Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Image: Struthiocamelus et Alauda


M0403 - M0404 - M0405
404. Struthiocamelus et Alauda. Struthiocamelus, dum plumae nitore candidissimo et vasti corporis mole densa gloriatur, genus alitum ceterarum universum prae se abiectum reputans, in caelum forte suspicit. Alaudam videt, aviculam minutam et ignobili specie praeditam, animosam se tollere volatu ad plagas purioris aetheris sublimes. “Haec mea dignitas,” inquit ille, “quid iuvat, si est pondus quod me retinet solo haerentem?”



M0404 (not in Perry). Source: Desbillons 11.13 (adapted into prose). This fable is not in Perry’s catalog; Desbillons cites Le Noble as his source. For another bird frustrated in flight, see #548.