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
Results 1-3 of 57
Page 111
... King dropped , all peaceful , sedate . 5 But this King fell with such a crash , fortissimo , That the entire marshy race , A wholly stupid , fearful populace , Dived in the water to hide Where reeds and rushes multiplied In holes of the ...
... King dropped , all peaceful , sedate . 5 But this King fell with such a crash , fortissimo , That the entire marshy race , A wholly stupid , fearful populace , Dived in the water to hide Where reeds and rushes multiplied In holes of the ...
Page 531
... King's kitchen fire . Two demigods , one the son , the other his sire , Each made one of these birds a favorite one ... King Straightway , in his full fury , to peck out both his eyes . 30 Then , departing at once , he flew off like a ...
... King's kitchen fire . Two demigods , one the son , the other his sire , Each made one of these birds a favorite one ... King Straightway , in his full fury , to peck out both his eyes . 30 Then , departing at once , he flew off like a ...
Page 629
... King's nose ? ” “ On the nose of the King it sat down . ” " Then he wasn't holding his scepter , or wearing his crown ? " " Had he been , it would have happened anyway , no doubt : The royal nose was seized , like any commoner's snout ...
... King's nose ? ” “ On the nose of the King it sat down . ” " Then he wasn't holding his scepter , or wearing his crown ? " " Had he been , it would have happened anyway , no doubt : The royal nose was seized , like any commoner's snout ...
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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