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THE BABY’S OWN ÆSOP

BEING THE FABLES CONDENSED IN RHYME
WITH PORTABLE MORALS
PICTORIALLY POINTED
BY WALTER CRANE

 

PREFACE

PREFACE

For this rhymed version of the Fables I have to thank my early friend and master W.J. LINTON, who kindly placed the MS. at my disposal. I have added a touch here and there, but the credit of this part of the book still belongs to him.

Walter Crane

dedication

To the
Possessors of
“Baby’s Opera”
&
“Baby’s Bouquet”
with
Walter Crane’s
Compliments

CONTENTS

 

The Fox and the Grapes

ÆSOP’S FABLES

THE FOX & THE GRAPES

This Fox has a longing for grapes,
He jumps, but the bunch still escapes.
So he goes away sour;
And, ’tis said, to this hour
Declares that he’s no taste for grapes.

THE GRAPES OF DISAPPOINTMENT ARE ALWAYS SOUR

 

The Cock and the Pearl

THE COCK & THE PEARL

A rooster, while scratching for grain,
Found a Pearl. He just paused to explain
That a jewel’s no good
To a fowl wanting food,
And then kicked it aside with disdain.

IF HE ASK BREAD WILL YE GIVE HIM A STONE?

THE WOLF AND THE LAMB

A wolf, wanting lamb for his dinner,
Growled out—“Lamb you wronged me, you sinner.”
Bleated Lamb—“Nay, not true!”
Answered Wolf—“Then ’twas Ewe—
Ewe or lamb, you will serve for my dinner.”

FRAUD AND VIOLENCE HAVE NO SCRUPLES

 

The Wind and the Sun

THE WIND & THE SUN

The Wind and the Sun had a bet,
The wayfarers’ cloak which should get:
Blew the Wind—the cloak clung:
Shone the Sun—the cloak flung
Showed the Sun had the best of it yet.

TRUE STRENGTH IS NOT BLUSTER

 

King Log and King Stork

KING LOG & KING STORK

The Frogs prayed to Jove for a king: