Social Commentaries

V.9 The Bull and the Calf

by Phaedrus c. 15 BC - c. AD 50

Translated by Christopher Smart (1887 printing) · From Fables, Book V

Social Commentaries

A Bull was struggling to secure
His passage at a narrow door,
And scarce could reach the rack of hay,
His horns so much were in his way.
A Calf officious, fain would show
How he might twist himself and go.
"Hold thou thy prate; all this," says he,
"Ere thou wert calved was known to me."
He, that a wiser man by half
Would teach, may think himself this Calf.

MLA

Phaedrus. “V.9 The Bull and the Calf.” Translated by Christopher Smart. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/phaedrus/91/.

Chicago

Phaedrus. “V.9 The Bull and the Calf.” Translated by Christopher Smart. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/phaedrus/91/.

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