De Lupo et Sue: The Wolf and The Sow

Source: Aesop's Fables, 1687 (illustrated by Francis Barlow).

Parallels: For parallel versions, see Perry 547.

Latin Text:

Parturiebat Sus, pollicetur Lupus se custodem fore foetus. Respondet puerpera Lupi obsequio se non egere, oratque, si velit pius haberi, longius abeat. Lupi enim benevolentia constabat non praesentia, sed absentia. Non sunt cuncta cunctis credenda. Multi enim suam operam pollicentur non tui amore, sed sui, suum quaerentes commodum, non tuum.

Here is a segmented version to help you see the grammatical patterns:

Parturiebat Sus,

pollicetur Lupus

se

custodem fore foetus.

Respondet puerpera

Lupi obsequio

se non egere,

oratque,

si velit pius haberi,

longius abeat.

Lupi enim benevolentia

constabat non praesentia,

sed absentia.

Non sunt cuncta

cunctis credenda.

Multi enim

suam operam pollicentur

non tui amore,

sed sui,

suum quaerentes commodum,

non tuum.

Translation:

A sow was giving birth and a wolf promised that he would be a guardian to her offspring. The expectant mother answered that she had no need of the indulgence of the wolf and asked him to move farther away if he wanted to be considered respectful, for the good will of the wolf consisted not in his presence but in his absence. Not all people are to be trusted in all things, for many promise to go to some trouble not from a love of you, but from self-love. They are seeking their own advantage, not yours.

[This translation is meant as a help in understanding the story, not as a "crib" for the Latin. I have not hesitated to change the syntax to make it flow more smoothly in English, altering the verb tense consistently to narrative past tense, etc.]

This edition of Aesop's fables was published in French, Latin, and English, so here it the English poem that accompanies this fable (I've modernized some of the 17th-century spelling):

The Wolf intreats the Sow that he might be

A guard to keep her Pigs from injury.

The Sow, who knew the nature of the Beast

Replied - when absent, Sir, you'll guard 'em best.

Believe now those who often Friendship swear,

Lest they some private Interest would prefer.

Illustration:

Here is an illustration from this edition, by the renowned artist Francis Barlow; click on the image for a larger view.

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