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Barlow 13. DE LUPO ET SUE

Introduction, Grammar Notes and Glossary: See the printed book.

Grammar Commentary: includes segmented version.

Perry 547: for more Latin and English versions.

Digital Book Page: from Michigan State University.

Online Forum: ask questions and make comments.

Parturiebat Sus; pollicetur Lupus se custodem fore fetus. Respondet Puerpera Lupi obsequio se non egere, oratque, si velit pius haberi, longius abeat; Lupi enim benevolentia constabat non praesentia, sed absentia.

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. 

[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.]

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