Vulgar words in A Hundred Fables of La Fontaine (Page 1)

This book at a glance

ass x 15
blockhead x 3
jackass x 1
            

Page 1

~   ~   ~   Sentence 19   ~   ~   ~

_This ass is, by interpretation,_ _Some province poor, or prostrate nation._ _The thieves are princes this and that,_ _On spoils and plunder prone to fat,--_ _As those of Austria, Turkey, Hungary._ _(Instead of two, I've quoted three--_ _Enough of such commodity.

~   ~   ~   Sentence 29   ~   ~   ~

This time, the king, t' insure success, Took for his aide-de-camp an ass, A creature of stentorian voice, That felt much honour'd by the choice.

~   ~   ~   Sentence 33   ~   ~   ~

Cried out the much-elated ass.

~   ~   ~   Sentence 36   ~   ~   ~

The donkey, had he dared, With anger would have flared At this retort, though justly made; For who could suffer boasts to pass So ill-befitting to an ass?

~   ~   ~   Sentence 76   ~   ~   ~

Their Maker chooses but a few With power of pleasing to imbue; Where wisely leave it we, the mass, Unlike a certain fabled ass, That thought to gain his master's blessing By jumping on him and caressing.

~   ~   ~   Sentence 123   ~   ~   ~

An ass, with relics for his load, Supposed the worship on the road Meant for himself alone, And took on lofty airs, Receiving as his own The incense and the prayers.

~   ~   ~   Sentence 143   ~   ~   ~

"Dismiss," said one, "the blockhead asses, And hares, too cowardly and fleet."

~   ~   ~   Sentence 157   ~   ~   ~

A gardener's ass complain'd to Destiny Of being made to rise before the dawn.

~   ~   ~   Sentence 165   ~   ~   ~

Anon it came to pass He was a collier's ass.

~   ~   ~   Sentence 168   ~   ~   ~

"If on this jackass I must wait, What will become of kings and nations?

~   ~   ~   Sentence 222   ~   ~   ~

With wit unseemly and profane, He mocks our venerable race-- On each of his who lacketh brain Bestows our ancient surname, ass!

~   ~   ~   Sentence 228   ~   ~   ~

"My lord," the other ass replied, "Such talents in yourself reside, Of asses all, the joy and pride."

~   ~   ~   Sentence 401   ~   ~   ~

A man, whom I shall call an ass-eteer, His sceptre like some Roman emperor bearing, Drove on two coursers of protracted ear, The one, with sponges laden, briskly faring; The other lifting legs As if he trod on eggs, With constant need of goading, And bags of salt for loading.

~   ~   ~   Sentence 405   ~   ~   ~

All three drank deeply: asseteer and ass For boon companions of their load might pass; Which last became so sore a weight, The ass fell down, Belike to drown His rider risking equal fate.

~   ~   ~   Sentence 676   ~   ~   ~

Along the road an ass and dog One master following, did jog.

~   ~   ~   Sentence 678   ~   ~   ~

He would not be too delicate, Nor spoil a dinner for a plate, Which, but for that, his favourite dish, Were all that any ass could wish.

~   ~   ~   Sentence 981   ~   ~   ~

Clad in a lion's shaggy hide, An ass spread terror far and wide, And, though himself a coward brute, Put all the world to scampering rout: But, by a piece of evil luck, A portion of an ear outstuck, Which soon reveal'd the error Of all the panic terror.

~   ~   ~   Sentence 1,072   ~   ~   ~

Meanwhile, all other kinds and tribes As fools and blockheads it describes, With other compliments as cheap.

~   ~   ~   Sentence 1,170   ~   ~   ~

Sir Bear, sad blockhead, was deceived-- The prostrate man a corpse believed; But, half suspecting some deceit, He feels and snuffs from head to feet, And in the nostrils blows.

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