“Ox never says ‘Thank you,’ to the pasture.”[11]—[Trinidad.]
[11] A proverb current in Martinique, Louisiana, etc., with slight variations. Favors or services done through selfish policy, or compelled by necessity, do not merit acknowledgment.
22. Béfs laquée en lére, mauvés temps napas loin. (Les bœufs ont la queue en l’air, le mauvais temps n’est pas loin.)
“When the oxen lift their tails in the air, look out for bad weather.”—[Mauritius.]
23. * Bel tignon[12] pas fait bel négresse. (Le beau tignon ne fait pas la belle negresse.)
“It isn’t the fine head-dress that makes the fine negress.”—[Louisiana.]
[12] The Louisiana tiyon or tignon [tiyon is the true Creole word] is the famously picturesque handkerchief which in old days all slave women twisted about their heads. It is yet worn by the older colored folk: and there are several styles of arranging it—tiyon chinoise, tiyon Créole, etc. An old New Orleans ditty is still sung, of which the refrain is:—
Madame Caba!
Tiyon vous tombé!
Madame Caba,
Tiyon vous tombé!
“Madame Caba, your tiyon’s falling off!”
24. Bénéfice ratt, c’est pou sèpent. (Le bénéfice du rat, c’est pour le serpent.)