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By the work we know the artisan.
Some honeycombs without a master were found:
The Hornets claimed them;
The Bees objected,
Before a certain Wasp the case was brought.
It was difficult to decide the matter.
The witnesses testified that around these combs
Winged animals, buzzing, somewhat long,
Of a very tawny color, and like the Bees,
Had long appeared. But what! in the Hornets
These signs were the same.
The Wasp, not knowing what to say to these reasons,
Made a new inquiry, and for more light
Heard an anthill.
The point could not be clarified.
“”Pray, what is the good of all this?
Said a very prudent Bee,
Since six months now that the case has been pending,
We are here as on the first day.
Meanwhile the honey is spoiling.
It is time henceforth that the judge hurry:
Has he not licked the Bear enough?
Without so many contradictions, and interlocutory orders,
And clutter, and legal documents,
Let us work, the Hornets and we:
We shall see who knows how to make, with a juice so sweet,
Cells so well built.””
The refusal of the Hornets showed
That this art surpassed their knowledge;
And the Wasp awarded the honey to their opponents.
Would to God that all lawsuits were settled thus!
That in this the method of the Turks were followed!
Simple common sense would serve us as a Code;
There would be no need of so much expense;
Instead of being eaten, we are fleeced,
We are undermined by delays;
So much is done, in the end, that the oyster is for the judge,
The shells for the litigants.
Jean de La Fontaine
Translation generated by Poésies 123 with assistance from the deepseek-chat artificial-intelligence model.
Text published on Poésies 123: https://www.poesies123.com/en/fable-les-frelons-et-les-mouches-a-miel-jean-de-la-fontaine-2/