HomeJean de La FontaineThe Lion and the Rat

THE LION AND THE RAT. Jean de La Fontaine

The Lion and the Rat. Frans Snyders (1579-1657)

The Lion and the Rat. Frans Snyders (1579-1657)

It′s well to please all people when you can;
There′s none so small but one his aid may need.
Here are two fables, if you give good heed,
Will prove the truth to any honest man.

A Rat, in quite a foolish way,
Crept from his hole between a Lion′s paws;
The king of animals showed on that day
His royalty, and never snapped his jaws.
The kindness was not unrepaid;
Yet, who′d have thought a Lion would need aid


From a poor Rat?
Soon after that
The Lion in the forest brake,
In their strong toils the hunters take;
In vain his roars, his frenzy, and his rage.
But Mr. Rat runs up; a mesh or two
Nibbles, and lets the Lion through

Patience and length of time may sever,
What strength and empty wrath could never.

The Lion and the Rat. Paul de Vos (1591/92 or 1595–1678)

The Lion and the Rat. Paul de Vos (1591/92 or 1595–1678)

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