When a Bull was struggling with his horns in a narrow passage, and could hardly effect an entrance to the manger, a Calf began to point out in what way he might turn himself: “Hush,” said the Bull, “I knew that before you were born.”
Let him who would instruct a wiser man, consider this as said to himself.
[ Fable X.]
THE HUNTSMAN AND THE DOG.
A Dog, who had always given satisfaction to his master by his boldness against swift and savage beasts, began to grow feeble under increasing years. On one occasion, being urged to the combat with a bristling Boar, he seized him by the ear; but, through the rottenness of his teeth, let go his prey. Vexed at this, the Huntsman upbraided the Dog. Old Barker[V.14] replied: “It is not my courage that disappoints you, but my strength. You commend me for what I have been; and you blame me that I am not what I was.”
You, Philetus,[V.15] may easily perceive why I have written this.
[Footnotes to Book V]
[1.] And Myron)—Ver. 7. Myron was a famous sculptor, statuary, and engraver, of Greece. He was a native of Eleutheræ, in Bœotia, and according to Petronius Arbiter, died in extreme poverty.
[2.] Called Phalereus)—Ver. 1. Demetrius Phalereus, the statesman, philosopher, and ruler of Athens, was so called from the Attic demus, or borough of Phalerus, where he was born. He died in exile in Egypt, according to some accounts, of the bite of a serpent. There seems no good reason for giving to his rule over the Athenians the epithet of “improbum,” found in the next line, although in the latter years of his government he gave himself up in a great measure to sensual pursuits.
[3.] Menander, famous)—Ver. 9. Menander, the inventor of the New Comedy. Some of the Comedies of Terence are Translations from his works.