Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Illustrated: Vulpes, Lupus, et Caseus


M0069 - M0070 - M0071
70. Vulpes, Lupus, et Caseus. Dum putei liquor placidus lunae plenae simulacra speculo suo redderet, vulpes ieiuna illuc forte accessit, victum quaeritans; fames malesuada eam perpulit ut caseum pinguem super summis aquis innatare crederet. Vulpes ergo, cum itus facilis esset situlis duobus qui vices alternabant, in situlum ad marginem elatum sese iniicit. Sed sic delapsa, mox errorem suum luget et se perituram deputat. Iam biduum consumptum erat cum lupus tandem advenit. Quem vulpes conspicata, “In situlum,” ait, “te cito immitte; caseus opimus hic mihi repertus est. Comedi quantum cupiditas mea voluit; nunc satura, cogor hunc caseum deserere, sic abrasum, ut vides,” luna scilicet decreverat, et simul lunae imago. Lupus credulus obsequitur; sursum propellit vulpem et, parum anxia quid lupo fieret, vado haerentem liquit.

Vulpes et Lupus

Click here for a SLIDESHOW of all the Tilney images. Although this is an image for a different fable about the fox, the wolf and the well, it works for this one, too!

M0070 (not in Perry). Source: Desbillons 8.24 (adapted into prose; shortened). This fable is not in Perry’s catalog; it appears original to Desbillons, as he cites no source. For another story about the moon mistaken for cheese, see the story of the three travelers, #925.