As to mankind, I would have their lot infinitely better.  We men should possess a double treasure; firstly, the soul common to us all, just as we happen to be, sages or fools, children, idiots, or our dumb companions the animals; secondly, another soul in common, in a certain degree, with the angels, and this soul, independent of us though belonging to us, should be able to reach to heavenly heights, whilst it could also dwell within a point’s space.  Having a beginning it should be without end.  Things incredible but true.  During infancy this soul, itself a child of heaven, should appear to us only as a gentle and feeble light; but as the faculties grew, the stronger reason would pierce the darkness of matter enveloping our other imperfect and grosser soul.

FOOTNOTES: 

[Footnote 8:  At the time when this was written there was much discussion among the learned in France as to the powers of reasoning in animals.]

[Footnote 9:  The allusion is to Sobieski, whose victory over the Turks made him famous throughout Europe in 1673.  La Fontaine had frequently met him in the salons of the cultured ladies of France.]

[Footnote 10:  A nymph of one of the rivers of Hades named after her.  She became the mother of Zelus (zeal), Nike (victory), Kratos (power), and Bia (strength).]

[Footnote 11:  Also a river of Hades, the realm of the dead.]

[Footnote 12:  Descartes is meant as the rival of the old philosopher Epicurus.]

XXXI

THE DOG WITH HIS EARS CROPPED

(Book X.—­No. 9)

“What have I done to be treated in this way?  Mutilated by my own master!  A nice state to be in!  Dare I present myself before other dogs?  O ye kings over the animals, or rather tyrants of them, would any creature do the same to you?”

Such were the lamentations of poor Fido, a young house-dog, whilst those who were busy cropping his ears remained quite untouched by his piercing and dolorous howls.

Fido believed himself to be ruined for life; but he very shortly found that he was a gainer by the maiming.  For being by nature disposed to pilfer from his companions, it would come within his experience to have many misadventures wherein his ears would be torn in a hundred places.

Aggressive dogs always have ragged ears.  The less they have for other dogs’ teeth to fasten upon the better.

When one has but a single weak place to defend, one protects it against an onset.  Witness Master Fido armed with a spiked collar, and having no more ears to catch hold of than are on my hand.  Even a wolf would not have known where to take him.

XXXII

THE LIONESS AND THE SHE-BEAR

(Book X—­No. 13)

Mamma lioness had lost one of her cubs.  Some hunter had made away with it, and the poor unfortunate mother roared out her wailings to such an extent that all the inhabitants of the forest were seriously disturbed.  The spells of the night, its darkness and its silence, were powerless to hush the tumult of the queen of the forest.  Sleep was driven from every animal within hearing.