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Balefire Publishing
Aesop's Fables
Aesop's Fables
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It is probable that Fables which have passed current under the name of
Aesop for two thousand years, will continue to bear his name as long as fables shall retain their power to instruct and charm in other words, as long as men remain in need of instruction and reproof, and are impatient of their reception. Truth, however, calls for the assertion, that the connection of Aesop with the collection known by his name is very slight. Nearly all that can be said with certainty is, "that there is abundant proof that fables passing under the name of Aesop were current and popular in Athens during the most brilliant period of its literary history, and not much more than a century after the death of the
supposed author." We are further told, on good authority, that of Aesop's works, "none are extant, and of his known."
What is known of the life of Aesop is briefly this: He was disfigured by unnecessary licence of expression, and now obsolete idiom. The second contains much quaint humour, but the Fables are of unequal merit, and at times are lengthy and somewhat wearisome.
In revising these editions to suit modern tastes and current modes of expression, no principle has been followed save that of trying to exhibit each Fable in its liveliest and most attractive dress. To this end, in some cases, almost the exact words of Croxall and L' Estrange are given; in others, the versions of these authors have been added to, altered, or curtailed; while is not a few the dress is almost, if not altogether, new.
Aesop for two thousand years, will continue to bear his name as long as fables shall retain their power to instruct and charm in other words, as long as men remain in need of instruction and reproof, and are impatient of their reception. Truth, however, calls for the assertion, that the connection of Aesop with the collection known by his name is very slight. Nearly all that can be said with certainty is, "that there is abundant proof that fables passing under the name of Aesop were current and popular in Athens during the most brilliant period of its literary history, and not much more than a century after the death of the
supposed author." We are further told, on good authority, that of Aesop's works, "none are extant, and of his known."
What is known of the life of Aesop is briefly this: He was disfigured by unnecessary licence of expression, and now obsolete idiom. The second contains much quaint humour, but the Fables are of unequal merit, and at times are lengthy and somewhat wearisome.
In revising these editions to suit modern tastes and current modes of expression, no principle has been followed save that of trying to exhibit each Fable in its liveliest and most attractive dress. To this end, in some cases, almost the exact words of Croxall and L' Estrange are given; in others, the versions of these authors have been added to, altered, or curtailed; while is not a few the dress is almost, if not altogether, new.
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