Character Index | Proverb Index
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| Character Index | Proverb Index |
The Frogs were living happily in a swamp that just suited them; they went splashing about caring for nobody and nobody troubling with them. But some of them thought this was not right; they should have a king. They therefore sent a petition to Jove to give them what they wanted. "Mighty Jove," they cried, "send us a king that will rule over us and keep us in order." Jove laughed at their croaking, and threw down a huge Log. The Frogs were frightened by the commotion in their midst. After a time, seeing that it did not move, one or two of the boldest of them ventured towards the Log, and even dared to touch it. Then all the Frogs came and did the same; and for some time the Frogs went about their business every day without taking the slightest notice of their new King Log. But this did not suit them, so they sent another petition to Jove, and said to him, "We want a real king; one that will really rule over us." This made Jove angry, so he sent among them a big Stork that soon set to work gobbling them all up. The Frogs repented too late.
Townsend version
The Frogs, grieved at having no established Ruler, sent ambassadors to Jupiter entreating for a King. Perceiving their simplicity, he cast down a huge log into the lake. The Frogs were terrified at the splash occasioned by its fall and hid themselves in the depths of the pool. But as soon as they realized that the huge log was motionless, they swam again to the top of the water, dismissed their fears, climbed up, and began squatting on it in contempt. After some time they began to think themselves ill-treated in the appointment of so inert a Ruler, and sent a second deputation to Jupiter to pray that he would set over them another sovereign. He then gave them an Eel to govern them. When the Frogs discovered his easy good nature, they sent yet a third time to Jupiter to beg him to choose for them still another King. Jupiter, displeased with all their complaints, sent a Heron, who preyed upon the Frogs day by day till there were none left to croak upon the lake.
L'Estrange version
In the days of old, when the frogs were all at liberty in the lakes, and grown quite weary of living without government, they petition'd Jupiter for a king, to the end that there might be some distinction of good and evil, by certain equitable rules and methods of reward and punishment. Jupiter, that knew the vanity of their hearts, threw them down a log for their governour; which upon the first dash, frighted the whole mobile of them into the mudd for the very fear on't. This panick terror kept them in awe for a while, 'till in good time, one frog, bolder than the rest, put up his head, and look'd about him, to see how squares went with their new king. Upon this, he calls his fellow-subjects together; opens the truth of the case; and nothing would serve them then, but riding a-top of him, insomuch that the dread they were in before, is now turned into insolence, and tumult. This king they said was too tame for them, and Jupiter must needs be entreated to send 'em another: he did so, but authors are divided upon it, whether 'twas a stork, or a serpent; though whether of the two soever it was, he left them neither liberty, nor property, but made a prey of his subjects. Such was their condition in fine, that they sent Mercury to Jupiter yet once again for another king, whose answer was this: They that will not be contented when they are well, must be patient when things are amiss with them; and people had better rest where they are, than go farther, and fare worse.
Moral
The mobile are uneasie without a ruler: they are as restless with one; and the oft'ner they shift, the worse they are; so that government or no government; a king of God's making, or of the peoples, or none at all; the multitude are never to be satisfied.
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Tom Simondi, All Rights Reserved