Avianus fab. 8
Lucas Consolin Dezotti / Mutirao_Unesp_2022
- Created on 2022-05-15 19:32:37
- Modified on 2022-11-28 12:01:15
- Translated by Duff, Arnold Mackay
- Aligned by Lucas Consolin Dezotti
Latin
English
urn:cts:latinLit:stoa0046.stoa001.opp-lat2
urn:cts:latinLit:stoa0046.stoa001.opp-eng1
DE CAMELO ET IOVE
[ Contentum propriis sapientem vivere rebus
nec cupere alterius fabula nostra monet ,
indignata cito ne stet Fortuna recursu
atque eadem minuat quae dedit ante rota . ]
Corporis immensi fertur pecus isse per auras
et magnum precibus sollicitasse Iovem :
turpe nimis cunctis irridendumque videri ,
insignes geminis cornibus ire boves ,
et solum nulla munitum parte camelum
obiectum cunctis expositumque feris .
" Iupiter irridens postquam sperata negavit ,
insuper et magnae sustulit auris onus .
" vive minor merito , cui sors non sufficit " inquit ,
" et tua perpetuum , livide , damna geme " .
[ Contentum propriis sapientem vivere rebus
nec cupere alterius fabula nostra monet ,
indignata cito ne stet Fortuna recursu
atque eadem minuat quae dedit ante rota . ]
Corporis immensi fertur pecus isse per auras
et magnum precibus sollicitasse Iovem :
turpe nimis cunctis irridendumque videri ,
insignes geminis cornibus ire boves ,
et solum nulla munitum parte camelum
obiectum cunctis expositumque feris .
" Iupiter irridens postquam sperata negavit ,
insuper et magnae sustulit auris onus .
" vive minor merito , cui sors non sufficit " inquit ,
" et tua perpetuum , livide , damna geme " .
JUPITER
AND
THE
CAMEL
[ Our fable counsels a man if he be wise to live contented with his own property and not to covet what belongs to another , lest Fortune be angry and run quickly back to a standstill , and the same wheel that once bestowed favours end in lessening them . ]
The story goes that an animal of vast bulk went through the air and besought high Jove with entreaties , saying that everyone thought it a monstrous scandal and theme for ridicule that oxen should strut about in the glory of a pair of horns , while the camel alone should be undefended in every quarter , at the mercy of all the animal world and open to their attacks .
Jupiter , mocking the camel , after refusing the expected boon , went further and relieved it of the weight of its large ears , saying , " Live beneath your deserts , as you are not satisfied with your lot ; bewail your loss for ever , you jealous creature " .
[ Our fable counsels a man if he be wise to live contented with his own property and not to covet what belongs to another , lest Fortune be angry and run quickly back to a standstill , and the same wheel that once bestowed favours end in lessening them . ]
The story goes that an animal of vast bulk went through the air and besought high Jove with entreaties , saying that everyone thought it a monstrous scandal and theme for ridicule that oxen should strut about in the glory of a pair of horns , while the camel alone should be undefended in every quarter , at the mercy of all the animal world and open to their attacks .
Jupiter , mocking the camel , after refusing the expected boon , went further and relieved it of the weight of its large ears , saying , " Live beneath your deserts , as you are not satisfied with your lot ; bewail your loss for ever , you jealous creature " .