Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE RAT WHO WITHDREW FROM THE WORLD, by JEAN DE LA FONTAINE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE RAT WHO WITHDREW FROM THE WORLD, by             Poem Explanation         Poet's Biography
First Line: Among levantine legends you maye find
Last Line: For I take it a monk is all loving charity.
Subject(s): Fables; Rats; Solitude; Allegories; Loneliness


AMONG Levantine legends you maye find
One of a rat worn out with worldly strife
Who in the hollow of a round Dutch rind
Withdrew to lead a cloistral life.
The solitude was audible
Round the deep arches of his cell.
The hermit made his living in the husk.
Soe well he wrought with toe and tusk,
That soon within his cell's dark core
Was ample victualling. What would you more?
The rat grew sleek. (The Lord doth bless alwayes
Whom to his saintly service vow their dayes.)
One daye a godly caller bore,
As leading counsellor among the rats,
For some small alms his government's behest:
They had decided on a foreign quest
To seek for help against the horde of cats
Ratopolis did whelm;
With empty pockets they had left,
Since of all money was bereft
The cat-beleaguered realm.
They asked small tribute, counting that such aid
Would be forthcoming ere five suns should fade.
"My friends," replied the lonely man,
"I meddle not in sub-celestial feud:
What can a poor soul in its solitude
To help you forward in your plan
But pray to heaven for the help you need?
And may the Lord thereunto give full heed."
And, having answered thus, full piously
The new saint shut his door (and turned the key).

Whom do you think that I so, with craft,
Show as a niggardly rat for parity?
A monk? Why no, but a dervish daft:
For I take it a monk is all loving charity.





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