Philosophus Atheniensis (Odo)

SOURCE: Odo of Cheriton's' Latin fables are available in Hervieux's edition at GoogleBooks, and there is a delightful English translation by John Jacobs: The Fables of Odo of Cheriton.

This is fable 70a Hervieux's edition. This is not in the classical Aesopic corpus, but Perry does list in his medieval appendix as Perry 623.

READ OUT LOUD. Choose which marked text you prefer to practice with - macrons or accent marks - and read the text out loud until you feel comfortable and confident. Then, try reading the unmarked text at the bottom. It should be easy for you after practicing with the marked texts. :-)

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MACRONS. Here is the text with macrons:

Mos erat apud Athēnās, quod quī voluit habērī prō philosophō, bene verberārētur, et, sī patienter sē habēret, prō philosophō habērētur. Quīdam autem bene verberābātur, et, antequam iudicatum esset quod philosophō haberētur, statim post verbera exclāmāvit dīcēns: Bene sum dignus vocārī philosophus; et rēspondit eī quīdam: Frāter, sī tacuissēs, philosophus essēs.

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ACCENT MARKS. Here is the text with ecclesiastical accents, plus some color-coding for the words of three or more syllables (blue: penultimate stress; red: antepenultimate stress):

Mos erat apud Athénas, quod qui vóluit habéri pro philósopho, bene verberarétur, et, si patiénter se habéret, pro philósopho haberétur. Quidam autem bene verberabátur, et, ántequam iudicátum esset quod philósopho haberétur, statim post vérbera exclamávit dicens: Bene sum dignus vocári philósophus; et respóndit ei quidam: Frater, si tacuísses, philósophus esses.

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UNMARKED TEXT. Here is the unmarked text - after practicing with the marked text that you prefer, you should not have any trouble with the unmarked text:

Mos erat apud Athenas,
quod qui voluit haberi pro philosopho,
bene verberaretur,
et, si patienter se haberet,
pro philosopho haberetur.
Quidam autem bene verberabatur,
et, antequam iudicatum esset
quod philosopho haberetur,
statim post verbera exclamavit dicens:
Bene sum dignus vocari philosophus;
et respondit ei quidam:
Frater, si tacuisses, philosophus esses.

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IMAGE. Here is an illustration for the story (image source) from Raphael's School of Athens:

Pica et Cuculus, quasi Accipiter (Abstemius)

SOURCE: You can find both the first and second "hecatomythia" of Abstemius in Nevelet's monumental Aesop published in 1610, available at GoogleBooks. You can find out more about Abstemius at the Aesopus wiki. This is fable 156 in Abstemius. Perry only includes a few sporadic fables from Abstemius in his index, and there is no Perry number for this fable.

READ OUT LOUD. Choose which marked text you prefer to practice with - macrons or accent marks - and read the text out loud until you feel comfortable and confident. Then, try reading the unmarked text at the bottom. It should be easy for you after practicing with the marked texts. :-)

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MACRONS. Here is the text with macrons:


Pīca inter arborum frondēs dēlitescentem cucūlum cōnspicāta, accipitrem esse suspicāta est: Quārē concitāta fugiēbat. Quod nonnullae aliae avēs, quae prope aderant, intuitae, pīcam irrīdēbant, quod prō accipitre cucūlum fugerent. Quibus illa: mālō, inquit, ā vōbis irrīdērī, quam ab amīcīs flērī. Fābula indicat, melius esse inimīcīs rīdendī, quam amīcīs flendī praebēre māteriam

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ACCENT MARKS. Here is the text with ecclesiastical accents, plus some color-coding for the words of three or more syllables (blue: penultimate stress; red: antepenultimate stress):

Pica inter árborum frondes delitescéntem cucúlum conspicáta, accípitrem esse suspicáta est: Quare concitáta fugiébat. Quod nonnúllae áliae aves, quae prope áderant, intúitae, picam irridébant, quod pro accípitre cucúlum fúgerent. Quibus illa: malo, inquit, a vobis irridéri, quam ab amícis fleri. Fábula índicat, mélius esse inimícis ridéndi, quam amícis flendi praebére matériam.

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UNMARKED TEXT. Here is the unmarked text - after practicing with the marked text that you prefer, you should not have any trouble with the unmarked text:

Pica
inter arborum frondes
delitescentem
cuculum conspicata,
accipitrem esse
suspicata est:
Quare concitata fugiebat.
Quod
nonnullae aliae aves,
quae prope aderant,
intuitae,
picam irridebant,
quod
pro accipitre
cuculum fugerent.
Quibus illa:
malo, inquit,
a vobis irrideri,
quam
ab amicis fleri.
Fabula indicat,
melius esse
inimicis ridendi,
quam amicis flendi
praebere materiam.

---

IMAGE. Here is an illustration for the story (image source) which shows what could look like a frightening cuckoo bird - at least I think so!

Milvus et Agricola (Desbillons)

SOURCE: For a complete edition of the fables of Desbillons, the 18th-century Jesuit scholar and poet, see GoogleBooks. This is fable 2.28. This is not a fable in the classical Aesopic corpus; it comes from Abstemius.

READ OUT LOUD. Choose which marked text you prefer to practice with - macrons in verse form, or macrons in prose order, or accent marks in prose order, or focusing on the iambic meter. You will find materials for all of these options below. :-)

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VERSE MACRONS. Here is the verse text with macrons:

Columbam dum persequitur, in laqueum incidit
Miluus; et ipsum dēdere cum vellet necī
Agricola: Parce, nōn enim tē laesī, ait.
At ille: Neque tē, opīnor, ista laeserat.
Mortem innocentī quī parat, iūre hanc subit.

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PROSE MACRONS. Here is the same text with macrons written out in prose word order:

Miluus, dum Columbam persequitur, in laqueum incidit; et, cum Agricola ipsum necī dēdere vellet, ait: Parce, nōn enim tē laesī. At ille: Et, opīnor, ista nōn tē laeserat. Quī innocentī mortem parat, iūre hanc subit.

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STRESS (ACCENT) MARKS. Here is the prose text with accents, plus some color-coding for the words of three or more syllables (blue: penultimate stress; red: antepenultimate stress):

Míluus, dum Colúmbam perséquitur, in láqueum íncidit; et, cum Agrícola ipsum neci dédere vellet, ait: Parce, non enim te laesi. At ille: Et, opínor, ista non te laéserat. Qui innocénti mortem parat, iure hanc subit.

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IAMBIC METER. Here is the verse text with some color coding to assist in the iambic meter. The disyllabic elements (iambs/spondees) are not marked, but the trisyllabic elements are color-coded: dactyls are red, anapests are purple, and tribrachs are green (as is any proceleusmaticus, although that is a rare creature); for more information, here are some Notes on Iambic Meter.

Colum·bam dum· persequi·tur, in· laque~ in·cidit
Miluus;· et ip·sum dē·dere cum· vellet· necī
Agrico·la: Par·ce, nōn· enim· tē lae·s~, ait.
At il·le: Neque· t~ opī·nor, is·ta lae·serat.
Mort~ in·nocen·tī quī· parat,· iūr~ hanc· subit.

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IMAGE. Here is the illustration of the fable by Francis Barlow:

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What follows is an unmarked version of the prose rendering to faciliate word searches:
Miluus, dum Columbam persequitur, in laqueum incidit; et, cum Agricola ipsum neci dedere vellet, ait: Parce, non enim te laesi. At ille: Et, opinor, ista non te laeserat. Qui innocenti mortem parat, iure hanc subit.

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Asinus, Canis et Dominus (Odo)

SOURCE: Odo of Cheriton's' Latin fables are available in Hervieux's edition at GoogleBooks, and there is a delightful English translation by John Jacobs: The Fables of Odo of Cheriton.

This is fable 69 Hervieux's edition and you can find variations of the fable as Perry 91.

READ OUT LOUD. Choose which marked text you prefer to practice with - macrons or accent marks - and read the text out loud until you feel comfortable and confident. Then, try reading the unmarked text at the bottom. It should be easy for you after practicing with the marked texts. :-)

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MACRONS. Here is the text with macrons:

Quīdam Paterfamilias habuit Canēs, quī, quando domum dē negōtiīs veniēbat, applaudēbant eī, dē pedibus et rōstrō ipsum tangentēs. Asinus hoc vidēns penes sē cōgitāvit: Ita dēbērem dominō meō applaudere. Semel rediit dominus dē negōtiō; occurrit eī Asinus; volēns eī applaudere, pedēs anteriōrēs ērexit et dominum suum dūre in faciē, pectore, percussit, et dominus īrātus fēcit Asinum ferē usque ad mortem fustīgārī et in stabulum dētrūdī.

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ACCENT MARKS. Here is the text with ecclesiastical accents, plus some color-coding for the words of three or more syllables (blue: penultimate stress; red: antepenultimate stress):

Quidam Paterfamílias hábuit Canes, qui, quando domum de negótiis veniébat, applaudébant ei, de pédibus et rostro ipsum tangéntes. Ásinus hoc videns penes se cogitávit: Ita debérem dómino meo applaúdere. Semel rédiit dóminus de negótio; occúrrit ei Ásinus; volens ei applaúdere, pedes anterióres eréxit et dóminum suum dure in fácie, péctore, percússit, et dóminus irátus fecit Ásinum fere usque ad mortem fustigári et in stábulum detrúdi.

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UNMARKED TEXT. Here is the unmarked text - after practicing with the marked text that you prefer, you should not have any trouble with the unmarked text:

Quidam Paterfamilias
habuit Canes,
qui,
quando domum de negotiis veniebat,
applaudebant ei,
de pedibus et rostro
ipsum tangentes.
Asinus
hoc videns
penes se cogitavit:
Ita deberem
domino meo applaudere.
Semel rediit dominus de negotio;
occurrit ei Asinus;
volens ei applaudere,
pedes anteriores erexit
et dominum suum
dure in facie, pectore, percussit,
et dominus iratus
fecit Asinum
fere usque ad mortem fustigari
et in stabulum detrudi.

---

IMAGE. Here's an illustration for the fable (image source) from a Renaissance edition of Aesop:

Vulpes et Gallina Incubans (Abstemius)

SOURCE: You can find both the first and second "hecatomythia" of Abstemius in Nevelet's monumental Aesop published in 1610, available at GoogleBooks. You can find out more about Abstemius at the Aesopus wiki. This is fable 151 in Abstemius. Perry only includes a few sporadic fables from Abstemius in his index, and there is no Perry number for this fable.

READ OUT LOUD. Choose which marked text you prefer to practice with - macrons or accent marks - and read the text out loud until you feel comfortable and confident. Then, try reading the unmarked text at the bottom. It should be easy for you after practicing with the marked texts. :-)

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MACRONS. Here is the text with macrons:

Vulpes rusticī cuiusdam domum ingressa, reperit in nīdō gallīnam ōvīs incubantem, quae eam rogābat, dīcēns: Nē mē obsecrō in praesentiā occīdās macilentam. Expecta paululum, dum pullī mihi nascantur, quōs ut tenellōs absque dentium dolōre ēsse poteris. Tunc Vulpes: Non essem, inquit, inter vulpēs numeranda, sī nunc ēsuriēns, spē pullōrum, quī nondum nātī sunt, parātum omittere cibum. Dentēs validōs gerō, quī quamlibet dūrissimam carnem molere cōnsuēvērunt: Haec dīcēns, gallīnam dēvorāvit. Fābula indicat, eum amentem esse, quī incertā spē māiōrum rērum, praesentēs omittit.

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ACCENT MARKS. Here is the text with ecclesiastical accents, plus some color-coding for the words of three or more syllables (blue: penultimate stress; red: antepenultimate stress):

Vulpes rústici cuiúsdam domum ingréssa, réperit in nido gallínam ovis incubántem, quae eam rogábat, dicens: Ne me óbsecro in praeséntia occídas maciléntam. Expécta paúlulum, dum pulli mihi nascántur, quos ut tenéllos absque déntium dolóre esse póteris. Tunc Vulpes: Non essem, inquit, inter vulpes numeránda, si nunc esúriens, spe pullórum, qui nondum nati sunt, parátum omíttere cibum. Dentes válidos gero, qui quámlibet duríssimam carnem mólere consuevérunt: Haec dicens, gallínam devorávit. Fábula índicat, eum améntem esse, qui incérta spe maiórum rerum, praeséntes omíttit.

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UNMARKED TEXT. Here is the unmarked text - after practicing with the marked text that you prefer, you should not have any trouble with the unmarked text:

Vulpes
rustici cuiusdam domum ingressa,
reperit in nido gallinam
ovis incubantem,
quae eam rogabat, dicens:
Ne me obsecro in praesentia occidas
macilentam.
Expecta paululum,
dum pulli mihi nascantur,
quos ut tenellos
absque dentium dolore
esse poteris.
Tunc Vulpes:
Non essem, inquit,
inter vulpes numeranda,
si nunc esuriens,
spe pullorum, qui nondum nati sunt,
paratum omittere cibum.
Dentes validos gero,
qui
quamlibet durissimam carnem molere
consueverunt:
Haec dicens,
gallinam devoravit.
Fabula indicat,
eum amentem esse,
qui
incerta spe maiorum rerum,
praesentes omittit.

---

IMAGE. Here is an illustration for the story (image source) showing a fox pondering the options:

Corvus et Lupi (Osius)

SOURCE: The poem comes from Phryx Aesopus Habitu Poetico, by Hieronymus Osius, published in 1574, and online at the University of Mannheim as page images and text scan. This is poem 131 in the collection. This is not a fable found in Perry's classical canon of Aesop's fables.

READ OUT LOUD. Choose which marked text you prefer to practice with - macrons in verse form, or macrons in prose order, or accent marks in prose order, or focusing on the meter. You will find materials for all of these options below. :-)

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VERSE MACRONS. Here is the verse text with macrons:

Ōrāvisse Lupōs praedae quid supplice Corvum
Vōce ferunt, Phoebō quae sacra fertur avis.
Ille diem tōtum sed spē sectātus inānī
Audiit haec tandem reddere verba Lupōs:
Nōn tū nōs equidem sectāre, sed improbe praedam,
Hūius ut īnsidiīs parte fruāre parās.
Hōc animō, nostrīs nōn ut quoque parcere vellēs
Corporibus, sī nunc exanimāta forent.
Nōn quid agant aliī, sed agant quā mente videndum est,
Nōn quia, quō crēdās, nōmine semper agunt.

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PROSE MACRONS. Here is the same text with macrons written out in prose word order:

Ferunt Corvum, vōce supplice, Lupōs ōrāvisse quid praedae quae avis Phoebō sacra fertur. Sed ille, spē inānī diem tōtum sectātus, tandem audiit Lupōs haec verba reddere: Tū equidem nōs nōn sectāre, sed praedam, improbe; īnsidiīs parās ut hūius parte fruāre - hōc animō, ut parcere nōn vellēs corporibus nostrīs quoque, sī nunc exanimāta forent. Nōn quid aliī agant, sed quā mente agant videndum est; quia nōmine quō crēdās nōn semper agunt.

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STRESS (ACCENT) MARKS. Here is the prose text with accents, plus some color-coding for the words of three or more syllables (blue: penultimate stress; red: antepenultimate stress):

Ferunt Corvum, voce súpplice, Lupos oravísse quid praedae quae avis Phoebo sacra fertur. Sed ille, spe ináni diem totum sectátus, tandem aúdiit Lupos haec verba réddere: Tu équidem nos non sectáre, sed praedam, ímprobe; insídiis paras ut huius parte fruáre - hoc ánimo, ut parcere non velles corpóribus nostris quoque, si nunc exanimáta forent. Non quid álii agant, sed qua mente agant vidéndum est; quia nómine quo credas non semper agunt.

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ELEGIAC COUPLET METER. Below I have used an interpunct dot · to indicate the metrical elements in each line, and a double line || to indicate the hemistichs of the pentameter line.

Ōrā·visse Lu·pōs prae·dae quid ·supplice ·Corvum
Vōce fe·runt, Phoe·bō || quae sacra ·fertur a·vis.
Ille di·em tō·tum sed ·spē sec·tātus i·nānī
Audiit ·haec tan·dem || reddere ·verba Lu·pōs:
Nōn tū ·nōs equi·dem sec·tāre, sed· improbe ·praedam,
Hūius ut ·īnsidi·īs || parte fru·āre pa·rās.
Hōc ani·mō, nos·trīs nōn ·ut quoque· parcere ·vellēs
Corpori·bus, sī· nunc || exani·māta fo·rent.
Nōn quid a·gant ali·ī, sed a·gant quā· mente vi·dend~ est,
Nōn quia, ·quō crē·dās, || nōmine ·semper a·gunt.

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IMAGE. Here's an illustration for the fable (image source) showing a wolf and a crow:

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What follows is an unmarked version of the prose rendering to faciliate word searches: Ferunt Corvum, voce supplice, Lupos oravisse quid praedae quae avis Phoebo sacra fertur. Sed ille, spe inani diem totum sectatus, tandem audiit Lupos haec verba reddere: Tu equidem nos non sectare, sed praedam, improbe; insidiis paras ut huius parte fruare - hoc animo, ut parcere non velles corporibus nostris quoque, si nunc exanimata forent. Non quid alii agant, sed qua mente agant videndum est; quia nomine quo credas non semper agunt.

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Canis et Filius Domini Occisus (Abstemius)

SOURCE: You can find both the first and second "hecatomythia" of Abstemius in Nevelet's monumental Aesop published in 1610, available at GoogleBooks. You can find out more about Abstemius at the Aesopus wiki. This is fable 162 in Abstemius. Perry only includes a few sporadic fables from Abstemius in his index, and there is no Perry number for this fable.

READ OUT LOUD. Choose which marked text you prefer to practice with - macrons or accent marks - and read the text out loud until you feel comfortable and confident. Then, try reading the unmarked text at the bottom. It should be easy for you after practicing with the marked texts. :-)

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MACRONS. Here is the text with macrons:

Vir quīdam dīves vēnandī studiō mīrificē deditus, complūrēs canēs alēbat, quōrum ūnus fīlium dominī morsū interfēcit. Dominus īrā percitus, nōn sōlum homicīdam, vērum etiam omnēs aliōs iussit occīdī. Tunc ait ūnus ex eīs: ūnus peccāvit, et cunctī plectimur. Fābula indicat, ūnīus malignitātem saepe multīs obesse.

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ACCENT MARKS. Here is the text with ecclesiastical accents, plus some color-coding for the words of three or more syllables (blue: penultimate stress; red: antepenultimate stress):

Vir quidam dives venándi stúdio mirífice déditus, complúres canes alébat, quorum unus fílium dómini morsu interfécit. Dóminus ira pércitus, non solum homicídam, verum étiam omnes álios iussit occídi. Tunc ait unus ex eis: unus peccávit, et cuncti pléctimur. Fábula índicat, uníus malignitátem saepe multis obésse.

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UNMARKED TEXT. Here is the unmarked text - after practicing with the marked text that you prefer, you should not have any trouble with the unmarked text:

Vir quidam dives
venandi studio
mirifice deditus,
complures canes alebat,
quorum unus
filium domini
morsu interfecit.
Dominus ira percitus,
non solum homicidam,
verum etiam omnes alios
iussit occidi.
Tunc ait unus ex eis:
unus peccavit,
et cuncti plectimur.
Fabula indicat,
unius malignitatem
saepe multis obesse.

---

IMAGE. Here is an illustration for the story (image source) - they are innocent-looking dogs, I think, about to be blamed for a crime they didn't commit:

Hydrus et Rana (Abstemius)

SOURCE: You can find both the first and second "hecatomythia" of Abstemius in Nevelet's monumental Aesop published in 1610, available at GoogleBooks. You can find out more about Abstemius at the Aesopus wiki. This is fable 165 in Abstemius. Perry only includes a few sporadic fables from Abstemius in his index, and there is no Perry number for this fable.

READ OUT LOUD. Choose which marked text you prefer to practice with - macrons or accent marks - and read the text out loud until you feel comfortable and confident. Then, try reading the unmarked text at the bottom. It should be easy for you after practicing with the marked texts. :-)

---

MACRONS. Here is the text with macrons:

Hydrus in quādam palūde rānam persequēbātur, quem cum illa ēvādere nōn posset conversa dīcēbat: Nē mē dēvorā, hydre, quae nullī umquam nocuī. Cui hydrus: Clāmor tuus, inquit, minaeque quibus diē noctūque obstrepis, tē maleficum animal esse testantur. Quod autem nōn noceās, impotentia causa est, dentēs enim nōn habēs. Fābula indicat multīs nōn animum nocendī, sed vīrēs dēesse.

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ACCENT MARKS. Here is the text with ecclesiastical accents, plus some color-coding for the words of three or more syllables (blue: penultimate stress; red: antepenultimate stress):

Hydrus in quadam palúde ranam persequebátur, quem cum illa evádere non posset convérsa dicébat: Ne me dévora, hydre, quae nulli umquam nócui. Cui hydrus: Clamor tuus, inquit, minaéque quibus die noctúque óbstrepis, te maléficum ánimal esse testántur. Quod autem non nóceas, impoténtia causa est, dentes enim non habes. Fábula índicat multis non ánimum nocéndi, sed vires deésse.

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UNMARKED TEXT. Here is the unmarked text - after practicing with the marked text that you prefer, you should not have any trouble with the unmarked text:

Hydrus
in quadam palude
ranam persequebatur,
quem
cum illa evadere non posset
conversa dicebat:
Ne me devora, hydre,
quae
nulli umquam nocui.
Cui hydrus:
Clamor tuus, inquit, minaeque
quibus die noctuque obstrepis,
te maleficum animal esse
testantur.
Quod autem non noceas,
impotentia
causa est,
dentes enim non habes.
Fabula indicat
multis
non animum nocendi,
sed vires deesse.

---

IMAGE. Here is an illustration for the story (image source) showing a toothless frog:

Cerva, Venator et Leo (Desbillons)

SOURCE: For a complete edition of the fables of Desbillons, the 18th-century Jesuit scholar and poet, see GoogleBooks. This is fable 2.23. For parallel versions, see Perry 76.

READ OUT LOUD. Choose which marked text you prefer to practice with - macrons in verse form, or macrons in prose order, or accent marks in prose order, or focusing on the iambic meter. You will find materials for all of these options below. :-)

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VERSE MACRONS. Here is the verse text with macrons:

Venātōrem ōlim Cerva fugiēns, in ferī
Leōnis antrum sē imprūdēns recēperat:
Quae comprehēnsa dum necātur: Hei mihi,
Quid, inquit, hominem tam celerī prōdest pede
Fugisse saevum? Saevior occurrit fera.

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PROSE MACRONS. Here is the same text with macrons written out in prose word order:

Cerva ōlim, venātōrem fugiēns, imprūdēns sē recēperat in ferī leōnis antrum: quae comprehēnsa, dum necātur, inquit: Hei mihi, quid prōdest hominem saevum fugisse pede tam celerī? Fera occurrit saevior.

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STRESS (ACCENT) MARKS. Here is the prose text with accents, plus some color-coding for the words of three or more syllables (blue: penultimate stress; red: antepenultimate stress):

Cerva olim, venatórem fúgiens, imprúdens se recéperat in feri leónis antrum: quae comprehénsa, dum necátur, inquit: Hei mihi, quid prodest hóminem saevum fugísse pede tam céleri? Fera occúrrit saévior.

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IAMBIC METER. Here is the verse text with some color coding to assist in the iambic meter. The disyllabic elements (iambs/spondees) are not marked, but the trisyllabic elements are color-coded: dactyls are red, anapests are purple, and tribrachs are green (as is any proceleusmaticus, although that is a rare creature); for more information, here are some Notes on Iambic Meter.

Venā·tōr~ ō·lim Cer·va fugi·ēns, in· ferī
Leō·nis an·trum s~ im·prūdēns· recē·perat:
Quae com·prehēn·sa dum· necā·tur: Hei· mihi,
Quid, in·quit, homi·nem tam· celerī· prōdest· pede
Fugis·se sae·vum? Sae·vior oc·currit· fera.

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Here is an illustration from the Medici Aesop, which is online at the New York Public Library website.

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What follows is an unmarked version of the prose rendering to faciliate word searches:
Cerva olim, venatorem fugiens, imprudens se receperat in feri leonis antrum: quae comprehensa, dum necatur, inquit: Hei mihi, quid prodest hominem saevum fugisse pede tam celeri? Fera occurrit saevior.

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Accipiter et Columba (Osius)

SOURCE: The poem comes from Phryx Aesopus Habitu Poetico, by Hieronymus Osius, published in 1574, and online at the University of Mannheim as page images and text scan. This is poem 134 in the collection. This is not a fable found in Perry's classical canon of Aesop's fables.

READ OUT LOUD. Choose which marked text you prefer to practice with - macrons in verse form, or macrons in prose order, or accent marks in prose order, or focusing on the meter. You will find materials for all of these options below. :-)

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VERSE MACRONS. Here is the verse text with macrons:

Vīs erat Accipitrī vexandī dīra Columbam,
Hanc fera dum praeceps īnsequerētur avis.
Impetus in vīllam dēferret ut iste sequendī
Hunc pariter, quam sīc acta Columba petit.
Captus ubī Agricolam, nē sē necet, anxius ōrat,
Mē dīmitte piō corde misertus, ait.
Laesus es ā mē quod nōn ullō tempore nōstī,
Haec mihi tē meritō parcere causa iubet.
Nec laesēre meī tē pessime, Vīllicus inquit,
Iamque manū fractam strāgulat ille gulam.
Sīc sibi subiectōs Princeps dēfendat oportet,
Vellet ut hic vindex ipsius esse suī.

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PROSE MACRONS. Here is the same text with macrons written out in prose word order:

Vīs dīra Accipitrī erat, Columbam vexandī, dum avis fera hanc praeceps īnsequerētur, ut sequendī impetus iste hunc dēferret pariter in vīllam quam Columba sīc acta petit. ubī captus, anxius Agricolam ōrat, nē sē necet; ait: "Mē dīmitte, piō corde misertus. nōstī, quod ā mē nōn laesus es ullō tempore; haec causa tē iubet mihi parcere, meritō." Vīllicus inquit: "Pessime, nec meī tē laesēre." Iamque ille strāgulat gulam, manū fractam. Sīc Princeps oportet sibi subiectōs dēfendat, ut hic ipsius suī vindex esse vellet.

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STRESS (ACCENT) MARKS. Here is the prose text with accents, plus some color-coding for the words of three or more syllables (blue: penultimate stress; red: antepenultimate stress):

Vis dira Accípitri erat, Colúmbam vexándi, dum avis fera hanc praeceps insequerétur, ut sequéndi ímpetus iste hunc deférret páriter in villam quam Colúmba sic acta petit. Ubi captus, ánxius Agrícolam orat, ne se necet; ait: "Me dimítte, pio corde misértus. Nosti, quod a me non laesus es ullo témpore; haec causa te iubet mihi párcere, mérito." Víllicus inquit: "Péssime, nec mei te laesére." Iamque ille strágulat gulam, manu fractam. Sic Princeps opórtet sibi subiéctos deféndat, ut hic ipsíus sui vindex esse vellet.

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ELEGIAC COUPLET METER. Below I have used an interpunct dot · to indicate the metrical elements in each line, and a double line || to indicate the hemistichs of the pentameter line.

Vīs erat ·Accipi·trī vex·andī ·dīra Co·lumbam,
Hanc fera ·dum prae·ceps || īnseque·rētur a·vis.
Impetus ·in vīl·lam dē·ferret ut· iste se·quendī
Hunc pari·ter, quam· sīc || acta Co·lumba pe·tit.
Captus u·b~ Agrico·lam, nē· sē necet, ·anxius· ōrat,
Mē dī·mitte pi·ō || corde mi·sertus, a·it.
Laesus es· ā mē ·quod nōn ·ullō ·tempore· nōstī,
Haec mihi ·tē meri·tō || parcere· causa iu·bet.
Nec lae·sēre me·ī tē· pessime,· Vīllicus· inquit,
Iamque ma·nū frac·tam || strāgulat ·ille gu·lam.
Sīc sibi ·subiec·tōs Prin·ceps dē·fendat o·portet,
Vellet ut ·hic vin·dex || ipsius ·esse su·ī.

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IMAGE. Here is the illustration of the fable by Francis Barlow:

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What follows is an unmarked version of the prose rendering to faciliate word searches: Vis dira Accipitri erat, Columbam vexandi, dum avis fera hanc praeceps insequeretur, ut sequendi impetus iste hunc deferret pariter in villam quam Columba sic acta petit. ubi captus, anxius Agricolam orat, ne se necet; ait: "Me dimitte, pio corde misertus. nosti, quod a me non laesus es ullo tempore; haec causa te iubet mihi parcere, merito." Villicus inquit: "Pessime, nec mei te laesere." Iamque ille stragulat gulam, manu fractam. Sic Princeps oportet sibi subiectos defendat, ut hic ipsius sui vindex esse vellet.

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Musca et Formica (Odo)

SOURCE: Odo of Cheriton's' Latin fables are available in Hervieux's edition at GoogleBooks, and there is a delightful English translation by John Jacobs: The Fables of Odo of Cheriton.

This is fable 75 in Hervieux's edition, and you can find variations as Perry 521.

READ OUT LOUD. Choose which marked text you prefer to practice with - macrons or accent marks - and read the text out loud until you feel comfortable and confident. Then, try reading the unmarked text at the bottom. It should be easy for you after practicing with the marked texts. :-)

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MACRONS. Here is the text with macrons:

Musca semel contendēbat cum Formīcā, dīcēns sē esse nōbiliōrem et mundiōrem: Quia vescor frequenter dē scutellīs epīscopōrum et rēgum et aliōrum dīvitum, bibō dē scyphis illōrum, immo in faciem rēgis quandōque īnsiliō. Tū autem habitās in terrā et grāna recondis, dōnec sint pūtrida. Rēspondit Formīca: Nōbilior et mundior sum quam tū, quoniam prō tuā immunditiā omnēs habent tē odiō, infestant et fugant. Quoniam licet quandōque dē scutellīs dīvitum comedās, quandōque tamen dē vīlissimō spūtō, dīversīs pūtrefactiōnibus, dē stercoribus boum et aliōrum animālium tē satiās. Egō autem tantum vescor dē grānō pūrissimō. Igitur manifestum est tē esse sordidiōrum, immo inter omnia volātilia sordidissima. Data est sententia prō Formīcā.

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ACCENT MARKS. Here is the text with ecclesiastical accents, plus some color-coding for the words of three or more syllables (blue: penultimate stress; red: antepenultimate stress):

Musca semel contendébat cum Formíca, dicens se esse nobiliórem et mundiórem: Quia vescor frequénter de scutéllis episcopórum et regum et aliórum dívitum, bibo de scyphis illórum, immo in fáciem regis quandóque insílio. Tu autem hábitas in terra et grana recóndis, donec sint pútrida. Respóndit Formíca: Nobílior et múndior sum quam tu, quóniam pro tua immundítia omnes habent te ódio, inféstant et fugant. Quóniam licet quandóque de scutéllis dívitum cómedas, quandóque tamen de vilíssimo sputo, divérsis putrefactiónibus, de stercóribus boum et aliórum animálium te sátias. Ego autem tantum vescor de grano puríssimo. Ígitur maniféstum est te esse sordidiórum, immo inter ómnia volatília sordidíssima. Data est senténtia pro Formíca.

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UNMARKED TEXT. Here is the unmarked text - after practicing with the marked text that you prefer, you should not have any trouble with the unmarked text:

Musca semel contendebat
cum Formica,
dicens
se esse nobiliorem et mundiorem:
Quia vescor frequenter
de scutellis episcoporum et regum
et aliorum divitum,
bibo de scyphis illorum,
immo in faciem regis
quandoque insilio.
Tu autem habitas in terra
et grana recondis,
donec sint putrida.
Respondit Formica:
Nobilior et mundior sum
quam tu,
quoniam pro tua immunditia
omnes habent te odio,
infestant et fugant.
Quoniam licet
quandoque
de scutellis divitum comedas,
quandoque tamen
de vilissimo sputo,
diversis putrefactionibus,
de stercoribus
boum et aliorum animalium
te satias.
Ego autem tantum vescor
de grano purissimo.
Igitur manifestum est
te esse sordidiorum,
immo inter omnia volatilia
sordidissima.
Data est sententia
pro Formica.

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IMAGE. Here is an illustration for the story (image source) from a Renaissance edition of Aesop:

Galli Inter Se Pugnantes (Abstemius)

SOURCE: You can find both the first and second "hecatomythia" of Abstemius in Nevelet's monumental Aesop published in 1610, available at GoogleBooks. You can find out more about Abstemius at the Aesopus wiki. This is fable 160 in Abstemius. Perry only includes a few sporadic fables from Abstemius in his index, and there is no Perry number for this fable.

READ OUT LOUD. Choose which marked text you prefer to practice with - macrons or accent marks - and read the text out loud until you feel comfortable and confident. Then, try reading the unmarked text at the bottom. It should be easy for you after practicing with the marked texts. :-)

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MACRONS. Here is the text with macrons:

Gallī duo, ut eōrum mos est, inter sē dē ducātū gallīnārum ācerrimē certābant. Quī superior in pugnā fuerat, ālārum plausū, vōcisque cantū sē victōrem fuisse significāns, venere et ōtiō ēmarcuit. Victus autem ā cōnspectū gallīnārum profugiēns, cum cornīcibus et pāvōnibus sēsē quotīdiē pugnandō exercēbat: inferendī, vītandīque ictūs artem ēdiscēbat: quī ubī sē satis īnstructum vīdit, rediēns, adversarium ad pugnam prōvocātum nullō negotiō superāvit. Fābula indicat nihil aequē mīlitēs ēnervāre, quam nimium veneris ūsum, dēsuētūdinemque pugnandī.

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ACCENT MARKS. Here is the text with ecclesiastical accents, plus some color-coding for the words of three or more syllables (blue: penultimate stress; red: antepenultimate stress):

Galli duo, ut eórum mos est, inter se de ducátu gallinárum acérrime certábant. Qui supérior in pugna fúerat, alárum plausu, vocísque cantu se victórem fuísse signíficans, vénere et ótio emárcuit. Victus autem a conspéctu gallinárum profúgiens, cum cornícibus et pavónibus sese quotídie pugnándo exercébat: inferéndi, vitandíque ictus artem ediscébat: qui ubi se satis instrúctum vidit, rédiens, adversárium ad pugnam provocátum nullo negótio superávit. Fábula índicat nihil aeque mílites enerváre, quam nímium véneris usum, desuetudinémque pugnándi.

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UNMARKED TEXT. Here is the unmarked text - after practicing with the marked text that you prefer, you should not have any trouble with the unmarked text:

Galli duo,
ut eorum mos est,
inter se
de ducatu gallinarum
acerrime certabant.
Qui superior in pugna fuerat,
alarum plausu,
vocisque cantu
se victorem fuisse significans,
venere et otio emarcuit.
Victus autem
a conspectu gallinarum profugiens,
cum cornicibus et pavonibus
sese quotidie pugnando exercebat:
inferendi, vitandique ictus
artem ediscebat:
qui
ubi se satis instructum vidit,
rediens,
adversarium
ad pugnam provocatum
nullo negotio superavit.
Fabula indicat
nihil aeque milites enervare,
quam nimium veneris usum,
desuetudinemque pugnandi.

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IMAGE. Here is an illustration for the story (image source) showing two roosters fighting - which one do you think is going to fall a victim to love's sway, eh?

Asinus, Simia et Talpa (Desbillons)

SOURCE: For a complete edition of the fables of Desbillons, the 18th-century Jesuit scholar and poet, see GoogleBooks. This is fable 2.30. This is not a fable in the classical Aesopic corpus; it comes from Abstemius.

READ OUT LOUD. Choose which marked text you prefer to practice with - macrons in verse form, or macrons in prose order, or accent marks in prose order, or focusing on the iambic meter. You will find materials for all of these options below. :-)

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VERSE MACRONS. Here is the verse text with macrons:

Dum conqueruntur, Sīmia quod dēsit sibi
Cauda, Asinus autem quod nōn habeat cornua:
Tacēte, dīxit Talpa; mē miserrimum
Caecum vidētis, et potestis conquerī?
Luctū, et querēlīs cūr aevum cōnsūmimus?
Quīn intuēmur, sors sī quem gravior premit?
Miserō levāmen miseriōris est malum.

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PROSE MACRONS. Here is the same text with macrons written out in prose word order:

Dum conqueruntur, Sīmia quod cauda sibi dēsit, Asinus autem quod cornua nōn habeat, Talpa dīxit: Tacēte! Caecum mē vidētis, miserrimum, et conquerī potestis? Cūr aevum cōnsūmimus luctū et querēlīs? Quīn intuēmur, sī quem sors gravior premit? Miseriōris malum levāmen miserō est.

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STRESS (ACCENT) MARKS. Here is the prose text with accents, plus some color-coding for the words of three or more syllables (blue: penultimate stress; red: antepenultimate stress):

Dum conquerúntur, Símia quod cauda sibi desit, Ásinus autem quod córnua non hábeat, Talpa dixit: Tacéte! Caecum me vidétis, misérrimum, et cónqueri potéstis? Cur aevum consúmimus luctu et querélis? Quin intuémur, si quem sors grávior premit? Miserióris malum levámen mísero est.

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IAMBIC METER. Here is the verse text with some color coding to assist in the iambic meter. The disyllabic elements (iambs/spondees) are not marked, but the trisyllabic elements are color-coded: dactyls are red, anapests are purple, and tribrachs are green (as is any proceleusmaticus, although that is a rare creature); for more information, here are some Notes on Iambic Meter.

Dum con·querun·tur, Sī·mia quod· dēsit· sibi
Caud~ Asi·nus au·tem quod· nōn habe·at cor·nua:
Tacē·te, dīx·it Tal·pa; mē· miser·rimum
Caecum· vidē·tis, et· potes·tis con·querī?
Luct~ et· querē·līs cūr· aevum· cōnsū·mimus?
Quīn in·tuē·mur, sors· sī quem· gravior· premit?
Miserō· levā·men mise·riō·ris est· malum.

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IMAGE. Here's an illustration for the fable (image source), showing a real mole:

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What follows is an unmarked version of the prose rendering to faciliate word searches:
Dum conqueruntur, Simia quod cauda sibi desit, Asinus autem quod cornua non habeat, Talpa dixit: Tacete! Caecum me videtis, miserrimum, et conqueri potestis? Cur aevum consumimus luctu et querelis? Quin intuemur, si quem sors gravior premit? Miserioris malum levamen misero est.

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Abbas, Monachus et Ossa (Odo)

SOURCE: Odo of Cheriton's' Latin fables are available in Hervieux's edition at GoogleBooks, and there is a delightful English translation by John Jacobs: The Fables of Odo of Cheriton.

This is fable 72 Hervieux's edition. Although this is not a classical fable, it teaches a lesson very much in the spirit of Aesop, where the danger of flattery if a recurrent theme.

READ OUT LOUD. Choose which marked text you prefer to practice with - macrons or accent marks - and read the text out loud until you feel comfortable and confident. Then, try reading the unmarked text at the bottom. It should be easy for you after practicing with the marked texts. :-)

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MACRONS. Here is the text with macrons:

Quīdam voluit claustrālem vītam dūcere. Dīxit Abbās: Laudēs haec ossa et benedīcās, dēmōnstrātō acervō ossium mortuōrum. Laudāvit igitur et benedīxit. Quō factō, ait Abbās: Benedīxistī ossibus? Rēspondit: Benedīxī. Quaerēbat Abbās: Quid rēspondērunt? Dīxit Iuvenis: Nihil. Iterum Abbās: Maledīcās et vituperēs. Quī sīc fēcit quantum potuit. Et ait Abbās: Maledīxistī? Et ait Iuvenis: Maledīxī. Et quaesīvit Abbās: Quid rēspondērunt? Et ait Iuvenis: Nihil. Ait Abbās: Frāter, tālem tē oportet esse ut, sī vērus monachus vīs fīerī, ita benedictiōnibus et maledictiōnibus nihil rēspondeās, quoniam enim dīcit Isaiās: In silentiō et spē erit fortitūdo vestra.

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ACCENT MARKS. Here is the text with ecclesiastical accents, plus some color-coding for the words of three or more syllables (blue: penultimate stress; red: antepenultimate stress):

Quidam vóluit claustrálem vitam dúcere. Dixit Abbas: Laudes haec ossa et benedícas, demonstráto acérvo óssium mortuórum. Laudávit ígitur et benedíxit. Quo facto, ait Abbas: Benedixísti óssibus? Respóndit: Benedíxi. Quaerébat Abbas: Quid respondérunt? Dixit Iúvenis: Nihil. Íterum Abbas: Maledícas et vitúperes. Qui sic fecit quantum pótuit. Et ait Abbas: Maledixísti? Et ait Iúvenis: Maledíxi. Et quaesívit Abbas: Quid respondérunt? Et ait Iúvenis: Nihil. Ait Abbas: Frater, talem te opórtet esse ut, si verus mónachus vis fíeri, ita benedictiónibus et maledictiónibus nihil respóndeas, quóniam enim dicit Isáias: In siléntio et spe erit fortitúdo vestra.

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UNMARKED TEXT. Here is the unmarked text - after practicing with the marked text that you prefer, you should not have any trouble with the unmarked text:

Quidam voluit
claustralem vitam ducere.
Dixit Abbas:
Laudes haec ossa et benedicas,
demonstrato
acervo ossium mortuorum.
Laudavit igitur et benedixit.
Quo facto,
ait Abbas: Benedixisti ossibus?
Respondit: Benedixi.
Quaerebat Abbas: Quid responderunt?
Dixit Iuvenis: Nihil.
Iterum Abbas: Maledicas et vituperes.
Qui sic fecit quantum potuit.
Et ait Abbas: Maledixisti?
Et ait Iuvenis: Maledixi.
Et quaesivit Abbas: Quid responderunt?
Et ait Iuvenis: Nihil.
Ait Abbas: Frater,
talem te oportet esse
ut, si verus monachus vis fieri,
ita benedictionibus et maledictionibus
nihil respondeas,
quoniam enim dicit Isaias:
In silentio et spe
erit fortitudo vestra.

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IMAGE. Here is an illustration for the story (image source) showing an ossuary:

Leo, Asinus, et Lepus (Osius)

SOURCE: The poem comes from Phryx Aesopus Habitu Poetico, by Hieronymus Osius, published in 1574, and online at the University of Mannheim as page images and text scan. This is poem 181 in the collection. This is not a story in the classical Aesopic corpus, but you can find it in Abstemius!

READ OUT LOUD. Choose which marked text you prefer to practice with - macrons in verse form, or macrons in prose order, or accent marks in prose order, or focusing on the meter. You will find materials for all of these options below. :-)

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VERSE MACRONS. Here is the verse text with macrons:

Bella movēns pūnīre Leō cum forte volūcres
Vellet, et hōc ācrī Marte movēret opus:
Ille recēnsērī bellantum mōre cohortēs,
Sint sibi quanta volēns agmina scīre, iubet.
Tunc Asinō, Leporīque ūnā quī praeterit, Ursō
Hunc quaerente vicēs quās dare spēret, ait:
Ad loca commissās feret hic longinqua tabellās,
Ille suō tubicēn mūnere noster erit.
Nōn humilem quemquam sua sīc nātūra creāvit,
Ūtilis haud ullō possit ut esse modō.

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PROSE MACRONS. Here is the same text with macrons written out in prose word order:

Leō forte cum volūcres pūnīre vellet bella movēns et hōc Marte ācrī opus movēret. Ille iubet mōre bellantum cohortēs recēnserī, volēns scīre quanta agmina sibi sint. Tunc Ursō, quī praeterit, hunc quaerente quās vicēs Leporī et Asinō ūnā dare spēret, ait: Hic ad loca longinqua tabellās commissās feret, ille suō mūnere tubicēn noster erit. Nātūra sua quemquam humilem sīc nōn creāvit, ut haud ullō modō ūtilis esse possit.

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STRESS (ACCENT) MARKS. Here is the prose text with accents, plus some color-coding for the words of three or more syllables (blue: penultimate stress; red: antepenultimate stress):

Leo forte cum vólucres puníre vellet bella movens et hoc Marte acri opus movéret. Ille iubet more bellántum cohórtes recenséri, volens scire quanta ágmina sibi sint. Tunc Urso, qui praéterit, hunc quaerénte quas vices Lépori et Ásino una dare speret, ait: Hic ad loca longínqua tabéllas commíssas feret, ille suo múnere túbicen noster erit. Natúra sua quemquam húmilem sic non creávit, ut haud ullo modo útilis esse possit.

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ELEGIAC COUPLET METER. Below I have used an interpunct dot · to indicate the metrical elements in each line, and a double line || to indicate the hemistichs of the pentameter line.

Bella mo·vēns pū·nīre Le·ō cum ·forte vo·lūcres
Vellet, et· hōc āc·rī || Marte mo·vēret o·pus:
Ille re·cēnsē·rī bel·lantum ·mōre co·hortēs,
Sint sibi ·quanta vo·lēns || agmina· scīre, iu·bet.
Tunc Asi·nō, Lepo·rīqu~ ū·nā quī· praeterit, ·Ursō
Hunc quae·rente vi·cēs || quās dare ·spēret, a·it:
Ad loca· commis·sās feret ·hic lon·ginqua ta·bellās,
Ille su·ō tubi·cēn || mūnere ·noster e·rit.
Nōn humi·lem quem·quam sua ·sīc nā·tūra cre·āvit,
Ūtilis ·haud ul·lō || possit ut· esse mo·dō.

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IMAGE. Here is an illustration for the story from the 1574 edition of Osius:

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What follows is an unmarked version of the prose rendering to faciliate word searches: Leo forte cum volucres punire vellet bella movens et hoc Marte acri opus moveret. Ille iubet more bellantum cohortes recenseri, volens scire quanta agmina sibi sint. Tunc Urso, qui praeterit, hunc quaerente quas vices Lepori et Asino una dare speret, ait: Hic ad loca longinqua tabellas commissas feret, ille suo munere tubicen noster erit. Natura sua quemquam humilem sic non creavit, ut haud ullo modo utilis esse possit.

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