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I.10. Lupus et Vulpis Iudice Simio

Parallels: For parallel versions, see Perry 474.

Quicumque turpi fraude semel innotuit,
etiam si verum dicit, amittit fidem.
Hoc adtestatur brevis Aesopi fabula.
Lupus arguebat vulpem furti crimine;
negabat illa se esse culpae proximam.
Tunc iudex inter illos sedit simius.
Uterque causam cum perorassent suam,
dixisse fertur simius sententiam:
'Tu non videris perdidisse quos petis;
te credo subripuisse quod pulchre negas'.

Translation:

The Wolf and Fox, with the Ape for Judge (trans. C. Smart)

Whoe'er by practice indiscreet

Has pass'd for a notorious cheat,

Will shortly find his credit fail,

Though he speak truth, says Esop's tale.

The Wolf the Fox for theft arraigned;

The Fox her innocence maintained:

The Ape, as umpire, takes his seat;

Each pleads his cause with skill and heat.

Then thus the Ape, with aspect grave,

The sentence from the hustings gave:

"For you, Sir Wolf, I do descry

That all your losses are a lie-

And you, with negatives so stout,

0 Fox! have stolen the goods no doubt."