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For Monseigneur le Dauphin1 I sing those heroes, Aesop’s progeny, Whose tales, fictitious though indeed they be, Contain much truth. Herein, endowed with speech— Even the fish!—will all my creatures teach With human voice; for animals I choose To proffer lessons that we all might use. O scion of a prince the heavens prize And object of the world’s admiring eyes, Who makes the haughtiest heads bow low, and who Will count his days in triumphs wrought anew, Others will tell you in more ample tone The worthy deeds your race of kings has sown. Rather, in this my verse, shall be portrayed Before you many a lesser escapade. But must, forsooth, your favor be denied, I shall be graced, in truth, for having tried. ...

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