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Appendix 26. Cornix et ouis

Parallels: For parallel versions, see Perry 553.

Odiosa cornix super ouem consederat;

quam dorso cum tulisset inuita et diu,

"Hoc" inquit "si dentato fecisses cani,

poenas dedisses." Illa contra pessima:

"Despicio inermes, eadem cedo fortibus;

scio quem lacessam, cui dolosa blandiar.

ideo senectam mille in annos prorogo."

Here is the poem in a more prose-like word order for easy reading:

Not yet available.

Here is the poem with meter marks:

Not yet available.

Translation:

A detestable crow had seated herself atop a sheep so that the sheep had to carry the crow around against her will. After a while, the sheep remarked, 'If you had done this to a dog, you would not be able to get away with it: dogs have teeth!' The obnoxious crow replied, 'I despise creatures who cannot defend themselves, yet I yield to the high and mighty, as I know who should be attacked and who should be flattered with cunning lies. That is why I last to a ripe old age, living for thousands of years.'

Illustration:

Not yet available.