Aesop's Fables: Sir Roger L'Estrange (1692)
161. A RAVEN AND A SWAN (Perry 398)
A Raven had a great Mind to be as White as a Swan, and Fancy’d To Himself
that the Swan’s Beauty proceeded in a high Degree, from his often Washing
and Dyet. The Raven, upon this, quitted his former Course of Life and
Food, and betook himself to the Lakes and Rivers: But as the Water did
him no Good at all for his Complexion, so the Experiment Cost him his
Life for want of Sustenance.
THE MORAL OF THE TWO FABLES ABOVE. Natural Inclinations may be Moulded
and Wrought upon by Good Councel and Discipline; but there are certain
Specifick Properties and Impressions, that are never to be Alter’d or
Defac’d.
L'Estrange originally published his version of the fables in 1692. There is a
very nice illustrated edition in the Children's Classics series by Knopf: Sir
Roger L'Estrange. Aesop
- Fables which is available at amazon.com.
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