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Aesop's Fables: Avianus

#6. de rana et vulpe. (Perry 289)

Edita gurgitibus olimque [sic] immersa profundo
Et luteis tantum semper amica vadis,
Ad superos colles herbosaque prata recurrens
Mulcebat miseras turgida rana feras,
Callida quod posset gravibus succurrere morbis
Et vitam ingenio continuare suo;
Nec se Paeonio iactat cessisse magistro.
Quamvis perpetuos curet in orbe deos.
Tunc vulpes pecudum ridens astuta quietem
Verborum vacuam prodidit esse fidem:
Haec dabit aegrotis, inquit, medicamina membris,
Pallida caeruleus cui notat ora color?

Latin text from Latin Library (Ad Fontes), based on Léopold Hervieux, Les fabulistes latins depuis le siècle d'Auguste jusqu'à la. fin du Moyen-Age (1893-1899); supplemented by Latin text at Bibliotheca Augustana. Avianus is included in the Loeb volume for Minor Latin Poets, vol. 2, with the Latin text and a facing English translation.