Makarony Fables, Fables for Grown Gentlemen (and other texts)
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Authors
Hall-Stevenson, John
Issue Date
1897
Type
Book, Whole
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Abstract
The Franciscan Makaronies of Medenham, according to the author's opening statement to the reader, have their name derived from the Greek makar, makaros, meaning blessed or happy. Put it into nominative plural and you have, says the author, Beati or the Makaronies. The eight fables, as far as I can tell, are wordy verse enhancements of Aesop's stories. A cat plays dead, Snake and lobster cannot live in the same cramped quarters. A hawk kills a nightingale mercilessly. A cat persists in licking (her own) blood from a file. Best for me is the story in which the tortoise begs the eagle to assist him in flying (24). The eagle challenges him to jump over an ass lying in a field. The tortoise answers that this is the voice of envy speaking. Then the eagle gets angry enough to lift the tortoise up into the air--and of course drop him. Two kids together steal from a cook and give different answers to his questions. When high-quality trees argue about supremacy, brambles think that they have something important to say. These Aesopic fables are followed by The New Fables of the Bees in two cantos. The book also includes A Pastoral Puke (207). Other texts here include Imitations of Horace. The book was formerly the property of The Oklahoma Baptist University Library. It was never taken out of the library!
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Publisher
Printed for Circulation Amongst Private Subscribers Only