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Fables and Parables
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{{Short description|1779 work by Ignacy Krasicki}} {{italic title}} [[File:Ignacy Krasicki 111.PNG|thumb|upright=1.5|[[Ignacy Krasicki]]]] '''''Fables and Parables''''' (''Bajki i przypowieści'', 1779), by [[Ignacy Krasicki]] (1735–1801), is a work in a long international tradition of [[fable|fable-writing]] that reaches back to antiquity. Krasicki's fables and parables have been described as being, "[l]ike [[Jean de La Fontaine]]'s [fables],... amongst the best ever written, while in colour they are distinctly original, because Polish."<ref>"[Krasicki's] 'Fables' (1779) are, like all others at that time in Europe, imitations of Lafontaine, but none were so like their model as Krasicki's. Like Lafontaine's, Krasicki's are amongst the best ever written, while in colour they are distinctly original, because Polish." [http://www.liturgical.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=6712 ''Catholic Online''].</ref> They are, according to [[Czesław Miłosz]], "the most durable among Krasicki's poems."<ref>Czesław Miłosz, ''The History of Polish Literature'', p. 178.</ref> ==Characteristics== Emulating the fables of the ancient [[Ancient Greece|Greek]] [[Aesop]], the [[Macedonia (Roman province)|Macedon]]ian-[[Ancient Rome|Roman]] [[Phaedrus (fabulist)|Phaedrus]], the Polish [[Biernat of Lublin]], and the [[France|Frenchman]] [[Jean de La Fontaine]], and anticipating Russia's [[Ivan Krylov]], [[Poland]]'s Krasicki populates his '''fables''' with [[Anthropomorphism|anthropomorphized]] [[animal]]s, [[plant]]s, [[Animate noun|inanimate]] [[Object (philosophy)|object]]s, and [[nature|forces of nature]], in [[epigram]]matic expressions of a [[skepticism|skeptical]], [[irony|ironic]] view of the world.<ref>Zdzisław Libera, introduction to [[Ignacy Krasicki]], ''Bajki: wybór'' (Fables: a Selection), pp. 5-10.</ref> That view is informed by Krasicki's observations of [[human nature]] and of national and international [[politics]] in his day—including the predicament of the expiring [[Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth]]. Just seven years earlier (1772), the Commonwealth had experienced the first of three [[Partitions of Poland|partitions]] that would, by 1795, totally expunge the Commonwealth from the [[political map]] of Europe.<ref>Czesław Miłosz, ''The History of Polish Literature'', p. 167.</ref> The Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth would fall victim to the aggression of three powerful neighbors much as, in Krasicki's fable of "[[#The Lamb and the Wolves|The Lamb and the Wolves]]," the lamb falls prey to the two wolves. The First Partition had rendered Krasicki—an intimate of Poland's last king, [[Stanisław August Poniatowski]]—involuntarily a subject of that Partition's instigator, [[Prussia]]'s King [[Frederick II of Prussia|Frederick II]] ("the Great").<ref>Czesław Miłosz, ''The History of Polish Literature'', p. 177.</ref> Krasicki would, unlike Frederick, survive to witness the final dismemberment of the Commonwealth. Krasicki's '''''[[parable]]s''''' (e.g., "[[#Abuzei and Tair|Abuzei and Tair]]," "[[#The Blind Man and the Lame|The Blind Man and the Lame]]," "[[#Son and Father|Son and Father]]," "[[#The Farmer|The Farmer]]," "[[Wikisource:Fables and Parables#Child and Father|Child and Father]]," "[[#The Master and His Dog|The Master and His Dog]]," "[[Wikisource:Fables and Parables#The King and the Scribes|The King and the Scribes]]," and "[[#The Drunkard|The Drunkard]]") do not, by definition, employ the anthropomorphization that characterizes the ''fables''. Instead, his parables point elegant [[moral]] lessons drawn from more quotidian ''[[human]]'' life.<ref>Czesław Miłosz, ''The History of Polish Literature'', p. 178.</ref> Krasicki's, writes [[Czesław Miłosz]], "is a world where the strong win and the weak lose in a sort of immutable order... [[Reason]] is exalted as the human equivalent of animal strength: the [clever] survive, the stupid perish."<ref>Czesław Miłosz, ''The History of Polish Literature'', p. 178.</ref> Miłosz writes: {{blockquote|Poetry for [Krasicki] was a more concise and elegant prose, and originality of subject had no importance. Thus [he] borrowed the subjects of his fables from the enormous body of fabular literature starting with Aesop and finishing with his own French contemporaries. He also borrowed from [the earlier French fabulist] [[La Fontaine]], especially in... his ''New Fables''... published [posthumously in 1802], but whatever he took was always completely transformed. His extreme conciseness is best seen if one counts the number of words in the original author's version and compares it to that of Krasicki's on the same subject. The pleasure... for the poet [as well as] for the reader... is probably due to the [compression] of a whole story, sometimes even a [[novella]], into a few lines, and among Krasicki's best... fables [are those] which [comprise] only one quatrain where the author's pen moves in one rush toward the final ''pointe''.<ref>Czesław Miłosz, ''The History of Polish Literature'', p. 178.</ref>}} The ''Fables and Parables'' are written as 13-[[syllable]] lines, in [[couplet]]s with the [[rhyme scheme]] AA BB. They range in length from 2 to 18 lines. The introductory invocation "To the Children", while employing the same rhyme scheme, uses lines of 11 syllables. Curiously, the fables include two with the identical title, "The Stream and the River"; two with the identical title, "The Lion and the Beasts"; two with the identical title, "Nightingale and Goldfinch"; and two with the identical title, "The Wolf and the Sheep". Critics generally prefer Krasicki's more concise ''Fables and Parables'' (1779), sampled here, over his later ''New Fables'', published posthumously in 1802. This is consistent with Krasicki's own dictum in ''On [[Poetry|Versification]] and Versifiers'' that "A fable should be ''brief'', clear and, so far as possible, preserve the truth."<ref>Quoted in Libera's introduction to [[Ignacy Krasicki|Krasicki]], ''Bajki: wybór'', p. 5.</ref> In the same treatise, Krasicki explains that a fable "is a story commonly ascribed to animals, that people who read it might take instruction from [the animals'] example or speech...; it originated in eastern lands where supreme [[governance]] reposed in the hands of [[Autocracy|autocrat]]s. Thus, when it was feared to proclaim the [[truth]] openly, [[simulacrum|simulacra]] were employed in fables so that—if only in this way—the truth might be agreeable alike to the ruled and to the [[monarch|ruler]]s."<ref>Quoted in Libera's introduction to [[Ignacy Krasicki|Krasicki]], ''Bajki: wybór'', p. 5.</ref> ==Samples== Below are 17 samples from Krasicki's ''Fables and Parables'' (1779), in English [[translation]] by [[Christopher Kasparek]]. An additional 45 items may be found at [[:Wikisource:Fables and Parables|Wikisource]]; the total of 62 items presented there constitute 52% of the 119 in Krasicki's original ''Fables and Parables''. === Abuzei and Tair === "Congratulate me, father," said Tair, "I prosper.<br> Tomorrow I am to become the [[Sultan]]'s [[brother-in-law|brother-<br> In-law]] and hunt with him." Quoth father: "All does alter,<br> Your lord's good graces, women's favor, autumn weather."<br> He had guessed aright, the son's plans did not turn out well:<br> The Sultan withheld his sister, all day the rain fell. === The Blind Man and the Lame === [[File:Emblemata saecurlaria 46.jpg|thumb|175px|"[[The Blind Man and the Lame]]", from [[Johann Theodor de Bry|de Bry]]'s ''Emblemata saecularia'', 1596]] A [[blindness|blind]] man was carrying a [[lameness|lame]] man on his back,<br> And everything was going well, everything's on track,<br> When the blind man decides to take it into his head<br> That he needn't listen to all that the lame man said.<br> "This stick I have will guide the two of us safe," said he,<br> And though warned by the lame man, he plowed into a [[tree]]. <br> On they proceeded; the lame man now warned of a [[stream|brook]];<br> The two survived, but their possessions a soaking took.<br> At last the blind man ignored the warning of a drop,<br> And that was to turn out their final and fatal stop.<br> :Which of the two travelers, you may ask, was to blame? Why, 'twas both the heedless blind man and the trusting lame. === The Eagle and the Hawk === Eagle, not wishing to incommode himself with [[hunting|chase]],<br> Decided to send hawk after sparrows in his place.<br> Hawk brought him the sparrows, eagle ate them with pleasure;<br> At last, not quite sated with the dainties to measure,<br> Feeling his appetite growing keener and keener —<br> Eagle ate [[fowl]] for breakfast, the [[falconry|fowler]] for dinner. ===Son and Father=== Every age has its bitter, every age has its grief:<br> Son toiled o'er his book, father was vexed beyond belief.<br> The one had no rest; the other no freedom, forsooth:<br> Father lamented his age, son lamented his youth. === Birds in a Cage === "Why do you weep?" inquired the young [[w:siskin|siskin]] of the old,<BR> "You're more comfortable in this [[w:birdcage|cage]] than out in the cold."<BR> "You were born caged," said the elder, "this was your morrow;<BR> "I was free, now I'm caged—hence the cause of my sorrow." === The Little Fish and the Pike === Espying a worm in the water, the little fish<br> Did greatly regret the worm could not become his dish.<br> Up came a [[pike (fish)|pike]] and made his preparations to dine;<br> He swallowed both worm and [[fish hook|hook]], which he failed to divine.<br> As the [[angling|angler]] pulled ashore his magnificent prize,<br> Quoth the little fish: "Sometimes good to be undersize." === The Farmer === A farmer, bent on doubling the [[Profit (accounting)|profits]] from his land,<br> Proceeded to set his soil a two-[[harvest]] demand.<br> Too intent thus on profit, harm himself he must needs:<br> Instead of [[cereal|corn]], he now reaps [[corn cockle]] and weeds. === Two Dogs === "Why do I freeze out of doors while you sleep on a rug?"<br> Inquired the bobtail [[mixed-breed dog|mongrel]] of the fat, sleek [[pug]].<br> "I have run of the house, and you the run of a chain,"<br> The pug replied, "because you serve, while I entertain." ===The Master and His Dog=== The dog barked all the night, keeping the burglar away;<br> It got a beating for waking the master, next day.<br> That night it slept soundly and did the burglar no harm;<br> He [[burglary|burgle]]d; the dog got [[Walking stick|caned]] for not raising [[alarm signal|alarm]]. ===The Humble Lion=== 'Tis bad at master's court to lie, bad the truth to tell.<br> Lion, intent on showing all that he was humble,<br> Called for open reproaches. Said the fox: "Your great vice<br> Is that you're too kind, too gracious, excessively nice."<br> The sheep, seeing lion pleased by fox's rebuke, said:<br> "You are a cruel, voracious tyrant." — and she was dead. === The Lamb and the Wolves === [[File:Plate facing page 10, An Argosy of Fables.jpg|150px|thumb|Lamb and wolf, illus. by [[Paul Bransom|Bransom]], ca. 1921]] Aggression ever finds cause if sufficiently pressed.<br> Two wolves on the prowl had trapped a [[domestic sheep|lamb]] in the forest<br> And were about to pounce. Quoth the lamb: "What right have you?"<br> "You're toothsome, weak, in the wood." — The wolves dined sans ado. ===Man and Wolf=== Man was traveling in wolfskin when wolf stopped his way.<br> "Know from my [[Clothing|garb]]," said the man, "what I am, what I may."<br> The wolf first laughed out loud, then grimly said to the man:<br> "I know that you are weak, if you need another's skin." ===Compassion=== The sheep was praising the wolf for all his compassion;<br> Hearing it, fox asked her: "How is that? In what fashion?"<br> "Very much so!" says the sheep, "I owe him what I am.<br> He's mild! He could've eaten me, but just ate my [[Domestic sheep#Reproduction|lamb]]." ===The Neighborhood=== [[Rye]] sprouted up on land that, until then, [[fallow]] lay.<br> But to what avail when, all about, [[bramble]] held sway.<br> The [[soil]] was good, though it had never been touched by [[plow]];<br> It would have brought forth [[grain]], did the bramble this allow.<br> :Happy is the man who with equals shares his [[border]]! Bad be [[famine]], [[war]], [[malaria|bad air]]; but worse still, bad [[Neighbourhood|neighbor]].<ref>This fable may allude to the state of the [[Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth]], surrounded by hostile powers, before and during the Partitions of the Commonwealth in the second half of the 18th century. (Note in [[Ignacy Krasicki|Krasicki]], ''Bajki: wybór'', p. 76.)</ref> ===Refractory Oxen=== Pleasant the beginnings, but lamentable the end.<br> In spring, the [[cattle|ox]]en to their plowing would not attend;<br> They would not carry the grain to the barn in the fall;<br> Came winter, bread ran out, the farmer ate them withal. ===The Drunkard=== Having spent at the bottle many a night and day,<br> The ailing [[drunkard]] threw his mugs and glasses away;<br> He declared [[wine]] a tyrant, reviled [[beer]], cursed out [[mead]].<br> Then, his [[health]] restored... he'd no longer [[Teetotalism|abstinence]] heed. ===Bread And Sword=== As the [[bread]] lay next to the [[sword]], the weapon [[Demurrer|demurred]]:<br> "You would certainly show me more respect if you heard<br> How by [[night]] and by [[day]] I [[Conscientiousness|conscientiously]] strive<br> So that you may safely go on keeping men alive."<br> "I know," said the bread, "the shape of your duty's course:<br> You defend me less often than you take me by force." <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://polandsite.proboards.com/thread/742|title = Ignacy Krasicki - fabulous creator of Fables | POLISH FORUM ABOUT CULTURE, PEOPLE, TRADITIONS, HISTORY OF POLAND}}</ref> ''[[Translation|Translated]] from the [[Polish language|Polish]] by [[Christopher Kasparek]].'' ==See also== {{portal|Novels}} * "[[The Blind Man and the Lame]]" * [[Fable#Characteristics|Fable]] * [[Monitor (Polish newspaper)|''Monitor'' (Polish newspaper)]] * "[[O Sacred Love of the Beloved Country]]" * [[Parable#Characteristics|Parable]] * [[Poetry#Verse fable|Poetry]] * [[Political fiction#Classics|Political fiction]] * [[Politics in fiction#Written works|Politics in fiction]] * "[[The Wolf and the Lamb]]" ==Notes== {{reflist|2}} ==References== * Jan Zygmunt Jakubowski, ed., ''Literatura polska od średniowiecza do pozytywizmu'' (Polish Literature from the Middle Ages to Positivism), Warsaw, Państwowe Wydawnictwo Naukowe, 1979, {{ISBN|83-01-00201-8}}. * [[Ignacy Krasicki]], ''Bajki: wybór'' (Fables: a Selection), selected and with introduction by Zdzisław Libera, illustrated with drawings by [[Gustave Doré]], Warsaw, Państwowy Instytut Wydawniczy, 1974. The volume comprises selections from Krasicki's ''Fables and Parables'' (1779) and from his ''New Fables'' (published posthumously in 1802). * [[Ignacy Krasicki]], ''Polish Fables: Bilingual Edition'', translated by [[Gerard T. Kapolka]], New York, [[Hippocrene Books]], 1997, {{ISBN|0-7818-0548-1}}. * [[:pl:Julian Krzyżanowski|Julian Krzyżanowski]], ''Historia literatury polskiej: Alegoryzm — preromantyzm'' (A History of Polish Literature: Allegorism — Preromanticism), Warsaw, Państwowy Instytut Wydawniczy, 1974. * Czesław Miłosz, ''The History of Polish Literature'', 2nd ed., Berkeley, University of California Press, 1983, {{ISBN|0-520-04477-0}}. ==External links== * [http://polandsite.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=polishliteratureinenglish&action=display&thread=742 Polish Forum] * [http://www.liturgical.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=6712 Catholic Online] * [https://poezja.org/wz/zbior/Bajki_Krasickiego/ Fables and Parables] (polish) {{Authority control}} [[Category:Polish fairy tales]] [[Category:Polish poems]] [[Category:Fables]] [[Category:Parables]] [[Category:1779 books]] [[Category:Polish Enlightenment]] [[Category:Works by Ignacy Krasicki]] [[Category:Works set in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth]]
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