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