The Complete Fables of Jean de la Fontaine"The English-speaking reader will typically find selections of translated fables by La Fontaine (1621-1695), and a large number of those stray rather far from the original in an effort to retain the poetic flavor of the genre. Other translations, treating the fables as reading matter for followers of Winnie the Pooh, do not retain the subtle overtones and wit intended, in fact, for educated adults. This translation remains extraordinarily faithful to the original not only in metrical patterns and rhyme schemes but also in tone: wit and le mot juste are skillfully and wonderfully combined. This is no small achievement, and we can now enjoy the grace, wit, and versatility of an author whose literary qualities were, until now, evident only in the original."-- Danielle Mihram, New York University Library. |
From inside the book
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Page 27
... heads were passing through a hedge . At once my blood began to freeze . Much less , I think , puts one on edge . Still ... head passed , and the body , and each tail with no strain . Nothing blocked them ; each enhanced the next one's ...
... heads were passing through a hedge . At once my blood began to freeze . Much less , I think , puts one on edge . Still ... head passed , and the body , and each tail with no strain . Nothing blocked them ; each enhanced the next one's ...
Page 321
... head . Should something then happen to restore me to reality , I'm as before , John Clod instead . XI The Curate and the Deceased A dead man was on his way sadly Toward his final berth , encased ; A Curate was on his way gladly , To ...
... head . Should something then happen to restore me to reality , I'm as before , John Clod instead . XI The Curate and the Deceased A dead man was on his way sadly Toward his final berth , encased ; A Curate was on his way gladly , To ...
Page 341
... heads of states . XVII The Head and Tail of the Snake Two parts of a snake as it goes Are both all humankind's foes . And both , the Tail and the Head , Have such fame as creatures to dread , That to harsh Fate it was moot 5 When once a ...
... heads of states . XVII The Head and Tail of the Snake Two parts of a snake as it goes Are both all humankind's foes . And both , the Tail and the Head , Have such fame as creatures to dread , That to harsh Fate it was moot 5 When once a ...
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Common terms and phrases
animal autre avait beast beau better bien C'est cause cent Chien chose coup court d'une dans deux Dieux dire dit-il encor enfin et le eyes fable faire fait fate faut folks Fortune gens give grand hand head homme J'ai jamais jour Jupiter kind king l'autre l'homme l'on L'un leur Lion live look Loup maître master mieux mind mort n'en n'est never nous once pass peine petits peut poor prend qu'il qu'on qu'un que le raison Renard rien s'en s'il sage sans seul soon sort tell temps tête thing thought took tout turn vient voilà voir vous Wolf