173. Lepores, Canes, et Vulpes. Lepores, cum canum impetus effugere semper cogerentur, ad vulpinam gentem supplicatum denique misere, auxiliares copias sibi commodare vellet. Vulpes, quas odium vetus et ira acris adversus canes stimulat, auxilia spondent. Coeunt; ad pugnae locum properant frequentes, at leporibus iubent stare otiosos ne forte, solita timiditate exterriti, animos strenue dimicantum corrumpant. Lepores promittunt se his inertiae legibus, quamquam turpibus, obsecuturos fore. Placidi ergo pugnam spectant. Postmodum tamen, cum vident vulpium phalanges, et numero et astu superiores, canibus praevalere, concurrere audent, si partem aliquam laudis et victoriae sibi asserere queant. Sed, ubi propius in taeterrimis hostium vultibus intuentur, omnes simul fugere et exemplo malo turmis socialibus suasere ut similem fugam caperent. Bellicosos solos pugnare expedit; imbellium agmen officit, nedum adiuvet.
M0173 (not in Perry). Source: Desbillons 7.6 (adapted into prose; shortened). This fable is not in Perry’s catalog; it appears original to Desbillons, as he cites no source. Compare the famous fable about the cowardly rabbits and the frogs, #164. For the lion finding a way to make use of the rabbits in battle, see #19.
