Le Corbeau et le Renard- The Crow and The Fox

Le Corbeau et le Renard

Maître Corbeau sur un arbre perché,
Tenait en son bec un fromage.
Maître Renard par l’odeur alléché
Lui tint à peu près ce langage :
Et bonjour, Monsieur du Corbeau.

Que vous êtes joli ! que vous me semblez beau !
Sans mentir, si votre ramage
Se rapporte à votre plumage,
Vous êtes le Phenix des hôtes de ces bois.
À ces mots le Corbeau ne se sent pas de joie :
Et pour montrer sa belle voix,
Il ouvre un large bec, laisse tomber sa proie.
Le Renard s’en saisit, et dit : Mon bon Monsieur,
Apprenez que tout flatteur
Vit aux dépens de celui qui l’écoute.
Cette leçon vaut bien un fromage sans doute.
Le Corbeau honteux et confus
Jura, mais un peu tard, qu’on ne l’y prendrait plus.

            The Crow and The Fox

Master Crow sat on a tree,

Holding a cheese in his beak.

Master Fox was attracted by the odour,

And tried to attract him thus.

"Mister Crow, good day to you.

You are a handsome and good looking bird!

In truth, if your song is as beautiful as your plumage,

You are the Phoenix of this forest."

Hearing these words the Crow felt great joy,

And to demonstrate his beautiful voice,

He opened his mouth wide and let drop his prey.

The Fox seized it and said: "My good Sir,

Know that every flatterer,

Lives at the expense of those who take him seriously:

This is a lesson that is worth a cheese no doubt."

The Crow, embarrassed and confused,

Swore, though somewhat later, that he would never be

tricked thus again.