The Fables of Phædrus / Literally translated into English prose with notes

Œ, œ (“oe” ligature) Μωμεῖσθαι
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The text is taken from an omnibus volume that also contained Riley’s translation of the six surviving plays of Terence. The full title page has been retained for completeness, but the sections of the Preface and Contents that apply only to Terence have been omitted.
A few typographical errors have been corrected. They are marked in the text with mouse-hover popups .

LONDON: GEORGE BELL & SONS, YORK STREET, COVENT GARDEN. 1887.
In the Translation of Phædrus, the Critical Edition by Orellius, 1831, has been used, and in the Æsopian Fables, the text of the Parisian Edition of Gail, 1826. The Notes will, it is believed, be found to embody the little that is known of the contemporary history of the Author.
H. T. R.
In the text, Book III, Fable xi is “The Eunuch to the Abusive Man”; all following fables in Riley are numbered one higher than in the Table of Contents. This fable is missing from Smart but the number X is skipped, as was number I.xviii.
The matter which Æsop, the inventor of Fables , has provided, I have polished in Iambic verse. The advantages of this little work are twofold—that it excites laughter, and by counsel guides the life of man . But if any one shall think fit to cavil, because not only wild beasts, but even trees speak, let him remember that we are disporting in fables.
Driven by thirst, a Wolf and a Lamb had come to the same stream; the Wolf stood above, and the Lamb at a distance below. Then, the spoiler, prompted by a ravenous maw, alleged a pretext for a quarrel. “Why,” said he, “have you made the water muddy for me while I am drinking?” The Fleece-bearer, trembling, answered : “Prithee, Wolf, how can I do what you complain of? The water is flowing downwards from you to where I am drinking.” The other, disconcerted by the force of truth, exclaimed : “Six months ago, you slandered me.” “Indeed ,” answered the Lamb, “I was not born then .” “By Hercules,” said the Wolf , “ then ’twas your father slandered me;” and so, snatching him up, he tore him to pieces, killing him unjustly.