The Tortoise and the Hare

Rushing is useless; one has to leave on time. To such 
Truth witness is given by the Tortoise and the Hare. 
“Let’s make a bet,”the former once said,“that you won’t touch 
That line as soon as I.”“As soon? Are you all there, 
Neighbor?”said the rapid beast. 
“You need a purge: four grains at least 
Of hellebore, you’re now so far gone.” 
“All there or not, the bet’s still on.” 
So it was done; the wagers of the two 
Were placed at the finish, in view. 
It doesn’t matter what was down at stake, 
Nor who was the judge that they got. 
Our Hare had, at most, four steps or so to take. 
I mean the kind he takes when, on the verge of being caught, 
He outruns dogs sent to the calends for their pains, 
Making them run all over the plains. 
Having, I say, time to spare, sleep, browse around, 
Listen to where the wind was bound, 
He let the Tortoise leave the starting place 
In stately steps, wide-spaced. 
Straining, she commenced the race: 
Going slow was how she made haste. 
He, meanwhile, thought such a win derogatory, 
Judged the bet to be devoid of glory, 
Believed his honor was all based 
On leaving late. He browsed, lolled like a king, Amused himself with everything 
But the bet. When at last he took a look, 
Saw that she’d almost arrived at the end of the course, 
He shot off like a bolt. But all of the leaps he took 
Were in vain; the Tortoise was first perforce. 
“Well, now!”she cried out to him.“Was I wrong? 
What good is all your speed to you? 
The winner is me! And how would you do 
If you also carried a house along?” 


                                                  Jean de la Fontaine