FABLES FROM YRIARTE.
THE name of YRIARTE has been extended beyond Spain by the translation of his poem of La illasica; and, we think, by a ver- sion of his Fables. It may be surmised, however, that the " im- mortal reputation" of which Mr. ANDREWS speaks will be limited to his own country. The peculiar distinction of the Fables—a selection of which Mr. ANDERSON has undertaken to translate, or occasionally perhaps to imitate—consists in their being limited to the illustration of literary morals : their merits lie in "a lively and spirited style," and, as it seems to us, in a nice exhibition of the natural character of the animals introduced as confabulators. The first point, whilst it gives something of novelty to the object of the Fables, is counterbalanced by the narrow scope of the morals, and the want of general interest in their application. The merits of the execution are of a kind very likely to be dimi- nished in translation; and, from a want of felicitous diction and illustrative aptness, they have not always that character of pith and strength which we look fur in fables. They are, however, light and amusing reading enough ; and may even be said to form an addition to our literature. We will give a specimen, applicable to the " shop ;" though it is to be feared that authors in general will not profit by the moral, or show the penetration of the Bear.
TILE. BEAR, THE MONKEY', AND THE PIG.
A Bear, with whom a Piedmontese Had voyaged from the Polar seas, And by whose strange unwieldy gambols lie earned a living iu his rambles, One day, upon his hind. legs set, Began to dance a minuet. At length, being tired, as well he might, Of standing such it time upright,
He to a Monkey near advancing,
Exclaimed, " What think you of my dancing ?" " Really," he said, " ahem ! (Im sure This Monkey was a connoisseur), To praise it I'd indeed be glad, Only it is so very bad!"
" now 1" cried the Bear, not overpleased,
" Surely your judgment is diseased, Or else you cannot well have seen My elegance of step and mien: Just look again, and say what graces You think are wanting in my paces." " Indeed, his taste is quite amazing," Replied a Pig, with rapture gazing;
" Bravo ! encore! well done ! Sir Bear,
By heaven, you trip as light as air; I vow that Paris never knew A dancer halt s° fine as you." With sonic confusion, Bruin heard Such praises by a pig conferred ; Ile communed with himself awhile, And muttered thus, in altered style: " I must confess the Monkey's blame Made me feel doubtful of my fame ; But since the Pigs their praise concede, My dancing must be had indeed!" Form, if you can a judgment true, Authors, on those who judge of you: A wise man's blame may awake one sad, But a fool's praise is twice as bad.
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