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V.4. Asinus et Porcelli Hordeum
Parallels: For parallel versions, see Perry 526.
Quidam immolasset uerrem cum sancto Herculi,
cui pro salute uotum debebat sua,
asello iussit reliquias poni hordei.
Quas aspernatus ille sic locutus est:
"Libenter istum prorsus adpeterem cibum,
nisi qui nutritus illo est iugulatus foret."
Huius respectu fabulae deterritus,
periculosum semper uitaui lucrum.
Sed dicis: "Qui rapuere diuitias, habent."
Numeremus agedum qui deprensi perierunt;
maiorem turbam punitorum reperies.
Paucis temeritas est bono, multis malo.
Here is the poem in a more prose-like word order for easy reading:
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Here is the poem with meter marks:
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Translation:
There was a man who had vowed that he would sacrifice a pig in honour of Hercules if the god agreed to rescue him from danger. When the man fulfilled his vow and sacrificed the pig, he then ordered that the pig's leftover barley be given to the donkey. The donkey, however, refused to touch it. 'This is the kind of food that would normally arouse my appetite,' said the horse, 'but not when it is the result of the previous diner having had his throat cut!'
This fable taught me caution and I have avoided risky business ventures ever since - but you say 'those who grab wealth get to keep it.' Just remember how many of them are eventually caught and killed! Clearly, the ones who have been punished constitute the larger crowd. A few people may profit from reckless behaviour, but many more are ruined by it.
The Man and the Ass (trans. C. Smart)
A certain Man, when he had made
A sacrifice, for special aid
To Hercules, and killed a swine,
Did for his Ass's share assign
All the remainder of the corn;
But he, rejecting it with scorn,
Thus said: "I gladly would partake-
But apprehend that life's at stake;
For he you fatted up and fed
With store of this, is stuck and dead."
Struck with the import of this tale,
I have succeeded to prevail
Upon my passions, and abstain,
From peril of immod'rate gain.
But, you will say, those that have come
Unjustly by a handsome sum,
Upon the pillage still subsist-
Why, if we reckon up the list,
You'll find by far the major part
Have been conducted in the cart:
Temerity for some may do,
But many more their rashness rue.
Illustration:
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