Saturday, October 23, 2010

Image: Lupi Duo, Oves, et Opilio


M0086 - M0087 - M0088
87. Lupi Duo, Oves, et Opilio. Scelesta ventris rabies lupos duos premebat et in gregem urgebat; metus autem impetum reprimebat. Vident quidem pecus imbelle at pariter vident et opilionem validum et canes impigros. Quid agant? Dum unus post dumeta opaca in insidiis cubat, alter it audax, recta via procurrens, contra gentem lanigeram. Quem canes simul adspiciunt, latratibus diris saeviunt ruuntque; accurrit ipse fervidus opilio: “Agite, insequimini, dedam neci.” At lupus, pedibus melior, viribus totis fugit subitque silvam; denique hostes suos eludit. Opilio igitur tristis ad gregem redit et attonitus haeret. Heu! Dum hinc abscedit improvidus, alter iste latro interea irruit praedamque rapuit, et locum, ubi socius saucibus siccis exspectabat, per circuitus notos repetiit. Haec fabula docet non semper periculum ibi maximum esse ubi maxime eminet.



M0087 (not in Perry). Source: Desbillons 12.6 (adapted into prose; shortened). This fable is not in Perry’s catalog; Desbillons cites Launay as his source. Compare the fable of the two wolves who decide to do good for the people, #103. For another fable about a diversion, see #347.