I.13

    a Fox espied him,

     and

    thereupon began thus to speak: “O Raven, what a glossiness there is upon those feathers of yours! What grace you carry in your shape and air! If you had a voice, no bird whatever would be superior to you.” On this, the other, while, in his folly, attempting to show off his voice, let fall the cheese from his mouth, which the crafty Fox with greedy teeth instantly snatched up. Then, too late, the Raven, thus, in his stupidity overreached, heaved a bitter sigh.

    By this story

     I.14

    it is shown, how much ingenuity avails,

     and

    how wisdom is always an overmatch for strength.

    A bungling Cobbler, broken down by want, having begun to practise physic in a strange place, and selling his antidote

     I.15

    under a feigned name, gained some reputation for himself by his delusive speeches.

    Upon this, the King of the city, who lay ill, being afflicted with a severe malady, asked for a cup, for the purpose of trying him; and then pouring water into it, and pretending that he was mixing poison with the fellow’s antidote, ordered him to drink it off,

     in consideration of

    a stated

     reward.

    Through fear of death, the cobbler then confessed that not by any skill in the medical art, but through the stupidity of the public, he had gained his reputation. The King, having summoned a council, thus remarked: “What think you of the extent of your madness, when you do not hesitate to trust your lives

     I.16

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