C.D. Warner, et al., comp. The Library of the World’s Best Literature.
An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.
The Courtiers
By Jean Pierre Claris de Florian (1755–1794)
Translation of Thomas Walsh
A P
To hunt with all his courtiers gay;
And growing thirsty, looked around
To see could any spring be found.
In vain; but near, an orchard stood
With ripened fruits in multitude.
“Now Lord forbid,” exclaimed the King,
“That I should take a single thing;
For if my courtiers see me do’t,
It means good-by to all the fruit.”