · English translation
LES FABLES
TO A MONSEIGNEUR MONSEIGNEUR THE LE DAUPHIN DAUPHIN
I Je sing chante chanter — to sing; in poetry, to celebrate or praisethe les heroes héros of whom dont dont — of whom, of which, whoseAesop Ésope Ésope — Aesop, the ancient Greek fabulist to whom La Fontaine attributes the origin of his fablesis est the le father; père; A troop Troupe troupe (f) — troop, group, or band (here referring to the collection of animals)of whom de qui the history, l’histoire, though encor que encore que — although, even though (often followed by the subjunctive)mendacious, mensongère, mentir (to lie) → mensonge (m, a lie) → mensonger (untrue, lying)Contains Contient truths des vérités which qui serve as servent de servir de qch — to serve as something, to act as somethinglessons. leçons. Everything Tout speaks parle in en my mon work, ouvrage, ouvrage (m) — work, book, or creationand et even même the les fish: poissons: What they Ce qu’ils say disent addresses all of us, s’adresse à tous s'adresser à qn — to address someone, to be intended for someoneas many as we are; tant que nous sommes; tant que nous sommes — all of us, every last one of usI Je make use me sers of animals d’animaux to pour instruct instruire instruire — to instruct, to teach, to educatemen. les hommes. Illustrious Illustre offspring rejeton rejeton (m) — offspring, scion; literally a 'shoot' or 'sprout' of a plantof a d’un prince prince loved aimé by the des heavens, cieux, cieux (m.pl) — heavens (plural of 'ciel')Upon whom Sur qui the le entire world monde entier now has a maintenant its eyes, les yeux, And Et who, qui, making bend faisant fléchir fléchir — to bend, to bow, to yieldthe les proudest plus superbes superbe — /formal./ proud, haughty (in classical French, more often meaning 'arrogant' than 'magnificent')heads, têtes, Will count Comptera henceforth désormais désormais — from now on, henceforthhis ses days jours by par his ses conquests, conquêtes, Someone else Quelque autre will tell you, te dira, with a d’une stronger plus forte voice, voix, The Les deeds faits fait (m) — fact, deed, or exploitof de your tes ancestors, aïeux, aïeul (m) — ancestor, forefather (plural: aïeux)and et the les virtues vertus of des kings; rois; I am going Je vais to entertain you t’entretenir entretenir qn de qch — to speak to someone about something, to entertain someone with a topicwith de lesser moindres moindre — lesser, smaller, minoradventures, aventures, To trace for you Te tracer in en these ces verses vers vers (m) — a line of poetry, verselight de légères pictures; peintures; And Et if si of pleasing you de t’agréer agréer — /formal./ to please, to be acceptable toI je do not win the prize, n’emporte le prix, emporter le prix — to win the prize, to carry the dayI shall at least have J’aurai du moins du moins — at leastthe honor l’honneur of de having l’avoir undertaken it. entrepris. entreprendre — to undertake, to set about doing
THE LES FABLES FABLES
LA CIGALE ET LA FOURMI.
I
THE CICALA AND THE ANT. LA CIGALE ET LA FOURMI.
The Cicala, La cigale, cigale (f) — cicada (often translated as grasshopper in this fable)having sung ayant chanté chanter — to singAll summer, Tout l’été, été (m) — summerFound herself Se trouva se trouver — to find oneself; to be locatedvery fort fort — /formal./ very (used here as an adverb instead of 'très')destitute dépourvue dépourvu — destitute, devoid of resourcesWhen the north wind had Quand la bise fut bise (f) — a cold, dry north windcome: venue: venir — to comeNot a single little piece Pas un seul petit morceau morceau (m) — piece, bit, morselOf fly or of De mouche ou de mouche (f) — flyworm. vermisseau. vermisseau (m) — small wormShe went to cry famine Elle alla crier famine crier famine — to complain of hunger; to cry out that one is starvingAt the Ant her Chez la fourmi sa fourmi (f) — antneighbor's, voisine, voisin (m) / voisine (f) — neighborPraying her to La priant de lui prier — to pray; to beg or requestlend her prêter prêter — to lendSome grain to Quelque grain pour grain (m) — grain, seedsubsist subsister subsister — to survive, to subsistUntil the new season: Jusqu’à la saison nouvelle: I will pay you, Je vous paîrai, payer — to pay (note: 'paîrai' is an archaic spelling of 'paierai')she said to her, lui dit-elle, Before August, Avant l’oût, août (m) — August (spelled 'oût' in the original text to reflect older pronunciation/spelling)on an animal's word, foi d’animal, foi de qn — on the word of [someone]; upon my faith as a [someone]Interest and principal. Intérêt et principal. The Ant is not a lender; La fourmi n’est pas prêteuse; prêter (to lend) → prêteur/prêteuse (lender) → prêt (m, loan)That is her least C’est là son moindre moindre — least, slightestfault: défaut: défaut (m) — fault, flaw, shortcomingWhat were you doing in the warm weather? Que faisiez-vous au temps chaud? She said to this borrower.— Dit-elle à cette emprunteuse.— emprunter (to borrow) → emprunteur/emprunteuse (borrower) → emprunt (m, loan/borrowing)Night and day Nuit et jour to everyone coming à tout venant à tout venant — to anyone and everyone; to whoever comes alongI sang, Je chantois, chanter — to sing (note: 'chantois' is the archaic spelling of the imperfect 'chantais')if you please.— ne vous déplaise.— ne vous en déplaise — with all due respect; whether you like it or notYou sang! Vous chantiez! I am very glad of it. j’en suis fort aise. aise — glad, pleased (usually found in the expression 'être bien aise')Well then! Hé bien! dance now. dansez maintenant.
LE CORBEAU ET LE RENARD.
II
THE CROW AND THE FOX. LE CORBEAU ET LE RENARD.
Master Maître maître (m) — master; a title formerly used for lawyers and scholars, often used ironically in fablesCrow, corbeau, corbeau (m) — crowperched on a tree, sur un arbre perché, percher — to perchHeld Tenoit tenir — to hold (Note: 'tenoit' is the archaic spelling of 'tenait')in his beak en son bec bec (m) — beaka cheese. un fromage. Master Fox, Maître renard, renard (m) — foxby the smell enticed, par l’odeur alléché, allécher — to entice, to lureHeld to him Lui tint tenir — to hold; here used in the sense of 'holding a conversation'nearly à peu près à peu près — approximately, nearlythis language: ce langage: Hey good day, Hé bonjour, Mister Crow. monsieur du corbeau. How Que Que + [adjective]! — How [adjective]! (used for exclamations)pretty you are! vous êtes joli! joli — prettyhow que handsome you seem to me! vous me semblez beau! sembler — to seemWithout lying, Sans mentir, sans mentir — honestly, to tell the truthif si your singing votre ramage ramage (m) — the warbling or singing of birdsRelates to your plumage, Se rapporte à votre plumage, se rapporter à qch — to relate to or match somethingplume (f, feather) → plumage (m, feathers/plumage)You are Vous êtes the phoenix le phénix phénix — a mythical bird; used here to mean a person of unique or incomparable meritof the inhabitants des hôtes hôte (m) — host or guest; in literary contexts, an inhabitantof these woods. de ces bois. bois (m) — woods, forestAt these words, A ces mots, the Crow le corbeau feels no joy; ne se sent pas de joie; ne pas se sentir de joie — to be beside oneself with joyAnd, Et, to show pour montrer his beautiful voice, sa belle voix, voix (f) — voiceHe opens Il ouvre a wide beak, un large bec, lets fall laisse tomber laisser tomber qch — to drop somethinghis prey. sa proie. proie (f) — preyThe Fox Le renard seizes it, s’en saisit, se saisir de qch — to seize or grab somethingand says: et dit: My good sir, Mon bon monsieur, Learn Apprenez that every flatterer que tout flatteur flatter (to flatter) → flatteur (m, flatterer)Lives Vit at the expense of aux dépens de aux dépens de qn — at the expense of someonehim who celui qui listens to him: l’écoute: écouter — to listen toThis lesson Cette leçon is well worth vaut bien valoir bien — to be well wortha cheese, un fromage, no doubt. sans doute. sans doute — probably (in modern French), but in classical French often meant 'without a doubt'The Crow, Le corbeau, ashamed honteux honteux — ashamed; related to 'la honte' (shame)and et confused, confus, Swore, Jura, jurer — to swear or vowbut mais a little un peu late, tard, that one would not catch him there again. qu’on ne l’y prendroit plus. on ne m'y prendra plus — I won't be caught doing that again / I've learned my lesson (Note: 'prendroit' is archaic for 'prendrait')
LA GRENOUILLE QUI SE VEUT FAIRE AUSSI GROSSE QUE LE BŒUF.
III
THE FROG LA GRENOUILLE WHO QUI WANTS TO MAKE HERSELF SE VEUT FAIRE AS AUSSI BIG GROSSE AS QUE THE OX. LE BŒUF.
A Frog Une grenouille grenouille (f) — frogsaw vit voir — to seean Ox un bœuf bœuf (m) — ox, beefWho Qui seemed to her lui sembla sembler — to seemof de beautiful belle size. taille. taille (f) — size, heightShe, Elle, who qui was not n’étoit pas étoit — /dated./ archaic spelling of 'était' (imperfect of être)big grosse gros — big, fatat all en tout en tout — at all, in totallike comme an un egg, œuf, œuf (m) — eggEnvious, Envieuse, stretches, s’étend, s'étendre — to stretch oneselfand swells, et s’enfle, s'enfler — to swell, to puff upand et toils se travaille se travailler — to work oneself up, to exert oneselfTo equal Pour égaler égaler — to equal, to matchthe animal l’animal in size; en grosseur; gros (big) → grosseur (f, size/bulk) → grossir (to get bigger)Saying: Disant: Look closely, Regardez bien, regarder bien — to look closely, to watch carefullymy sister; ma sœur; Is it Est-ce enough? assez? tell me, dites-moi, am I not there yet?— n’y suis-je point encore?— ne ... point — /formal./ a stronger form of 'ne ... pas' (not)No.— Nenni.— nenni — /dated./ an old-fashioned way to say 'no'Am I here M’y voici me voici — here I amthen?— donc?— Not at all.— Point du tout.— Am I there?— M’y voilà?— me voilà — there I amYou Vous do not approach it at all. n’en approchez point. approcher — to approach, to come nearThe La wretched chétive chétif — puny, sickly, wretchedcreature pécore pécore (f) — /dated./ silly person, pretentious creatureSwelled S’enfla so much si bien that she qu’elle burst. creva. crever — to burst, to pop
The world Le monde is est full plein of de people gens who qui are not ne sont pas wiser: plus sages: sage — wise, well-behavedEvery bourgeois Tout bourgeois bourgeois (m) — a member of the middle class, often used here to denote someone trying to climb social rankswants veut to build bâtir bâtir — to buildlike comme the les great grands lords, seigneurs, seigneur (m) — lordEvery Tout small petit prince prince has a ambassadors, des ambassadeurs, Every marquis Tout marquis marquis (m) — a nobleman of high rankwants veut to have avoir pages. des pages. page (m) — a youth in training for knighthood or attending a person of rank
LES DEUX MULETS.
IV
THE TWO LES DEUX MULES. MULETS.
Two mules Deux mulets mulet (m) — mulewere travelling, cheminoient, cheminer — to travel, to walk along (archaic spelling: -oient for -aient)one l’un laden with oats, d’avoine chargé, avoine (f) — oatscharger — to load, to burdenThe other L’autre carrying portant the money l’argent of the salt tax. de la gabelle. gabelle (f) — a notorious and unpopular tax on salt in pre-revolutionary FranceThis one, Celui-ci, proud glorieux of such a fine burden, d’une charge si belle, charger (to load) → charge (f, load/burden) → décharger (to unload)Would not have wished N’eût voulu for much pour beaucoup to be relieved of it. en être soulagé. soulager — to relieve, to ease a burdenHe walked Il marchoit with a proud step, d’un pas relevé, marcher d'un pas relevé — to walk with a haughty or high-stepping gaitAnd made his bell Et faisoit ring, sonner sa sonnette, sonner — to ring, to soundWhen, Quand, the enemy l’ennemi appearing, se présentant, As Comme he wanted the money, il en vouloit à l’argent, en vouloir à qch — to be after something, or to have designs on somethingUpon the mule of the treasury Sur le mulet du fisc fisc (m) — the public treasury, the tax authoritiesa troop une troupe throws itself, se jette, Seizes him Le saisit by the bridle, au frein, frein (m) — bit or bridle (in modern French, usually 'brake')and stops him. et l’arrête. The mule, Le mulet, in defending himself, en se défendant, Feels himself pierced Se sent percer with blows; de coups; he groans, il gémit, gémir — to groan, to moanhe sighs. il soupire. soupirer — to sighIs this then, Est-ce donc là, said he, dit-il, what one had promised me? ce qu’on m’avoit promis? This mule Ce mulet who follows me qui me suit from danger du danger withdraws, se retire, se retirer — to withdraw, to pull backAnd I Et moi fall into it j’y tombe and I perish!— et je péris!— périr — to perish, to dieFriend, Ami, said his comrade to him, lui dit son camarade, It is not always good Il n’est pas toujours bon to have a high position; d’avoir un haut emploi; emploi (m) — job, position, or useIf you had served Si tu n’avois servi only a miller, qu’un meunier, meunier (m) — miller (one who grinds grain)like me, comme moi, You would not be Tu ne serois pas so ill. si malade. malade — sick, ill (here used figuratively for being in a bad state)
LE LOUP ET LE CHIEN.
V
THE WOLF AND THE DOG. LE LOUP ET LE CHIEN.
A Wolf Un loup had only n’avoit que ne ... que — only (restrictive negation)bones and skin, les os et la peau, os (m) — bonepeau (f) — skinSo well Tant tant — so much, so wellthe dogs les chiens kept guard; faisoient bonne garde; faire bonne garde — to keep a good watch, to guard wellThis Wolf Ce loup meets rencontre a Mastiff un dogue dogue (m) — mastiff, large dogas powerful as handsome, aussi puissant que beau, Fat, Gras, sleek, poli, poli — polished, sleek (here referring to the coat)who qui had gone astray s’étoit fourvoyé se fourvoyer — to lose one's way, to go astrayby inadvertence. par mégarde. par mégarde — inadvertently, by mistakeTo attack him, L’attaquer, to quarter him, le mettre en quartiers, mettre en quartiers — to tear to pieces, to quarterSir Wolf Sire loup sire — /dated./ lord, sire (used here ironically or formally)would have done it willingly: l’eût fait volontiers: But Mais it was necessary il falloit falloir — to be necessaryto give battle, livrer bataille, livrer bataille — to engage in battleAnd Et the Mastiff le mâtin mâtin (m) — mastiff, watchdogwas of a size étoit de taille être de taille à + inf — to be big enough or capable enough to do somethingTo defend himself boldly. A se défendre hardiment. hardiment — boldly, daringlyThe Wolf Le loup therefore donc approaches him humbly, l’aborde humblement, aborder — to approach, to addressEnters into conversation, Entre en propos, entrer en propos — to start a conversationand et pays him a compliment lui fait compliment On Sur his plumpness, son embonpoint, embonpoint (m) — stoutness, plumpnesswhich he admires. qu’il admire. It will depend only on you, Il ne tiendra qu’à vous, ne tenir qu'à qn — to depend only on someonefair sir, beau sire, To be as fat as I, D’être aussi gras que moi, replied the Dog to him. lui repartit le chien. repartir — to reply, to retortLeave the woods, Quittez les bois, you vous will do well: ferez bien: Your kind Vos pareils pareil (m) — peer, like, fellowthere are y sont miserable, misérables, Wretches, poor devils and beggars, Cancres, hères et pauvres diables, cancre (m) — /dated./ wretch, pauper (modern: dunce)Whose condition Dont la condition is est to die of hunger. de mourir de faim. For, what? Car, quoi? nothing assured! rien d’assuré! no point de point de — /formal./ no, not any (stronger than 'pas de')free meal! franche lippée! franche lippée — /dated./ a free meal, a good meal that costs nothingAll Tout at the point of the sword! à la pointe de l’épée! à la pointe de l'épée — by force of arms, through struggleFollow me, Suivez-moi, you will have vous aurez a un much better bien meilleur destiny. destin. The Wolf Le loup replied: reprit: What Que will I have to do?— me faudra-t-il faire?— falloir — to be necessaryAlmost nothing, Presque rien, said dit the Dog: le chien: give chase to people donner la chasse aux gens donner la chasse à qn — to hunt down, to chase awayCarrying sticks Portant bâtons and beggars; et mendiants; mendiant (m) — beggarFlatter Flatter those ceux of the dwelling, du logis, logis (m) — dwelling, hometo his master to please: à son maître complaire: complaire à qn — to please, to humor someoneWhereby Moyennant quoi moyennant quoi — in return for which, wherebyyour salary votre salaire Will be Sera plenty of force force — /dated./ plenty of, manyleftovers reliefs relief (m) — /dated./ leftovers (from a meal)of all kinds, de toutes les façons, Bones Os of chickens, de poulets, bones os of pigeons; de pigeons; Without speaking Sans parler of many a de mainte maint — many a, numerouscaress. caresse. The Wolf Le loup already déjà imagines se forge se forger — to create, to imagine for oneselfa happiness une félicité félicité (f) — bliss, great happinessWhich Qui makes him le fait weep pleurer with tenderness. de tendresse. Along the way, Chemin faisant, chemin faisant — on the way, as one goes alonghe saw the Dog's neck peeled. il vit le cou du chien pelé. pelé — hairless, rubbed bare, peeledWhat is that? Qu’est-ce là? he said to him.— lui dit-il.— Nothing.—What! Rien.—Quoi! nothing?— rien?— A small thing.— Peu de chose.— But still?— Mais encor?— encor — poetic spelling of 'encore' (still, again)The collar Le collier collier (m) — collarwith which dont I am attached je suis attaché Of what De ce que you see vous voyez is est perhaps peut-être the cause.— la cause.— Attached! Attaché! said the Wolf: dit le loup: you vous do not run ne courez then donc pas Where Où you vous want voulez ? ? — — Not Pas always toujours ; ; but mais what does it matter qu’importe qu'importe — what does it matter, no matter? ? — — It matters so much that Il importe si bien que importer — to matter; 'si bien que' — so much thatof de all tous your vos meals repas I Je want ne veux none in any en aucune way, sorte, And Et would not want ne voudrois pas even même at this price à ce prix a un treasure. trésor. That said, Cela dit, Master maître Wolf loup flees, s’enfuit, s'enfuir — to run away, to fleeand et runs court still. encor.
LA GÉNISSE, LA CHÈVRE ET LA BREBIS, EN SOCIÉTÉ AVEC LE LION.
VI
THE HEIFER, LA GÉNISSE, THE GOAT, LA CHÈVRE AND ET THE SHEEP, LA BREBIS, IN SOCIETY EN SOCIÉTÉ WITH AVEC THE LION. LE LION.
The Heifer, La génisse, génisse (f) — heifer (a young female cow that has not yet had a calf)the Goat, la chèvre chèvre (f) — goatand et their sister leur sœur the Sheep, la brebis, brebis (f) — ewe, sheepWith Avec a un proud fier fier — proudLion, lion, lord seigneur of the du neighborhood, voisinage, voisin (neighbor) → voisinage (neighborhood, vicinity)Formed a society, Firent société, faire société — to form a partnership or associationit is said, dit-on, dire — to say; 'dit-on' is a common parenthetical meaning 'it is said' or 'they say'in times of old, au temps jadis, jadis — /formal./ formerly, in days of oldAnd Et put in common mirent en commun mettre en commun — to pool, to share, to put togetherthe gain le gain gain (m) — profit, gainand et the damage. le dommage. In Dans the snares les lacs lacs (m) — snare, noose, trap (note: the 's' is silent)of the de la Goat chèvre a stag un cerf cerf (m) — stag, deerwas found caught. se trouva pris. prendre — to take, to catchTowards Vers her associates ses associés immediately aussitôt aussitôt — immediately, as soon asshe sends. elle envoie. They Eux having come, venus, the Lion le lion by par his ses claws ongles ongle (m) — nail; in the context of animals, claws or talonscounted; compta; And said: Et dit: We Nous are sommes four quatre to share à partager the prey. la proie. proie (f) — preyThen Puis into en as many autant de parts parts the stag le cerf he dismembered; il dépeça; dépecer — to butcher, to cut up (meat), to dismemberTook Prit for himself pour lui the first la première in quality en qualité of lord. de sire. sire — /formal./ sire, lord, majestyIt Elle must be doit être mine, à moi, he said; dit-il; and et the reason, la raison, It is that C’est que I je am called m’appelle Lion: lion: To that A cela one l’on l'on — /formal./ 'on' (one/we); the 'l' is euphonic, used after vowels to avoid hiatushas nothing n’a rien to say. à dire. The second, La seconde, by right, par droit, must fall to me me doit échoir again: encor: encor — /dated./ poetic form of 'encore' (still, again)This right, Ce droit, you vous know it, le savez, is c’est the right of the strongest. le droit du plus fort. le droit du plus fort — might makes rightAs Comme the le most plus valiant, vaillant, vaillant — valiant, braveI claim je prétends prétendre — to claim, to lay claim to (not 'to pretend' in the sense of faking)the third. la troisième. If Si any one quelqu’une of you de vous touches touche à toucher à qch — to touch or meddle with somethingthe fourth, la quatrième, I Je will strangle her l’étranglerai at once. tout d’abord. tout d'abord — first of all, immediately
LA BESACE.
VII
THE WALLET. LA BESACE.
Jupiter Jupiter said dit one day: un jour: Let Que all that tout ce qui breathes respire respirer — to breatheCome to appear S’en vienne comparoître s'en venir — /dated./ to come along, to arrivecomparaître — to appear (before a judge or authority)at the feet aux pieds of de my ma greatness; grandeur; If Si in dans its son composition composé composé (m) — physical makeup, compositionsomeone quelqu’un finds fault, trouve à redire, trouver à redire à qch — to find fault with something, to criticizeHe Il can peut declare it le déclarer without fear: sans peur: I Je will remedy the matter. mettrai remède à la chose. mettre remède à qch — /dated./ to remedy something, to fix somethingCome, Venez, Monkey; singe; singe (m) — monkeyspeak parlez first, le premier, and et for good reason: pour cause: et pour cause — and with good reason, and for a reasonSee Voyez these animals, ces animaux, make faites comparison comparaison Of De their beauties leurs beautés with avec yours. les vôtres. le vôtre / la vôtre — yours (possessive pronoun)Are you Êtes-vous satisfied?— satisfait?— Me, Moi, said he; dit-il; why not? pourquoi non? Have I not N’ai-je pas four feet quatre pieds as well as aussi bien que aussi bien que — as well as, just likethe others? les autres? My portrait Mon portrait so far jusqu’ici jusqu'ici — until now, so farhas reproached me nothing; ne m’a rien reproché; But Mais for pour my mon brother frère the Bear, l’ours, ours (m) — bearhe on has only been sketched: ne l’a qu’ébauché: ébaucher — to sketch, to outline, to start a rough draftNever, Jamais, if he wants to believe me, s’il me veut croire, will he have himself painted. il ne se fera peindre. se faire + inf — to have oneself [done], to get [done]The Bear L’ours coming thereupon, venant là-dessus, là-dessus — on top of that, thereuponone on thought crut he qu’il was going to complain. s’alloit plaindre. se plaindre — to complain; 'alloit' is an archaic spelling of 'allait' (was going)Far from it: Tant s’en faut: tant s'en faut — far from it, not at allof de his sa form forme he il praised himself se loua se louer — to praise oneself (from 'louer', to praise)very much; très-fort; He commented Glosa gloser — to comment on, to criticize, to glosson sur the Elephant, l’éléphant, said dit that one qu’on could pourroit still encor Add Ajouter to à his sa tail, queue, take from ôter à ôter — to remove, to take awayhis ses ears; oreilles; That Que it was c’étoit a une shapeless mass masse informe informe — shapeless, formlessand et without sans beauty. beauté. The Elephant L’éléphant being étant listened to, écouté, As wise as he was, Tout sage qu’il étoit, tout [adj] que — however [adj], as [adj] ashe said similar things: dit des choses pareilles: He judged Il jugea that to qu’à his son appetite appétit Lady Whale Dame baleine Dame — /dated./ Lady (used here as a title for animals in fables)was étoit too trop big. grosse. Lady Ant Dame fourmi fourmi (f) — antfound trouva the le mite ciron ciron (m) — mite, tiny insecttoo trop small, petit, Believing Se croyant herself a colossus for it. pour elle un colosse. Jupin sent them away Jupin les renvoya Jupin — a familiar or poetic nickname for Jupiterhaving all censured themselves; s’étant censurés tous; censurer — to criticize, to censureFor the rest, Du reste, content contents with themselves. d’eux. But Mais among parmi the les most plus foolish fous Our species Notre espèce excelled; excella; for car all that tout ce que we nous are, sommes, Lynxes Lynx avoir des yeux de lynx — to have very sharp eyesight; here used metaphorically for seeing others' faultstowards envers our nos peers pareils pareil (m) — peer, equal, fellow manand et moles taupes taupe (f) — mole (animal known for poor eyesight)towards ourselves, envers nous, We Nous pardon ourselves nous pardonnons everything, tout, and et nothing rien to aux other autres men: hommes: One On sees oneself se voit with d’un another autre eye œil than one sees qu’on ne voit one's neighbor. son prochain. prochain (m) — neighbor, fellow human beingThe Le sovereign maker fabricateur souverain Created us wallet-bearers all Nous créa besaciers tous besacier (m) — /dated./ one who carries a 'besace' (a double-ended bag or wallet)in the same manner, de même manière, As much Tant those ceux of past time du temps passé as que of today's time: du temps d’aujourd’hui: He made Il fit for pour our nos faults défauts the back pocket, la poche de derrière, And Et the front one celle de devant for pour the faults les défauts of others. d’autrui. autrui — others, other people
L’HIRONDELLE ET LES PETITS OISEAUX.
VIII
THE SWALLOW AND THE LITTLE BIRDS. L’HIRONDELLE ET LES PETITS OISEAUX.
A swallow Une hirondelle hirondelle (f) — swallow (bird)in its travels en ses voyages Had learned much. Avoit beaucoup appris. avoir — to have (Note: 'avoit' is an archaic spelling of 'avait')Whoever has seen much Quiconque a beaucoup vu quiconque — whoever, anyone whoCan have retained much. Peut avoir beaucoup retenu. retenir — to retain, to rememberThis one foresaw Celle-ci prévoyoit prévoir — to foresee, to predicteven the slightest storms, jusqu’aux moindres orages, moindre — least, slightestAnd before they had Et devant qu’ils fussent devant que — /dated./ before (modern: avant que)hatched, éclos, éclore — to hatch, to bloomAnnounced them to the sailors. Les annonçoit aux matelots. matelot (m) — sailorIt happened that at the time Il arriva qu’au temps that hemp is sown, que la chanvre se sème, chanvre (m) — hempShe saw a peasant Elle vit un manant manant (m) — /dated./ peasant, commonercover many en couvrir maints maint — many a, numerousfurrows with it. sillons. sillon (m) — furrowThis does not please me, Ceci ne me plaît pas, she said to the little birds; dit-elle aux oisillons; oiseau (m, bird) → oisillon (m, fledgling, little bird)I pity you, Je vous plains, plaindre — to pity, to feel sorry forfor, as for me, car, pour moi, in this extreme peril, dans ce péril extrême, I will know how to move away, Je saurai m’éloigner, savoir — to know (how to)or live in some corner. ou vivre en quelque coin. Do you see Voyez-vous this cette hand main which travels qui through the air? par les airs chemine? A day Un jour will come, viendra, which qui is not far, n’est pas loin, That Que what it ce qu’elle spreads répand répandre — to spread, to scatterwill be sera your votre ruin. ruine. From there De là will be born naîtront devices engins engin (m) — machine, device, toolto envelop you, à vous envelopper, And snares Et lacets lacet (m) — lace, snare, trapto pour catch vous you; attraper; Finally Enfin many and many a mainte et mainte machine machine Which Qui will cause causera in the season dans la saison Your death Votre mort or your prison: ou votre prison: Beware Gare gare à qch — watch out for, beware ofthe cage la cage or ou the cauldron! le chaudron! chaudron (m) — cauldron, large potThat is why, C’est pourquoi, the swallow told them, leur dit l’hirondelle, Eat Mangez this grain; ce grain; and et believe me. croyez-moi. The birds Les oiseaux mocked her: se moquèrent d’elle: se moquer de qn/qch — to make fun of, to mockThey found Ils trouvoient in aux the fields champs too much trop of what. de quoi. When Quand the hemp field la chènevière chanvre (m, hemp) → chènevière (f, hemp field)was fut green, verte, The swallow told L’hirondelle them: leur dit: Pull up Arrachez bit by bit brin à brin brin à brin — bit by bit, blade by bladeWhat has Ce qu’a produced produit this ce cursed maudit grain, grain, Or Ou be sure soyez sûrs of de your votre loss.— perte.— Prophet Prophète of misfortune! de malheur! chatterbox! babillarde! babillard (m/f) — chatterbox, talkative personone says, dit-on, The Le fine bel task emploi emploi (m) — job, task, usethat que you give tu us! nous donnes! We would need Il nous faudroit falloir — to be necessary, to needa thousand mille people personnes To strip Pour éplucher éplucher — to peel, to strip, to examine closelyall tout this ce area. canton. The hemp La chanvre being étant completely tout à fait tout à fait — completely, entirelygrown, crue, croître — to growThe swallow L’hirondelle added: ajouta: This Ceci is not going well; ne va pas bien; Bad seed Mauvaise graine is est soon tôt tôt — early, sooncome. venue. But since Mais puisque until now jusqu’ici I have not been believed l’on ne m’a crue in anything, en rien, As soon as Dès que you vous see verrez that que the earth la terre Will be covered, Sera couverte, and that at their crops et qu’à leurs blés People Les gens no longer being occupied n’étant plus occupés Will make war on the little birds; Feront aux oisillons la guerre; When Quand snares reginglettes reginglette (f) — /archaic/ a type of bird snare or trapand et nets réseaux Will catch Attraperont little birds, petits oiseaux, Do not fly anymore Ne volez plus from place to place, de place en place, Stay Demeurez at home au logis logis (m) — home, dwellingor ou change climate: changez de climat: Imitate Imitez the duck, le canard, the crane la grue and et the woodcock. la bécasse. bécasse (f) — woodcockBut Mais you are not vous n’êtes pas in a state en état To cross, De passer, like us, comme nous, the deserts les déserts and et the waves, les ondes, onde (f) — wave, watersNor Ni to go seek d’aller chercher other worlds, d’autres mondes, That is why C’est pourquoi you have vous n’avez only one course qu’un parti parti (m) — option, course of action, decisionthat is sure: qui soit sûr: It is C’est to shut yourselves up de vous renfermer in the hole au trou of some wall. de quelque mur. The little birds Les oisillons far from loin de hearing her, l’entendre, Began to Se mirent à chatter jaser jaser — to chatter, to gossipas aussi confusedly confusément As the Trojans did Que faisoient les Troyens when quand poor la pauvre Cassandra Cassandre Cassandre — Trojan priestess cursed to utter true prophecies but never to be believedOpened Ouvroit her mouth la bouche only. seulement. It happened to some Il en prit aux uns en prendre à qn — to happen to someone (in a certain way)as comme to others: aux autres: Many a Maint little bird oisillon saw itself se vit held captive. esclave retenu.
We Nous listen to n’écoutons no instincts d’instincts but que those ceux which qui are sont our own, les nôtres, And Et believe in ne croyons evil le mal only que when quand it il has come. est venu.
LE RAT DE VILLE ET LE RAT DES CHAMPS.
IX
THE CITY RAT LE RAT DE VILLE AND ET THE COUNTRY RAT. LE RAT DES CHAMPS.
Formerly Autrefois autrefois — formerly, in the pastthe City Rat le rat de ville Invited Invita the Country Rat, le rat des champs, champ (m) — field; (pl.) the countrysideIn a D’une façon very fort fort — /formal./ very, highlycivil manner, civile, To A some des reliefs ortolan leftovers. d’ortolans. ortolan (m) — a small songbird considered a rare and expensive delicacy in French cuisine
On Sur a Turkish carpet un tapis de Turquie The table was found set. Le couvert se trouva mis. mettre le couvert — to set the tableI leave to imagine Je laisse à penser laisser à penser — to leave one to imagine, to suggestthe life la vie That these two friends made. Que firent ces deux amis.
The feast Le régal régal (m) — treat, delight, feastwas fut very fort honest: honnête: honnête — /dated./ decent, respectable, properNothing was lacking Rien ne manquoit manquer — to be missing, to be lacking (Note: 'manquoit' is the archaic spelling of 'manquait')from the feast; au festin; But Mais someone quelqu’un disturbed troubla the party la fête While they were in progress. Pendant qu’ils étoient en train. être — to be (Note: 'étoient' is the archaic spelling of 'étaient')être en train de + inf — to be in the middle of doing something
At the door A la porte of the hall de la salle They heard Ils entendirent some noise: du bruit: The City Rat Le rat de ville scampers away; détale; détaler — to bolt, to scamper off, to run awayHis comrade Son camarade follows him. le suit.
The noise Le bruit ceases, cesse, one on withdraws. se retire. se retirer — to withdraw, to leaveRats in the field Rats en campagne en campagne — in the field, out and about (often used in military or hunting contexts)at once; aussitôt; And Et the city dweller le citadin citadin (m) — city dweller, urbaniteto say: de dire: et [sujet] de + inf — /literary./ and then [subject] started to... (historical infinitive)Let us finish Achevons achever — to complete, to finish offall our roast. tout notre rôt. rôt (m) — /archaic./ roast meat (modern: rôti)
It is C’est enough, assez, said dit the rustic; le rustique; rustique (m/f) — rustic person, countrymanTomorrow Demain you vous will come viendrez to my place. chez moi. chez qn — at someone's home/placeIt is not that Ce n’est pas que I je pride myself me pique se piquer de qch — to pride oneself on something, to boast about somethingOn De all tous your vos kingly feasts; festins de roi;
But Mais nothing rien comes ne vient to interrupt me, m’interrompre, I eat Je mange all at leisure. tout à loisir. à loisir — at one's leisure, leisurelyFarewell then. Adieu donc. Fie on Fi du fi de — /dated./ fie on, a pox upon (expression of disdain)pleasure plaisir That Que fear la crainte can corrupt! peut corrompre!
LE LOUP ET L’AGNEAU.
X
THE WOLF AND THE LAMB. LE LOUP ET L’AGNEAU.
The La reason raison of the du strongest plus fort fort — strong (here used as a noun with 'le plus' to mean 'the strongest')is est always toujours the best; la meilleure; We Nous are going to show it l’allons montrer presently. tout à l’heure. tout à l'heure — shortly, in a moment (can also mean 'a moment ago' depending on context)
A Lamb Un agneau was quenching his thirst se désaltéroit se désaltérer — to quench one's thirst (literally: to de-salt oneself)In Dans the current le courant of a pure d’une stream. onde pure. onde (f) — wave, water (poetic/dated usage for a stream or river)A Un Wolf loup comes along survient fasting, à jeun, à jeun — on an empty stomach, fastingwho qui was seeking cherchoit chercher — to look for, to seek (Note: 'cherchoit' is the archaic spelling of 'cherchait')adventure, aventure, And Et whom que hunger la faim to these places en ces lieux was attracting. attiroit. attirer — to attract, to draw inWho Qui makes you te rend so si bold hardi hardi — bold, daringto trouble de troubler my mon drink? breuvage? breuvage (m) — beverage, drinkSaid Dit this cet animal animal full plein of rage: de rage: You Tu shall be punished seras châtié châtier — to chastise, to punishfor de your ta temerity.— témérité.— téméraire (reckless) → témérité (f, audacity, recklessness)Sire, Sire, replies répond the Lamb, l’agneau, may que Your Votre Majesty Majesté Not put herself in anger; Ne se mette pas en colère; se mettre en colère — to get angryBut rather Mais plutôt that she consider qu’elle considère That Que I am quenching my thirst je me vas désaltérant aller + [gerund] — an archaic construction meaning 'to be in the process of doing something'In the current, Dans le courant, More than Plus de twenty vingt paces pas below her; au-dessous d’elle; au-dessous de — below, underneathAnd that, Et que, consequently, par conséquent, in no way en aucune façon en aucune façon — in no way, by no meansI Je cannot trouble ne puis troubler her drink.— sa boisson.— You Tu trouble it! la troubles! replied reprit this cruel beast; cette bête cruelle; And Et I know je sais that que of me de moi you spoke ill tu médis médire (de qn) — to speak ill (of someone), to slanderlast year.— l’an passé.— How Comment could I have done it l’aurois-je fait if si I je was not born? n’étois pas né? Replied Reprit the Lamb; l’agneau; I je still suckle tette encor téter — to suckle, to nursemy mother.— ma mère.— If Si it is not you, ce n’est toi, it is therefore c’est donc your brother.— ton frère.— I have none.— Je n’en ai point.— ne... point — /formal./ a stronger form of 'ne... pas' (not/none)It is therefore C’est donc one of yours; quelqu’un des tiens; le tien / les tiens — yours (possessive pronoun referring to family or kin here)For Car you vous spare me little, ne m’épargnez guère, épargner — to spare, to savene... guère — hardly, scarcely, but littleYou, Vous, your vos shepherds bergers and et your vos dogs. chiens. I have been told it: On me l’a dit: I must avenge myself. il faut que je me venge. Thereupon, Là-dessus, là-dessus — thereupon, upon which, regarding thatin the depths au fond of the des forests, forêts, The Wolf Le loup carries him off, l’emporte, emporter — to carry away, to take awayand then et puis eats him, le mange, Without other form of trial. Sans autre forme de procès. sans autre forme de procès — without further ado, summarily
L’HOMME ET SON IMAGE.
XI
THE MAN L’HOMME AND ET HIS IMAGE. SON IMAGE.
FOR POUR M. M. THE DUKE LE DUC OF LA ROCHEFOUCAULD. DE LA ROCHEFOUCAULD.
A man Un homme who qui loved himself s’aimoit s'aimer — to love oneself (Note: 'aimoit' is the archaic spelling of 'aimait')without having sans avoir rivals de rivaux rival (m) — rivalPassed Passoit passer pour — to be taken for, to pass as (Note: 'passoit' is the archaic spelling of 'passait')in his mind dans son esprit esprit (m) — mind, spiritfor pour the most beautiful le plus beau in the world: du monde: He always accused Il accusoit toujours accuser — to accuse (Note: 'accusoit' is the archaic spelling of 'accusait')mirrors les miroirs of being false, d’être faux, faux — false, fakeLiving Vivant more than content plus que content in his deep error. dans son erreur profonde. erreur (f, error) → errer (to wander/err) → erroné (erroneous)In order to Afin de afin de + inf — in order to, so as tocure him, le guérir, officious fate le sort officieux sort (m) — fate, destinyofficieux — helpful, meddling, or (historically) obligingPresented Présentoit everywhere partout to his eyes à ses yeux The mute counselors Les conseillers muets muet — mute, silentthat our ladies use: dont se servent nos dames: se servir de qch — to use somethingMirrors Miroirs in the dwellings, dans les logis, logis (m) — home, dwellingmirrors miroirs at the merchants', chez les marchands, chez — at the place of, amongMirrors in the pockets of gallants, Miroirs aux poches des galants, galant (m) — a man who seeks to please women, a suitorMirrors on the belts of women. Miroirs aux ceintures des femmes. What does our Narcissus do? Que fait notre Narcisse? Narcisse — Narcissus, a figure from Greek mythology who fell in love with his own reflectionHe Il goes to confine himself se va confiner s'en aller + inf — to go and do something (Note: 'se va' is an archaic word order for 'va se')To the most hidden places Aux lieux les plus cachés cacher — to hidethat he qu’il can imagine, peut imaginer, No longer daring N’osant plus oser — to dareof mirrors des miroirs to try éprouver éprouver — to test, to experience, to trythe adventure. l’aventure. But Mais a canal, un canal, formed by a pure spring, formé par une source pure, source (f) — spring, source of waterIs found Se trouve in these secluded places: en ces lieux écartés: écarté — remote, secluded, set apartHe sees himself there, Il s’y voit, he gets angry; il se fâche; se fâcher — to get angryand his irritated eyes et ses yeux irrités Think Pensent to perceive apercevoir a vain chimera. une chimère vaine. chimère (f) — chimera, a pipe dream, an illusionHe does all that he can Il fait tout ce qu’il peut to pour avoid éviter this water; cette eau; But what! Mais quoi! the canal le canal is so beautiful, est si beau, That he leaves it only with difficulty. Qu’il ne le quitte qu’avec peine. ne... que — only; avec peine — with difficulty
One sees well On voit bien where I want to come. où je veux venir. en venir à — to get to the point; où je veux en venir — where I am going with thisI Je speak parle to all; à tous; and this extreme error et cette erreur extrême Is Est an evil un mal mal (m) — evil, illness, harmthat each one likes to maintain. que chacun se plaît d’entretenir. se plaire à/de + inf — to take pleasure in doing somethingOur soul, Notre âme, it is c’est that man cet homme in love with himself; amoureux de lui-même; So many Tant de mirrors, miroirs, these are the follies of ce sont les sottises d’ sottise (f) — foolishness, nonsenseothers, autrui, autrui — others (formal/literary)Mirrors, Miroirs, of our faults de nos défauts défaut (m) — flaw, faultthe legitimate painters; les peintres légitimes; And Et as for the canal, quant au canal, quant à — as forit is c’est that one celui That Que everyone chacun knows, sait, the book le livre of Maxims. des Maximes. Maximes — Refers to the 'Maximes' of La Rochefoucauld, a famous work of French literature exploring human vanity
LE DRAGON A PLUSIEURS TÊTES, ET LE DRAGON A PLUSIEURS QUEUES.
XII
THE DRAGON LE DRAGON WITH A SEVERAL HEADS, PLUSIEURS TÊTES, AND ET THE DRAGON LE DRAGON WITH A SEVERAL TAILS. PLUSIEURS QUEUES.
An envoy Un envoyé of the du Grand Seigneur grand-seigneur Grand Seigneur — A title formerly used in Europe to refer to the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire.Preferred, Préféroit, préférer — to prefer (Note: the spelling 'oi' instead of 'ai' reflects 17th-century orthography).says dit history, l’histoire, one day un jour at the emperor's, chez l’empereur, chez — at the house/place ofThe forces Les forces of de his master son maître maître (m) — masterto à those celles of de the empire. l’empire. A German Un Allemand began to say: se mit à dire: se mettre à + inf — to begin doing somethingOur prince Notre prince has a dependents des dépendants Who, Qui, by their chief, de leur chef, de son chef — on one's own authority or by one's own means; 'chef' here relates to the head/leader.are sont so powerful si puissants pouvoir (to be able) → puissance (f, power) → puissant (powerful)That Que each of them chacun d’eux could pourroit hire soudoyer soudoyer — to pay or hire (often used for troops or in a context of bribery)an army. une armée. The chiaoux, Le chiaoux, chiaoux — (from Turkish 'çavuş') an envoy or messenger of the Sultan.a man of sense, homme de sens, homme de sens — a sensible or wise manSaid to him: Lui dit: I know Je sais by renown par renommée renommée (f) — reputation, fame, renownWhat Ce que each elector chaque électeur électeur — Prince-elector of the Holy Roman Empire, who had the right to elect the Emperor.can peut of people de monde monde (m) — world; (in this context) people or troopsfurnish; fournir; And that Et cela makes me remember me fait souvenir faire souvenir qn de qch — to remind someone of somethingOf a strange D’une adventure, aventure étrange, and which et qui nevertheless pourtant pourtant — however, yet, neverthelessis true. est vraie. I was J’étois in dans a safe place, un lieu sûr, lieu (m) — place; sûr — safe, securewhen lorsque I saw pass je vis passer The hundred heads Les cent têtes of a hydra d’une hydre hydre (f) — Hydra, the multi-headed serpent from Greek mythology.through au travers a hedge. d’une haie. haie (f) — hedgeMy blood Mon sang begins to freeze; commence à se glacer; se glacer — to freeze (often used figuratively for blood or fear)And Et I believe je crois that for less qu’à moins à moins — for less (than that); implying that even a smaller thing would cause fear.one is frightened. on s’effraie. I had of it Je n’en eus however toutefois toutefois — nevertheless, howeveronly que the fear la peur without sans the harm: le mal: Never Jamais the body le corps of de the animal l’animal Could Ne put come towards me, venir vers moi, nor ni find trouver an opening. d’ouverture. ouvrir (to open) → ouvert (open) → ouverture (f, opening)I was dreaming Je rêvois of à this adventure cette aventure When Quand another dragon, un autre dragon, who qui had but a n’avoit qu’un single head, seul chef, chef (m) — head (archaic/literary usage; modern French uses 'tête')And Et well more bien plus than one tail, d’une queue, queue (f) — tailpresents itself to pass. à passer se présente. Here I am Me voilà seized anew saisi derechef derechef — /formal./ once again, anewWith astonishment D’étonnement and et fright. d’épouvante. épouvante (f) — terror, dread, great fearThis head Ce chef passes, passe, and et the body, le corps, and et each tail chaque queue also: aussi: Nothing Rien hindered them; ne les empêcha; empêcher — to prevent, to hinderone l’un made way fit chemin faire chemin — to make one's way or to clear a pathfor à the other. l’autre. I maintain Je soutiens soutenir — to maintain, to uphold (an opinion)that it is so qu’il en est ainsi il en est ainsi — that is how it is, such is the caseOf De your emperor votre empereur and et of ours. du nôtre.
LES VOLEURS ET L’ANE.
XIII
THE THIEVES LES VOLEURS AND ET THE ASS. L’ANE.
For Pour an ass un âne âne (m) — donkey, asscarried off enlevé enlever — to take away, to kidnap, to carry offtwo thieves deux voleurs were fighting: se battoient: se battre — to fight (Note: 'battoient' is the archaic spelling of 'battaient')One L’un wanted vouloit to keep it, le garder, garder — to keep, to guardthe other l’autre wanted to sell it. le vouloit vendre. While Tandis que tandis que — while, whereasblows of fists coups de poings coup de poing (m) — a punch, a blow with the fisttrotted, trottoient, trotter — to trot (Note: 'trottoient' is the archaic spelling of 'trottaient')And that Et que our champions nos champions thought songeoient songer à — to think of, to dream of (Note: 'songeoient' is the archaic spelling of 'songeaient')of defending themselves, à se défendre, Arrives Arrive a third thief un troisième larron larron (m) — /dated./ thief, rogueWho Qui seizes saisit saisir — to seize, to grabMaster Aliboron. maître Aliboron. maître Aliboron — a traditional name for a donkey in French literature, often used to mock someone who thinks they are wise but is actually ignorantThe ass, L’âne, it is c’est sometimes quelquefois quelquefois — sometimesa poor province: une pauvre province: The thieves Les voleurs are sont such and such a prince, tel et tel prince, tel et tel — such and such, so-and-soLike Comme the Transylvanian, le Transylvain, the Turk le Turc and et the Hungarian. le Hongrois. Instead of Au lieu de au lieu de — instead of, in place oftwo, deux, I have met j’en ai rencontré three: trois: There is enough of this merchandise. Il est assez de cette marchandise. il est assez de — /formal./ there is enough of (equivalent to 'il y a assez de')marchand (merchant) → marchandise (merchandise) → marchander (to haggle)By none of them De nul d’eux nul — none, no oneis often n’est souvent the province conquered: la province conquise: A fourth thief Un quart voleur appears, survient, survenir — to occur, to happen unexpectedly, to turn upwho qui settles them cleanly les accorde net accorder — to reconcile, to bring into agreement (here: to settle the dispute by taking the object)net — cleanly, clearly, flatlyBy seizing En se saisissant the donkey. du baudet. baudet (m) — donkey, jackass