FABLE XI. | FABLE XI. |
THE ASS AND THE LION HUNTING. | LE LION ET L’ÂNE CHASSANT. |
Phaedrus. | Phèdre. |
A dastard, who in his talk brags of his prowess, and is devoid of courage, imposes upon strangers, but is the jest of all who know him. | Le lâche qui se vante de hauts faits peut abuser qui ne le connaît pas, mais il est la risée de ceux qui le connaissent. |
A Lion having resolved to hunt in company with an Ass, concealed him in a thicket, and at the same time enjoined him to frighten the wild beasts with his voice, to which they were unused, while he himself was to catch them as they fled. | Le Lion, voulant chasser en compagnie de l’Ane, le couvrit de feuillage, et lui recommanda de braire à épouvanter les animaux, plus que de coutume, tandis que lui les saisirait au passage. |
Upon this, Long-ears, with all his might, suddenly raised a cry, and terrified the beasts with this new cause of astonishment. | Le chasseur aux longues oreilles se met à crier de toutes ses forces, et, par ce nouveau prodige, effraye les animaux. |
While, in their alarm, they are flying to the well-known outlets, they are overpowered by the dread onset of the Lion; | Tremblants, ils cherchent à gagner les issues connues du bois ; mais le Lion d’un bond impétueux les terrasse. |
who, after he was wearied with slaughter, called forth the Ass from his retreat, and bade him cease his clamour. | Las de carnage, il appelle l’Âne et lui ordonne de se taire. |
On this the other, in his insolence, inquired: | Alors celui-ci lui dit avec arrogance : |
What think you of the assistance given by my voice? | « Comment trouvez-vous les effets de ma voix ? |
Excellent!” said the Lion, “so much so, that if I had not been acquainted with your spirit and your race, I should have fled in alarm like the rest. | — Merveilleux, dit le Lion, et tellement, que, si je n’avais connu ton courage et ta race, j’aurais fui de peur comme les autres. » |