The Wolf And The Fox

Why Aesop gave the palm of cunning

Over flying animals and running

To Renard Fox, I cannot tell

Though I have searched the subject well

Has not Sir Wolf an equal skill

In tricks and artifices shown

When he would do some life an ill

Or from his foes defend his own?

I think he has; and, void of disrespect

What seemed to him an ample cheese

Two balanced buckets took their turns

When drawers thence would fill their urns

Our fox went down in one of these

By hunger greatly pressed to sup

And drew the other empty up

Convince at once of his mistake

And anxious for his safety's sake

He saw his death was near and sure

Unless some other wretch in need

The same moon's image should allure

To take a bucket and succeed

To his predicament, indeed

Two days passed by, and none approached the well

Unhalting Time, as is his wont

Was scooping from the moon's full front

And as he scooped Sir Renard's courage fell

He crony wolf, of damorous maw

Poor fox at last above him saw

And cried, "My comrade, look you here!

See what abundance of good cheers!

A cheese of most delicious zest!

Which Faunas must himself have pressed

Of milk by heifer Io given

If Jupiter were sick in Heaven

The taste would bring to his appetite

I have taken, as you see, a bite

But still for both there is a plenty

Pray take the bucket that I have sent you

Come down, and get your share"

Although, to make the story fair

The fox had used his utmost care

The wolf (a fool to give him credit)

Went down because his stomach bid it

And by his weight pulled up

Sir Renard to the top

We need not mock this simpleton

For we ourselves such deeds have done

Our faith is prone to lend its ear

To anything which we desire or fear

The wolf and the fox

Jean de la Fontaine