Tryst Press | Broadsides

Tryst Press | Broadsides | The Frogs

Sir Roger L'Estrange, who published his own version of Aesop's Fables in 1692, summed up this moral tale well when he wrote, "The mobile are uneasie without a ruler: they are as restless with one; and the oft'ner they shift, the worse they are; so that government or no government; a king of God's making, or of the people's, or none at all; the multitude are never to be satisfied."

This broadside is the droll first printing of a house translation of this classic fable, relevant to our day, and perhaps even more so during the current U.S. presidential race.

Printed from handset uncial type and watercolored by Robert Buchert, it is sure to please the eye. Perhaps it might also serve to elevate character! (Scroll down to read text.)

Letterpress with watercolor illustration. Edition of 40.
9.6875 x 13 inches.
$65.00 plus tax and shipping.

The Frogs

a fable by Aesop

The frogs, grieved at having no established ruler, sent ambassadors to Jupiter entreating for a king. He, perceiving their simplicity, cast down a huge log into the lake. The frogs, terrified at the splash occasioned by the fall, hid themselves deep in the water. But no sooner did they see that the log continued motionless, than they swam again to surface, dismissed their fears, and came so to despise it as to climb up and squat upon it. After a time they began to think themselves ill-treated in the appointment of so inert a ruler, and sent a second deputation to Jupiter to pray that he would set over them another sovereign. He gave them an eel to govern them. When the frogs discovered the eel's easy good nature, they yet a third time sent to Jupiter to beg that he would once more choose for them another king. Jupiter, displeased at their complaints, sent a heron, who preyed upon the frogs day by day till there was none left to croak upon the lake.