English poem
The Satyr And The Traveller.
by Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695)
Within a savage forest grot A satyr and his chips Were taking down their porridge hot; Their cups were at their lips. You might have seen in mossy den, Himself, his wife, and brood; They had not tailor-clothes, like men, But appetites as good. In came a traveller, benighted, All hungry, cold, and wet, Who heard himself to eat invited With nothing like regret. He did not give his host the pain His asking to repeat; But first he blew with might and main To give his fingers heat. Then in his steaming porridge dish He delicately blew. The wondering satyr said, 'I wish The use of both I knew.' 'Why, first, my blowing warms my hand, And then it cools my porridge.' 'Ah!' said his host, 'then understand I cannot give you storage. 'To sleep beneath one roof with you, I may not be so bold. Far be from me that mouth untrue Which blows both hot and cold.'
More by Jean de La Fontaine
- The Raven Wishing To Imitate The Eagle.
- The Raven, The Gazelle, The Tortoise, And The Rat.
- The Rhemese
- The River Scamander
- The Schoolboy, The Pedant, And The Owner Of A Garden (Prose Fable)
- The Schoolboy, The Pedant, And The Owner Of A Garden.
- The Sculptor And The Statue Of Jupiter.
- The Scythian Philosopher (Prose Fable)