Page:Fables by La Fontaine translated by Elizur Wright.djvu/69

 THE FABLES OF LA FONTAINE. TO MONSEIGNEUR THE DAUPHIN.^ * I SING the heroes of old ^Esop's line, Whose tale, though false when strictly we define, Containeth truths it were not ill to teach. With me all natures use the gift of speech ; Yea, in my work, the very fishes preach. And to our human selves their sermons suit. 'T is thus, to come at man, I use the brute. Son of a Prince the favourite of the skies, On whom the world entire hath fixed its eyes, similar reference occurs, the reader will understand that the same direction applies. VOL. I. — I
 * See notes at the end of the volume. Whenever a