Aesop's Fables, translated by Laura Gibbs (2002)
254. THE YOUNG MAN AND THE PROSTITUTE
Perry 555 (Phaedrus
App. 29)
A dishonest prostitute was trying to seduce a young man and he willingly
gave himself over to her deceptions, even though she often caused him
considerable pain and suffering. The scheming creature would say things
like, 'Although many men vie for my favours with gifts, I value you the
most of all.' Thinking about how often she had tricked him, the young
man remarked, 'I am glad to hear it, my darling - not because I believe
you, but because what you say pleases me.'
Note: There is a promythium appended to the fable in Perotti's
Appendix: 'The things which bring us pleasure can often be hazardous
as well.'
Source:
Aesop's Fables. A new translation by Laura
Gibbs.
Oxford University Press (World's Classics): Oxford, 2002.
NOTE: New
cover, with new ISBN, published in 2008; contents of book unchanged.
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