Minor Latin poets; with introductions and English translations

THE FABLES OF AVIANUSXXXIThe Mouse and the OxThey tell how once upon a time a little mouseon its wanderings ventured with ^ its tiny teethto attack a mighty ox. When its nibbling mouthfinished biting, it thereupon hid safely in its windinghole. Though the ox made sullen threats withhis Imge neck, yet for all his anger he could notsee that there lived an enemy for him to attack.Then the mouse dispersed ^ the foe's threats with itscleverness, bantering the enraged ox with thesewords: "Because your parents transmitted stronglimbs to you, it does not follow that they addedefficiency to your strength. Learn, however, theself-reliance that our tiny mouths possess, and learnhow our pigmy band does whatever it wants."XXXIIThe Ploughman and his Oxen*^A peasant had left his cart sticking in a muddy pooland his oxen fastened to a yoke that would not move.He trusted in vain that thanks to the vows he lodgedthe gods would assist his fortunes though he sat idlehimself. From the starry heights he was addressedby the Lord of Tiryns ^ (for he was one of the godswhom his entreaties invoked to further his prayers).' Cf. X. 10.' This represents De aratore et bobus, Emvl. Other titlesare De rustico et axe, 0, and De pigro Tyrint{h)ium fnistraorante, C.**Hercules.