Book X., La Fontaine also argues that brutes have reasoning

faculties. EPILOGUE. '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,[16] 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.[17] [16] _All Europe to our sovereign yields_.--An allusion to the conclusion of the peace of Nimeguen by Louis XIV., in 1678. Louis to some extent negotiated the treaty of this peace in person, and having bought the support of the English king, Charles II. (as shown in the note to Fable XVIII., Book VII.) the terms of the treaty were almost his own. The glory of the achievement procured for Louis the surname of "le Grand." The king's praises upon this account are further sounded by La Fontaine in Fable X., Book XII. [17] With the Epilogue to the XIth Book La Fontaine concluded his issue of Fables up to 1678-9. The XIIth and last Book was not added till 1694, the year before the poet's death. See Translator's Preface. * * * * *