Folk Tale

Of Doubt and Credulity

AuthorPhaedrus
Book TitleThe Fables of Phaedrus
Publication Date41
LanguageEnglish
OriginItaly

'Tis frequently of bad event To give or to withhold assent. Two cases will th' affair explain- The good Hippolytus was slain; In that his stepdame credit found, And Troy was levell d with the ground; Because Cassandra's prescious care Sought, but obtain'd no credence there. The facts should then be very strong, Lest the weak judge determine wrong: But that I may not make too free With fabulous antiquity, I now a curious tale shall tell, Which I myself remember well. An honest man, that loved his wife, Was introducing into life A son upon the man's estate. One day a servant (whom, of late, He with his freedom had endu'd) Took him aside, and being shrewd, Supposed that he might be his heir When he'd divulged the whole affair. Much did he lie against the youth, But more against the matron's truth: And hinted that, which worst of all Was sure a lover's heart to gall, The visits of a lusty rake, And honour of his house at stake. He at this scandal taking heat, Pretends a journey to his seat; But stopp'd at hand, while it was light, Where, on a sudden, and by night, He to his wife's apartment sped, Where she had put the lad to bed, As watchful of his youthful bloom. While now they're running to the room, And seek a light in haste, the sire, No longer stifling of his ire, Flies to the couch, where grouping round, A head, but newly shaved, he found; Then, as alone, he vengeance breath'd, The sword within his bosom sheath'd- The candle entering, when he spied The bleeding youth, and by his side The spotless dame, who being fast Asleep, knew nothing that had pass'd, Instant in utmost grief involved, He vengeance for himself resolved; And on that very weapon flew, Which his too cred'lous fury drew. Th' accusers take the woman straight, And drag to the centumvirate; Th' ill-natured world directly built A strong suspicion of her guilts, As she th' estate was to enjoy- The lawyers all their skill employ; And a great spirit those exert Who most her innocence assert. The judges then to Caesar pray'd That he would lend his special aid; Who, as they acted upon oath, Declared themselves extremely loth To close this intricate affair He, taking then himself the chair, The clouds of calumny displaced. And Truth up to her fountain traced. " Let the freedman to vengeance go, The cause of all this scene of woe: For the poor widow, thus undone, Deprived of husband and of son, To pity has a greater plea Than condemnation, I decree- But if the man, with caution due, Had rather blamed than listen'd to The vile accuser, and his lie Had strictly search'd with Reason's eye, This desp'rate guilt he had not known, Nor branch and root his house o'erthrown." Nor wholly scorn, nor yet attend Too much at what the tatlers vend, Because there's many a sad neglect. Where you have little to suspect; And treacherous persons will attaint Men, against whom there's no complaint. Hence simple folks too may be taught How to form judgments as they ought, And not see with another's glass; For things are come to such a pass, That love and hate work diff'rent ways As int'rest or ambition sways. Them you may know, in them confide, Whom by experience you have tried. Thus have I made a long amends For that brief style which some offends.


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