Epilogue (Book XI) by Jean de La Fontaine

Name: Epilogue (Book XI)
Author: Jean de La Fontaine

The poet reflects on his muse’s work of translating the speech and behavior of many kinds of creatures into verse, making them performers upon a varied stage. He claims that his poetry gives every being, foolish or wise, a more eloquent voice than it possesses at home. Acknowledging that his portrayals may be imperfect, he invites later writers favored by the nine sisters to complete and refine what he has only roughly shaped, adding lessons he may have left out. He observes, however, that these poets already possess grander subjects, since Europe yields to their sovereign and learns on battlefields to submit to the noblest design ever conceived by monarch or man. From such victories, the sisters may draw sublime themes capable of conquering Fate and Time.

By Jean de La Fontaine · First published 1678 · Genre: Poetry, Fable, Epilogue · 440 words

First lines

'Tis thus, by crystal fount, my muse hath sung, / Translating into heavenly tongue / Whatever came within my reach, / From hosts of beings borr'wing nature's speech. / Interpreter of tribes diverse, / I've made them actors on my motley stage; / For in this boundless universe / There's none that talketh, simpleton or sage, / More eloquent at home than in my verse. / If some should find themselves by me the worse, / And this my work prove not a model true, / To that which I at least rough-hew, / Succeeding hands will give the finish due. / Ye pets of those sweet sisters nine, / Complete the task that I resign; / The lessons give, which doubtless I've omitted, / With wings by these inventions nicely fitted! / But you're already more than occupied; / For while my muse her harmless work hath plied, / All Europe to our sovereign yields,[1] / And learns, upon her battle-fields, / To bow before the noblest plan / That ever monarch form'd, or man. / Thence draw those sisters themes sublime, / With power to conquer Fate and Time.[2]

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Similar titles

Genres

Poetry — The work is a compact verse epilogue, written in rhymed, elevated language and reflecting on the poet's craft.
Fable — It concludes a collection of fables and describes the poet's practice of giving speech and dramatic roles to animals and other beings in order to convey lessons.
Epilogue — Its primary formal function is to close Book XI, summarize the author's literary achievement, and gesture toward future writers and unfinished work.
Didactic Literature — The poem emphasizes the moral lessons conveyed through imaginative inventions and invites later poets to complete or refine those teachings.

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Epilogue (Book XI) is listed on Textopian as a poem by Jean de La Fontaine, dated 1678 CE.

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Work type: Poem
Author: Jean de La Fontaine
Date: 1678 CE
Language: English
Genres: Poetry, Fable, Epilogue, Didactic Literature, Meta-poetry
Length: 440 words
Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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