Author: Jean de La Fontaine

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[1]

     Old Boreas and the sun, one day
     Espied a traveller on his way,
     Whose dress did happily provide
     Against whatever might betide.
     The time was autumn, when, indeed,
     All prudent travellers take heed.
     The rains that then the sunshine dash,
     And Iris with her splendid sash,
     Warn one who does not like to soak
     To wear abroad a good thick cloak.
     Our man was therefore well bedight
     With double mantle, strong and tight.
     'This fellow,' said the wind, 'has meant
     To guard from every ill event;
     But little does he wot that I
     Can blow him such a blast
     That, not a button fast,
     His cloak shall cleave the sky.
     Come, here's a pleasant game, Sir Sun!
     Wilt play?' Said Phoebus, 'Done!
     We'll bet between us here
     Which first will take the gear
     From off this cavalier.
     Begin, and shut away.
     The brightness of my ray.'
     'Enough.' Our blower, on the bet,
     Swell'd out his pursy form
     With all the stuff for storm - 
     The thunder, hail, and drenching wet,
     And all the fury he could muster;
     Then, with a very demon's bluster,
     He whistled, whirl'd, and splash'd,
     And down the torrents dash'd,
     Full many a roof uptearing
     He never did before,
     Full many a vessel bearing
     To wreck upon the shore, - 
     And all to doff a single cloak.
     But vain the furious stroke;
     The traveller was stout,
     And kept the tempest out,
     Defied the hurricane,
     Defied the pelting rain;
     And as the fiercer roar'd the blast,
     His cloak the tighter held he fast.
     The sun broke out, to win the bet;
     He caused the clouds to disappear,
     Refresh'd and warm'd the cavalier,
     And through his mantle made him sweat,
     Till off it came, of course,
     In less than half an hour;
     And yet the sun saved half his power. - 
     So much doth mildness more than force.

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Type of Poem: Fable

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

Publisher:

Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: This poem is a fable that presents an allegorical tale of force versus gentleness, using the characters of Old Boreas, a personification of the North Wind, and the Sun. It is structured in rhymed couplets, which gives it a rhythmic, flowing quality that underscores the narrative. The theme of the poem is revealed in the last line, highlighting the superiority of mildness over force.

The tone of the poem is whimsical and playful, despite the serious message it conveys. It uses vivid imagery and personification to bring the characters to life, such as Old Boreas swelling with "all the stuff for storm" and the Sun causing the clouds to disappear and warming the traveler. The poem effectively uses contrast to emphasize its message: the futile, destructive efforts of the wind represent the ineffectiveness of force, while the Sun, using only half its power, accomplishes the task through gentleness. This juxtaposition serves to drive home the lesson that persuasion can often achieve what brute force cannot.

The poem's standout literary devices include personification, where the Sun and the Wind are given human qualities, and the allegorical narrative itself. The use of a traveler as a 'test subject' in the wager between the Sun and the Wind adds another layer of complexity to the poem, representing perhaps an ordinary individual subject to the influences and trials of life. Overall, the poem is a thoughtful exploration of the power of tact and gentleness over brute force.