Social Commentaries
V.9 The Bull and the Calf
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.
Cite this poem
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/.
Read this poem with the Codex →