THE TALES AND NOVELS
OF
J. DE LA FONTAINE
A pretty wife? Beware the monks as you would guard your life
Above all law is might
Avoid attorneys, if you comfort crave
Delays are dangerous, in love or war
Ev'ry grave's the same
Extremes in ev'ry thing will soonest tire
In childhood FEAR 's the lesson first we know!
In country villages each step is seen
In the midst of society, he was absent from it
Monks are knaves in Virtue's mask
No folly greater than to heighten pain
Some ostentation ever is with grief
The god of love and wisdom ne'er agree
Those who weep most the soonest gain relief
Tis past our pow'r to live on love or air
Twere wrong with hope our fond desires to feed
We scarcely good can find without alloy
Who knows too much, oft shows a want of sense
LIFE OF
JEAN DE LA FONTAINE
Jean de La Fontaine was born on the 8th of July, 1621, at Chateau-Thierry, and his family held a respectable position there.