The Fox and the Crow
A fable from La Fontaine
A new translation by San Cassimally
Brer Bobby Crow, perched on a tree
In his beak an edam or a Brie.
Says wily Willy Fox catching a whiff,
Oh handsome crow, you’re such a beau
you need no face-lift- catch my drift?
For his recherché neologies
He proffers no apologies
In truth sir, if your warblement
Was worth half your feathery garment
you must indubitably, be
the phoenix of the hosts of these forests
but, not putting you to the test
can I beg for a samplement.
Hearing these words, Brer Crow rejoiced
and sets to air his unique voice
Opening wide his beak he drops his cheese
which wily Willy snaps with ease.
Good sir, he admonishes with a flourish
know ye that a good listener,
is in need of a flatterer
who makes a living by being
a first-class chatterer.
Clearly my lunch was fair payment
for your active enlightenment.
Brer Bobby made a solemn vow
- a bit too late — you will allow
that he’ll never again trip in that slough
The original
Maître Corbeau, sur un arbre perché,
Tenait en son bec un fromage.
Maître Renard, par l’odeur alléché,
Lui tint à peu près ce langage:
“Eh, bonjour, Monsieur du Corbeau.
Que vous êtes joli! Que vous me semblez beau!
Sans mentir, si votre ramage
Se rapporte à votre plumage,
Vous êtes le phénix des hôtes de ces bois.”
A ces mots, le corbeau ne se sent pas de joie;
Et pour montrer sa belle voix,
Il ouvre un large bec, laisse tomber sa proie.
Le renard s’en saisit, et dit: “Mon bon monsieur,
Apprenez que tout flatteur
Vit aux dépens de celui qui l’écoute.
Cette leçon vaut bien un fromage, sans doute.”
… Le corbeau, honteux et confus,
Jura, mais un peu tard, qu’on ne l’y prendrait plus.
