The Will Explained By Aesop
Fable de Jean de la Fontaine
 Fables of la Fontaine > Book II > The Will Explained By Aesop |
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| If what old story says of Aesop's true, The oracle of Greece he was, And more than Areopagus he knew, With all its wisdom in the laws. The following tale gives but a sample Of what has made his fame so ample. Three daughters shared a father's purse, Of habits totally diverse. The first, bewitched with drinks delicious; The next, coquettish and capricious; The third, supremely avaricious. The sire, expectant of his fate, Bequeathed his whole estate, In equal shares, to them, And to their mother just the same, To her then payable, and not before, Each daughter should possess her part no more. The father died. The females three Were much in haste the will to see. They read, and read, but still Saw not the willer's will. For could it well be understood That each of this sweet sisterhood, When she possessed her part no more, Should to her mother pay it over? It was surely not so easy saying How lack of means would help the paying. What meant their honoured father, then? The affair was brought to legal men, Who, after turning over the case Some hundred thousand different ways, Threw down the learned bonnet, Unable to decide on it; And then advised the heirs, Without more thought, to adjust affairs. As to the widow's share, the counsel say, "We hold it just the daughters each should pay One third to her on demand, Should she not choose to have it stand Commuted as a life annuity, Paid from her husband's death, with due congruity." The thing thus ordered, the estate Is duly cut in portions three. And in the first they all agree To put the feasting lodges, plate, Luxurious cooling mugs, Enormous liquor jugs, Rich cupboards, built beneath the trellised vine, The stores of ancient, sweet Malvoisian wine, The slaves to serve it at a sign; In short, whatever, in a great house, There is of feasting apparatus. The second part is made Of what might help the jilting trade The city house and furniture, Exquisite and genteel, be sure, The eunuchs, milliners, and laces, The jewels, shawls, and costly dresses. The third is made of household stuff, More vulgar, rude, and rough Farms, fences, flocks, and fodder, And men and beasts to turn the sod over. This done, since it was thought To give the parts by lot Might suit, or it might not, Each paid her share of fees dear, And took the part that pleased her. It was in great Athens town, Such judgment gave the gown. And there the public voice Applauded both the judgment and the choice. But Aesop well was satisfied The learned men had set aside, In judging thus the testament, The very gist of its intent. "The dead," Said he, "could he but know of it, Would heap reproaches on such Attic wit. What! men who proudly take their place As sages of the human race, Lack they the simple skill To settle such a will?" This said, he undertook himself The task of portioning the pelf; And straightway gave each maid the part The least according to her heart The prim coquette, the drinking stuff, The drinker, then, the farms and cattle; And on the miser, rude and rough, The robes and lace did Aesop settle; For thus, he said, "an early date Would see the sisters alienate Their several shares of the estate. No motive now in maidenhood to tarry, They all would seek, post haste, to marry; And, having each a splendid bait, Each soon would find a well-bred mate; And, leaving thus their father's goods intact, Would to their mother pay them all, in fact," Which of the testament Was plainly the intent. The people, who had thought a slave an ass, Much wondered how it came to pass That one alone should have more sense Than all their men of most pretence. |
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