Jean de La Fontaine Poems on Man (75 Poems)

The Little Dog (Jean de La Fontaine Poems)

THE key, which opes the chest of hoarded gold.Unlocks the heart that favours would withhold.To this the god of love has oft recourse,When arrows fail to reach the secret source,And I’ll maintain he’s right, for, ‘mong mankind,Nice presents ev’ry where … Continue reading →

Joconde (Jean de La Fontaine Poems)

IN Lombardy’s fair land, in days of yore,Once dwelt a prince, of youthful charms, a store;Each FAIR, with anxious look, his favours sought,And ev’ry heart within his net was caught.Quite proud of beauteous form and smart address,In which the world … Continue reading →

The Magic Cup (Jean de La Fontaine Poems)

THE worst of ills, with jealousy compared,Are trifling torments ev’ry where declared. IMAGINE, to yourself a silly fool,To dark suspicion grown an easy tool;No soft repose he finds, by night or day;But rings his ear, he’s wretched ev’ry way!Continually he … Continue reading →

St. Julian’s Prayer (Jean de La Fontaine Poems)

TO charms and philters, secret spells and prayers,How many round attribute all their cares!In these howe’er I never can believe,And laugh at follies that so much deceive.Yet with the beauteous FAIR, ’tis very true,These WORDS, as SACRED VIRTUES, oft they … Continue reading →

The Three Gossips’ Wager (Jean de La Fontaine Poems)

AS o’er their wine one day, three gossips sat,Discoursing various pranks in pleasant chat,Each had a loving friend, and two of theseMost clearly managed matters at their ease. SAID one, a princely husband I have got.A better in the world … Continue reading →

King Candaules And The Doctor Of Laws (Jean de La Fontaine Poems)

IN life oft ills from self-imprudence spring;As proof, Candaules’ story we will bring;In folly’s scenes the king was truly great:His vassal, Gyges, had from him a bait,The like in gallantry was rarely known,And want of prudence never more was shown. … Continue reading →

The Mandrake (Jean de La Fontaine Poems)

FLORENTINE we now design to show;—A greater blockhead ne’er appeared below;It seems a prudent woman he had wed,With beauty that might grace a monarch’s bed;Young, brisk, good-humoured, with engaging mien;None in the town, or round, the like was seen:Her praises … Continue reading →

Belphegor Addressed To Miss De Chammelay (Jean de La Fontaine Poems)

YOUR name with ev’ry pleasure here I place,The last effusions of my muse to grace.O charming Phillis! may the same extendThrough time’s dark night: our praise together blend;To this we surely may pretend to aimYour acting and my rhymes attention … Continue reading →

The Nightingale (Jean de La Fontaine Poems)

NO easy matter ’tis to hold,Against its owner’s will, the fleeceWho troubled by the itching smartOf Cupid’s irritating dart,Eager awaits some Jason bold To grant release.E’en dragon huge, or flaming steer,When Jason’s loved will cause no fear. Duennas, grating, bolt and … Continue reading →

The Falcon (Jean de La Fontaine Poems)

I RECOLLECT, that lately much I blamed,The sort of lover, avaricious named;And if in opposites we reason see,The liberal in paradise should be.The rule is just and, with the warmest zeal,To prove the fact I to the CHURCH appeal. IN … Continue reading →