115. Simia Regina et Vulpes. Simia, viso solio unde rex paulo ante discesserat, accurrit et illud occupat. Accedit deridens hanc vulpecula et ecquid imperet rogat. Simia astare illam et contemplari se reginam iubet. “Immo ego,” inquit vulpes, “ut celeriter hinc te abripias, suadeo.” Sed superbe despicientem dicta vulpis simiam canes, qui ante revertentem regem procurrerant, invadunt atque iam paventem et trepidam mordicus arripiunt et laceram et semivivam vix tandem amittunt, deplorantem illam et cupiditatum et stultitiae damna.
Click here for a
SLIDESHOW of all the Speculum Sapientiae images. This is an illustration for a different fable, but I think it fits this one, too, since we have here a monkey on the throne!
M0115 (not in Perry). Source: Daumas 267. This fable is not included in Perry’s catalog. For another story about the monkey as a would-be king, see #116. For a fable where the owl thinks she is the queen, see #465.
