Social Commentaries
The Fox and the Grapes
Translated by Walter Thornbury (1886) · From Fables (1668–1694)
A Certain hungry Fox, of Gascon breed
(Or Norman--but the difference is small),
Discovered, looking very ripe indeed,
Some Grapes that hung upon an orchard-wall.
Striving to clamber up and seize the prey,
He found the fruit was not within his power;
"Well, well," he muttered, as he walked away,
"It's my conviction that those Grapes are sour."
The Fox did wisely to accept his lot;
'Twas better than complaining, was it not?
Cite this poem
MLA
La Fontaine, Jean de. “The Fox and the Grapes.” Translated by Walter Thornbury. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/la-fontaine/41/.
Chicago
La Fontaine, Jean de. “The Fox and the Grapes.” Translated by Walter Thornbury. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/la-fontaine/41/.
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