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. |
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Page xxxiii
... Tell a child that Crassus , going against the Parthians , invaded their land without considering how he'd get out ; that this caused his death and that of his army , strive as he might to withdraw . Tell the same child that the Fox and ...
... Tell a child that Crassus , going against the Parthians , invaded their land without considering how he'd get out ; that this caused his death and that of his army , strive as he might to withdraw . Tell the same child that the Fox and ...
Page 311
... Tell it straight with no delay . " 30 The Fox apologized straightway , Pleading a bad cold : he couldn't smell or tell a thing . In short , he evaded death's sting . Ceci vous sert d'enseignement : Ne soyez à la cour 311 VII The Lion's ...
... Tell it straight with no delay . " 30 The Fox apologized straightway , Pleading a bad cold : he couldn't smell or tell a thing . In short , he evaded death's sting . Ceci vous sert d'enseignement : Ne soyez à la cour 311 VII The Lion's ...
Page 387
... tell me some sign By which I'll know it . What feelings does it inflame ? " " Pangs . Compared to them , the joys for which a king does pine Are dull and drab . One forgets oneself ; one takes delight 40 In sylvan solitude , day or ...
... tell me some sign By which I'll know it . What feelings does it inflame ? " " Pangs . Compared to them , the joys for which a king does pine Are dull and drab . One forgets oneself ; one takes delight 40 In sylvan solitude , day or ...
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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